Bhalessa Tourism Needs Exploration
Popular legends make known that the area has derived its name from the people inhibited in the area “Bhalay Loug”. The area is bestowed with natural beauty which can engross any visitor. The valley is predominantly a mountainous one surrounded with thick forests and is always an exciting and stimulating, situated some 120 kms from Patni Top a hilly tourist spot of Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir State. The valley now a sub-division is full of captivating beauty. The festive Mood in the area begins with the melting of snow in April and the sprouting of greenery all round. The chirping of migratory birds and funfair from the famous temples of the area adds more to the dawn of the spring season.
Bhalessa has a potential to offer the tourists a variety of beautiful landscapes, colourful local fairs, important festivals with festive mood and unique mosaic culture, extremely soothing and pleasant summer (18 degrees to 32 degrees), snowy winter with numerous spots of scenic glory. Moreover, all the places of tourist-interests are at a knee length. A full and majestic view of Bhalessa valley with snow-capped mountains can make a visitor wonder struck and amazed during all seasons.
The area is also known for the richness of its cultural heritage, which is frequently reflected in it fairs and festivals. The characteristics of fairs and festivals are its main originality, simplicity, separate identity and enchanting effect on the mind. Almost round the year a fair called Kud in the local dialect is held at different places. The fair commences on the first of Baisakh every year and continues upto the last day of the month. The local dance called dhiku dance is the main dance of the festival. A large number of people dance in a circle or circles, with complex movements and twists of the whole body and measured steps forward and backward. There is complete uniformity and rythem among the dancers. The Dholak, Chorus-dance is a dance for all times. The Churie dance is for women folk and stands in contrast to Dhaku-Dholak dances. Women with living husbands alone can participate in this dance.
The communal harmony and the brotherhood among the different communities inhabited in the area is reflected when both Hindus and Muslims jointly celebrate their festivals, like Diwali, Ramnavami, Janam-Ashtami, Eid, Yom-e-Ashora, Urs etc in an ideal harmony.
Although a number of tourism development authorities have been created to explore the hidden treasures of the state and also that of erstwhile district Doda, yet Bhalessa area remain unnoticed so far. The meadows of the area are god gifted landscapes surrounded by the lush green Deodars and Kails which are full of tourism potential. Khara:- On Thathri – Bhalessa Road road, 15 kilometers short of Bhalessa Valley, lies Khara. From Khara one can easily reach to the famous picnic spot of Jaie Bhaderwah via Halarn–Jora. With the carving out of Khara–Jaie motorable road which is nearing to completion this famous tourist spot of Jai can be at an arms leap. Enroute to Khara – Jaie there are lot of fascinating spots which can add to the charm of the visitors/tourists.
Bhatyas: – Just Short of 5 kms from the sub- Division Head quarter Gandoh and 20 kms from Thathri lies Bhatyas, a place introverted by the famous Sufi Popularly known as Haji sahib. Peoples from all parts of the state irrespective of cast creed, region or religion visit throughout the year to him and sought blessings from him. In addition the place is a gate way to Chilly valley which is full of lush green mountains and meadows.
Gondoh:- The Headquarter, where all administrative offices including Police Station, Sub- District Hospital, Sub – Division Offices, etc are hosted. The place can act as base camp for the tourists who choose this route to reach Chinta another famous tourist spots of Bhaderwah Valley. The construction of Gandoh – Chinta motorable road is also in progress and is going to be completed in near future which will lead to Chinta Valley through meadows of Kota – Kharangal, Ludo and Kansar.
Goilbar:- Is 20 kms. from Bhadarwah which can serve as a base camp for trekkers. It is now came a junction point with the carving of Gowari -Khaljugasar road. The Tourists/Trekkers can reach this place through Changa-Soti the native village of Former C.M. of the State Sh. Gh. Nabi Azad. The place can act as base camp for trekkers from Dagan, Kanthi and Ruhari who can take rest at this beautiful place after descending from or ascending to 10,500 feet hight. Apart from dense deodar forests, it has been gifted with lushgreen patches of grasslands studded with blooming flowering plants of different colours. The cool breeze flowing across snow-clad mountains and a fresh water stream makes the place all the more fascinating in summer months.
