Mendhar Tehsil
Mendhar is a tehsil (administrative district) in the Poonch district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located in the foothills of Pir Panjal range within the Himalayas. The Mendhar Tehsil headquarters is in Mendhar town. It is located south of the Poonch district headquarters and from the state winter capital Jammu. Geography. The highest summer temperature is in between . The average temperature in January is ; February is ; March is ; April is ; and May is . Demographics. The total projected population of Mendhar Tehsil is 112,723, with 57,723 males and 55,000 females according to the  2011 census of India. The population includes Paharis, Gujjars, Bakerwals and Kashmiris. There are two blocks; Balakote and Mendhar. There are a total of 50 villages and 50 panchayats in Mendhar Tehsil. Places of interest. Krishna Ghati. Krishan Ghati is a hilly forest area, located from Mendhar. The site is known for its landscapes and natural environment. The areas near it are dangerous due to continuous ceasefire violations. Ziyarat Chhote Shah Sahib. Ziyarat Chhote Shah Sahib is located in the village Sakhi Maidan of Mendhar tehsil. This Ziyarat was built in memory of Saint Sakhi Peer Chhote Shah. A few  hundred yards away lie the ruins of ancient architecture popularly believed to be of the Pandvas. Ram Kund. Ram Kund is the oldest temple in Poonch region. It is located in the village of Chajjla, from Mendhar. This temple was built by Lalitaditya between 724 and 761. In the temple's courtyard there are three sacred ponds, known as Ramkund, Lakshmankund and Sitakund. A water spring also emerges from Ramkund. Ramkund is from Mendhar bus stand. Pilgrims visit during the month of March in Chaitra chawdish. Villages. Gohlad is a village located from Mendhar. All the offices are situated at  Gohlad. It is also known as Gohlad Town. SDM Office, Tehsil Office, Bus stand, Hospital, Police Station & All other office of the Tehsil Mendhar is situated in main Market of Gohlad Town. Hanuman mandir is one of the oldest Temple in Gohlad Town. "'Gurudwara Singh Sahib" is also situated at Gohlad. Topa is a village located from Mendhar. The Battle of Topa was fought here by the 5 Gorkha Rifles during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Salwah It is a beautiful small Valley in Mendhar. It is about 7 km from Mendhar Town. Starting from Jughal from south and  end at foot of Dana Shahsatar Mountain. Topa,Mendhar and Bhera lies on the south east.Jughal,Mankote,lies on South west. Kannetti, Bonala lies on the northwest adjoining Kalaban. Surankote lies on the north. Therpur is a village at top of the mountain of Ther. Khorbani is at the east of it. A hill station Danna shahsataar is about 4 km away. There is Higher Secondary school, a Mini stadium, a Health centre, 3 middle schools, 4 primary schools and 3 private schools up to Grade 8. Mankote is also one of the villages of Mendhar. At Mankote, there  is a defence Camp that provides facilities to the people of that village during any problem created due to shelling from India. Balnoi is also a large village in Tehsil Mendhar. In 1947 mostly the people of Balnoi migrated to Pakistan. Chak Banola village is located about 15 km from Mendhar. It consists of fertile land for cultivation, encompassing a wide variety of floras. Chak Banola has about 1500 population(2011 census). Kalaban is a remote village of Mendhar located 20 km away from Mendhar Tehsil. Transportation. Air. Poonch Airport is a non-operational airstrip in Poonch. The nearest airport to  Mendhar is Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar, located 175 kilometres from Poonch. Rail. There is no railway connectivity to Mendhar. There are plans to construct a Jammu–Poonch line which will connect Jammu with Poonch with railways. The nearest major railway station is Jammu Tawi railway station located 210 kilometres from Mendhar. Road. The tehsil is well-connected to other places in Jammu and Kashmir and India by the NH 144A and other intra-district roads. Bypass road is under construction Via Dachhal to Ari Bridge.