Also referred to as Niagara Falls, Aharbal, originating from Vishav River is an ideal spot for tourists. Famous for its scenic beauty, Aharbal has also become a famous picnic spot for school children and locals who throng the place to avoid scorching heat of summer in the plains amid sweltering temperatures.
|| WANI JAVID
The famous waterfall on Valley’s tourism map, Aharbal, is becoming new center of attraction for the tourists. Kashmir Leader takes a trip to the mesmerizing spot to find how tourism department has put in arrangements to infuse adventure into the sightseeing of Aharbal waterfall Traversing the pine- covered mountains of Pir Panjal range in south Kashmir, the fast flowing Vishav river crashes down with thunderous sounds from a steep altitude near Aharbal creating an eye-catching waterfall, irresistible for any tourist visiting Kashmir.
This famous waterfall, 25 meters in height, is located in Kulgam district – 75 kilometres from the summer capital of Srinagar, at an altitude of 2266 metres above the sea level. While the sheer volume of water that roars down on the rocks make it audible from a distance, giving joyous moments to the visiting tourists, the ambiences around the tourist destination adds to its scenery. As the waterfall has gained popularity among the tourists, the tourism department has, of late, made arrangements for the visitors to make it up to the edge of the fall to infuse adventure into the sightseeing of Aharbal waterfall, also referred to as Niagara Falls of Kashmir owing to the huge volume of the water it brings down.
The source of the water lies deep in the pine and fir forests in the form of gorgeous and pristine Kounsarnag Lake (13,500 ft above sea level), deep inside the Pir Panjal forest. For any trekker, Aharbal acts as the starting point to the Lake which passes through stunningly beautiful elevated Valleys and meadows. All along the trek wild flowers, gigantic alpine trees, roaring waters of Vishav and myriad wildlife refreshes any trekker. Famous for its scenic beauty, Aharbal has become a famous picnic spot for school children and the tourists who throng the place to avoid the scorching heat of the summer in the plains amid the sweltering temperatures. Kungwatan, the scenic meadow is located at the halfway of the 2-day trek to the high-altitude Konsarnag. Surrounded on all sides by dense canopy of verdant alpine trees, the meadow is a calm and tranquil place, mostly inhabited during summers by the cattle herders. One can even enjoy angling in the Vishav River as it teems with trout fish, introduced into it by the fisheries department.
All it needs is just a fishing permit which can be obtained from the Fisheries department stationed at Aharbal to taste the famous trout fish. Aharbal is easily accessible from Srinagar and lies eight kms left of the famous Mughal Road that connects Also referred to as Niagara Falls, Aharbal, originating from Vishav River is an ideal spot for tourists. Famous for its scenic beauty, Aharbal has also become a famous picnic spot for school children and locals who throng the place to avoid scorching heat of summer in the plains amid sweltering temperatures. Kashmir’s own Niagara Fall! Srinagar in Kashmir with Poonch in Jammu.
It takes about two hour travel by car or bus via Pulwama and Shopian to reach there and is 18 km south of Shopian town and 28 km west of Kulgam. An alternate route leads to Aharbal via Kulgam, Aharbal Development Authority, responsible for development of Aharbal, has built tourist infrastructure including huts and a cafeteria there. Besides, the scenic place has lodging and boarding facilities also available for tourists to enjoy the stay there.