Breng
Valley"The Golden Crown of Kashmir" named after Bringi River (a
tributary of Jhelum), bears an awesome natural landscape with
tranquil and enchanting environment and is one of the most
magnificent and picturesque tourist destinations in Kashmir. It is
symbolic of ultimate tourism and offers vivid, vibrant and diverse
destinations which include snow caped mountain peaks, fresh water
springs and streams, vast meadows, never ending pine forests,
herbal jungles with medicinal flora, Rhododendrons, high
altitude fresh water lakes, Mughal gardens, historic and religious
places, archeological sites, trekking routes to Ladakh,
Kistwar and Marwah-Wadwan. Kokernag, the centre of the valley, is
the Sub-division headquarter of Breng valley which is located south
of Srinagar at 75 kilometres at a height of 2000 meters. The valley
spans more than 60 kilometres from Achabal and Dialgam on
North-West and Sinthen Top, Fatan and Margan Top on South-East
side. A famous saint Sheikh Noor Din Wali (R.A) has described Breng
Valley as a Golden Crown in a famous adage, ‘Breng Gov Sonsun
Preng’. The Bringi River originates from the glaciers of
Sinthan Top, Margan Top, Famber and Mawar and is fundamental to the
life in the Breng Valley as it provides drinking water, irrigation
for the fields, is home to some fish species including Rainbow
trout and powers the mill stones. The extensive NH1B road passes
through Kokernag and connects the Kashmir valley with Jammu
Division and has been used since centuries as short cut route to
Kishtwar via Sinthan Top. Breng Valley includes chain of
tourist places and some of them are still virgin or unexplored.
These places are Kokernag, Achabal, Dandipura, Fatan, Poshwan,
Sinthan Top, Daksum, Bamb Pather, Lihinwan, Margan Top, Zalangam,
Mawer Nag( alpine Lake), Chohhar Nag(Alpine Lake ). etc.
Tourist Attraction in Breng Valley.
- Kokernag. Kokernag boasts
of its collection of springs, sprawling gardens fragrant with the
blooms of a large number and variety of flora, largest fresh water
spring of Kashmir, trout streams and famous trout farm of
Asia.
- Daksum. Daksum is
quite scintillating. From the tree-covered hills, you will suddenly
find yourself in grassy meadows and streams. The fresh mountain
air, the calm and serenity, the densely clad hills, all make the
trip to a memorable experience. Then, there are the snow-capped
mountains in the background that further enhance the beauty of this
place.
- Sinthen Top. Sinthan Top
is one such destination at a distance of around 48 km from Kokernag
and located at a height of 3748 meters, Sinthan-top is the highest
pass connecting the Valley of Kashmir with Jammu Division via
Kishtwar District. Around 38 kilometres of snaky and uphill drive
from Daksum, it’s an adventurous journey. And round the year snow
at the top makes it a varied choice for all tourists. The journey
to this place is thrilling and so is sliding down the snow-capped
peaks. Apart from the normal tourism activity, Sinthan top has a
great potential for adventure tourism. With a 360 degree view on
its top, the spot is best suited for mountaineering and skiing with
the height at which it is located and the kind of mountain ranges
it has.
- Margan
Top. Margan Top is at a distance of around 45 km
from Kokernag and located at a height of almost 3550 meters, Margan
Top connects all the three divisions of J&K i.e. Jammu, Kashmir
and Ladakh. Margan Valley has become tourist favourite because of
its magnificent location and breathtaking beauty. Around 15
kilometers of snaky and uphill drive from Matti Gawran it’s an
adventurous journey. For trekkers, Chuhur Nag (Four Springs) is 2
hours uphill from the valley. Overnight stay at hotel in
Kokernag.
- Lihinwan.
Lihinwan is at a distance of around 35 km from Kokernag and located
at a height of almost 3050 meters, Lihinwan is quite scintillating.
From the tree-covered hills, one can suddenly find himself in
grassy meadows and streams. The fresh mountain air, the calm and
serenity, the densely clad hills,Lihinwan is betst fo angling
all make the trip to a memorable experience.Lihinwan has largest
hazal nut form in Kashmir Then, there are the snow-capped mountains
in the background that further enhance the beauty of this place.
One can trek to Nawkan (2 hour hour way)
- Achabal.
Achabal (Mughal Garden) is famous for its beautiful spring
which gushes out of the Sosanwar hill, and was once enlisted
by the emperor Jahangir in the service of beauty and pleasure.
