From One Shed to a Kahwa Hub: How Lethpora Became Kashmir’s Favourite Stop

• Ada Bhat
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• 08 May 2026

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Pulwama: May, 07:- What began as a small roadside shed built out of desperation has today turned Lethpora into one of Kashmir’s most recognizable Kahwa destinations, drawing tourists, celebrities, and locals alike to sip the traditional saffron-infused drink along the Srinagar-Jammu National highway.

Nearly every few meters in Lethpora, steaming Samavars line the road, the aroma of saffron, almonds, cinnamon, and cardamom filling the air. Over the years, the area has transformed into what many now call Kashmir’s “Kehwa corridor,” where visitors stop not just for tea, but for an experience rooted in warmth, hospitality, and culture.

The story traces back to Firdous Ahmad Bhat, who is widely regarded by locals as the first person to start a dedicated Kahwa stall in the area.

“I completed my BA in 1996 and searched for jobs in many places, but I never found one,” Firdous recalled. “Then I built a small shed and started selling Kahwa here.”

What started as a modest livelihood soon became something much larger. According to him, the turning point came during the heavy tourist influx in 2006.

“That year, tourism was booming. I served free Kahwa to everyone who stopped here. Whoever came, I welcomed them with a cup. That became my base,” he said.

Today, almost three kilometres of the highway in Lethpora are dotted with Kahwa stalls, many inspired by the success of the first few vendors. The area has become a compulsory halt for tourists travelling to and from Srinagar.

Firdous says even film crews and celebrities visiting Kashmir during shoots often stop in Lethpora for Kahwa.

“Whenever celebrities come for shooting, many of them stop here to drink Kahwa,” he said with pride.

What makes the Lethpora experience unique is how an ordinary roadside stop evolved into a cultural identity. Earlier, the area was mostly associated with saffron shops where tourists purchased dry saffron and left quickly. But now, vendors have turned saffron into an experience by serving it fresh in steaming cups of traditional Kahwa.

Tourists say the drink has become an inseparable part of their Kashmir visit.

“We were feeling sinus discomfort and people advised us to drink Kahwa. After trying it, we actually felt better,” said Indu Tiwari, a tourist visiting Kashmir. “It feels soothing and refreshing.”

Another tourist, Vivek Kumar Panday from Bihar, said the taste of Kashmiri Kahwa stands apart from anything he had tried before.

“I drank Kahwa at this restaurant and it was delicious,” he said. “Earlier I used to try saffron tea whenever I visited, but Kahwa feels more flavorful and suitable. People should drink it because it is also good for health.”

Locals believe the rise of Kahwa stalls has also created employment opportunities for many families in the area, especially unemployed youth who saw the growing tourist rush and followed the model started years ago by pioneers like Firdous.

For many repeat visitors, the growing Kahwa culture has changed the identity of the highway stop itself.

“When I used to visit Kashmir earlier, there were mostly saffron shops where you could only buy saffron,” said tourist Aditya Tikoo. “But now this culture of Kesar Kahwa with saffron, almonds and other ingredients has completely changed the experience. Whenever I come here, I make sure to stop at Ayaz Bhai’s place for Kahwa.”

The way people travelling to Jammu stop at famous roadside spots in Sarmuli, tourists visiting Kashmir now stop here in the same way,” said Ayaz Ahmad, a local Kahwa shop owner. “Lethpora has now earned its own identity as the famous ‘Pampore Kahwa stop’ for travellers and tourists.”

Beyond business, however, Lethpora’s Kahwa stretch reflects something deeper about Kashmir itself its culture of hospitality. In a region where tea has always been part of social life, these roadside stalls have turned a traditional drink into a symbol of comfort, conversation, and connection between locals and visitors.

Now, whether tourists stop for warmth during winter, relief from fatigue after long travel, or simply for the taste of authentic Kashmiri Kahwa, Lethpora has become more than just a highway halt it has become a destination in itself.