Majestic Kashmir Fix Departure Discovery Tour

Betaab Valley was originally known as Hagan Valley or Hagoon. It is a wonderful place situated in the upper east side of Pahalgam. This valley attributed its name to the hit Bollywood film Betaab, which was shot in its beautiful encompassing in 1983. The valley is also an outstanding trekking base and campground for voyagers who are hoping to scout the nearby good country districts. The valley falls on the way to the famed Amarnath Temple Yatra.  This place is very nice for photography.

The region where Betaab Valley in Pahalgam is located was ruled by the Mughals till the 15th century. During the end of the 15th century, Mirza Muhammad Haidar Dughlat ruled the valley on behalf of Sultan Said Khan of Kashgar and later the valley again came under the rule of Mughal Emperor Humayun. Therefore, the history of Betaab valley takes you back to the Mughal Era. 

Things To Do :

1. One can enjoy Horse Riding

2. Explore a wide variety of flora consisting  of Pine, Walnut, Willow and Deodar trees.

3. Camping and Trekking

4. Amusement park for kids

5. Photo shoots of the landscape and experience wearing local kashmiri dress

6. Enjoy local kashmiri dishes

It is the only place in the world after Spain that cultivates saffron, one of the most expensive spices globally. Situated on the eastern side of River Jhelum, around 15 km from Srinagar, Pampore is often called the saffron town of Kashmir.

Legend has it that around 500 BC, Persian rulers brought saffron to India and planted Persian saffron corms in the soil of Kashmir. Two sufi ascetics, Sheikh Sharif-u-d-din Wali and Khwaja Masood Wali, are said to have brought saffron to India between the 11th and 12th centuries. Till this day, the two saints are thanked during the harvesting season of saffron in late autumn. A tomb and a golden-domed shrine have been dedicated to them in Pampore.

We have heard of bats from Kookaburra Beast, Reebok Blast or Gray Nicholas Wyper brands. However, the bats from traditional Kashmiri willow factories is quite unheard of, for many.

Interestingly, two major places in the world, England and Kashmir, sources the willow used in the manufacturing of professional cricket bats. Willow from England (mainly from Essex area) is regarded supreme quality, whereas willow bats from Kashmir come in cheaper prices as compared to the British ones, and are comparatively heavy as its raw material is heavy. Many experts believe that Kashmiri willow bats lack the punch, while playing the shot as compared to their English counterparts and is considered ideal for beginners, but because it is cost effective, it makes a good substitute.

What is interesting is that the bark of willow trees/plants has been used as a traditional remedy for cold, fevers, and joint pains in many cultures for ages. Of the willow trees (scientific name, Salix Alba), a variety of white willow, also called cricket bat willow (variety cerulean) is used to make the cricket bats. The raw wood (without boiled) is treated with linseed oil which then serves as a protective layer. This wood is hard and withstands bumps or dent even after being hit by the ball, yet it is lightweight. British willow bats are whiter in colour, whereas the Kashmir willows are brownish in colour and the grain density of white willows is higher than Kashmir willow. Quality of the bat is higher if the grains are straighter and when there are less blemishes on the bat.