Pir Panjal Range

The Pir Panjal Range is a group of mountains in the Inner Himalayan region, running from east-southeast (ESE) to west-northwest (WNW) across the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan administered Kashmir, where the average elevation varies from 1,400 m (4,600 ft) to 4,100 m (13,500 ft). The Himalayas show a gradual elevation towards the Dhauldhar and Pir Panjal ranges. Pir Panjal is the largest range of the lower Himalayas. Near the bank of the Sutlej river, it dissociates itself from the Himalayas and forms a divide between the rivers Beas and Ravi on one side and the Chenab on the other. The famous Murree and Galliat mountains are also located in this range.

Peaks

Deo Tibba (6,001 m (19,688 ft)) and Indrasan (6,221 m (20,410 ft)) are two important peaks at the eastern end of the mountain range. They can be approached from both the Parvati-Beas Valley (Kulu District) and the Chandra (Upper Chenab) Valley (Lahaul and Spiti District) in Himachal Pradesh. The hill station of Gulmarg in Kashmir lies in this range.

Panjal

Panjal is a village in Chelakkara, Thrissur district in the state of Kerala, India. The village is known for the Athirathram yaga which was held in 1975 and 2011. The yaga is an offering for 'Fire' god.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Panjal is Famous for the Athirathram which was held in the year 1975. Panjal is situated near the bank of Nila ( Bharathapuzha). Panjal had a population of 5893 with 2803 males and 3090 females. Panjal village is full of greenery and scenery. Lot of ancient Kerala style temples such as Lakshmi Narayana temple, Ayyappan Kavu, Kaattil Kavu Siva temple,mathur vettekkaran temple,nellikkattil ganapathy temple, machil bhagavathy, mullakkal bhagavathy, thekkummuri Subramanian Kovil,padinjattumuri subramanian kovil, Mariamman Kovil, etc... are situated in this village.

Ayyappan Kavu Uthram Vela is the famous festival in this village, 5 to 15 elephants will participate in this vela after that vedikettu (fire works) will also happen. Maha Kiratha Rudra Yajnam at Thottathil mana Vettekkaran temple is also very famous, now last 8 years this yajnam is going on in the months of April or may. It was normally 10 days program including Bhagavatha Sapthaha Yajnam, shatha chandikayagam, major team panjavadyam and Thayambaka, and very importend and powerful program is Kalampaattu and 12000coconut breaking(pantheerayiram). Vettekkaran Seva Samithi is doing this program under the chief instruction by Thottathil mana Kuttan Namboothiri, the disciple of Very famous Thanthri ThanthraRathnam Azhakathu Shasthru Sharman Namboothirippad, the president of thanthra Vidya peetham-Aluva. Now Sivakiratham Global Trust is Co-ordinating an Athirathram on 2013, as a celebration of the 10th anniversary of Maha Kiratha rudra Yajnam .