Doodhpathri, literally “Valley of Milk,” is a beautiful high-altitude meadow and emerging hill station in Budgam district of Jammu & Kashmir. Located around 40–45 km from Srinagar at an elevation of roughly 2,700–2,750 m, it is known for rolling grasslands, dense pine forests and icy streams that appear milky white when they foam over the stones — the source of its name. In summer, the meadows are carpeted in green and wild flowers with views of Pir Panjal ranges; in winter, snow turns the whole bowl into a pristine white landscape. There is minimal permanent construction on the main meadows, so Doodhpathri still feels relatively untouched and less commercial compared to other Kashmiri resorts, attracting nature lovers, photographers and local shepherds with their flocks.
About this place
History & highlights
The name and identity of Doodhpathri are closely tied to Kashmiri Sufi tradition. Local legend says that the 15th-century saint and poet Sheikh-ul-Alam (Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani) once came here searching for water to perform ablutions. When he struck the ground with his staff, milk is said to have gushed out. The saint then declared that milk could not be used for ablution, whereupon it turned into water; from this miracle the meadow came to be called “Doodhpathri,” the valley of milk. Traditionally, the area served as a summer pasture (bahak) for Gujjar and Bakarwal herders, with temporary dhoks (seasonal huts) rather than permanent settlements. Under Dogra and later Indian administration it remained largely a pastoral landscape with limited infrastructure. Only in the post-Independence and especially late 20th–early 21st century did Doodhpathri begin to be promoted as a tourist destination, with basic roads and amenities added while trying to preserve its fragile alpine environment.
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