Central Kashmir’s Budgam district is known as the vegetable district and for its shrines. It is blessed with famous tourist destinations like Doodhpathri, one of the most famous and attractive places in Kashmir Valley. Shrines like Charari Shareef (shrine of valleys), one of the mystic, towering, pious Sufi saints greatly known as Sheikh Noor ud din Wali (RA), and the Shrine of Samad Mir at Nambalhar, Pakherpora, etc.
Today, I am writing about the gems of Haijjan, Branwaar in Budgam.
Haijjan is one of the most luscious, sensuous, mesmerizing, and endowed places in district Budgam, about 45 kilometres away from the summer capital Srinagar. The place is currently used for grazing purposes by the locals. The people of adjoining areas and school students used to come to Haijjan for recreational purposes, and during holidays and on Sundays, the locals play cricket at Haijjan and enjoy their time in dense forests. Haijjan is safe and secure for recreational purposes and has an immense attraction for tourists, locals as well as outsiders.
The valley of one of the famous rivers, the Doodh Ganga, is just 20 minutes away across the Doodh Ganga River. It will take an hour or more to reach the valley’s one more famous tourist destination, which is called Yousmarg, by foot. The road condition from Jabbad to Haijjan is dilapidated and needs upgrading to a certain distance so that visitors can walk comfortably and keep their vehicles in a very safe and secure zone. Haijjan is the best trekking spot; there is vast diversity for trekking, and it has gradually emerged as a famous tourist destination. Emerging as a tourist destination, Haijjan has the potential to generate employment for thousands of locals and can cause development.
Why is Haijjan special?
Haijjan: providing the source water for the 7.5 MW Branwaar hydroelectric power project. Muddy, small hut-like structures are called kotha in the Gojri language. Such kothas are being used as shelters for grazing their cattle during the summer. A 7.5 MW Branwaar hydroelectric power project water pipe is passing through the carpet-like meadows. Haijjan is famous for its clear crystal water, luscious green forests, and serene beauty, which can be seen all around.
How do I reach Haijjan?
If you come from Budgam, reach Raithan, then take the route to Watred, then Nego Brenwar, Jabbad, then take the way to Haijjan. Via Chadoora, take the route to Surasyar, Branwaar, and Jabbad, then the route to Haijjan. Schools can plan a tour to Haijjan after following the proper security guidelines and keeping away from any type of risk, like being with students; don’t let them alone; make groupings of eight to ten students to allow them to explore the beauty. School heads may visit their pupils at the 7.5 MW Brenwaar power project and may teach their students how electricity can be generated with water. Haijjan may attract you for recreational purposes and for educational tour purposes as it is the main source of water for the 7.5 MW Brenwaar power project.
The writer can be reached at [email protected]

Sahil Manzoor