Subash Brahamanu
The entire area of Dudu Basantgarh is hilly and land locked situated at an average altitude of about 5500 ft. having thick cover of lush green forest and beautiful valleys surrounding the twin tehsils-Basantgarh and Latti Marothi in District Udhampur.
Although every place of Dudu and Basantgarh is unique for its natural endowment and tourism potential let us have a brief analysis of some places of Dudu Basantgarh having the potential to be developed as tourist destinations.
BASANTGARH
Tehsil Headquarter Basantgarh situated at distance of around 101kms via Ramnagar and 126kms via Chenani is a beautiful hill station. There is vital scope of Adventure Tourism, Ecotourism and Winter sports at Basantgarh and its surrounding locations including Punara, Khaned, Loudhra, Rai Chak Kadwah, Berli, Lalaon, Chochru Galla and many other beautiful but least developed sites.
LATTI
Headquarter of Tehsil Latti Marothi situated at a distance of around 87km via Chenani and 122kms via Ramnagar Latti is yet another bewitching location for tourist activities. Surrounded by thick forest cover and high altitude mountains Latti can be developed as an independent tourist destination as there are many other unexpolited beautiful places in Latti and its adjoining area. Other places having tourism significance in adjoining area of Latti are Jakhed, Kanda Top, Kaond Top, Dehra Top Ram Rachna and many others. All these places are very beautiful and significant for Religious Tourism, Adventure Tourism, Trekking & Winter Sports activities.
DUDU
Dudu locally known as Parla Dudu is situated at a distance of around 105 kms via Chenani and 104 kms via Ramnagar from District Headquarter Udhampur. Dudu is a beautiful place situated almost 500 meter upwards from River Tawi falls within jurisdiction of Tehsil Latti Marothi and Assembly constituency Chenani Ghordi. Along with amazing scenic beauty Dudu is also a point of attraction for Devotees of Vasuki Naag jee. There is an ancient Temple of Vasuki Naag looked after by a management commitee of Local people of Dudu. Dudu is base camp of Baskund Yatra from where officialy annual Baskund Yatra commences every year in August-September in which thousands of devotees participate from different parts of sistrict Udhampur. Moreover there is also an amazing waterfall on the bank of river Tawi at distance of almost four hundred meters from Vasuki Naag’s Temple.
KIRCHI
Surrounded by mountains from three sides Kirchi is a small but very beautiful valley situated at a distance of almost 102 kms via Chenani and 101kms via Ramnagar from District Headquarter Udhampur. Kirchi also falls in the jurisdiction of Tehsil Latti Marothi but Assembly Constituency Ramnagar. Having River Tawi on its one side and a stream of fresh flowing water on other makes Kirchi extra beautiful and attractive. Any individual who will visit Kirchi once can never forget it due to its awesome natural beauty coupled with very kind hearted and social people. In the heart of Kirchi a small amusement park with some playing equipments for kids is another point of attraction for visitors.
SHIVGALI
Dividing point between Tehsil Latti Marothi and Tehsil Basantgarh at a distance of nearly 112 kms via Chenani and 96 kms via Ramnagar from District Headquarter Udhampur Shivgali is an other fascinating and divine place to watch and visit. Alluring meadows supported by Himalayan Cedar (Deodar) Forest at Shivgali are point of attraction for sightseeing tourists same time both temples of Lord Shiva and Chandi Mata at Tope Shivgali are famous for Religious beliefs and practices amongst Hindus. Every year in the month of June thousands of devotees from different parts of Jammu province participate in Annual Mela of Chandi Mata at Shivgali Top which is being organised by a local committee. Alongside the religious beliefs, this Mela is also famous for Dogri and Bhaderwahi cultural programme.
