Page 42 - Seniorstoday March 2022 Issue

Jammu and Kashmir. The two-hour drive is most famous for the curative properties.
to the place is a joy in itself. Grassy pastures
stretching to acres of land, the dense forests
full of pine trees, with the backdrop of
splendid snow-capped mountains leave you
speechless. Within commutable distance from
Srinagar, Yusmarg is the perfect place to go
for a day long picnic. It is possible that after
reaching this place, you may want to even stay
for a few days. Especially for the lovers of long
walks in picturesque locales, Yusmarg is the
place to be. You may also enjoy a laid-back
stroll amongst flower-strewn meadows.
Another venue for the walkers is a river,
known by the name of Dudh Ganga. Frothing
and crashing on its way over the rocks, the
river makes a little white foam, which gives
it this name. A little ahead, is a lake - Nilnag,
embraced with hills. Yusmarg mesmerizes
tourists with its scenic meadows,a sparkling
reservoir and mountains comparable to
European Alps. The word ‘Yus’ is said to be
a short form of Youza or Jesus PBUH and a
marg means a meadow, according to a belief
the Jesus is said to have passed through this
valley while travelling into Kashmir.
A major trekking route from Yusmarg leads
to a famous spot called Tosa Maidan, a large
meadow used for cattle grazing by nomads.
This area is connected through rough routes
to places like Gulmarg and Poonch. The
region is full of springs, with the one at Khag
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The natural slopes of Yusmarg offer skiing
opportunities to experts. Hiking and trekkers
lovers make take a week or so stay at Yusmarg
/ Tosamaidan for the thrilling trekking routes
around.
Yousmarg is suitable for young couples, as it
is quietest place out of all tourist destinations.
Last few years of large tourist inflow into
Kashmir valley has seen the diversification of
tourism to this wonderful destination.
A short trek of 4km to Nilnag - a small lake
amidst pine trees, near a hamlet gives an
ultimate pleasure to hikers. A full day trek
from Yusmarg to the frozen lake in Sang e
safed valley is most rewarding as a portion of
the lake is covered under ice throughout the
year.
At a distance of about 13 km from Yusmarg
in the Kashmir valley is the Charar-e-Sharief,
the shrine of the saint Sheikh Noor-ud-din
or Nund Reshi. Nund Reshi was the patron
of the Sufism in Kashmir who showed
disinterest in worldly matters from childhood
and renounced the world at an early age
of 12 in search of divinity of God. He was
an illiterate Shiekh Noor-ud-Din Noorani
RA popular as Nund Reshi or Alamdar-e-
Kashmir was born in 1378 AD. People from all
walks of life and religions pay their respects
at this beautiful shine. First built more than
five centuries ago, the shrine was a monument
to the secularism and tolerance of Sufism, the
bedrock of Kashmiriyat.