Tosa Maidan Trek in Kashmir: Explore Meadows, Lakes & Cultural Heritage

July 17, 2024

prashanth-sarma

With my boots tied up and backpack on, the anticipation of the journey surges up within me. This is not just any ordinary trek; it is the Tosa Maidan Trek, one of the exquisite phenomena of Kashmir. Located amidst the Pir Panjal range this trek will offer you an opportunity to witness meadows filled with flowers, flora in heights and sparkling high-altitude lakes. Each step made is like taking a journey through time and space as one of the villages is older than five centuries while the mountains and countryside remain incredible works of art.

Journey to Tosamaidan

Tosamaidan is at a distance of forty-two kilometres from Srinagar and one can feel a combination of excitement as well as sheer delight while driving to the place. The architectural view of the city slowly disappears and instead one sees fields with hills and green vast forests. The farther we travel from the initial point the more the roads become rugged, especially between Sitharaman and this thrill alone makes the journey interesting. Finally, we get a glimpse of the base camp location surrounded by mighty pine and cedar trees, there is a feeling of relaxant calmness that one gets here and this was the start of the trekkers.

Day One: The Forest and Meadows

Day one is a preview of sorts to the beauty of Tosamaidan, with relatively easy terrain and some breathtaking views. The road stretches through the thickets of the forest, and here, numerous birds can be heard trilling, and the sweet scent of pine fills the air. The roofs formed by higher trees allow beams of sunlight to slice through and fall on the floor of the forest. The first meadow we come across is a shock – this is not just a few acres of grass that had been mown of sufficient to warrant watching, but as far as the horizon, gold and green and specked with flowers of every hue. I could understand why the Mughals showed the privilege of christening this area as Tu Shah Maidan – The King of meadows.

The Ageless Cycle of Nomadic Life

It will be degraded to beautify the beauty of the meadows in Ireland when one forgets that they are home to shepherds and their flocks. Both Bakarwal with their goats and the Gujjars with their buffaloes may be seen passing through, and there is still something of the ageless cycle of nomadic pastoralism here. I start a conversation with a man, whose name is Ahmed, and he invites me to taste new fresh creamy milk. It’s incredibly natural, and organic; it might seem odd to taste simple milk but for me, the sweetness of the milk immerses me in the countryside and ethnographic culture.

When we decided to stop and make a camp near cliffs where a river with clear water flows, its murmur put me to dream. The sun goes down towards the hills with the entire sky having lines of pink and orange coloration. When day turns to night, I simply lay in the grass and look at the stars, and I am filled with serene satisfaction. This is what trekking is all about – the opportunity to escape the noise and clamour of the modern world or, at the very least, find a way to reconnect with the most basic instincts and the natural world.

Day Two: Higher and More Beautiful

Day two goes further upward, the path becomes more rigid than on the previous day but the views are also more spectacular. We continue following the trail through even more meadows which are now even more beautiful than the previous ones we’ve seen, and start spotting the first higher-altitude lakes. These lakes being bordered by hills and mountains offer eyeshot views that may be compared to blue sapphire garnished necklaces. It and the ground can easily be seen the water is so clear even the pebbles underwater can be seen clearly, and the reflection of the mountain surrounding is so real that they may be mistaken for the actual sky.

Experiencing the High-Altitude Lakes

Finally, I decide to try it at one specific lake and, averting my eyes from the mysterious depths of the water, I remove my boots and soak my feet in the cold water. The cool temperature surprises me a bit, but it feels good to be alive and to be outdoors during the winter. I chuckle with such excitement not fearing the consequence of looking like a kid who has found something very special out. My group of trekkers and I light-heartedly chitchat remembering the experiences of the day, no single feeling of loneliness.

Wildlife and Flora Encounters

Fruit is an exciting part of the trekking experience. Every day is a fresh prospect, a fresh opportunity to meet wildlife like Musk dear, Pheasants, etc. The plant’s point of view is also important and can be supplemented with pictures of boiling alpine flowers. This implies that as we rise to the mountain top, many points can be really hard to reach due to the extreme thinness of air as pointed out by the writer but the beauty is more and more. The last stage leading to Tosamaidan though steep is tiring but the scenery that one gets upon getting to that summit is captivating. The numerous patterned meadow creatures before me strike me into silence at the summit of the meadow hill.

