Archive
Animal carvings 3
- Value Abandonment
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
Animal carvings 4
- Value Abandonment
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
Stupa carving 5 (parikutta area)
- Value Adaptation
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
Stupa carving 5 (parikutta area)
Value
Adaptation
Location
Kharmang, Mehdiabad
Nature
Product
Risk
High
Genesis
There are five to six stupa carvings in a row with carvings of animals and human figures. Presence of many rock carvings in one place suggest that this place was either part of an ancient route or it was a residential area. Many potshreds were scattered on the surface while the rock carvings were either disturbed or their texture faded. One of the stupas has already been destroyed with half of the structure missing. Some carvings have black color while others have light color. Light color carvings are later additions overlapping few old carvings. Illegal digging/weathering and excavation in the area has damaged the site.
Pottery
- Value Abandonment
- Age
- Nature Practice
- Location Kharmang, Mehdiabad
- Vallery skardu
Pottery
Value
Abandonment
Location
Kharmang, Mehdiabad
Nature
Practice
Risk
High
Genesis
Pottery skill in the area was associated with the migrants from Kashmir who came to this area along with the Raja. This skill was primarily attributed to the male members of the community who would prepare the clay by mixing Shinjaksa (wet mud), then place it in a mold and beat it lightly with a wooden spoon. After this it was used to make different items like pots, toy cars and kitchen sets which were then baked in a wooden structure for half an hour. Over the past 30 years, pottery has lost its importance and is now replaced by commercial products/plastic.
Thami mosque
- Value Attachment
- Age 400 years old
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang_Sermik
- Vallery skardu
Thami mosque
Value
Attachment
Location
Kharmang_Sermik
Nature
Product
Age
400 years old
Risk
High
Genesis
Sacred for the Noor Bakhsh Sofia religious group. These are followers of Syed M. Noor Bakhsh and Syed Ali Hamdani. Intricately crafted wood of Kashmiri origin forms the distinct features of the Thami mosque. The structure holds its distinct identity but is currently undergoing deteroiration due to changing climatic conditions. This mosque has been built from the leftover wood that was leftover of the Kharmang Palace. The crafted wooden pieces came from Kashmir and when these were assembled to build a mosque at Kharmang these couldn't fit due to some supernatural phenomenon stopping the wood from getting assembled. The Raja of Kharmang then ordered to throw these pieces into the river to flow downstream. When the wood arrived at Sermik, it stopped at the current Thami masjid site and got assembled. These pieces were taken back to Kharmang to built a mosque there but the same phenomena happened. Hence it was decided to build a mosque at Sermik now called the Thami mosque. \
Musalla sharif
- Value Attachment
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang_Sermik
- Vallery skardu
Musalla sharif
Value
Attachment
Location
Kharmang_Sermik
Nature
Product
Risk
No risk
Genesis
Saint Ali Raza was an eminent Islamic preacher at the Keris mosque. Keris is a village located opposite to Sermic village across the river. The saint left Keris village on observing the disinterest of the people in his teachings. While crossing the river he requested the ferryman to carry him across the river but he refused. Upon this refusal, he spread his own prayer mat on the river waters and crossed the river. He arrived at the Musalla Sharif Mount. Later it became his permanent abode for praying and hence an imprint of his prostration was formed on the rock and preserved later as a sacred site.
Astana
- Value Attachment
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang_Sermik
- Vallery skardu
Astana
Value
Attachment
Location
Kharmang_Sermik
Nature
Product
Risk
Medium
Genesis
According to the locals, villagers of Sausar village were annoyed with a cow who used to come from across the river and damage their crops. One day they saw a saint passing by the village so they requested him to pray so they could get rid of the cow. The saint agreed and decided to meditate and pray. He selected a spot in the village and meditated there for 40 days in seclusion. He sat on the broken shells of apricot seeds to stay awake for 40 days. On the 40th day, he terminated the chilla (seclusion) and decided to leave, ordering the villagers that no one will see him and close their eyes while he departs. After that day nobody had ever seen the saint nor that cow ever again.
khanqah
- Value Attachment
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang_Sermik
- Vallery skardu
khanqah
Value
Attachment
Location
Kharmang_Sermik
Nature
Product
Risk
High
Genesis
Khaankah was used for Friday prayers normally but can be used for individual praying. It is mainly used for Itikaf (praying in seclusion) during the month of Ramzan. In 1940's the Khaankah was divided for the Shia and Noor Bakhshi families. Part of the building was reconstructed and expanded. The older section is used as a mosque for Shia families while the newly constructed portion is used for prayers and Itekaaf of Noor Bakhshi family.
Astana (Syed Mir Ali Raza)
- Value Attachment
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang_Sermik
- Vallery skardu
Astana (Syed Mir Ali Raza)
Value
Attachment
Location
Kharmang_Sermik
Nature
Product
Risk
Medium
Genesis
It is the Mazar (Shrine ) of Syed Mir Ali Raza and now used for prayers, Urs (anniversary of the Saint) and for Muharram procession during the Ashura. After a massive flood in 1946 the vernacular structure was changed into cement structure for safety. The covered area is surrounded by a courtyard on all sides and there are some graves inside the shrine that belong to the saint's family.
Markazi Imam Bargah
- Value Attachment
- Age 1300 years
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang_Kamango
- Vallery skardu
Water Mills
- Value Abandonment
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang_Kamango
- Vallery skardu
Water Mills
Value
Abandonment
Location
Kharmang_Kamango
Nature
Product
Risk
Low
Genesis
Watermills are an important part of the Balti culture. These were used for grinding the grains and the locals still use their watermills instead of modern machines. Watermills are usually located at a distance from the houses and are well maintained. Locals believe that the grains ground by their watermills are healthy, nutritional and tastier.
Dargah
- Value Attachment
- Age
- Nature Product
- Location Kharmang_Kamango
- Vallery skardu
Dargah
Value
Attachment
Location
Kharmang_Kamango
Nature
Product
Risk
Completely reconstructed
Genesis
The dargah was used for religious ceremonies, gatherings and for offering prayers. The Old Dargah was constructed in 1282 but due to flooding in the village it was demolished and reconstructed completely.