Budgam- The Dreamland of Kashmir

 

Budgam district is home to some of the most exotic tourist locales where man finds himself in close communion with nature. It is a treat to visit some of these places and the district administration is unveiling a major road connectivity plan to make the region more accessible. Some of these places include:

 

Yusmarg:

One of the captivating meadows of Kashmir, Yusmarg is situated 50 Kms to the southwest of Srinagar at an elevation of 7,500 ft above sea-level. Yusmarg is not just a meadow but a cluster of meadows bounded by magnificent trees in the lap of Pir Panjal mountain range. The place is simply bewitching where man is lost in nature and awed with its beauty. The place is connected by road from Srinagar via Chrar-e-Sharief. Pony riding in the meadows here is a tourist's delight.

Nilnag:

 

It is a beautiful blue-water lake, situated 4 kms downhill from Yusmarg, connected by a bridle path through dense forests. The place is a wonderful picnic spot where tourists are mesmerized by wonderful natural surroundings. Nilnag is also approachable from Nowgam village. The 13-km uphill journey is a superb trek that brings many other beauty spots to limelight.

 

Mount Tatakoti:

The source of the famous Dudh Ganga stream, Mt. Tatakoti is at an elevation of 15,500 ft above sea-level. The stream, a tributary of the River Jhelum is famous for trout fish. Dudh Ganga is just one km away from Yusmarg where one can go on pony or enjoy the environs by footing the distance.


Sang-e-Safed (White Rocks)

 
Ten kms uphill from Yusmarg, one can go trekking to Sang-e-Safed, which serves as base for Mt. Tatakoti. En route, there are many meadows like Liddermar, where one could have a night's halt. Sang-e-Safed is an oval-shaped meadow bisected by the Dudh Ganga stream. Mornings and evenings are very refreshing here. Another enchanting meadow in the area is Haigin, 4 kms from Yusmarg. Surrounded by dense pine trees, the place is a famous picnic spot.

Tosamaidan:

Tosamaidan is not only famous as a pasture but also for its historical background. Bounded by dense forests, it is situated about 10 Kms from Khag in the mountains of the Himalayan range. After crossing the upper mountain reaches of Drang, Zakhora and other small villages, one reaches the pasture of Tosamaidan. It is one of those pastures which the shepherds of other countries also used to visit in ancient times. The Mughals used to go to Poonch using this route. It is said that they had constructed a seven-storied building -Dam Dam - here. The Basmai Gali (13,000 ft) is the pass which leads into Tosamaidan. Another pass - Poonch Gali - on its right side leads to the valley of Poonch. This pass was deemed to be the safest, easiest, and nearest to reach Punjab in ancient times. From here a path also leads to Nilnag. Tosamaidan is the largest pasture in its surrounding areas, 3 miles in length and 1.5 miles in width. Sky touching deodars, fence this pasture presenting a view of a green carpet during summer. During summer, the camps of the Gujjar community and shepherds are grazing their sheep in the pasture presenting a riveting look. Also, the fragrances of wild flowers refresh the environment.


Pehjan:

To reach this alpine pasture, one has to cross the green slopes of Donwar, Brari Pather and Yanga Pather. A little higher from these slopes, the entire place is covered with various kinds of asters and several plants of saussuera lappa (Kuth). Immediately afterwards, the area of "Rachi Parhan" (Pasture of Parhan) commences. In clear blue sky, the view of the area is ravishing. One can view the famous Wular Lake from here which resembles a silver-sheet. One can also enjoy the most charming view of one of the highest peaks in the world - Nanga Parbat (26,696 ft) - from here.


Nakwaer Pal:

Before Pehjan, there is the famous 14,000 ft-high Nakwaer Pal (the nostril rock) on the way. It is the highest peak of this range. About this famous rock it is said that when Kashmir valley was a lake (Sati Sar), boats used to be anchored with this rock. Today there is an iron hook within it (Ded BAL), also known as (Lal Khanen Gher). Here shepherds and Gujjars come from adjacent villages with their livestock.

Khag:

Situated 8,000 to 14,000 ft. above sea-level, in the lap of dense woods, bounded by mountains whose average height reaches  17,000 ft, Khag block in the Beerwah tehsil of Budgam district, is a place of breathtaking beauty in the southwest of Kashmir. The area is rich in green pastures where, with the onset of summer, the caravans of nomad Bakerwals arrive along with their cattle to graze in the meadows. The atmosphere turns romantic when a shepherd, while guarding his herd of sheep, plays flute and fills the air with magic. One has the experience the moment to believe it. During early winter, these nomads move through various mountain passes to warm places before the area is covered with snow. The return of summer, however, simply transforms the place into a dreamland.

 

Sutharan:

 
A little away from the famous meadow of Tosamaidan and close to the Line of Actual Control in the midst of thick forest is situated this enchanting spring. The legend has it that during his 14-year long exile, Lord Rama passed through these woods and stayed here along with Goddess Sita and Laxman. Goddess Sita, it is said, would bath in the spring which consequently got its name as Sita Haran. The name got later changed to Sut Haran. Close to the spring is a rock, which according to the legend, was used by Goddess Sita to sit on. The water of the spring is very sweet.

 

 

Nara Nag:

Nara Nag spring is also known as Narain Nag. The spring is close to the Khag village. The origin of the spring is believed to be the Tosamaidan Lake which after flowing several miles beneath the soil, resurfaces in the form of Naranag. It is said that long ago an ascetic was once going through this place. He was carrying a bagful of sheep dung which fell from his hand into the lake. Several days later, when he reached this place in Khag, he saw the dung floating on the surface of the Naranag. To convince himself, the ascetic returned to Tosamaidan and this time sprinkled some turmeric powder in to the lake. A couple of days later, the water in the Naranag carried a tinge of turmeric color.

Sukh Nag:

 

Of the many round-the-year-flowing springs, the Sukh Nag (the spring of solace) is the fountainhead of the Ahij brook. Flowing through the mountain terrain, the spring water transforms into a 20 ft high-roaring waterfall at Kanj Zubji, few miles from Tosamaidan, before mingling with other small streams to form the Ahij brook. Downwards, the Ahij is further divided into many streams, like Mala Kol, Lar Kol and Sona Maen Kol, irrigating many villages of Beerwah area.

 

Pushkar Nag:

 

Pushkar Nag is in the east of Pushkar village between Khag and Ferozpora. This historical spring is surrounded by several villages on its three sides. The spring owes its name to the village of its origin. It is said that during the month of Saawan (July-Aug), Kashmiri Pandits offered prayers known as Divya Paath here and the devotees would take a dip in the spring. Some devotees perform the ritual today as well. The spring finds a mention in the chronicle, Nilmat Puran, according to which a devotee is spiritually as much benefited by taking a dip in the spring as by a night-long recitation of the Vedas (the holy scriptures of Hindus).
                                               

Gandhak Nag:

 

This is a spring in Darang Khaipora village of Khag block with sulphur contents in its water. Hence the name Gandhak Nag. People with skin ailments take a bath in the spring and are said to get cured. These properties of its water make the Gandhak Nag very significant.