Kishtwar is known by several names:

1. Samarth Garh

2. Goverdhansar

3. Mahakali Garh

4. Lohit Mandal

5. Pohie

6. Cheerhar

7. Bhot Nagar

8. Kishtavata

9. Kishtwar

Existence of Kishtwar town and Mandal goes back to Mahabharata time when it was called ‘Lohit Mandal’ meaning ‘ a place of Saffron’ although ‘Lohit’ has ceased to be used now but ‘Mandal’ still exists and is the name of the villages in the vicinity of the town. According to some historians, it was previously called ‘Kashyapwas’ meaning the place of ‘Kashyap Rishi’. It was this great saint who on the basis of his spiritual powers, got the water of ‘Goverdhan Sar’ drained off which made Kishtwar a place worth living. The theory that Kishtwar, prior to its existence, was a lake known as ‘Goverdhan Sar’ is corroborated with the fact that the area between TRC and village Sangrambhata is still called ‘Gudhansar’. Sar in Sanskrit means ‘Lake’.

With the passage of time, the name ‘Kashtwarak’ also has been used for the present Kishtwar. Kishtwar has a significant historical importance as far as its antiquity is concerned in fact, the name Kishtwar is the ‘Prakrit Version’ of the Sanskritised names ‘Kashtwarak‘ and ‘Kashtnivarak’.

Kishtwar is a land of Sapphire and Saffron. This place is surrounded by mountains, dense forest, and sloppy hills which gives an amazing and fascinating look to this place. It has so beautiful landscapes. It has also occupied a place on the tourist map of India. Its height is about 1700 meters. above sea level. It is connected to the rest of the country through NH1B near Batote. The waterfall of Potinag on the opposite side of NaginShero cliff which is 4090 meters above sea level and remains covered with snow throughout the year gives the fascinating look to Kishtwar. Kishtwar has a beautiful ground popularly known as CHOWGAN surrounded by various types of trees. The area of this place is near about 520kanals. In ancient times, Chowgan is known as Goverdhansar Lake which is full of water. Kishtwar is located at a distance of 216 km from Jammu. Kishtwar district is one of the most beautiful districts in the state. The legend has it that Kishtwar got its name from an ancient sage, KishatRishi, Kishtwar stands out for the natural beauty that is further enhanced by the numerous waterfalls surrounding it. Kishtwar is popularly known as “Land of Sapphire and Saffron”.

The Chander Bagha (Chenab) river is so wonderful that one becomes surprised to see its jumps from a distance. The area of Kishtwar is approx. 7737sq.km and the population of Kishtwar is approx. 1,92,009 souls as per census 2001. Kishtwar is a place where people are not only of different races but of different ethics and culture also. There are many holy places in this district. Some famous springs (locally known as Nag) of Kishtwar are Gudresh Nag, Pooti Nag, and Kumai Nag. Many precious stones are found in this area are Sapphire and Quartz which are found in Padder and Ruby Gems in the mountainous area of Kishtwar. Kishtwar a nature’s paradise needs road connectivity and up gradation. The whole region has fabulous potential for the tourism industry which has been neglected for decades. Jammu and Kashmir are hailed as the crown of India. There is one particular area in state J&K which is called Kishtwar.

Kishtwar was one of the newly created districts when the Chief Minister of state G.N.Azad had taken a historic decision in July 2006 for the creation of the new district It has the unique distinction of being one of the biggest districts of the state in the area just next to Leh and Kargil districts. Its area is almost one-half of the total area of eleven districts of the valley and one-third of the area of the Jammu region which too has eleven districts. The population of the Kishtwar district is around 2.5lakh. History geography, topography, demography, area, and population define the status of a place or region. With an area of nearly 8,000 Sq. Kms., Kishtwar is almost mountanious like that of Himachal or Ladakh region. District Kishtwar has its boundaries touching the valleys of Himachal in the south east and Doda on South-West. The entire district is full of mountains, forests and hills. Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs all reside here with amity and brotherhood. The district has four tehsils namely Marwah, Padder, Chatroo and Kishtwar with headquarters at Nauphachi, Atholi, Chhatroo, and Kishtwar. Almost entire districts receives snowfall during a good winter. Habitation is found even at altitudes of 9,500ft. Kishtwar is full of hidden charm, wonderful sites and spots, health resorts, tourist locations famous historical and religious places, sacred shrines and monuments.