Doodhpathri is one of the emerging tourist spots in the Valley. Doodhpathri comprises two words – Doodh means milk, due to the clear crystal water of Shaliganga River, and Pathri means meadows. So it is the milky meadow tourist destination.
Doodhpathri is just about 45 km from the summer capital Srinagar and about 36 km from the District headquarters, Budgam. Doodhpathri beautifies district Budgam in various ways and generates livelihood for the locals of the adjoining villages.
The name was given to this renowned place by one of the towering Sufi saints Nund Rishi (RA) commonly known as Alamdar Kashmir. It was earlier used for grazing purposes, but still, there are mud houses called Kotha by the locals.
Doodhpathri is situated in central Kashmir’s district Budgam. There are other tourist places in the district such as Yousmarg, and Charari Sharief (shrine of Sheikh Noor Ud Din Wali (RA)). Tosamaidan is rich in attractive places. Ich-Gam, Kremshora, Khansahib, and Yarikhah are the villages which can be reached via doodhpathri. There are some other routes as well like via Magam, Beerwah, Arizal, Raiyar, and Raithan, Mujhpathri.
Sotchal (Sochal) Pathri:
Sotchal (Sochal) Pathri, nearer to Doodhpathri, is a resting place for visitors. The place is quite picturesque.
Sukhnag:
The Sukhnag River is located in the lap of the Pir Panjal Mountains of Parihas Doodhpathri and Sitaharan khag. The river is commonly known as Sukh Nag, it comprises two Kashmiri words Sukh means calm and Naag-means spring.
The Sukh Naag River adorns several villages alongside it – the villages are Arizal, Zanigam, and Beerwah and finally open its mouth into the river Jhelum. Sukh Naag is one of the major tributaries of the river Jhelum.
The Sukhnaag River is famous throughout the district and has great influence among the native people. It originates from the upper mountain hills of Tosamaidan.
There are certain more facts about the Sukhnaag River, such as the river is just 40 minute’s walk away from the tourist reception centre (TRC) Raiyar-ich, Tangnar.
Tosamaidan is a newly introduced tourist destination and has great potential for tourism, and needs assistance from the central government.
Raiyar –Ich:
Raiyar Ich is a picturesque hamlet and a resting place for tourists. Raiyar-”RAI” means lost and ”YAAR” means friend in the Kashmiri language.
The name of this hamlet has been given, by the ” mystic Kashmiri Sufi saint, ‘Sheikh Noor Ud Din Wali (RA). It’s so when he reached in the said village from the forests of the Pir Panjal, he sent his friends to different parts of Kashmir to spread the teachings of Islam, and he managed to start his journey alone towards Dreygam cave.