- Fattan. Fattan is at a distance of around 15 km from Kokernag
and located at a height of almost 2450 meters, Fattan connects
Kashmir division with Jammu division through trekking routs
Poshwan(Valley of Flowers) For trekkers, Mawer Nag is 7
hours uphill from the Fattan.
- Dandipur.
Dandipora in Kashmir situated among the magnificent grandeur of the
Breng Valley, it presents an awe-inspiring sight. Standing at
an altitude of 2338 m in a densely forested gorge. In Kashmir
offers peace and tranquillity. The only sound heard there is that
of the Bringhi River, rushing right through its centre. The nallah
is not only famous for fresh water but also has trout. Tourist come
here for adventure activities like angling and Fishing That is why
it is called anglers paradise
- Chohar nag ( Alpine
Lake ). Chohar Nag is a beautiful valley situated
above Margan top (Distt. Islamabad) in south Kashmir about 50 km
from Kokernag at an altitude of 12500 feet. The valley comprises of
attractive meadows and very big and beautiful springs
surrounded by rocky- mountains. “Chohar Nag” in Kashmiri
epithet means four springs. There is a Kashmiri myth about the four
springs of Chohar Nag. It is said these are three sons and their
mother, two of the sons are living separately and the younger one
is living with his mother. But in reality we see four beautiful
lakes rather than springs, two located side by side just 150 to 200
meters apart and the other two located far apart from each other.
Out of these four lakes one is large with an area of about 1½ sq.
km. Adjacent to this, is another lake with an area of about ½ sq.
km, the area of other two lakes is about 1 sq. km each. All the
lakes are oligotropic with crystal clear water. The big meadows and
the rocky mountains are rich in biodiversity. The undulated land,
the big grasslands and the lakes are so beautiful that human brain
is forced to think about nature’s wonderful creations. Such a group
of four clear water bodies at the alpine region is really mind
blowing.
The water of bigger lake looks blue black from a distance. The lake
seems to lack littoral, sub-littoral zones and instantly begins
with profundal zone. The lake is so big and deep and its waves are
so forceful that one is afraid to go nearer to the lake. Out of 10
minutes you stay at the bank of the lake, one can see the lake just
for 5 minutes while for the rest of the time lake gets shrouded by
fog. The lake has a small out-let on one side, through which a
small quantity of water flows and this forms the Chavenz Nahla.
Chavenz Nahla after some distance meets Nawkan Nahla to form Gawran
Nahla, which ultimately merges Brangi Nahla. Brangi Nahla is the
source of irrigation water for large area of south
Kashmir.
The 2nd lake nearby to the bigger one has very clear water. The
little water that comes out of the lake forms a marshy land which
harbours different angiospermic taxa. The water of 3rd lake is
again very clear and tasty as if glucose is added to it. The water
of these two lakes forms Honarkash Nahla, which ultimately meets
with Chinab River. The fourth lake is almost locked from all the
sides, but from one side some of the water leaks into a marshy land
and ultimately flows in the Shangas area of Distt. Anantnag. So,
most of the valuable water remains locked in Chohar Nag valley and
evaporates in the atmosphere without being used as primary
biological prerequisite.
-
Mawer Nag ( Alpine Lake ). Mawer Nag
is a alpine lake situated above Fattan (Distt. Anantnag ) in
south Kashmir in Breng Valley about 50 km from Kokernag at an
altitude of 12500 feet. The valley comprises of attractive meadows
and very big and beautiful spring surrounded by mountains.
Mawer Nag has crystal clear water.
-
Calcium spring.
- Zalangam.
Zalangam is at a distance of around 2 km from Kokernag in Breng
valley and located at a height of almost 2050 meters.Zalangam
has a Potential archeological site is located in the forest at a
distance of approximately 1.5 km from the Jamia Masjid of Zalangam
which in turn is located at a distance of 82 km from Srinagar.
Thus, it is at a distance of approximately 82km from Srinagar. The
coordinates of the site are 33°33̍ North - 75°18̍ East
and it’s 2200 m above sea level. At first look, the site appears
nothing more than a forest. There are no traces of any monuments
above the ground. There are only pine trees all around. Perhaps,
this is the reason why this remained unnoticed till date in spite
of the fact that this area is frequented by shepherds and villagers
collecting firewood or wild vegetation. The Archeological site is
near Malik Nag There are many small springs around Malik
Nag. They include Dod Kei, Hei Nagi, Rang Nagi,
etc. Heavy snow and rains are continuously causing soil
erosion and forming small gorges through the site.
-
Famber.
