Shrine of Hazrat Baba Hanief-ud-Din Reshi (RA) Emerges as Popular Tourist Attraction

By Sakib

Budgam, June 24: The Shrine of Hazrat Baba Hanief-ud-Din Reshi (RA), perched atop the hills between Rathsun and Manchama villages in Budgam district, has recently gained prominence as a notable tourist destination. Visitors of all ages from across the Kashmir Valley have been flocking to the site, particularly since Eid ul Adha.

Sadaf Farooq, a local from Srinagar, shared her experience of visiting the shrine for the first time with her family after learning about it through media reports. She noted that the site attracts people from various districts who come for picnics during Eid-ul-Adha.

Sadaf emphasized the shrine's religious and historical significance in the Kashmir Valley. Despite its religious roots, the surrounding natural beauty continues to draw visitors.

Farooq Ahmad Ganie, from Chewdara village, mentioned that the shrine has become a gathering spot for people from different parts of Kashmir and beyond, including national and international tourists. He recalled that in the 19th century, due to a scarcity of picnic spots in Beerwah, school children from various local schools would visit the shrine for educational tours and picnics. This tradition has persisted, with visitor numbers increasing during Eid festivals.

During these festivals, vendors set up stalls to sell food items to the visitors. Farooq suggested that the steady influx of tourists could generate employment opportunities for local youth, providing them with a sustainable income source year-round.