Monday, November 26, 2018

200km From Jammu, This Bowl-Shaped Valley Is Known As Little Kashmir, And Rightly So!


Photo of Bhaderwah by Sonalika Debnath
For 200 kilometres, the road from Jammu to Bhaderwah, slips, slithers and snakes through some of India's most jaw-dropping terrains. Forested slopes and decrepit tuck shops pass by in an ivy green blur, and the reticent river, Neeru, glistens away into the horizon. And after five languorous hours and 40 odd minutes, the bowl-shaped valley of Bhaderwah comes into view.
Sitting on the foothills of the middle Himalayas, the town sits at a lofty 5,295ft and has been monikered very aptly as Chhota Kashmir (mini Kashmir). The deodar forests are deep and shrouded in silence, and its meadows are swathed with fuchsia rhododendrons. There's history, rife with both local legends and political fervour. But what will cause you to lose your heart in mere seconds to the once sleepy valley, is its snow-dusted mountains. Perpetually shimmering under the winter sun, they beckon travellers from across the world, making it near impossible to leave.

Why travel to Bhaderwah

Photo of 200km From Jammu, This Bowl-Shaped Valley Is Known As Little Kashmir, And Rightly So! by Sonalika Debnath
Tucked away in Jammu and Kahmir's Doda district, Bhaderwah owes its bounteous beauty to the few hundred unchristened rivers clinging precariously to the mountainsides, alpine valleys dotted with centuries-old temples and elfin chai shops, and snow-capped peaks completely devoid of any worldly traps.

For enlightening temple-hopping trails

Photo of 200km From Jammu, This Bowl-Shaped Valley Is Known As Little Kashmir, And Rightly So! by Sonalika Debnath
A paragon of architecture, this temple houses twin idols of Raja Jamute Vahan and Naagraj Vasuki, carved out of a single stone. These time-worn statues inclined at 87 degrees, date back to the 11th century. The temple is three kilometres away from Bhaderwah's city centre and thronged by pilgrims all year round.

Gupt Ganga Temple

Devoted to Lord Shiva, this shrine is believed to be the resting place of the Pandavas, of the Mahabharata fame, during their days of exile. Engraved with Bhim's footprint, one of the rocks found on the premises is locally worshipped and draws religious tourists and curious travellers in equal measure. Sitting on the banks of river Neeru, this temple is constructed entirely out of stone. Its peculiar name is derived from a local legend, that river Ganga fell on the Shiva lingam and thereafter, disappeared abruptly.
Chandi Mata is another local favourite. The Hindu shrine is awash with garish colours and worships Goddess Chandi. Perched at 10,000ft above the Machail village, the octagonal temple is a pit stop for the illustrious pilgrimage trail of Machail Yatra.

For a motley of meadows, peaks and valleys

Chinta Valley
Photo of Chandi Mata Temple, Bhaderwah by Sonalika Debnath
At an elevation of 6,500ft, the sylvan valley is laden with conifers. One can go horse-riding from the regions of Baggan to Thuba and later visit the archaic Shiva temple nearby. The Subarnag peak trek starts from the Bhadarwah-Chinta road, and the valley also offers plenty of skiing opportunities.
Seoj Meadow
Photo of 200km From Jammu, This Bowl-Shaped Valley Is Known As Little Kashmir, And Rightly So! by Sonalika Debnath
A canvas of serenity – the grasslands of Seoj are encompassed by dizzying mountains that are home to the sacred peak of Kailash Kund on the south and a choppy rivulet on the west. Locally known as Seoj Dhar, the meadow acts as the camping grounds for the Kailash Yatra pilgrims. While here, adventure enthusiasts should book a thrilling paragliding trip that will take them across the ridiculously beautiful terrains of Bhaderwah.
Padri
Photo of 200km From Jammu, This Bowl-Shaped Valley Is Known As Little Kashmir, And Rightly So! by Sonalika Debnath
At 10,500ft, it's the highest point on the Bhadarwah-Chamba road. Pack a picnic lunch and clamber aboard one of the interstate buses to Padri. Carpeted by wildflowers and grass, it's teeming with pilgrims in the month of July, when the Mani-Mahesh Yatra begins.
Photo of Sartingal Road, Forest Block by Sonalika Debnath

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