Kashmir tribes report by Kashmir correspondent
ضلع کپواڑہ۔ KUPWARA
Kupwara is the backward frontier District of Kashmir Valley, full of scenic beauty. Dense forests and rich wild life make it significant from tourism and wildlife point of view. Nature has been very kind to Kupwara. District Kupwara was carved out form erstwhile District Baramulla in the year 1979. The District Headquarter “Kupwara” is situated at a distance of 90 kms from the summer capital of UT, i.e. Srinagar.The District is situated at an average altitude of 5300 feet from the sea level.
ABOUT : Kupwara is the backward frontier District of Kashmir Valley, full of scenic beauty. Dense forests and rich wild life make it significant from tourism and wildlife point of view. Nature has been very kind to Kupwara. District Kupwara was carved out form erstwhile District Baramulla in the year 1979. The District Headquarter “Kupwara” is situated at a distance of 90 kms from the summer capital of UT, i.e. Srinagar.The District is situated at an average altitude of 5300 feet from the sea level.The geographical area of the District is 2379 sqkms The north west part of the District is bound by line of actual control (L.O.C)) while the southern portion is bound by the District Baramulla. There are three bad pocket areas, namely, Machil, Keran and Karnah located near L.O.C which remain land locked for more than six months in a year.
Culture & Heritage : Cultural heritage of Kashmir is as multi-dimensional as the variegated backdrop of its physical exuberance which has nursed and inspired it all along. Its sanctity and evergreen stature can be conveniently inferred from the chaste shimmering snow, with its virgin demeanour from top to toe, adorning the towering peaks of its mountainous periphery. Mellowing kisses of the sun endow these summits with a rosy blush lending perennial health to our warbling brooks, roaring waterfalls and sedate and solemn lakes. To crown all, this very nectarine glow has most meaningfully groomed our mental attitude to glean unity amidst seeming diversity.
Culture is always in a flux and ferment. It is a non-stop mental journey with no mile-posts to cool its heels upon. It is, precisely speaking, the cumulative expression of the values enshrined in the heart-beats of the denizens of this Happy Valley. The irresistible stamp of Buddhist compassion, Hindu tolerance and Muslim Zest for life is most unmistakably discernible from the attainments of Kashmiri mind and intellect. In the foregoing web pages, we have made a humble attempt to portray this very salient trait of our culture.
One of the most important parts of the cultural identity of the Kashmiri people is the Kashmiri (Koshur) language. This language is spoken only in the Valley of Kashmir by the Kashmiri Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims. Besides language, Wazwan and culture has been greatly influenced by Central Asian and Persian culture. Kashmiri is an Indo-Aryan (Dardic subgroup) language close to Central Asian Avestan-Persian. Cultural music and dance like Wanvun, Roaff, carpet/shawl weaving |Kaleenbafi and Koshur Sufiana forms a very important part of Kashmiri identity.
The Dumhal is a famous dance in the Kashmir valley, performed by men of the Wattal region. The women perform the Roaff, another traditional folk dance. Kashmir has been noted for its fine arts for centuries, including poetry and handicrafts. Shikaras, traditional small wooden boats, and houseboatsare a common feature in various lakes and rivers across the Valley. Kashmiri culture is defined in terms of religious values, Kashmiri language, literature, cuisine and traditional values of mutual respect.
Seemab Valley : About 4 Kms from the tourist reception centre Kupwara, the Seemab Valley is located at the entrance of the Lolab Valley.The valley has a natural picturesque beauty and a perennial water body by the name of Daal Kul.It is surrounded by lush green forests and therefore provides ample scope for day picnics. Few adventure related activities like rock climbing and trekking can also be considered while visiting this place.
Lolab : Lolab valley, named after Maharaja LOLO, is known for its lush green forests and pastures, stretching across nearly 25 kms from north-west to south-east, varying in breadth from a few yards to 5 kilometers. It is traversed by a stream known as Lalkul (Lahwal).Water to Lalkul is contributed by numerous tributaries flowing from surrounding hills, which are clothed by dense forest of Deodar, the valley that have an average depth of 7 to 15 feet and are unique in them. It is also known for the Sat Barran (Seven doors) and a cave in the jungles of Madmadav. The famous Lov-nag is located in Anderbaugh village.Apart from natural beauty, Lolab Valley is also historically important as Varnow village, a small settlement in the region, is the birthplace of Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri.
