Paonta Valley, also known as Kirda Dun Valley, lies in
Sirmaur District of
Himachal Pradesh, between the eastern extremities of Markanda and the Dharti ranges.
The valley has been classified into three distinct tracts - the Dun proper, the Par Dun tract and the tracts consisting of the Neli Khera and the adjoining hills of the lower Dharti on the North of the Bata, East of Jamun Khala, West of Tila Gharib Nath and South of Rajban.
The Dun proper is situated between the Yamuna and the lower parts of Dharti range and Poka hills. The Giri and the Bata streams traversing this part provides for irrigation. The Par Dun tract is located near the Majro village, surrounded by undulating hills. Though once a cultivated and fertile tract, it is now a deserted waste forest accessible by a lone road.
Kira Dun, which forms the plain area, falls within the Cis-Giri division and a very small part in a corner extends across the Giri falls into the Trans-Giri division. It was a dense forest a century ago but made way for human settlements since the time of Raja Shamsher Prakash. Giri and Bata rivers water this valley. Wheat, maize, ginger, millet and sugarcane are widely cultivated here. Now the place is quickly becoming an industrial area.
A Sikh Gurdwara at Paonta Sahib and a Ram Mandir are the major religious places in the valley.
