Doodhpathri – Place of Surreal Beauty in Kashmir

Kashmir valley is famous for its luscious, endowed, charming beauty. There are amazing facts about Kashmir valley that it looks like paradise on earth, rich in several nature bestowed vegetation, springs, waterfalls, clear crystal water Rivers which flow from the lap of eminent mountains of Pir Panjal range, beautifies and elucidates the real face of Kashmir. The people of the valley are so benevolent and known for their great hospitality, (tourist views). One more fact is that the tourism sector is the backbone of Kashmir’s economy. There are lacs of people; it includes all age groups who are earning their livelihoods from this sector. The tourism department plays a vital role in generating employment for the unemployed youth and at the time discovers, and develops, new recreational places for the native folk and the for the tourists who came from the different corners of the country, from the globe and redressing the grievances faced by the tourists on priority basis that is quite impressive and still miles to go for the better and secure accommodation, facilities should be catered throughout the year to the visitors and needs identification of more attractive destinations in future. Doodhpathri is one of the emerging tourist spot in the Valley. Doodhpathri comprises two words mmeaning Doodh which literally means milk, due to clear crystal water of Shaliganga River and Pathri means meadows. Means the milky meadow tourist destination. Doodhpathri is just about 45 km from the summer capital Srinagar and about 36 km from the District headquarters Budgam. Doodhpathri beautifies, district Budgam in various ways and generates livelihood for the locals of the adjoining villages. The name was given to this renowned place by Valleys, one of the towering Sufi saint Nund Rishi (RA) commonly known as Alamdar Kashmir among natives of Kashmir. Doodhpathri has been famous among the natives of District Budgam since centuries. Doodhpathri was earlier used for the grazing purposes, still there are mud houses called ‘’ Kotha by the locals’’. Doodhpathri is situated in central Kashmir’s district Budgam. There are other tourist places in the district such as Yousmarg, Charari Sharief (shrine of Sheikh Noor Ud din Wali (RA).), Tosamaidan is one of emerging tourist destinations in the district and rich in various attractive places. Ich-Gam, Kremshora, Khansahib, Yarikhah are the villages which can be reached via doodhpathri. There are some other routes as well like via Magam, beerwah, Arizal, Raiyar, and Raithan, Mujhpathri. Places to visit Sotchal (Sochal) Pathri Sotchal (Sochal) Pathri nearer to Doodhpathri is a resting place for the visitors. The place is quite picturesque and explains the endowed beauty of nature.
Sukhnag: The Sukhnag River is located in the lap of Pir Panjal Mountains of Parihas Doodhpathri and Sitaharan Khag. Literally, the river is commonly known as Sukh Nag comprises of two Kashmiri words Sukh- which means calm, and Naag-means spring. The Sukh Naag River beautifies and quenches the thirst of several villages alongside it, the villages are Arizal, Zanigam, and Beerwah and finally opens its mouth into the river Jhelum. Sukh Naag is one of the major tributaries of the river Jhelum. The Sukhnaag River is famous throughout the district and has great influence among the native people. It originates from the upper mountain hills of the Tosamaidan. The origins are Dammam Sar, etc. dams and beatify the lush green forest of the place. It will be brought under the map of tourism but at the same time needs the attention of the administration. The Sukhnag River has great potential for tourists and generates revenue for the state, generating employment as well for the locals of the area. There are certain more facts about the Sukhnaag River, such as the river is just 40-minute walk away from the tourist reception centre (TRC) Raiyar-ich, Tangnar. District Administration, Budgam and tourism department of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The concerned department will find many other hidden facts about the beautiful place after it’s taken up under the tourism destination of the Kashmir valley. District administration Budgam put many efforts into the upliftment of the district as the district Budgam is still lacking several basic facilities for the tourism sector. There are renowned tourist places in the district as well. Yous Marg, Doodhpathri, and still counting. Tosamaidan is a newly introduced tourist destination and has great potential for tourism, and needs assistance from the central government. Dear readers, In Sha Allah in future I will bring more interesting information and facts about the destinations and try to let you know how beautiful Sukh Naag river is.
Raiyar –Ich: Raiyar Ich is a picturesque hamlet and resting place for tourists, who come from different corners of the world. Facts to know about the Raiyar –Ich. Raiyar comprises two Kashmiri words, i.e, “Rai” means lost and “Yaar” means friend in the Kashmiri language. So the name had been given to this hamlet, by the mystic Kashmiri Sufi saint, SHEIKH NOOR UD DIN WALI (RA). It’s so when he reached in the said village from the forests of the Pir Panjal, he sent his friends to different parts of Kashmir to spread of Gods (peace be upon him) teaching and he managed to start his journey alone towards Dreygam cave. Source: local legend of the village. I wish! May almighty God eradicate the corona pandemic and militancy threat and shower his blessings on us
(The author is EVS Lecturer at Government Higher Secondary School Khellani Doda. Views are his own)
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