Doodhpathri is a hill station in the Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, located 42 kms away from Srinagar, at a height of 2730m above sea level. Locally, it is called Dodh-E-Pather, and the name translates to ‘Valley of Milk’. It is a tourist destination that is accessible from Srinagar by road or by air.
Wondering why it is called Doodhpatri? It is said that the famous Kashmiri saint Sheikh ul Aalam Sheikh Noor din Noorani prayed over here. Once while searching for water in the meadows, when he pricked the ground with his stick, milk came out. This gave this place the name ‘Doodhpathri’, the valley of milk.
Where can you spot the beautiful landscape of Doodhpathri? Doodhpathri is located in a valley in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas. The valley is surrounded by snow-covered mountains and meadows of pine, fur, and deodar. Several wild flowers such as daisies, forget-me-nots, and butter cups grow in these meadows during the spring and summer.
Which river flows in Doodhpathri? Shaliganga flows in Doodhpathri and most treks here follow the course of this river. Rivers Shaliganga and Doodhganga originate from the Ashtaar glacier. Their water is said to be milky in appearance giving the Doodhpathri valley its name.
What’s the best time to visit Doodhpathri? December-January is the right time if you want to experience snow, and June-July is a good time to visit if you prefer to see the emerald green meadows in this region. The weather is good throughout the year.
Camping and trekking are some of the activities you can engage in, during your visit to Doodhpathri. The places to visit around Doodhpathri include Tangnar, Diskhal, Palmaidan, Mujpathri, and Yusmarg.
- Tangnar is a place dotted with pine and deodar trees. Here you will find small hills and valleys.
- Diskhal is a meadow on a mountain that overlooks the Ashtaar glacier. Palmaidan translates to ‘big stones ground’. It has a small stream and lots of deodar and pine trees. If visited in summer, you will find a large number of shepherds and cowboys grazing their cattle here.
- Mujpathri translates to ‘valley of turnip’. It is a small village on the bank of river Shaliganga.
- Yusmarg is an expanse of lush green pasture which once housed deer in large numbers.
Doodhpathri is indeed worth visiting for its calming ambience. This hidden gem of Kashmir is relatively less crowded and a secluded hill station, which is why it often features on the list of offbeat places to visit in J&K. It’s a recent entrant on the Kashmir tourism map. It does not have well-equipped facilities for tourists. You may not find a full-fledged market or posh hotels at this hill station, 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 once you reach here, the tranquil beauty of this place will refresh you for sure.
