by Mohmod Irfan Shah
Drung reveals itself in its truest form when everything is covered in snow during the winter months. The waterfall freezes solid due to the extremely low temperature.
Drung is a small village on the road to Gulmarg, barely 3.5 km away from Tangmarg town. The small zig-zag macadamized road gives a beautiful view of Ferozpora Nalla and the adjacent villages. From Srinagar, it is almost 42 km away.
It is famous for its waterfall, caves, an ancient temple, Ferozpora Nalla, and a small hydropower plant in the private sector. A fast-flowing stream, pines, and hillocks give it a resemblance to Pahalgam, and visitors do not miss the chance to visit the beautiful place while going to Gulmarg.
The road to Drung, despite its narrowness, is breathtakingly beautiful, passing through a dense pine forest and old mud shacks. Summer and winter are both great times to visit the location because it is open year-round and looks stunning regardless of the weather. Many people who visit the place with their loved ones have a good time seeing themselves in between the hills. The view and atmosphere of the rushing stream and the waterfalls are enchanting. In the summer, putting your feet in the cold water gives you quality vibes; it resonates with your senses, body, mind, and spirit.
The Summer Lapse
The area takes on a golden hue in the summer season. There is a lot of greenery all around and a spectacular waterfall in the midst. During summers, tourists and locals visit Drung to go horseback riding, seeing fast-flowing streams, waterfalls, caves, and an ancient Hindu temple that is just a few steps away from the waterfall and is believed to have been built by the Pandavas. People go there to pay their respects and also to appreciate the ancient architecture.
Pony rides from Tangmarg to Drung and adjacent areas fascinate people even more about the place. The towering waterfall merging with the stream is another eye-catching element of the place, and people love watching and capturing those moments. Caves inside those hillocks refresh the impression of how people in ancient times used to live here.
The Winter Lapse
Drung reveals itself in its truest form when everything is covered in snow during the winter months. The waterfall freezes solid due to the extremely low temperature.
During the winter season, tourists and locals visit Drung to capture a glimpse of the frozen fang, which is adjacent to the Ferozpora Nalla bridge. People from different parts of Kashmir and visitors go for a sojourn before going to Gulmarg, as it is just 3 km away from the Tangmarg highway. Because of the limited availability of accommodation and camping space, people prefer going for a day picnic to Drung. People enjoy sledging down the slopes in the frozen snow.
The Emergence Of The Spot
Anyone who will see the pictures of Drung will automatically get attracted to the place, but in recent years, the place has attracted a lot of tourists as the waterfall of Drung mesmerises the onlookers. The truth is that the waterfall is not natural; it has artificially been created because of the powerhouse’s water exit channel.
But, the sight that one gets to witness once the temperature dips below zero degrees and the splashing water freezes overwhelms the visitor, and this is also a major reason that the place has emerged to be a new spot for tourists. In the past few winter seasons, the pictures of the “waterfall” went viral as everything stood frozen; hence more and more people couldn’t stop themselves from visiting the place in person. Otherwise, the only thing that was present there to see was the river and the temple.
How To Reach Drung?
While the majority of tourists visiting Kashmir make their reservations in advance through reputable travel agencies, others plan their own trips.
Drung is bereft of airports and railway stations. Srinagar International Airport is approximately 48 kilometres from Drung, which is approximately an hour and 30 minutes by bus or taxi from Srinagar.
If you are travelling by road, the nearest railway station is Mazhom, which is 23 kilometres from Drung and takes approximately 45 minutes. Tourists can also hire guides and horses upon arrival in Tangmarg and trek from there to Drung in order to explore the surrounding area.
Accommodation
Despite the fact that Drung is not much developed, tourists are drawn to the area by its natural beauty. We hardly find one house around Drung, but people can book a hotel in Tangmarg and visit Drung as well as Gulmarg from there.
We find no cafes or restaurants in Drung, so staying for the night might not be a good idea if you are not planning to take your food along with you. In the daytime, you will find tea stalls, as well as shops where you can get some refreshments at the best possible price.
Travellers can find the best accommodations in Tangmarg, just 3 kilometres away from Drung. They can stay in the best hotels like Hotel Mahajan, which is the oldest Hotel in Tangmarg known for the wall paintings of Kashmir, painted by its owner. It is well-known for its hospitality and generosity, and it offers the most comfortable heating arrangements as well as an elegant dining option.
(The author is a student pursuing BE Civil Engineering from SSM College of Engineering, Kashmir. The opinions expressed in this write-up are those of the author’s and do not purport to reflect the views of Kashmir Life.)
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