Tourists Attractions in Sapphire Valley Paddar.

Paddar in Distt. Kishtwar, J&K state in India embodies the poetry of nature, which no human language can interpret in words. Majestic ice capped mountains, verdant woods, lively rivers and placid lakes form the landscape of the area. Paddar is virgin Heaven on Earth. The land of Paddar is blessed with exquisite natural beauty. With the snow clad mountaintops, exotic orchards, lush green pastures, alpine forests and many more, the divine and delightful land of Paddar is a boon to the worldwide nature lovers. This valley is one of the popular tourist spots in the state of Jammu & Kashmir situated at a height of about 1700m from sea level and at a distance of 298 KM. from Jammu. This virgin heaven carves for itself a prominent place because of its variegated tourism potential. This land is a happy combination of the mighty splendour of mountains, lakes, hot-springs, lush-green meadows, water-falls, indigenous art and architecture, lovely glades and forests. The mighty river Chenab and Bhot-nallah adds to the fascinating look of the place. This valley has a vast potential for tourism : pilgrim tourism having places of attraction like Machial Yatra,ChittooYatra etc. ,eco-tourism offering unique and unmatched virgin destinations for eco-tourists on account of the vivid diversity in terrain, environment ,climate ,ethnicity, culture, language ,food habits ,dresses etc. Paddar offers a good many numbers of places that have acquired immense popularity as tourist destinations. Each and every tourist spots is unparalleled in the scenic beauty.

  The panoramic view of the long stretches of sun kissed mountains and vast spread meadows makes the uniquely beautiful land of Paddar, a real Paradise for the tourists. The natural beauty of the place is sublime and among the sightseeing spots of popular tourist attraction of the state. 

   Lakes also dot the landscape of Paddar. Paddar has beautiful lakes like Barnaz lake situated at a distance of about 3KM.from Machail village, Mondhal lake situated at a distance of about 5KM.from Gulabgarh and there are many more small lakes, waterfalls and streams which add to the richness of the beauty of this area. Besides, this area also abounds in hot and cold springs. .A large tract of land at Tatapani village situated at a distance of about 5KM.fron Gulabgarh is full of hot springs ranginging from extremely hot to lukewarm water .There is a temple of Shesnag just behind the pond of hot springs covering an area of about 40 feet in length and 20 feet in width.People from far off plac es flock to Tatapani for taking bath and getting themselves relieved of their rheumatic diseases and troubles. Besides hot springs, there are many cold springs as well. The entire area has been endowed by nature with cold springs at the required locations. The forests of this area are perfect retreat where tourists can spend time for exploring nature and snatching occasional glimpses of the animals in their natural habitat. The area is famous for sheltering several species of mammals that include Himalayan thar, monkey, blackbear, snow leopard etc. Moreover, bird lovers can have a wonderful time regaling themselves in the cheerful and melodious twitters of birds .This Teshil is dotted with a no. of famous pilgrimage sites, all located in the lap of splendid nature. The sites attracts thousands of people every year. A visit to any pocket of the area richly endowed with nature's wealth is a life time experience.

One such popular place, which is very significant both as a religious pilgrimage as well as a popular tourist palace thronged by devotees in large numbers, is Shrine of Mata Chandi or Machail wali Mata. 

Another popular pilgrimage is shrine of Chitto Mata or Singhasan Mata situated at a distance of about 30 KM.from tehsil headquarter Atholi Paddar.This pilgrimage starts in the first half of July every year. This yatra begins from Chisoti enroute Massu, Leondi, Gulabgarh, Sohal and Chitto, the holy abode of Singhasan Mata with night halts at Leondi, Sohal and finally Chitto where 'jagran"is held. This site is thronged by pilgrims from far and wide across the J&K and adjoining Himachal Pradesh.

    Hagyouth- A place in Paddar amidst of the Himalayas and cradled amidst the natural beauty. Just a few kilometers from Hagyouth Dhar, there is a Latroth Dhar rich in greenery in summers, the place has a complete different look when it is snowing. The snow covered peaks, chunk of the glaciers in the streams, and the alpine and deodar trees all appeals the tourists. This place has become popular and thronged by visitors from far and wide. A yatra

     The art and architecture also adds feather to the popularity of this area. This area abounds in stone-fountains called 'noan'in Padri. A noan slal is generally a tetrahedral single piece of rock chiseled round usually with a circular design around the neck. An open furrow is cut along one of the hedrons of the noans for flow of water. The furrow is open up to the neck wherefrom it further runs through a hole bored in the round face of noan.A noan is usually rested on a wall with its round mouth protruding out for flow of water. The noan spring is covered from three sides with the help of walls .Some noan springs are covered with roof stone beams and planks adjusted in such a matured workmanship that not only a single drop of water can trickle inside .These stone fountains are found in Dhundi, Ligri, Kirthai, Leondi etc. At Leondi, an image of Nandi -Shiva's Bull has been sculptured from a hard sandstone with all physical features by local sculptors. The statue is about 4 feet in length and 3 feet in height. A saddle sculptured over hump and fringed with designs is clearly visible on the back of Nandi. A Nandi, Lord Shiva's attendant, has also been sculptured in the statue. The entire work, however, lacks finish and smoothness but is in excellent indigenous art.

    To see nature at its best make a trip to the various tourist places of Paddar. This area would leave everybody spell bound with its remarkable spirit of adventure activities and tourism sites. If anyone has imagined trekking through the snow heaped mountains, Paddar is the place.

    There are very few places to enjoy the soaring hills, lakes, river, and the historic cities. This valley is nothing different from Kashmir in charm and elegance. The area of Paddar though small in land area draws immense number of tourists. Temples, apple orchards, gardens, and the festivals make it a worthwhile place of visit as well. Take a tour of the handicraft textile in the region making blankets, clothes, and other woolen accessories.

    This tehsil has also eco tourism potential as it has undisturbed natural areas with specified object of studying, admiring & enjoying the scenery & its wild plants & animals as well as any existing cultural aspects both past as well as present . This valley has many attractions in the form of alpine pastures for the adventure tourism. Cultural diversity is equally charming in this area.