Pine trees with their branches reaching up to the sky and a meadow with its vast expanse of grassy hills lie below me like a green sea, lightly swaying in the wind. This always gives the impression of the distant, snow-capped mountain ranges surrounding us, which always remains inspiring.

Return Journey

At the end of the trek, we retrace our steps passing through forests that instil a sense of calm and the meadows which give an overall feel of the wilderness. I get the feeling that each step is lighter, each breath is fuller as if the land has infused me the strength. Coming back is a nostalgic process, to recall the journey and the camaraderie shared along the trail.

Reflection at Base Camp

Upon returning to camp and reaching the base, there is joy in completing the task and a tinge of sadness that the successful trip has come to an end. However, enjoying a yummy meal at the last campsite with fellow trekkers, I comprehend that I have changed and the spirit of Tosamaidan will remain with me forever: the times spent laughing, the difficult moments, and the mesmerizing view of the mountains.

Significance of Tosamaidan

Tosa Maidan is not just a trek but much more, as much as the grandeur of nature is much more than the surface phenomena, as is the history much deeper than the flow of events. This is a wonderful journey that is both arduous and fulfilling, it creates a bond between man and the soil that feeds him with not only grains but with history. And when I am done capturing these moments, putting on my things and getting ready to go, I am certain that I will be back. This is because, as Yoshino notes, some places such as Tosa Maidan do not just move you, but tend to become a part of your spirit.

Cultural and Historical Insights

While the Tosamaidan trek has all the trappings of the nature trail, it is more than that as it goes deeper into the historical, cultural and ecological background of the place. Tosamaidan and its neighbouring areas consist of small constructed residences and villages, through the community embracing the true culture of Kashmir. These are visually attractive villages with timber-framed houses, stepped farming plots, and apple plantations. Just as it is a way to make a connection with the locals, to hear something about their usual life, maybe tasting some of the local homemade Kashmiri food also adds a cultural aspect to the trekking in a higher Alps environment.

Flora and Fauna of Tosamaidan

It is also an effective platform for our treks in that it also offers a good ground to visit wildlife. Flora and Fauna, The forests and the alpine meadows of Tosamaidan are a rich repository of different animal species such as the snow leopard, the Himalayan brown bear and the hangul also known as the Kashmiri stag which is on the brink of extinction. For bird watchers, they stand to see the golden eagles, the Himalayan monals as well as the different colours of the spectrum.

Vegetation and Botanical Richness

While on the trek, you’ll see various forms of vegetation. In the lowland, there are pines, deodars, and oaks. At higher altitudes, you find alpine pastures and meadows covering the land. In summer, these meadows go up with flowers including daisies, butter cups, and blue poppies growing right there in the middle of the meadow. Such botanical richness is not only a real sight for the sore eyes of travellers and tourists but also an object of study for botanists and nature lovers, eager to capture the Date, Time, Offset of interesting plants.

Conservation and Sustainability

When trekking in this area, it is essential that we preserve the environment to the best of our ability. The local authorities, as well as various trekking centres, put a lot of effort into educating people about the guidelines associated with the “Leave No Trace” ethic. Trekking activities hence call for trekkers to avoid any form of exploitation of the natural resources and wildlife, or otherwise pack all litter with them after the trekking exercise. Thus, the sustainable strategy of functioning provides the opportunity to preserve the exquisite appearance of Tosamaidan suitable for future generations.

Nearby Treks and Extensions

For adventurous hikers, one can take the trekking experience a notch higher to the neighbouring areas with ease. Add on treks from other treks, for instance; the Yusmarg trek is the natural extension of Tosamaidan. For Yusmarg is a treasure trove of past green sprawling meadows of Yusmarg and the Doodhganga.

Read More, Link Below:-