Excursions

Dhar Mahanpur is an emerging tourist spot in the middle of the Great Himalayas. This site is popular for various fairs that help in promoting tourism in the region.

Basohli is a small town located at an altitude of 1876 ft above the main sea level. It was founded by Raja Bhopat Pal in 1635, on the banks of the Ravi River. This place is popular among travellers for ancient stone carved images and miniature paintings.

Mankote, also known as Ramkote, is a town located on a hillock in Billawar tehsil. The town is situated on the banks of the Basanter Stream, on the Dhar-Udhampur Road. This town was established by Raja Manak Dev, a descendant of Raja Narsingh of Jammu. It was later on renamed by Raja Suchet Singh as Ramkote.

Bhaddu is situated on the banks of Bhinni Naalah, tributary of the Ujh River. This place served as the seat of imperial power during ancient times. It comprises around 36 villages that were ruled by the descendants of the Bhadwal Rajputs.

Billawar, popularly known as Balaur, is a tehsil in the Kathua District. This tehsil was founded by Raja Bhopat Pal between 1598 and 1614. Since its establishment, the tehsil was under the control of the Basohli Rajas.

Sheikh Baba Behram is situated in the Karihama village of Kupwara District. It is stated that Sheikh Baba practised chilla in the area of Botingu. Sultan-ul Arifeen’s disciple accompanied him during this process. Zaiti Shah was believed to be the disciple of Sheikh Baba. According to legends, when the saint decided to give up his life, he dug a grave on his own and requested his disciples to cover it after he had laid in that garve.

Handwara is a tehsil in the Kupwara District which has many tourist attractions. The Badrakali village is located in Handwara in Rajwar. The ancient books mention that the village was visited by Yatris as a place of worship. The village has a Badrakali temple which is well-known for its annual mela celebration. The Jama Masjid Handwara and Badrakali Atapan in this tehsil are popular too.

Trehgam is situated 9 km west of Kupwara and is famous for the Shiva Nag. The Jamia Masjid and the Lord Shiva temple lie on the same bank, which is visited by people of both religions.

Regipora village is a historical village that acts as the Mohallah. The site was initially a town established by the Chek Sardar Regi Chek. Sir Walter Lawerance mentions in his book ‘The Valley of Kashmir’ that the remnants of the Regipora City of Cheks can be seen here. The Gadhi Hill, located north of the village, was used as a fort by the Cheks.

Panzgam is a village situated around 20 km west of Kupwara. The site is famous for the war between Sikh rulers and Raja Sher Ahmed Khan Bomba. According to the views of Thakur Icher Chand, the original name of the village was Panji Gram.