Doodhpathri-a Piece of Heaven in Pir Panjal range Kashmir
Doodhpathri Kashmir
Doodhpathri is a hidden gem in the lap of the Himalayas and a hill station in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Locally, it is known the as Dodh-E-Pather, and the name translates to ‘Valley of Milk’. Doodhpathri is located in Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas. The valley is surrounded by snow-covered mountains and meadows of pine, fur, and deodar tree. Several wildflowers such as daisies, forget-me-nots, and buttercups grow in this valley during the spring and summer. It is situated at an altitude of 2730 m. from sea level and located at a distance of 42 km from the state summer capital Srinagar and 22 km from the district headquarters Budgam.
History Doodhpathri
The name “Doodpathri” means Valley of Milk. It is said that the famous Kashmiri saint Sheikh ul Aalam Sheikh Noor din Noorani prayed over here, in search of water in the valley. when he pricked the ground with his stick, milk came out. This gave this place the name ‘Doodhpathri’. The water which is flowing through the spring has a milky appearance from the distance and remains very cold throughout the year. The lush green grasses over the vast valley and silver shining streams running over the large rock further increase its beauty. Doodhpathri is a sloping grassy landscape with a diversity of multicoloured flowers up to Chang. The famous Tosamaidan lies in the west of Doodpathri Kashmir.
Geography
Doodhpathri is located in the Khan Sahib area of the Budgam district. Doodhpathri lies in a bowl-shaped valley in the Pir Panjal Range, at an altitude of 2,730 m above sea level. It is an alpine valley covered with snow-clad mountains. Shaliganga river flows in Doodhpathri and most of the treks in this valley follow the course of this river. Rivers Shaliganga and Doodhganga originate from the Ashtaar glacier. Doodhpathri has no permanent settlement and is inaccessible during winter due to heavy snowfall. In summer shepherds from the plains, in the area brings cattle for grazing and remain at Doodhpathri for about six months.
Best time to visit Doodhpathri Kashmir
Doodhpathri in winter- Doodhpathri remains closed in the winter season. This entire area gets buried under several feet of snow. So, It will be very difficult to reach here by road in January and February.
The best time to visit Doodhpathriou is June-July when the emerald-green meadows in the valley are best seen. Doodhpathri weather-The weather is good throughout the year. Doodthpathri Kashmir has a cool and pleasant climate in summer and a very cold climate in winter. Doodhpathri temperature-On average, the warmest months are June, July, August and September. January is the coldest month of the year.
Camping and Trekking
Camping and trekking are some of the best activities visitors can engage in, during the Doodhpathri visit. The places to visit around Doodhpathri include Tangnar, Diskhal, Palmaidan, Mujpathri, and Yusmarg. For Camping, visitors can Carry a tent and find a nice spot, preferably closer to the small shops or Gujar’s hut (Gujar-community) and have quality time around a bonfire. you can enjoy Kashmiri tea and bread and go trekking to small hills nearby.
Also, read- A Stunning Hill Station in Periyar River Canyon-Idukki
Doodhpathri waterfall-Vast green meadows with mountains on one side and a milky Shaliganga river flowing over big stones surrounded by alpine forest are creating an awesome waterfall, and this is worth seeing in the area.
Doodhpathri is relatively less crowded and a secluded hill station and the reason it often features on the list of offbeat places to visit in J&K. It’s a recent inclusion in the Kashmir tourism map. It does not have well-equipped facilities. Since Doodhpathri is still a developing tourist place, hotels around the place may not be available. so it would be better to pack your own meals when visiting this place, and only a one or two-day trip would be advisable. The travel to Doodhpathri can be hectic but the sight of this heaven on earth is completely worth all the trouble.
Attraction near Doodhpathri
- Tangnar is a place dotted with pine and deodar trees. Small hills and valleys are worth seeing here.
- Diskhal is a meadow on a mountain that overlooks the Ashtaar glacier. Palmaidan translates to ‘big stones ground’, is a small stream and lots of deodar and pine trees. in Summer a large number of shepherds and cowboys graze their cattle here.
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Yusmarg Doodhpathri-Yusmarg lies nearly 4 km away from Doodhpathri is another green pasture and tranquil beauty. The bed of Greenland that we get to see now used to have wildlife and was famous for having a large number of deer. Only a few decades ago, it was discovered as a potential spot for tourism.
Photo-vargiskhan.com/
How to Reach Doodhpathri Kashmir
The nearest airport is the Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport Srinagar. Doodhpathri is at a distance of 40 km From this Airport and one can hire a cab from here. Tourists also take a bus to Budgam from Lalchowk Srinagar, from where you can catch a vehicle to Khansahib. From Khansahib one can get a cab for Doodhpathri. The nearest railway station is situated in Ompora town of Budgam district, 35 km from Doodhpathri.
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