Contemporary Pahari Life & Tourism

The contemporary life of the Paharis of Jammu and Kashmir is marked by their resilience and adaptability. While embracing elements of modern life, they continue to cherish and uphold their cultural identity and traditions, creating a harmonious blend of old and new in their daily lives.

Before road connectivity, daily life for the Pahari Tribe in remotest valleys like Karnah, Uri, Keran and Machil was characterised by isolation and a heavy reliance on traditional modes of travel. People primarily travelled on foot and by horseback, navigating challenging mountain terrain like Sadhna Pass, Pir ki Gali (Mughal Road) to reach their destinations.

The challenging hilly terrain also complicates access to schooling/education. Despite these challenges, the youth of the Pahari-speaking community have shown resilience. Through hard work, some have successfully competed at the state level, securing placements in professional courses, UPSC and civil services.

While life has become somewhat easier with advancements, there is an underlying concern about cultural isolation. The Pahari people, while adapting to modern conveniences, remain vigilant about preserving their unique cultural heritage. The fear of cultural isolation highlights the delicate balance they navigate between embracing progress and safeguarding the rich tapestry of their traditions, customs and identity.

Pahari regions including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir are renowned for its Pilgrim heritage, breathtaking landscapes, adventure tourism and rich culture. Uttrakhand is home to the Char Dham Yatra (Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri), the Ganga Aarti at Haridwar and yoga capital Rishikesh. Additionally, the state boasts serene hill stations like Nainital, Mussoorie and Auli, diverse wildlife in Jim Corbett National Park and trekking trails in Chopta, Valley of Flowers and Roopkund. While as the Himachal Pradesh is hotspot of Heavenly tourist like Khajjiar, Shimla, Manali, Spiti, Dalhousie, Kaza, Dharamshala, Palampur, Tosh lie in the lap of Himachal Pradesh. Another prominent Pahahri region (Pir panjal) is home to several tourist destinations like Amarnath Yatra, Mata Vaishno Devi, Noori Chamb, Peer Ki Gali, Kalka Mata Temple, Shahdara Sharif, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Bangus Valley, Tosaimadan, Kheer Bhawani (Kupwara), Lolab Valley, Gurez Valley, Drung Waterfall, Wular Lake, Keran Valley, Karnah Valley, Sadhna Pass, Teetwal, Sharda Peeth Route (Historic Trek).