Peer Ki Gali: A serene and a wonderful tourist attraction
By: Toseef R Ganai
Amid the majestic folds of the Pir Panjal range, where mist dances with ancient conifers and the whispers of bygone Sufi saints echo across alpine meadows, lies Peer Ki Gali- a sublime confluence of natural grandeur, historical gravitas, and spiritual depth.
Located on the historic Mughal Road, at an altitude of 3,484 metres above sea level, Peer Ki Gali is a veritable paradise that remains, regrettably, obscured by infrastructural neglect and administrative indifference.
Despite its ethereal charm and increasing footfall, this celestial expanse continues to be denied the basic facilities that could transform it into a fully realised tourist destination. It is a tale of missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential, of a sanctuary that deserves celebration, not silence.
Peer Ki Gali is nature’s masterpiece-a place where verdant meadows, snow-draped peaks, glacial springs, and silver waterfalls come together to form a panorama so picturesque, it leaves the onlooker spellbound.
Here, the road meanders through thick coniferous woods, flanked by wildflowers in bloom during spring and glistening snow in winter. The rarefied air carries a scent of pines and moisture, and the changing weather at times brooding, at times sunlit renders every visit unique.
Yet it is not just the topographical allure that makes Peer Ki Gali exceptional. The tranquillity that pervades the landscape offers visitors a visceral sense of detachment from the noise of modernity a rare, almost sacred silence that many describe as spiritually healing.
The nomenclature “Peer Ki Gali” — literally “The Saint’s Pass” traces its origin to Hazrat Sheikh Ahmed Karim (RA), a revered Sufi saint who is believed to have meditated in this remote enclave.
His shrine, modest yet magnetising, stands testament to the region’s profound spiritual heritage. Locals, pilgrims, and passers-by stop to pay their respects, sip salty tea made with roasted barley (sattu), and share anecdotes about the miracles attributed to the saint.
This pass is also intrinsically linked to the imperial footprints of the Mughal dynasty. It served as the principal route for emperors and caravans en route to the Kashmir Valley. It is widely believed that Emperor Jahangir, enamoured by Kashmir’s beauty, breathed his last near this very passage during his return journey. Today, the same road, albeit neglected in parts, remains an artery of historical resonance.
In recent years, Peer Ki Gali has witnessed a discernible surge in tourist activity. The serpentine Mughal Road, open for vehicular passage during non-winter months, attracts not only curious travellers but also nature photographers, trekkers, and spiritual seekers.
On any given summer day, one can spot vehicles halting at the bend, with families enjoying picnics, bikers capturing drone shots, and pilgrims paying homage at the shrine.
However, the experience of most visitors is bittersweet. The complete absence of basic infrastructure public lavatories, shelters, waste disposal units, signage, or emergency services casts a long shadow on the otherwise pristine environment. There are no seating arrangements, no safe resting zones, and crucially, no mobile connectivity, which poses serious security risks in a terrain prone to sudden climatic shifts.
“This place is paradise,” says a tourist from Bengaluru. “But the lack of toilets and shelters makes it incredibly difficult for families, especially women. The government must step in before this unregulated tourism starts damaging the area’s natural and spiritual sanctity.”
Despite its growing popularity, Peer Ki Gali is yet to receive formal recognition or support from the Jammu and Kashmir tourism department. Unlike other well-marketed destinations such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg, Peer Ki Gali exists in a bureaucratic blind spot, celebrated by the people but ignored by the state.
There is no tourist facilitation centre, no helpline information, and no designated parking. Even during peak tourist season, there is no deployment of personnel to manage crowds, ensure cleanliness, or provide directions. This vacuum of governance has led to increasing waste and unregulated behaviour, which if unchecked, could degrade the ecology and sanctity of the area.
Locals from nearby districts particularly Poonch and Shopian express disappointment. “We have been appealing to the authorities for years to develop Peer Ki Gali as a formal tourist circuit,” says a civil society member from Surankote. “It can become a hub for sustainable tourism and a source of employment for hundreds. But no one listens.”
The path forward lies in strategic, environmentally conscious development. Peer Ki Gali does not require concrete jungles or lavish resorts. Instead, the government must focus on: Installation of eco-friendly mobile toilets and waste bins, Construction of wooden or stone rest sheds to shield visitors during rain and snowfall, Deployment of basic medical and rescue teams during peak months, Setting up a digital connectivity tower to provide emergency access, Training local youth as tourist guides and environmental stewards, Developing a small-scale cultural centre that documents the history of the Mughal Road and Sufi saints, Promotion of local crafts and foods through temporary stalls or kiosks.
With minimal intervention and sustainable planning, Peer Ki Gali can become an icon of eco-tourism, spiritual tourism, and heritage preservation all rolled into one.
In a Union Territory that aspires to make tourism its economic backbone, the marginalisation of such a site is not only unfortunate but strategically self-defeating. While crores are spent on branding and promoting tourist destinations, Peer Ki Gali with all its natural, spiritual, and historical capital is left to fend for itself.
It is imperative for policymakers to recognise that tourism is not just about revenue; it is also about identity, sustainability, and inclusive development. Peer Ki Gali exemplifies all these values. But until it finds a voice within government files and policy frameworks, it will remain a silent miracle witnessed only by a fortunate few.
Peer Ki Gali is not merely a geographical location. It is a living testimony to Kashmir’s plural ethos, natural majesty, and timeless spirituality. In its mist-laden silence and shrine-lit serenity lies a message that some places do not just need to be seen, they deserve to be protected and revered.
The time has come for the government, the tourism department, and conscious citizens to act not with haste, but with vision and respect. Let Peer Ki Gali no longer be an uncelebrated jewel on the map, but a beacon of how history, nature, and faith can co-exist in harmony.
