At the prestigious Dhirubhai Ambani International School’s annual day event, AbRam Khan, the son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, captivated the audience with a mention of Kulgam’s enchanting “Chiranbal Meadow” during his performance.
Chiranbal, recognised as the largest sub-alpine meadow in Kashmir, is situated approximately 30 km west of the district headquarters of Kulgam. A trekking and hiking journey to this picturesque destination commence from Hallan, the final point accessible by vehicles via the Manzgam route.
The star-studded event was attended by renowned Bollywood celebrities, including Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan, and his wife Gauri Khan. Performances by Shah Rukh Khan’s son, AbRam, and Aishwarya Rai’s daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan, have created a viral sensation on social media platforms.
Chiranbal, known for its two distinct valleys and a meandering milky stream, is an ideal spot for camping enthusiasts. The location boasts breathtaking views and is gaining recognition comparable to popular destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam, as featured in a story by Rising Kashmir last year.
The district administration, in collaboration with the Tourism and Forest Departments, has been actively organizing festivals to promote offbeat and adventure tourism in Kulgam, with a special focus on the Chiranbal meadow.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kulgam, Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, shared a video of AbRam’s performance on his Twitter handle, expressing pride in the mention of Chiranbal. He highlighted the mesmerizing features of the meadow, including the beautiful stream Zajinar, pine trees, and the Brahma Sakli peak.
Despite the current lack of road connectivity to Chiranbal, plans are underway to extend the road up to the meadow. Rouf Zargar, District Development Manager at NABARD, revealed that one of the five road projects sanctioned for Kulgam under RIDF XXIX includes the road to Chiranbal. Sanction letters with a Total Financial Outlay (TFO) of 888.04 lakhs have been issued by NABARD for this road project from Hallan to Chiranbal.
