A unique start of border tourism on the banks of the river Krishna Ganga and near the Sharda temple
✍️ Lieutenant. Preeti Mohan
A unique beginning of border tourism has taken place on the banks of river Krishna Ganga on the border of POK (Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir) and India. This place is also very important from the historical point of view. Through this route, scholars and intellectuals used to come here for the ancient Sarada Temple and Sarada University. Between the 6th and 12th centuries AD, it was one of the foremost temple-universities of the Indian subcontinent. At Sharadi village, where the Sharda Temple and University are located, the Krishna Ganga River meets the Madhumati and Sargun Streams. Right now, a symbolic form of the same Sharda temple has been built in the Tithwal (pilgrimage ball) at this place, which is visited by thousands of devotees every day.
The Krishna Ganga flowing alongside it also has its own historical and religious significance. This stream is coming from the lake named Krishnasar from the top of Gurez valley. It was on this lake that Shri Krishna created ‘Maharas’, hence its name ‘Krishnasar’.
Today, due to the rapidly changing environment in the valley, tourists from all over the country are coming to these places.
Especially among the youth there is great enthusiasm for these places and they are giving a lot of importance to such adventure tours to enjoy bike riding and camping. From the last two years, most of the tourists are now giving more importance to North Kashmir.
Tired of the heat and crowd of Pahalgam and Gulmarg, tourists are now exploring the Keran Valley, Lolab Valley, Gurez Valley, Tangdhar and Machel Valley in North Kashmir. The important decision of the Government of India to bring the border regions like Keran Valley, Gurez Valley, Tangdhar, Machel Valley and Bangus on the tourism map has brought happiness to the faces of the people of Kashmir.
The Keran Valley is a beautiful border region through which the Krishna Ganga River flows, which acts as the Line of Control between Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Jammu and Kashmir. Keran is home to many beauties such as waterfalls, rivers, mountains, dense forests with walnut trees and a variety of wild life.
In Kupwara or Kralpora market, travelers can hire any vehicle of their choice or go in their own car for Keran, these places have good traffic and road system. Along with some government-owned rest houses, there is also a good arrangement of good hotels, home stays and camping for tourists to stay.
Since this place has recently been introduced as a tourist destination, a lot is being done by the government especially the Indian Army to promote tourism in the area, which always brings peace and prosperity to Keran. It appears to be helping the local population to carry them away.