Bungus Valley : One of the relatively unknown areas of Kashmir with vast tourism potential is the valley of Bangus. Lying within the Trans-Himalayan areaBangus is a unique ecological combination comprising a mountain biome, which includes grassland biome with flora at lower altitudes; and Taiga or Coniferous forest. The valley which lies at an altitude of around 10,000 ft. above sea level is in the northern part of district Kupwara within the Handwara sub District. Occupying an estimated area of 300 sq.kms (20x15km) the principal valley locally known as Bodh Bangus (Big Bangus) consists of a linear elliptical bowl aligned along the east-west axis. The valley is surrounded by Rajwar and Mawar in the east, Shamasbury and Dajlungun Mountains in the west and Chowkibal and Karnah Guli in the north. A smaller valley known as Lokut Bangus (Small Bangus) lies on the north-eastern side of the main valley. Both the valleys have level green meadows surrounded by low-lying mountains covered with dense Coniferous forests (budloo) and a stream flowing through them.
Sadhna Pass View Point : Sadhna Pass is a mountain pass in Jammu And Kashmir. It is located in the Himalayas and connects Karnah tehsil of Kupwara district with the rest of the Indian administrated Kashmir valley. It is located in the vast Shams Bri mountainous range. It is about 3000 m above sea level. The pass is best known for its generation old mythological legend of Blind and Deaf Fairies.
Every locale of district Kupwara is enchanting, mesmerizing and beckons the nature lovers. All spectacles of nature be it a village, plain, hill, mountain, pasture, river, meadow is eye catching and worth seeing. Although every inch of district is a health resort the places likely to be developed as tourist resorts are as under
BADRAKALI : Ancient holy place of Hindus located on a motorable road leading from Handwara to Rajwar. There is a dormant volcano in the vicinity and Hindus revere it and is known by the name Soyamj.
BANGUS : This enchanting and fascinating 20 x 15 Kms plain is full of wild orchids, with carpet of green grass, surrounded by high snow clad mountains, rivulets in cascades flowing from the mountains, chirping of colourful birds, grazing of cattle and sheep. This gives the semblance of a dream world. It can be approached form Handwara Tehsil through Satkoji with a foot journey of 12 Kms. Second approach to it is through Chowkibal Marsari and again a foot journey of 15 way the Kms ahead. A Golf Course is proposed to be here which is likely to be the Asia’s biggest golf course.
DRANGYARI : This attractive, worth seeing place is located in the west if Chowkibal on the way to Karnah.There is rest house facility provided by District Administration.
JABDI : It is 5 km in the South of Tangdar. A P.W.D rest house has been constructed there. We can have a view of Shamsbari mountain from this place.
KERAN VALLEY : It is a charming valley located on the banks of sacred river Kishan Ganga. To reach the valley we have to cross 8000 feet high pass of Farkyan. Kishan Ganga forms the actual line of control between India and POK at Keran. There is rest-house in Keran for the visitors.
LOLAB VALLEY : This attractive and beautiful valley full of magnificient blue prints has been praised by many poets .Dr. Allama Iqbal says, “pani teray chashsmoon ka tadapta hua seemab,´murgani sahar teray fizawoon main hai beetab aye wadiya Lolab’’, Fazil says, “wesiye su gulfam yad aam yad aam, yad aam Lolab Sogam yad aam yad aam”. Varnow village is home to renowed Kashmiri Islamic scholar Allama Anwar ShahRA Kashmiri. Sogam, Chandigam, Diver, Anderbug, Lalpore and Kalaroos are some of the noteworthy areas with rest house facilities. Historical LOV Nag spring is in Anderbug. One of the most attractive places in the area is a cave located in the jungles of Madmadow. It is believed that the cave known as Kalaroos leads us to Russia.
MACHIL : The Machil valley is to the east of Kupwara. To reach there we have to cross the Noonwani Gully which is motorable in summer, but cut off in winter. There are rest-house facilities for the visitors.
MUQAM SHAH WALI : The shrine of famous Saint Zaiti Shah Wali, located in village known after him as Muqam Shah Wali has been selected as a spot of tourist pilgrimage and is being developed accordingly. Zaiti Shah had been an army commandant of famous Chak ruler, Ali Shah Chak and a disciple of Hazrat Hamza Makdoomi. A three day mela is held at the Shrine in May every year in which Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs participate.
REDI : It is situated near Chowkibal on the way to Karnah. There are rest house facilities available for the visitors provided by the administration.
RESHWARI : This charming place is located in Nowgam area of Handwara Tehsil, 25 kms from Handwara.The area is motorable. Two tourist Dak Bungalows are available there for tourists.
