Aharbal

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Aharbal Waterfall
	Aharbal Waterfall on YouTube

Aharbal
Aharbal
Hill station
	Aharabal Falls
	Aharbal Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India Aharbal Aharbal (India)
	Coordinates:33°38′45.4560″N74°46′50.4696″E/ 33.645960000°N 74.780686000°E
Country	India
State	Jammu and Kashmir
District	Kulgam
Government
• Type	Democracy
Elevation	2,266 m (7,434 ft)
Languages
• Official	Kashmiri,Urdu,Hindi,Dogri,English
Time zone	UTC+5:30(IST)

Aharbalis ahill stationin the south-western part ofKashmir Valleyin the Indian union territory ofJammu and Kashmir,south of the summer capital ofSrinagar(Sub district: Damhal Hanjipora, District: Kulgam). Aharbal Waterfall is also known as Niagara Waterfall of Kashmir.^[3]

Geography

Aharbal lies in the Kulgam district's Noorabad area^[4]of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located on theVeshu River,a tributary of theJehlum River,in analpinevalley covered in pine and fir trees within thePir Panjalmountains. It lies at an altitude of 2266 metres above sea level.

The road route is from Srinagar-Kulgam-Nehama-KB Pora-Aharbal Road.

Aharbal Fall

Aharbal is known for itswaterfall,Aharbal Falls, where the Veshu falls noisily 25 metres and 7 metres through a narrow gorge of granite boulders. Aharbal Falls are also referred to as theNiagara Fallsof Kashmir, owing to the volume of the water that falls. According to a report,^[specify]the water volume would be sufficient to generate 100 MW of hydroelectricity. The terraces leading to the falls are fenced, but care must be taken to avoid slipping.^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8]

More About Aharbal

- Aharbal Waterfall is situated in the southwestern part of Kashmir, known for its breathtaking landscapes. - The waterfall is fed by the Veshaw River, which originates from the surrounding mountains. - The cascading water creates a mesmerizing display as it falls over the rocky terrain, forming a series of smaller falls. - Surrounded by dense forests, Aharbal offers a serene and tranquil atmosphere, making it an ideal retreat for nature lovers. - The region around Aharbal is a great trekking destination, providing opportunities for adventure and exploration. - Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys from various vantage points near the waterfall. - Aharbal is not only a popular tourist attraction but also holds cultural significance, with locals often visiting the site for picnics and outings. - The journey to Aharbal involves navigating through picturesque landscapes, adding to the overall experience of the visit. - The region experiences different seasons, and each season brings its unique charm, from lush greenery in summer to snow-covered landscapes in winter. - Aharbal Waterfall is a hidden gem, away from the bustling crowds, offering a peaceful retreat for those seeking a connection with nature.

Aharbal Development Authority

The Aharbal Development Authority, a government agency responsible for development in Aharbal, has built tourist infrastructure including huts and a cafeteria, and other lodging and boarding facilities have also been made available. But still development issues are at the hill station like parks are not maintained properly, there is no amusement park like Lidder Amusement Park, littering, proper roads and parking issues. The area is peaceful and the crime rate is very low.^[9]

Oldest Fossil Site in J&K

The exact site which is barely 2 km from the famous Aharbal waterfall along the Kunghwatan route, experts believe that the site which is rich in fossil biodiversity and replete with dense fossil samples at specific locations can be as old as 488 to 354 million years. However, the exact date can be ascertained only after radiocarbon dating. Preliminary investigation it was revealed that the fossils fall between the Ordovician and Devonian period. “The different organisms of that period include bryozoans (colonial animals); gastropods, trilobites, ancestors of C scorpions, and ancient relatives of snails etc”. This recently ‘discovered’ fossil site at famous tourist destination Aharbal has been secured by the department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums.^[10]

Access

Aharbal falls in Noorabad sub division of DistrictKulgamand is easily accessible from Srinagar via Shopian [Bab-ul-Islam], only 8 km from theMughal Roadthat connects Srinagar andPoonch.The 75 km drive takes less than 3 hours by car or bus viaPulwamaandShopian.An alternate route leads to Aharbal viaKulgam-Nehama-DH pora -Kb pora -Manzgam-Wattoo-Aharabal. It is only 22 km from the DistrictKulgamthe first District one enters theKashmir valleyafter crossing the Jawaharlal National Tunnel. The nearest railway station isAnantnagrailway station at 44 km in the east.^[11]^[12]

