A Photographer’s Responsibility: Sharing Kashmir’s Hidden Charms
The time spent with friends is truly precious. The laughter, jokes, and little memories of those moments stay close to the heart forever. And it’s true that once time passes, it doesn’t come back, but the memories always remain. Time spent with friends becomes a part of life that will always bring happiness and comfort to the heart.
I really like my friends, and being with them is a unique blessing. We have been together since childhood we studied together, spent time, played, and even went on outings. We truly enjoy sharing everything with each other, this is our way of living, and it’s undoubtedly special.
Some time ago, we sat together and decided to go somewhere. Whenever we think of going out, the place that first comes to mind is Yousmarg, which is only about 30 kilometers from here and incredibly beautiful and captivating. This place always attracts us, and there are a few reasons why we choose it. One reason is that it’s quite close to our home, and another is that few people visit, allowing us a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the natural scenery in peace.
When we set off on a journey together, every moment becomes special. Listening to music and sharing stories along the way takes us out of the everyday routine, and for a moment, we simply live in the present. These moments are indeed rare and memorable, and they stay in our hearts forever. The time spent with friends remains special always.
Upon reaching Yousmarg, we first took all our belongings to our room and settled in. Our friend, who has been working in the hotel industry in Yousmarg for the past few years, arranged these rooms for us. The rooms were very charming and beautiful, and staying there felt like a special experience. Since it was already evening, we decided to arrange for dinner first so that we could enjoy a comfortable meal later in the night.
The next day, when we woke up, we set out for a beautiful place far away, surrounded by lush greenery. Our journey began early in the morning. We walked straight ahead without stopping or feeling tired, moving through the misty clouds. There was a slight worry in our minds about rain, as sometimes the weather can be unpredictable in such areas. But my friend encouraged us to keep going, saying, "Let's move forward." Finally, after some time, we reached our destination—a spot so enchanting. The place is called Daraktolan.
It took us about two hours to reach Daraktolan, and upon arriving, our joy knew no bounds. Truly, I had never seen a place like this in my entire life. This beautiful spot was incredibly clean, green, and pristine. On one side, a crystal-clear river flowed, and across the river, a few buffaloes and cows were grazing on the lush grass. It was an extraordinary sight. Along the way, a few Bakarwals joined us on our journey, and while talking to them, we learned some things we never knew before. This place was genuinely breathtaking.
It was a uniquely beautiful valley, one we were seeing for the first time. The valley was divided into two parts by a small forest. We took the time to explore both sections, and it was a mesmerizing scene. We enjoyed the food we had brought with us right in the middle of the meadow, an experience unlike anything I’d had before. We also bought some dairy products from the local people, and even tried a few things fresh.
In the evening, as clouds started to gather, we felt a bit anxious and decided to head back. The return path was long, taking at least an hour and a half, but if it rained even a little, the path would become slippery and getting back would be very challenging. The route was mostly along the hills, and if anyone had slipped due to mud, it would have been quite unfortunate. To avoid any such issues, we set off on time, and fortunately, it didn’t rain. We enjoyed ourselves as we walked back through the forest, making our way toward Yousmarg. By around 6 in the evening, we finally reached Yousmarg safely.
Thankfully, we all reached back safely to Yousmarg, where we stayed for the next night. The following day, we set off for our respective homes. It was a unique experience altogether. We’ve been on many trips together, but visiting such a peaceful, untouched area, with little to no presence of people whether locals or tourists was truly different.
A few days from now, I’ll be setting off on a trip to a new area, which will be decided based on hints I received from my friends who were with me recently. I’ll be sharing the photographs I usually take during such trips, and I hope you’ll enjoy the work I’ve done with my camera. I always try to share the beauty of this remarkable land with everyone around me, and it’s not only my hobby but also my responsibility to showcase the beauty of this valley to the world. I hope I was able to express my views and inner feelings openly, and I believe I can keep improving my work with each passing day.
Thank you, and have a great time ahead