By Late Suraj Saraf, Compiled by Aimay Saraf
Kishtwar is the of exotic saffron and the costliest blue sapphire which commands great respect in the world markets.It is also so in natural beauty, history and art. Moreover, there are tombs of two renowned Muslim Saints Baba Farid-Ud-Din and his son Israr-ud-Din where people from far and near come to offer prayers.Among the natural charms of Kishtwar most conspicuous are its numerous water falls. The one facing kishtwar town, across the river Chenab is among the highest in the world being over 2,400 feet high. Its seven cascades each several hundred feet make a marvelous sight even from as far as the town of Kishtwar which must be about two staright from that fairy haunt.The “Chaugan” near the town is a delightful site and the local people are rightly proud of it. The roaring river Chenab and the equally furious Wadwan nullah joining near Kishtwar make an enthralling spectacle. The river Chenab emerges out of the lofty mountain at this place. Besides archaeological remains at Kishtwar have their own value. It is the only area in the Jammu and Kashmir State or may be in the whole of northern India where one come across gigantic megaliths. A well-known spot in the area is Sarthal Devi Shrine with an exquisite model of eighteen armed goddess. There are various legends as to how the statue came there. It is a pleasant site amid exhilarating sylvanic charms in the lap of lofty wooded mountain at the base of which flows river Chenab.
Kishtwar has also number of high altitude pilgrimages of which Machael Mata Pilgrimage has developed much recent years. En route to Kishtwar, in Doda area also there are two well-known mountain spots Laldarman and Daldarman famous for their extravagant environs.
Kishtwar saffron growing near the town, is more colourful even than the kashmiri Saffron which however has better fragrance. There are various legends as to how the saffron came to be grow in that particular area of Kishtwar. As in Kashmir, in Kishtwar also saffron grow only in a limited area and nowhere beyond that. The cultivation and harvesting of saffron is accompanied by gay festivals and ceremonies by the local people. Fine sapphire is found at paddar about seventy miles in the interior from Kishtwar town and at an altitude of about 14,000 feet. A vehicular road to open up this lovely area is under construction from Kishtwar town onward. Till several years back Kishtwar town could be reached only on foot or ponies but now it is joined with the Jammu-Srinagar highway at Batote through Doda. The sapphire mines discovered in the eighties of the 19th century had been worked only intermittently during all this period because of the difficult approach and unscientific mining techniques. Now for some years past these mines had begun to be exploited in a better manner. The construction of a road to that side would obviously further help the work. In Kishtwar area dense forests add to its natural attraction and contribute to its economic wealth. Kishtwar has also number of high altitude pilgrimages of which Machael Mata Pilgrimage has developed much recent years. En route to Kishtwar, in Doda area also there are two well-known mountain spots Laldarman and Daldarman famous for their extravagant environs.
(The compiler is a freelancer from Jammu. Views are his own)
