PDA, SMVDU explore Shivgarh Autumn Trail

Udhampur : A group of young trekkers on Saturday explored the autumnal hues and adventures enroute historical Shivgarh Dhar, as part of the ‘Visit Patnitop’ event series. The second event of the series titled ‘Shivgarh Autumn Trail’, organised by Patnitop Development Authority, in collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and supported by the Department of Tourism J&K and District Administration Ramban, was flagged off from Padora meadow by Parkash Chand, BDC Chairman Chenani, Thakur Sher Singh, CEO PDA and Samir Vohra, Deputy Registrar, SMVDU.

The trekkers, along with BDC Chairman, covered a distance of around 10.5 kms as they explored one of the most surreal routes of Patnitop Tourism Circuit coming alive with the first tint of autumn sights, sounds and scents, and reached an elevation of approx 2700 mts.

The students and faculty of SMVDU, hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, and states like Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Bihar, enjoyed a mindful walk during the nature’s greatest show.

The trekkers visited the Choti Mata Mandir, Changar, situated on the ridgeline of the Dhar Shivgarh, offering a panoramic view of the surroundings. They also danced to the traditional songs and dhol beats. “The ‘Shivgarh Autumn Trail’ provides the opportunity to experience the beauty of autumn closely.

And with this event, we’ve covered the route twice in the same year, however, during different seasons,” said Thakur Sher Singh adding that the ‘Visit Patnitop’ initiative is already a hit among adventure, tourism, heritage, culture enthusiasts.

Nagendra Singh Jamwal, Registrar, SMVDU thanked PDA for giving an opportunity to the SMVDU students and faculty to engage in adventure activities and exquisite treks. He said, “Patnitop is a complete destination and we would like to explore its adventure and heritage aspects.”

The event series ‘Visit Patnitop’ was kicked off recently by Patnitop Development Authority in continuation of their efforts to promote the all-encompassing beauty of nature and adventure tourism potential of Patnitop Tourism Circuit.

During the trek, trekkers from SMVDU and a team of PDA collected the waste from the route under the PDA initiative ‘CARRY THE TRASH BACK’.Late evening, CEO PDA and BDC Chairman felicitated the participants.

They invited travellers, trekkers from all over the country and abroad to explore the beautiful landscape of Patnitop Tourism Circuit from Sanasar to Basantgarh.