GANDH TOP
Situated almost at a distance of 80 km from District Headquarter Udhampur via Ramnagar Gandh Top is not only a beautiful place but also a historical one from religious point of view. Ancient temples of Vasuki Naag and Sachaai Naag of Gandh Top are considered as very divine and miraculous by the devotees. It is believed that Vasuki Naag and Sachaai save public from natural calamities and crises and also fullfil the aspirations of the devotees. Every year after completion of Kharif Crop session in the month of November thousands of people participate in Annual Mela of Vasuki Naag at Gandh Top. The natural beauty of Gandh Top coupled with its divine relevance is an excellent combination for tourists attraction.
BEHANA CHAOUN and DHAMDIALI
Situated atop village Pachound Divine and elegant places Behana Chaoun and Dhamdiali are yet to be connected by road but one can reach by vehicle upto Gulli Gala situated almost at a distance of 80kms from District Headquarter Udhampur via Ramnagar from where both the places Bechana Chaun and Dhamdiali can be reached by foot journey of 3kms and 4kms respectively.
Behana Chaoun is very famous because of centuries old Temple of Chandni Mata popularly know as “Behana Chaoun Wali Mata”. A beautiful newly constructed temple of Chandi Mata on the Peak of Behana Chaoun makes an everlasting impact on the minds of visitors due to divine power of Chandi Mata and beautiful natural surrounding. Although lacs of Devotees visited Behana Chaoun in every calendar year but particularly more than twenty thousand devotees visited Behana Chaoun every year on the eve of Dushera and seek blessings of Chandi Mata Behana Chaoun Wali.
Dhamdiali is an adorable small valley with a very touching natural endowment. Since there are only few seasonal habitations of Gaddi Tribals at Dhamdiali the atmosphere is very peaceful and mystical. In summer session lush green meadows make Dhamdiali as beautiful as any other picnics spot of Jammu and Kashmir State. Dhamdiali is always first choice of teachers and students of adjoining area for their school excursion. Moreover in winter season there is very high scope of winter sports like skiing, ice and skating at Dhamdiali and its surrounding area.
KALA THILL
Situated atop village Chhatriari Kala Thill is also approachable from Gulli Gala almost at a walking distance of three kilometers. Just like Dhamdiali Kala Thill also has only small habitations but having favourable topography, temperature and amazing natural beauty Kala Thill too have a large scale unexpolited potential of siteseeing Tourism and winter sports. Apart from this having Chhatriari as base camp Kala Thill can be used as Trekking Destination which involves almost ten kilometers on foot distance from Chhatriari Road.
SEOJ DHAR
Situated at a distance of almost thirty kilometers from Dudu Kirchi Seoj Dhar is not less than a Paradise on the Earth. Seoj Dhar is border line between District Udhampur and District Doda. Work of road connectivity to Seoj Dhar is under process from both sides i.e from Kirchi to Seoj Dhar in District Udhampur and Bhaderwah to Seoj Dhar in District Doda. On the south of Seoj Dhar is the sacred Kailash Kund , surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
After having hawk eyed view of tourism potential of erstwhile Dudu Basantgarh it can be concluded that nature has blessed this area with utmost beauty and attraction but what is more required is infrastructural development and facilities. For attracting tourists to any place smooth road connectivity is very basic and essential requirement but unfortunately successive Governments have neglected erstwhile Dudu Basantgarh in this sphere. Road connectivity from Udhampur to Dudu Basantgarh either via Chenani or via Ramnagar is still not upto the mark. It is the need of hour that first of all Government should improve the condition of circular road of Dudu Basantgarh via Chenani and via Ramnagar from District Headquarter Udhampur on priority and also extend road connectivity to the above mentioned various places of Dudu Basantgarh so that more and more tourists plan to visit Dudu Basantgarh. Secondly an additional Tourism Development Authority must be established to nurture the existing Tourism potential and explore new possibilities of Tourism Development in Dudu Basantgarh. Once Government does this there is no denying of fact that Dudu Basantgarh will become a Tourist Hub which in return will open various new avenues of income and employment.
(The author is Government Teacher & a Radio Approved Dogri Folk Singer)
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