Doodh Phatri: a scenic, beautiful hillock in central Kashmir gaining popularity as new tourist destination

5 Dariya News ( Xuhaib Maqbool )

Srinagar 02-Sep-2014

Kashmir known as paradise of the world consists of various tourist places like Gulmarg, Pehal gam , Yousmarg etc and the matter of the fact is that with every coming year concern departments are discovering new destinations to boost the tourisim in jammu and kashmir, these places are developed so that there can be a clear visualization to consider these places as tourist destinations and picnic spots.

Among all a place known as Doodh Pathri located in budgam was recently taken care by the state government, government organized many events like summer festival, musical programmes etc to give people and know how of this tourist spot and with no time this place known as doodh pathri had started attracting people towards it.

The origin f the name Doodhpathri is not completely known. Some say that the milky water that flows in its rivers gives this place its name. "The water flows very fast. When it strikes against the stones, it forms a milky-white appearance; hence the name,” explains Bashir Mazhami, a teacher and a writer. Some say that high milk production gives it the name. "A flowing river resounds with soft wind passing through the pine trees of the enclosures of the valley. It is also called as a "valley of milk" because it produces rich milk in large quantity.

Why doodh pathri is considered as a boost for the tourism in Jammmu and Kashmir ?

Doodhpathri is a combination of twin pastures namely Parhacemaidan and Doodhpathri. These two bowl-like pastures present a sight of an earthly paradise. Two rivers, Shaliganga and Sokhnag, flow on either sides of the pastures. These rivers flow in an irresistible fashion. They flow into the areas of Budgam and Beerwah respectively. There’re many incredible stories associated with Doodhpathri. It's said that an age-old strife between two brothers led to the separation of a single water body into two rivers. "One brother broke a treaty and the water got separated into two branches; one being sweet and the other being salty", says Altaaf, a local horse-rider. But, the truthfulness of these stories cannot be verified. "All these stories are a pack of Myths", said Abdul Kabeer another local horse rider.

Situated at an altitude of 2730m above sea level in the south-west of Kashmir valley lies nature's masterpiece – Doodhpathri. Lofty mountains, velvet-like green meadows, sky touching trees, crystal-clear water and life-giving air all make Doodhpathri an unmatched and unparalleled Tourist Destination.”“Many of the tourists as well as locals visit Doodh Pathri in a day, sometimes we receive a huge numbers of people on Sundays, but fact is that within the coming period of time this place needs more boost so it will be famous nationally and internationally,” said a resident from Beerwah.One can easily judge the work and efforts by the tourism department and the concern Doodh Pathri development ( DDA) authority by seeing the huts and the growing market at the said place.

“We hardly manage the earning by providing horse rides to the visitors in Doodh Pathri. We sometimes collect fire wood to sell in the market so that we can feed our family,” Abdul Gafar a local horse rider said.He further said that there should be a keen and a proper plan which could be beneficial for all of us, so that we can make our earnings happen.The done construction of roads for vehicles adds a charm to the place which allows a person to reach maximum heights of Doodh Pathri. This place still needs care taking and funding of government so that this place can be promoted the best tourist destinations of the valley. I am in Kashmir from the last few days and visited many places but as said this place deserves much more than its blessed with. With proper care and developments this can be a back bone to the tourism in Jammu and Kashmir,” said a tourist from dehli.