The road less traveled: Pir Ki Gali, Mughal Road
Posted on: May 13, 2013
It was a matter of chance that I touched heaven. My journey was planned. I was to reach Jammu from Srinagar via National Highway 1. However, my driver had another plan. He told me that he would drive me to Jammu not via the highway but another road. He promised me picturesqueness on the way. I was tempted! The driver was a trusted one. Finally, he revealed that he will drive through the historic Mughal Road. This was my chance to witness Pir ki Gali!
I had never thought that one day I would so casually drive through mighty Pir Panjal Range We deviated from Pampore. We drove through Pulwama and Shopian districts. The drive through the almond and apricot orchids was making me restless already. Pretty brooks running appeared every now and then. It was getting difficult for me to sustain the anticipation of witnessing what lay ahead. I had heard a lot about Mughal Road. A colleague from my previous office had recently toured the route on his bike. I had not imagined my visit to valley will close with such stupendous return journey. It was a beautiful surprise!
After driving for couple of hours, I could see the snow caps rising through the gathered clouds. All I wanted was one single shot that could contain experience of the whole journey. Mughal road runs at an altitude of around 11,500 ft through Pir Panjal and connects districts Shopian and Poonch of provinces Kashmir and Jammu, respectively.
As we were driving I saw Aliabad Sarai pass by. Since we were running short on time, we had to drive relentlessly. In some time I realized we were driving through the top peaks. The beauty my eyes witnessed I cannot describe in words. Soon, we approached Pir ki Gali, the magnificent mountain pass not many people get the privilege to witness. The driver pulled in at the check post. He said I could get out and shoot photographs now.
I was at Pir ki Gali, the road from where Mughal emperor Jahangir, with his beloved wife Noor Jahan, use to travel to visit Kashmir. Absolutely serene and undisturbed by human activity, this medieval road was so pristine that there was not a single commercial shop or any kind or tourist shop anywhere throughout the journey. There was only wilderness spread across in all the directions. I took my shot (shared below) and wondered what it feels like when you are absolutely into the wild.
Pir ki Gali serves as an alternate entrance to Jammu province from Kashmir province. We drove through Poonch and Rajouri districts and saw Noori Chamb (the waterfall where Noor Jahan use to bathe and refresh), crossed Bafliaz bridge, we drove through Thanamandi and reached Jammu via Sunderbani village, which has the popular Thanda Pani close by. It was a surprise experience. However, due to nick of time, we didn't have chance to pull in at any of the mentioned points and take photographs. I hope some day I will drive through Mughal Road again and hopefully it will remain as raw and natural as it was on October 19, 2012.
As we were driving I saw Aliabad Sarai pass by. Since we were running short on time, we had to drive relentlessly. In some time I realized we were driving through the top peaks. The beauty my eyes witnessed I cannot describe in words. Soon, we approached Pir ki Gali, the magnificent mountain pass not many people get the privilege to witness. The driver pulled in at the check post. He said I could get out and shoot photographs now.
I was at Pir ki Gali, the road from where Mughal emperor Jahangir, with his beloved wife Noor Jahan, use to travel to visit Kashmir. Absolutely serene and undisturbed by human activity, this medieval road was so pristine that there was not a single commercial shop or any kind or tourist shop anywhere throughout the journey. There was only wilderness spread across in all the directions. I took my shot (shared below) and wondered what it feels like when you are absolutely into the wild.
Pir ki Gali serves as an alternate entrance to Jammu province from Kashmir province. We drove through Poonch and Rajouri districts and saw Noori Chamb (the waterfall where Noor Jahan use to bathe and refresh), crossed Bafliaz bridge, we drove through Thanamandi and reached Jammu via Sunderbani village, which has the popular Thanda Pani close by. It was a surprise experience. However, due to nick of time, we didn't have chance to pull in at any of the mentioned points and take photographs. I hope some day I will drive through Mughal Road again and hopefully it will remain as raw and natural as it was on October 19, 2012.
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| Pir ki Gali on the historic Mughal Road is administrated by Poonch district of Jammu province (©butootah) |
Shot by Samsung Galaxy 2: Mega pixels: 8