Tangmarg: Cherry Blossoms

Situated in the forested foothills of the Pir Panjal Range, Tangmarg is a quiet little hill town near Gulmarg. Turning off the main highway from the Narbal crossing, the road to Tangmarg is a delight. A bridge leads across the Hokersar Nallah that is part of the Hokersar Wetland Reserve, a wintering ground for thousands of migratory birds each year. The road climbing up into the foothills offers views of thickly forested hills fringing a green valley dotted with tin-roofed houses and rice fields. Just short of town is the roadside Magray Garden Cherry View Point in Druroo, where you can stop for a cup of tea under trees laden with cherry blossoms.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Tangmarg has three main sights of interest in its vicinity. The Drung Valley picnic spot along the banks of the Ferozpora Nala offers a nice walk, 1.5 km southwest. The road winds through hills laden with pine trees. At the picnic spot, a lawn dotted with shops fronts the river, where local families often picnic.

The Shrine of Hazrat Baba Payaam-ud-Din Reshi lies 7 km northwest of Tangmarg, on the road to Gulmarg. In summer, it is a beautiful drive along a winding road full of pine trees, lush meadows and hillsides carpeted in daisies. Zigzag stairs lead up to the shrine, which is located high up on hill, with panoramic views. The ziarat (grave) of this Muslim saint is housed within a striking building, fronted by trefoil wooden windows and a 3-tiered spire.

Four kilometres north from Baba Reshi, is Ningli Nallah, a snow-fed stream and waterfall that makes a lovely campsite. Off the tourist track, this has escaped the trail of litter usually left by day-trippers. So if you do picnic or camp here, please carry all the trash back with you, so that Ningli Nallah can stay as it is.

Dargah of Baba Payaam-Ud-Din Reshi

Vandana Mohindra

WHERE TO STAY AND EAT

JKTDC’s Hotel Alpine (Cell: 09419046044; Tariff: ₹2,500–5,000), set in a large garden, is by far the best place to stay in Tangmarg. On the Narbal-Tangmarg Road is a line of clean but pokey hotels. Best out of this lot are Abdulla Greenz Hotel & Restaurant (Tel: 01954-254411, Cell: 09419181023; Tariff: ₹2,500-3,000) and Downhill Hotel & Restaurant (Tel: 254516, 254433), which is currently under renovation. Next door, Pine View Hotel & Restaurant (Cell: 09622579291, 09906604785; Tariff: ₹1,500-3,000) has standard rooms. At the budget end, Mahajan Hotel & Restaurant (Cell: 09419413099; Tariff: ₹500-1,500) has basic rooms. All these hotels have restaurants.

Tangmarg’s best eatery is Downhill Restaurant, in Downhill Hotel. Their delicious Kashmiri wazwan and biryani is justly popular. A little way down, Greenz Hotel & Restaurant has a coffee shop in its premises and the vegetarian Jain Restaurant nearby.

When to go Year-round Location West of Srinagar in Baramulla District, on the Narbal-Tangmarg Road Air Nearest airport: Srinagar Airport Rail Nearest rail: Jammu