Doodhpathri lies in a bowl shaped valley in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, at an altitude of 2,730 m (8,957 ft) above sea level. It is an alpine valley covered with snow clad mountains and the meadows of Pine Fir and Deodar. Doodhpathri is a tourist destination situated in the Budgam Distt at the distance of 42 km from summer capital srinagar and 22 km from Distt Headquarter Budgam. Doodhpathri means “Valley of Milk”, and there are several stories to the origin of its name. Some say that the river flowing on the meadows gushes with such force that it looks like milk from a distance. Another interesting story is that a famous saint of Kashmir once prayed for water and pricked the ground with his stick, only to have milk oozing out of the ground. Make sure to walk on the icy pebbles of different sizes surrounding this river and soak your feet in its cool water.
The water which is at present flowing through the meadows has a milky appearance from the distance and remains very cold throughout the year.The lush green grasses over the vast meadows and silver shining streams running over the large stones further increase its beauty. Doodhpathri is sloping grassy landscapes with a diversity of multicolored flowers up to Chang. The famous Tosamaidan lies in the west of Doodpathri.The natural meadows, which are covered with snow in winter, allow the growth of wild flowers such as daisies, forget-me-nots and butter cups during spring and summer.Doodhpathri is a beautiful meadow with emerald grass that looks like a green carpet. A beautiful river dancing and reverberating with the wind flows in the middle of the meadow, lending it a splendid charm and vibrancy. The place looks very beautiful and pleasant. The green grass under the feet is really wonderful.
Doodhpathri however is a recent inclusion in the Jammu Kashmir tourist map. This is the reason that the place is not overcrowded and not many tourists visit here. However, it has become a real hit among the local population, who find it a welcome step. The road from Khansahib area in Badgam to the Doodhpathri is not in a good condition. There is not a full-fledged market or any hotel in the area, so the trip is always going to last for a day only and you need to pack your lunch. Tea and snacks are available in the shops run by local people. Travelling to the area can be hectic, but the place is worth the trouble. The local government is taking steps on fast track basis to make the access easier and comfortable. Work is going on to connect Doodhpathri with all the concrete roads. Once completed, it is believed that the place will be at no. 3 of the most preferred tourist destinations of the valley. Everyone visits Gulmarg, sonmarg, pahalgam but very few have heard and have visited this unexplored place in Kashmir – Doodh pathri. Beautiful is an understatement. Clean river (water as white as milk), huge meadows, sheep and horses roaming feely and all of this surrounded by gigantic mountains..Take a horse ride and negotiate to go till doodh ganga (the second river spot). Doodh pathri has a river shali ganga with few tourists but when you take a pony ride, it take you up all the way where this stream is originating from.. It is serene and cannot be described in words. And that point is called Doodh Ganga. A lot many picturesque points may cross your way. My eyes were gleaming with joy to experience so much of nature in one go – flowing rivers, trees, mountains, fresh air and unconstructed ways. Totally non-commercial and paradise on earth.
(The author is a freelancer from Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. Views are his own [email protected])
