Imtiaz Ahmed
Famous for its pristine, unspoilt hills, relatively offbeat place, Mahu Valley is quickly gaining popularity as a favorite offbeat destination among youngsters and hippies. Being Valley primarily, the place is of a slow and relaxed atmosphere, which makes for a very pleasurable holiday. This place can be comfortably visited all year round.
Mahu Valley is one of the less talked and obscure places in the Jammu Region. A pristine hamlet Mahu falls in Tehsil Khari District Ramban. This Village is located around twenty Kilometers when one takes left turn from Nachlana Sector of Jammu-Srinagar Highway. Among one of the most surreal places of Jammu Division, Mahu is now a strong contender for a place on Tourist Map. This place can be reached more conveniently in future when its nearest upcoming Railway Station namely Khari will get connected to rest of country through railway expected to be functional in the end of next year. This village came to limelight earlier this year when first of its kind Winter Fiesta was organized by joint efforts of Tourism Department and District Administration Ramban with overwhelming participation of enthusiast local Youth. That was not only an official festival but it was a showcase of locals ethnicity and display of over joyous moment for people of all ages where everyone was soaked in mood of festivity and they heartily welcomed visitors , trekkers and dignitaries with garlands and drum beats with snow all around. One finds locals so hospitable, warm and welcoming all the time. Mahu village is well connected by road and is extremely beautiful, snuggled amid snowcapped mountains and is surrounded by tall conifers tree-line.
The village consists of closely raised ergonomic dwellings. Residential houses are mostly wooden studded and double storied designed to deter harsh winters. Facility in form of Tourist Dakbunglow is also available for comfortable stay. During Dec-March period it remains thickly covered with white sheet of three to six feet snow and in summers it offers green and eye-catching landscape, the culture of this hamlet is unique and quite interesting as you will find almost everything handmade from household architecture to daily use items. Economy of this village is restricted to one season i.e agriculture only and in winters people of young age move to Punjab and Haryana in search of job as labourers. If any one visits this place in winters one finds only old aged people sitting in the sun, children seen playing in front of their homes and ladies doing their household chores as part of day activities. Only a few of young people live in winters rest of them move outside in order to earn their bread .
Mahu village is famous for Desi Rajmash for its taste and aroma. People sell this home grown organic Rajmash to local agents and they in turn earn handsome amount out of this local produce. Local grown potato is also famous in local markets. Mahu village is surrounded by tall and small mountain ranges and during summers locals move to high grasslands in search of fodders for their livestock. In recent years Mahu is in limelight as local youth who trek this valley, more often start posting pics on their social media accounts and this started attracting local as well as tourists outside union territory to this valley to explore this valley. This village is now all to offer as Eco Village. One can enjoy local and homely prepared cuisine grownorganically. Every second house is now crafted to offer facility of home stays. In summers this location offers almost every kind of offbeat activities like trekking, hill climbing, river crossing, Night Camping because of its scenic beauty and open star gazing. Famous locations of area includes Mori,Dubdalo ,Trajibalan,Aachan, Dubtraj, Nawan, Ratan, Shrunjan, Khalas , Goodbari ,Nus Gali and many more.
It’s a ultimate destination for nature lovers and those having taste of endless adventure .Further famous climbing peakincludes Sunder Top peak,HounHeng(Dog’s Horn) Peak, Didam Peak, Angrez Thumb Peak, Aachan Top etc offering moderate to extreme climb with breathtaking experience. There is local Mahu based Adventure Group managed by locals youth who offer all guidance and customized facilitiesfor those who wish to visit this place for camping both in summers and winters. Just revel in the peace and enjoy some quietude in this beautiful valley. For more info and pics related to this destination one can check out Insta page namely “Mahu Valley” run by local youth.
(The author is KAS Officer and is presently posted as Tehsildar Banihal)
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