Patnitop

Well connected by national highways to Jammu and Srinagar, Patnitop is a hill station in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated on a plateau in the Shiwalik belt of the Himalayas and the River Chenab flows close-by.
Originally known as Patan Da Talab, meaning Pond of the Princess, during British rule, the name of this hill station gradually distorted to become Patnitop. A small part of the original pond too exists in the meadow near the youth hostel.
The whole state of Jammu and Kashmir is blessed with natural beauty and Patnitop is no exception. The beautiful meadows and breathtaking view of the mountains enchant all who visit here. The joy of Paragliding and High flying can be experienced from the take off points at Dwariyai and Natha Top till Kud (landing area). Twenty kilometres from Patnitop is Sanasar, its name synonymous with adventure tourism. Sanasar offers a range of activities like Paragliding, Camping, Trekking, Abseiling, Rock Climbing and scenic nature walks.
Reachable by road from Srinagar, Patnitop welcomes all those who wish to indulge in Skiing, during the winter months from November to February.
Best time to visit: All the year round. November to February is best for Skiing and rest of the year for scenic beauty.
Languages spoken: Dogri
Climate: Temperate climate with pleasant summers and very cold winters with snowfall
Adventure Tourism: Paragliding, Skiing, Camping, Trekking, Abseiling, Rock Climbing and scenic nature walks

अनदेखा कश्मीर- पटनीटॉप/नाथाटॉप

By

सड़को पर,पेड़ पौधे,घास फूस सब लुप्त….सिर्फ सफेदी…चहु ओर… आँखे और मन तो क्या ऐसा लगा आत्मा तक तृप्त हो गयी थी। सनासर का मलाल ख़त्म हो चूका था। सब तरह की(रोड ब्लाक आदि) समस्या मंजूर थी क्योकि स्नो फॉल देखने का स्वप्न अब वास्तविकता में बदल चूका था।

Read More

Exploring the beauty of Jammu

By

Then we thought to roam around the hotel, so we asked our taxi driver to take on a small ride around here and there. There was a small market with some J & K government cottages beside that market. Those cottages are for those who don’t want to stay inside the hotel. These cottages have their own kitchen where a family can stay and cook their food on own and can enjoy in the midst of nature.

Read More

शिव खोडी – SHIV KHODI

By

भोले बाबा के दर्शन करके, नीचे रन्सू में आकर के भोजन करके तृप्त हुए और जम्मू की और चल दिए. बारिश और आंधी तूफ़ान बहुत तेज था. पहाड़ के एक मोड पर हमारी बस कि टक्कर एक ट्रेक्टर ट्राली से हो गयी. वह टक्कर लगते ही पलट गयी. बस पीछे की  और खिसकने लगी. पीछे सैकड़ों फीट गहरी खाई थी.

Read More

Paradise on Earth- Part 4

By

Pahalgam turned out to be very beautiful too, with the roaring Lidder and the rocky snow clad mountains complimenting each other. After finishing our breakfast, we headed for our first destination, Betaab Valley. It is so called as it was once the location for the filming of the film, “Betaab”. It was also the background in many scenes from the Ranbir Kapoor starrer, Rockstar. To reach the valley, a detour has to be taken from the road leading to Chandenwadi. It is located beside a much calmer portion of the Lidder, and with its artificially planted forest, does give the feel of being in the UK. Although Betaab valley is slightly commercialized, it has a very calming effect on the nerves.

Read More

Road Trip to Amarnath from Delhi – Reaching Kashmir (almost)

By

Just after coming out of the tunnel we were in Anantnag district, a completely different landscape awaited to greet us in the heavenly adobe that accrue the thrill with lush greenery of the valley, even the air seems filled with exotic fragrance and one impromptu feel younger in heart and jubilant and ecstatically romantic. A view point with a board of TITANIC VIEW POINT is ideally located on the left side of the highway and no visitors I guess can pass without a short break at this point. The Kashmiri handicrafts are available at sale by mobile vendors, no idea of its authenticity however, nothing wrong in bargaining. A few snaps to banta hai boss and so we did. After a short break, a few clicks and filling our lungs with the refreshing oxygen, we were back on wheels with a better pace both because of the extra energy gained at the previous halt and also the road now was broader and straighter.

Suddenly after driving a few minutes from the Jawahar Tunnel, we were stunned by the sight of agitating wild mob on the highway equipped with Lathis, Swords and knives, shouting aloud and stone pelting on something which was not visible. A few trucks and local cars were on halt and waiting helplessly. I kept my car away from the site of turbulence and positioned it in a way that it can easily be turned around in case of emergency to flee. Honestly, all our smiles vanished and vulnerable thoughts engulfed our mind. I pretended to be calm and showing some dare went off the car to ask about the incident to a couple in a local JK number Alto. They smiled and replied, everything will come under control after the CRPF arrive the venue. We found the J&K Police standing mute with no actions against the agitating mob.

Read More
Here I come

Aadmi Musafir Hai (part 2)

By

Remember the song “AADMI MUSAFIR HAI AATA HAI JAATA HAI” from movie Apnapan picturized on Sudhir Dalvi and that unknown girl in the bus en-route to Srinagar. The verses contain a philosophical message but in the language of common man which was forte of Anand Bakshi Sahib. As our vehicle moved towards Srinagar it seemed to me that a dream shall be chased in a few hours but the destination was quite far away.

Read More
Sarchhu to Leh, Pangong Lake, and Back via Kashmir

Sarchhu to Leh, Pangong Lake, and Back via Kashmir

By

First town where some civilization could be seen was Upshi which is basically a check post where we did not stop. Next stop at about 30 km was Karu which basically a military establishment just before Leh. We stopped a Karu for a late lunch and some tea and then soon proceeded to Leh which took about 1-1.5 hours. On the way to Leh one can see gorgeous mountain views with Indus flowing along the road.

Next, day we went to places around Leh such as Patthar Singh Sahab Gurudwara (पत्थर सिंह साहिब गुरुद्वारा), so called Magnetic Hill, Confluence of Janskar and Indus rivers, a Kali temple and a Buddhist temple, and one of the oldest monastery near Leh. The landscape near Leh is also dry, barren but mesmerizingly beautiful. Buddhist temple have special wheels called Maney ( माने) carrying the holy mantra “Om Many Padme hum” or “ओम माणी पद्मे हूं”  which the devotees rotate.

Read More
Raven

Paradise on Earth- Jammu and Kashmir (Part 3)

By

We passed the first town enroute – Ganderbal, within an hour. It was after Ganderbal that the real beauty of the drive commenced. After Ganderbal, the snow-capped Himalayas greeted us bang on. Every turn gave us panoramic new scenes, which always seemed to better than the previous one. Complimented by the untouched beauty of the Sindh River, the landscape was picture perfect.

Read More