DAGAN VALLEY:- Is a picturesque valley located at a height of 6,500 feet, has thick coniferous forests on all sides. Many scenic spots are situated around this place. One such place is known as Kanthi, which is situated across District Chamba of Himachal Pardesh State. Horse ride from Dagan to Kanthi, Jashoo, Mandrala etc. is enjoyable besides the potential of the winter sports. Dagan is the highest point which separates the Bhalessa valley from Chamba (H.P).
Bharthi Dhossa:- Is another unexplored area situated on the North – east extreme of Bhalessa Valley. Sunshine on the one hand and the fragrant breeze from Bani forest hills and neighbouring forests on the other, make the place different from other spots. It is a place of undulating plains and water springs. The valley is watered by crystalling streams like Dhamote, Chadi Nallah in the backdrop of forests covered mountains. One feels close to nature which blissfully unfolds to the visitors virgin beauty in plenty. The area can be reached from busstand via Halore – Kakoo.
Juloo – Shingini:-It is situated 05 kms. from Bharthi. It too has potential of becoming a good picnic spot. Trekkers would also find it a convenient lashing site for expedition to Dhamote Dhar and to Mashood Meadow on the border with Himachal Pradesh. Amidst greenery, it offers a treasure of scenic, splendour, especially during sun-set and sun-rise.
PADRI :- Padri is a “Gali” of undulating landscape, located around 20 – 25 kms south west from main bus stand Gowari on Bhadarwah Chamba road, at a height of 10,500 feet. It is the highest point on Bhadarwah-Chamba road. It experiences heavy snow fall upto 5 metres and snow-melting continues right upto mid June. It is one of the most sought after picnic spot even now, and with the opening of interstate bus service between Bhalessa – Bhadarwah and Chamba, its importance will increase. The gentle curves and slopes of hills beset with lushgreen carpet of grass comes as surprise. Calm of the meadow is broken when thousands of pilgrims of the famous Mani-Mahesh Yatra pass through Padri in July every year. In addition to the natural beauty, one can have thrilling horse ride on the meadown. The Central Govt. has approved the spot for development of facility for trekkers.
BHAL PADRI :- Is yet another picturesque valley which has an intersection of rivulets and streams. A dreamland, not known to many, is 4 kms. north-east of Padri, having unique landscape where many miniature valleys join hundreds of milky streams and rivulets traverse this composite valley down the length.
Suine – Beghar Meadow:- If Gulmarg and Pahalgam are jewels of “Paradise” of Kashmir, Suine – Beghar meadow can be proved equally attractive for tourists in Bhalessa. The meadow is not less than that of phalgam or gulmarg in its scenic beauty. There are unique landscapes at Suine Dhar. The meadow is flanked by a beautiful river on its north which emanates from hills surrounding Mani – Mehash. The landscape across the river is replica of the
beauty of Pahalgam whereas on the eastern side there are long stretches of grasslands. On the northern side meadows take a descent view of Chilly, Manoo, Haddle area of Pingal Valley.
The forest cover and nomadic Gujars during summer adds in its scenic beauty during summer. On the south east side of this beautiful meadow is the sacred Mani Mehash, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The local peoples from Chilly, Khara, Bhatyas, Gowaloo etc usually take this route to Join the main Yatra which is started from Kalgoni Temple to Mani Mahesh somewhere at Tali.
And as the tourism sector of this area remained unexplored and abandoned only because of lackadaisical attitude of different successive governments in the past. And now as the new coalition government headed by chief minister Omar Abdullah is ruling the state after change of guard, people of the area expect that they will not have to wait for the development and the completion of on going projects especially roads in the area for a number of years more or so. The development of area in the road sector will revolutionize the adventure tourism in this area. Only the bold efforts and concrete actions are required in this direction to look after the scenic beauties to rejuvenate the social fabric and tourism industry of the area in particular and hence of the state in general.
Prof. (Dr.) Ashiq Hussain
R/O Vill. Kakoo, (Bhalessa),
Presently, Assistant Professor, Chemistry
Govt. Degree College Kishtwar
Email. drashiqhussain@rediffmail.com