References

^"The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020"(PDF).The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020.Retrieved27 September2020.
^"Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020".Rising Kashmir.23 September 2020. Archived fromthe originalon 24 September 2020.Retrieved23 September2020.
^"Hill stations in Kashmir".hillstations. Archived fromthe originalon 29 November 2012.Retrieved26 November2012.
^"Aharbal in district Kulgam"(pdf).Retrieved20 June2013.^{[dead link]}
^Allan Stacey (1988).Visiting Kashmir.Hippocrene Books, 1988. p. 129.ISBN 978-0-87052-568-1.Retrieved27 November2012.
^"Niagara falls of Kashmir".greaterkashmir. Archived fromthe originalon 28 July 2013.Retrieved26 November2012.
^"Tourist spots JK Tourism".The Economic Times.Retrieved27 November2012.
^"Girl jumps into Aharabal Falls".kashmirimages. Archived fromthe originalon 20 January 2013.Retrieved26 November2012.
^Dr. Shiv Sharma (2008).India: A Travel Guide.Diamond Pocket Books. p. 199–.ISBN 978-812840067-4.Retrieved26 November2012.
^GUL, KHALID."Authorities secure newly discovered Aharbal fossil site".Greater Kashmir.Retrieved23 September2021.
^"Aharbal Waterfalls".indiatourisminfo.net.Retrieved26 November2012.
^M.S. Kohli (1983).Himalayas: Playground of the Gods -Trekking, Climbing and Adventure.Indus Publishing. pp. 40–42–.ISBN 978-817387107-8.Retrieved27 November2012.

External links

[OfficialLang-1] "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020"(PDF).The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020.Retrieved27 September2020.

[2] "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020".Rising Kashmir.23 September 2020. Archived fromthe originalon 24 September 2020.Retrieved23 September2020.

[3] "Hill stations in Kashmir".hillstations. Archived fromthe originalon 29 November 2012.Retrieved26 November2012.

[4] "Aharbal in district Kulgam"(pdf).Retrieved20 June2013.^{[dead link]}

[Aharabal_Kashmir-5] Allan Stacey (1988).Visiting Kashmir.Hippocrene Books, 1988. p. 129.ISBN 978-0-87052-568-1.Retrieved27 November2012.

[6] "Niagara falls of Kashmir".greaterkashmir. Archived fromthe originalon 28 July 2013.Retrieved26 November2012.

[7] "Tourist spots JK Tourism".The Economic Times.Retrieved27 November2012.

[8] "Girl jumps into Aharabal Falls".kashmirimages. Archived fromthe originalon 20 January 2013.Retrieved26 November2012.

[Aharbal_Falls-9] Dr. Shiv Sharma (2008).India: A Travel Guide.Diamond Pocket Books. p. 199–.ISBN 978-812840067-4.Retrieved26 November2012.

[10] GUL, KHALID."Authorities secure newly discovered Aharbal fossil site".Greater Kashmir.Retrieved23 September2021.

[Aharbal-11] "Aharbal Waterfalls".indiatourisminfo.net.Retrieved26 November2012.

[Aharabal-12] M.S. Kohli (1983).Himalayas: Playground of the Gods -Trekking, Climbing and Adventure.Indus Publishing. pp. 40–42–.ISBN 978-817387107-8.Retrieved27 November2012.

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v t e Kashmir Valley
Passes	Banihal Pass Zojila Burzil Pass Sinthan top Margan Top
Valleys	Sind Valley Lidder Valley Lolab Valley Betaab Valley
Cities	Srinagar Anantnag Baramulla
Towns	Akingam Achabal Pulwama Budgam Ganderbal Shopian Bandipore Kulgam Downtown Nowshera Gurez Pattan Kangan Hazratbal Awantipora Tral Qazigund Kokernag Shangus Bijbehara Doru Pahalgam Pattan Uri Kreeri Boniyar Tangmarg Sopore Rafaiabad Karnah Kupwara Lolab Handwara Langate Charari Sharief Beerwah Chadoora Bagh e Mehtab Sumbal Sonawari Quimoh Pahloo D.H.Pora Soura Buchpora Jawahar Nagar Srinagar Rajbagh Bemina Maisuma Karan Nagar Indira Nagar, Srinagar Hazratbal Lal Chowk Sonwar Bagh Nowhatta Hazratbal Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar Lal Bazar Zukura Munawar Abad Badami Bagh Nowshera, Srinagar Singhpora Magam Kokernag Daksum
Rivers	Jehlum Sind Lidder Kishanganga Veshaw Rambi Ara
Glaciers	Kolhoi Glacier Machoi Glacier
Lakes	Anchar Lake Dal Lake Nigeen Lake Manasbal Lake Wular Lake Vishansar Lake Krishansar Lake Gangabal Lake Gadsar Lake Sheshnag Lake Tarsar Lake Nundkol Lake Satsar Lake Kausar Nag Brari Nambal Khushal Sar Gil Sar Khanpursar
Mountains	Harmukh Kolhoi Peak Machoi Peak Amarnath Peak Sirbal Peak Tatakooti Peak Sunset Peak Mahadev
Hill stations and Mughal gardens	Pahalgam Sonamarg Yusmarg Gulmarg Aharbal Nishat Bagh Shalimar Bagh Chashme Shahi Verinag Kokernag Naseem Bagh Pari Mahal Achabal
Protected areas	Dachigam Hokersar Hirpora Overa-Aru Rajparian Gulmarg
See also	History of Kashmir Kashmir conflict The Valley Of Kashmir(1895 book) Line of Control Jammu–Baramulla line Kashmiri language