Peer ki Gali - Stunning place in Kashmir Valley with lush green landscapes, fresh water streams flowing through melting snow, high mountains, lot of surprises from Old Mughal Road

Sprawling green meadows, dotted with virgin snow and glaciers that give birth to several milky streams meandering through the grasslands – the name “Peer ki Gali” can never prepare you for this ethereal sight. And there are so many wonderful places like that on Old Mughal Road. Secluded and isolated, Peer ki Gali lies at the highest point of the Old Mughal Road at approximately 11,500 ft, connecting the Kashmir Valley with the Poonch and Rajouri Districts. Cutting through the majestic mountains and the Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, this is perhaps one of the most rewarding routes in terms of the pristine scenic beauty. During our road trip, this was the place which made us change our plans of the trip. So let's start with knowing more about Peer ki Gali and then move along the Old Mughal road and other awesome places of Kashmir valley in India.
 

Several magnificent horses graze lazily on the velvety grass and the sheep as well do not seem to be in a hurry to get anywhere. The cool air gently brushes past as contemplative shepherds observe you with a silent, interested gaze. You don’t feel offended and return their gracious smiles without any second thoughts. This is a world without malice. So when you come across the Shrine of Hazrat Ahmad Karim Sahib, you instinctively know that this is the most appropriate site for the Ziarat.

Time seems to stand still even as the gentle gurgling of the stream nearby reminds you of your journey that needs to be resumed soon. Sudden rains bring an abrupt end to your procrastination, and breathing in the fresh, fragrant air for the last few times, you reluctantly get up and get going. But this is not where it ends. Once you have been to Peer ki Gali, you can never leave it behind. Its enchanting sights and charm stay with you forever in your memories, often calling out to you when you close your eyes.   

Peer Ki Gali is an amazing place on old Mughal road in Jammu & Kashmir State of India. This place is the highest passes on Srinagar Rajouri historic Mughal Road at 11300 Feets.

Various water streams can seen flowing through snow covered peaks of Peer-Ki-Gali hills. Cool freeze, freshening environment and roaming clouds all over makes this place wonderful. After talking to various folks at Peer ki Gali, we got to know that almost every day it rains on these hills. We spent two days around it and we also experienced rain showers both the days...

Here is a photograph of a shopkeeper inside his small shop made up of stones. He had almost everything that is usually required for routine life in hills. These families come to these high hills with their cattle, as this place has got more than enough grazing land which becomes a problem during a particular time of the year.

 Ziarat of Peer Baba on hill top has gained its popularity. Almost every vehicle passing by Peer-ki-Gali stops here to enjoy the panaromic view as well as to take blessings of Peer Baba. 

Green layer on Peer-Ki-Gali hills looks amazing and it's a huge range of hills with green meadows...

Shepherd sitting in these green hills around Peer ki Gali... Almost every alternate hill was full of sheeps and horses... This trend was only noticed around Peer-Ki-Gali on Mughal Road...

In past this place have been of great interest for trekkers and now easily accessible for others as well. Tourism is picking up in this region of Jammu and Kashmir now. This will not only boost the economy of the state but also open new aspects to the residents.

CRPF folks can seen here and there around these hills to make every person safe on these hills around Peer ki Gali. Really these folks are working really well to give confidence to common people to enjoy the beauty around Mughal Road.

Sheeps all around in green hills of Peer Ki Gali, Kashmir, India.

All these water streams make the whole environment more beautiful. All these streams have chilling water of melted snow of hill-tops. Dark clouds covering blue sky with lush green hills having multiple white-water streams - this whole combination makes Peer-Ki-Gali a unique place.

Local folks on this stretch can organize various trekking trips with all arrangements for lodging in tents or some othe wooden houses, which can good source of income going forward.

Jammu and Kashmir state of India is known as heaven on earth. In the seventeenth century the Mughal emperor Jahangir set his eyes on the valley of Kashmir and Peer-Ki-Gali is one of the place they used to stay. There is an old Mughal Residence in deep valley. Mughals said that if paradise is anywhere on the earth, it is here, while living in a houseboat on the mesmerizing Dal Lake.  In Jammu and Kashmir the most important tourist places are Kashmir, Srinagar, the Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Jammu, and Ladakh...

It will take a long more time to further develop the area but nobody can deny that it's magical. This whole stretch is magnetic. It draws you closer and closer. As we packed up, the beauty of the place wanted me to linger more. But I returned home with some amazing memories to cherish forever; vivid pics in the heart and mind that won't fade or get lost ever. It is a place that can't be expressed in words and that can't be explained in pics; just plan a trip and experience it all yourself.

Before militancy intensified in 1989, tourism formed an important part of the Kashmiri economy. The tourism economy in the Kashmir valley was worst hit. Many five stars in Srinagar can be seen which are not well maintained now and owners can't afford to spend more on those properties. However, the holy shrines of Jammu and the Buddhist monasteries of Ladakh continue to remain popular pilgrimage and tourism destinations. Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit holy shrines of Vaishno Devi and Amarnath which has had significant impact on the state's economy.The Vaishno Devi yatra alone contributes Rs. 450+ crores to the local economy annually.

Tourism in the Kashmir valley has rebounded in recent years and in 2009, the state became one of the top tourist destinations of India. Gulmarg, one of the most popular ski resort destinations in India, is also home to the world's highest green golf course. However with the decrease in violence in the state has boosted the states economy specifically tourism.

Peer ki gali has religious importance as well. Most of the folks crossing through this place, stop by and spend some time around the mazar of Peer baba. This is of the holy places for Muslim saints. Here people from almost all the religions comes in large number to pray, on Thursday.

There are some beautiful waterfalls around Peer Ki Gali and number/flow depends upon the time of the year & amount the snow these hills have got. Some of them are seasonal and many of them can be seen during most of the year.

Kashmir's official language is Urdu. However the main languages spoken are Kashmiri in the Kashmir Valley, Ladakhi in Ladakh and Dogri in Jammu. Most people can speak Hindi as a second language. As elsewhere in India, English is fairly widely spoken among the educated classes and those involved in the tourist industry.

Here i a photographs showing typical style of houses in Peer-Ki-Gali on Mughal Road in Jammu & Kashmir state of India. Mainly made up of rock-stones and flat roof made up of wood & mud. They are quite spacious and are seasonal. People go down to their main towns during snowfall in this region.

A view of deep valley with curved roads from Peer-Ki-Gali, Jammu & Kashmir, India.

Peer ki Gali always remains special for me and it would always be hard to explain in words.