Sahil Manzoor
There are ten districts in Kashmir Valley. Every district has its own unique, special, and endowed history, and district Budgam is one of them. The district of Budgam is 12 km from the heart of Srinagar’s Lal Chowk. In the past, most popular areas presently included in Srinagar district were considered in Budgam. So Budgam and Srinagar have been close bounds for decades.
Budgam district is one of the mesmerizing, picturesque districts in Kashmir Valley. Sheikh ul Alam (RA) Shrine in Charar-e-Shareef in district Budgam is very special for the district. The district has lavishing, sensuous tourist places like Doodhpathri, Tosamaidan, Sotchal Pathri and Sukhnag; many more will be explored in the future.
Today in this article I am going to explore the mesmerizing beauty of Raiyar Ich.
Raiyar Ich is an emerging village in terms of rapid development. Raiyar Ich is a panchayat Halqa with nine panch wards and beautiful topography.
Raiyar Ich: It is a picturesque hamlet and resting place for tourists who come from different corners of the world. Facts to know about the Raiyar Ich. Raiyar comprises of two Kashmiri words, i.e., “Rai” means lost and “Yaar” means friend in the Kashmiri language. So the name had been given to this hamlet, by the mystic Kashmiri Sufi saint, Sheikh Noor Ud Din Wali (RA). It’s so when he reached the said village from the forests of the Pir Panjal, he sent his friends to different parts of Kashmir to spread Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) teaching, and he managed to start his journey alone towards Dreygam cave. (Source: Local legend of the village).
Why Raiyar is attractive for the tourists
The village is literally endowed with vast and rich culture covered with lush green forests; during late nights, the crispy wind bestows peace of mind to everyone present in its surroundings. The smoothening sound of the Sukh-Nag River feels like someone touches the guitar and is producing heart-touching music. The people of the village are so innocent and humble, living peacefully with inherited culture. Raiyar is famous for rajma (kidney beans), maize bread, and walnuts.
Sources of incoming for the locals
It is very fortunate for the locals that Doodhpathri got a place on the tourist map. Doodhpathri is one of the emerging tourist destinations in the Khansahib tehsil and in district Budgam and generates employment for thousands of unemployed local youth.
What locals demand
1. Higher Secondary School: As the Raiyar Ich becomes the central hub for the adjoining villages, locals demand the upgradation of high school Raiyar Ich into higher secondary school. The population is underprivileged and can’t afford to send their children to Khansahib; they have to spend Rs 50 as fare.
2. A highly equipped sports stadium for the local emerging sports stars.
3. Children park for local children with safe sports equipment.
4. Grazing area for the locals: The population has been grazing cattle for centuries, and most of them are earning their livelihood and boosting the economy of the district.
5. Computer skill centers under centrally sponsored schemes are very important for the local unemployed youth. The youth of the area are desirous of achieving their goals in all the fields, like medicine, teaching, etc.
6. Stay home scheme: All the households of the village should be covered under the stay-home scheme so that they get a chance to earn their livelihood. Benefits under stay-home should be given to all the registered households for further upgrading of their residential houses.
7. Bhatti mohallah, Tangnar road connectivity should take priority: During harsh winters, tourist flow should be diverted from Bhatti mohallah Tangan via TRC Tangnar. Tourists can enjoy and may know the culture of the locals of the area, and it becomes a way of earning a cause for the locals.
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