SILENT HEAVEN
I recently had the chance to visit Gurez Valley, also known as Gurais—a remote and enchanting valley in the Bandipore district of northern Kashmir, about 125 km from Srinagar. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and bisected by the pristine Kishanganga River, Gurez is celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and strategic significance along the Line of Control. Its isolated charm, combined with the warm hospitality of its people, makes it a hidden gem untouched by the bustle of mainstream tourism.
It was a journey of a million wishes and thoughts—through daffodil-golden valleys, gushing clear waters, crystal streams, and cool, refreshing air. The scenery left my restless heart amazed. Subhan Allah! What a masterpiece of nature—beauty that only love can truly explain, imagine, and understand.
Glistening streams, fed by untouched glaciers, merge into rivers and tumble down as waterfalls. Their song soothes the ears, calms anxious minds, relaxes weary souls, and murmurs gently into sleepless hearts. Travelling alongside these “singing waters” was an experience unlike any other.
Gurez is nature’s own artwork—surrounded by snow-capped peaks, lush green meadows, and the crystal waters of the Kishanganga. Close to the LoC, the valley is far removed from the chaos of tourist hotspots, making it a perfect destination for peace and solitude. Here, silence has its own voice—the mountains whisper, the river hums, and the air carries a freshness that heals.
The journey to Gurez is itself an adventure. Passing through the high Razdan Pass, one is rewarded with sweeping views of forests, rivers, and valleys below. The pass remains snowbound for nearly six months in winter, making summer the best season to visit. In these warmer months, the valley bursts into life with wildflowers, grazing flocks, and endless blue skies.
Beyond its landscapes, Gurez is rich in culture. The locals, known as Dards or Shina-speaking communities, lead simple yet deeply meaningful lives. Their hospitality makes visitors feel at home in even the most remote corners. Traditional wooden houses, age-old customs, and soulful folk music preserve the valley’s unique identity.
Walter R. Lawrence, the English author and former civil servant in British India, described the Kishanganga Valley in his 1895 classic The Valley of Kashmir:
“Perhaps Pahalgam, the village of the shepherds that stands at the head of the Liddar valley with its healthy forest of pines, and Gurez… will before long rival in popularity the other margs. Gurez is a lovely valley five miles in length, lying at an elevation of about 8,000 feet above the sea. The Kishanganga river flows through it, and on either side are mountains. The climate is dry and mild… The valley is extremely picturesque, as the river comes dashing along through a rich meadow, partly covered with lindens, walnut and willow trees, while the mountains… present nothing but a succession of most abrupt precipices, and Alpine lodges, covered with fir trees.”
Unlike crowded tourist destinations, Gurez offers not just scenic beauty but a profound stillness. Starry nights, the gentle murmur of the river, and crisp mountain air create a sense of comfort that lingers long after you leave. In a world full of noise and rush, this valley is a rare reminder of the beauty of silence—a place where one can sit by the river, hear their own thoughts, and find peace in the simplest moments.
For those seeking to escape the chaos of daily life, Gurez is not just a destination—it’s an experience worth every mile, and one that should be cherished and preserved for generations to come.
Everyone should visit the mesmerizing and breathtakingly beautiful valley of Gurez, a place where nature unfolds its wonders in every direction. A journey here is more than just travel—it is an opportunity to enrich one’s soul with the priceless treasures of peace, purity, and natural splendour that Gurez so generously offers.
(Author is a former tutor in J&K Health Services and hails from Narbal, Srinagar)
