Aharbal is a

hill station A hill station is a touristic town located at a higher elevation than the nearby plain or valley. The English term was originally used mostly in Western imperialism in Asia, colonial Asia, but also in Africa (albeit rarely), for towns founded by ...

in the south-western part of

Kashmir Valley The Kashmir Valley, also known as the Vale of Kashmir, is an intermontane valley in northern Jammu and Kashmir, a region in Indian-administered Kashmir.(a) (subscription required) Quote: "Kashmir, region of the northwestern Indian subcont ...

in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, south of the summer capital of

Srinagar Srinagar (; ) is a city in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region.The application of the term "administered" to the various regions of Kashmir and a mention of the Kashmir dispute is supported by the tertiary ...

(Sub district: Damhal Hanjipora, District: Kulgam). Aharbal Waterfall is also known as Niagara Waterfall of Kashmir.

Geography

Aharbal lies in the Kulgam district's Noorabad area of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located on the Veshu River, a tributary of the Jehlum River, in an alpine valley covered in pine and fir trees within the

Pir Panjal The Pir Panjal Range ( ; ) is a range of mountains in the Lower Himalayan region located in the Western Himalayas of northern Indian subcontinent. It runs southeast to northwest between the Beas and Neelam/Kishanganga rivers, in the Indi ...

mountains. It lies at an altitude of 2266 metres above sea level. The road route is from Srinagar-Kulgam-Nehama-KB Pora-Aharbal Road.

Aharbal Fall

Aharbal is known for its

waterfall A waterfall is any point in a river or stream where water flows over a vertical drop or a series of steep drops. Waterfalls also occur where meltwater drops over the edge of a tabular iceberg or ice shelf. Waterfalls can be formed in seve ...

, Aharbal Falls, where the Veshu falls noisily 25 metres and 7 metres through a narrow gorge of granite boulders. Aharbal Falls are also referred to as the

Niagara Falls Niagara Falls is a group of three waterfalls at the southern end of Niagara Gorge, spanning the Canada–United States border, border between the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Ontario in Canada and the state of New York (s ...

of Kashmir, owing to the volume of the water that falls. According to a report, the water volume would be sufficient to generate 100 MW of hydroelectricity. The terraces leading to the falls are fenced, but care must be taken to avoid slipping. *More About Aharbal - Aharbal Waterfall is situated in the southwestern part of Kashmir, known for its breathtaking landscapes. - The waterfall is fed by the Veshaw River, which originates from the surrounding mountains. - The cascading water creates a mesmerizing display as it falls over the rocky terrain, forming a series of smaller falls. - Surrounded by dense forests, Aharbal offers a serene and tranquil atmosphere, making it an ideal retreat for nature lovers. - The region around Aharbal is a great trekking destination, providing opportunities for adventure and exploration. - Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys from various vantage points near the waterfall. - Aharbal is not only a popular tourist attraction but also holds cultural significance, with locals often visiting the site for picnics and outings. - The journey to Aharbal involves navigating through picturesque landscapes, adding to the overall experience of the visit. - The region experiences different seasons, and each season brings its unique charm, from lush greenery in summer to snow-covered landscapes in winter. - Aharbal Waterfall is a hidden gem, away from the bustling crowds, offering a peaceful retreat for those seeking a connection with nature.

Aharbal Development Authority

The Aharbal Development Authority, a government agency responsible for development in Aharbal, has built tourist infrastructure including huts and a cafeteria, and other lodging and boarding facilities have also been made available. But still development issues are at the hill station like parks are not maintained properly, there is no amusement park like Lidder Amusement Park, littering, proper roads and parking issues. The area is peaceful and the crime rate is very low.

Oldest Fossil Site in J&K

The exact site which is barely 2 km from the famous Aharbal waterfall along the Kunghwatan route, experts believe that the site which is rich in fossil biodiversity and replete with dense fossil samples at specific locations can be as old as 488 to 354 million years. However, the exact date can be ascertained only after radiocarbon dating. Preliminary investigation it was revealed that the fossils fall between the Ordovician and Devonian period. “The different organisms of that period include bryozoans (colonial animals); gastropods, trilobites, ancestors of C scorpions, and ancient relatives of snails etc”. This recently ‘discovered’ fossil site at famous tourist destination Aharbal has been secured by the department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums.

Access

Aharbal falls in Noorabad sub division of District Kulgam and is easily accessible from Srinagar via Shopian ab-ul-Islam only 8 km from the

Mughal Road Mughal Road is the road between Bufliaz, a town in the Poonch district, to the Shopian district, in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The 84-kilometre roadhttp://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=6_12_2008&ItemID=3 ...

that connects Srinagar and Poonch. The 75 km drive takes less than 3 hours by car or bus via

Pulwama Pulwama ( ; or ) is a city and notified area council in the Pulwama district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. The application of the term "administered" to the various regions of Kashmir and a mentio ...

and Shopian. An alternate route leads to Aharbal via Kulgam-Nehama-DH pora -Kb pora -Manzgam-Wattoo-Aharabal. It is only 22 km from the District Kulgam the first District one enters the

Kashmir valley The Kashmir Valley, also known as the Vale of Kashmir, is an intermontane valley in northern Jammu and Kashmir, a region in Indian-administered Kashmir.(a) (subscription required) Quote: "Kashmir, region of the northwestern Indian subcont ...

after crossing the Jawaharlal National Tunnel. The nearest railway station is

Anantnag Anantnag ( ; ), also called Islamabad ( ; ), is the administrative headquarters of Anantnag district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir (union territory), Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region.The application of the term "admi ...

railway station at 44 km in the east.

References

External links

{{Kashmir Valley Cities and towns in Kulgam district Hill stations in Jammu and Kashmir Waterfalls of Jammu and Kashmir