By M S Nazki
This is a place located at a higher elevation than the nearby plain or what we can call as the valley of Poonch. Hill stations in India were established for a variety of reasons. One of the first reasons in the early 1800s, was for the place to act as a sanatorium for the ailing family members. Other factors included anxieties about the dangers of life, among them fear of degeneration brought on by too long residence in a debilitating land. These places were meant to reproduce the home country for example Poonch, such beautiful rain, such delicious mud, such beautiful people, such beautiful trees in a virgin environment. In this piece I will personify Dhana ShahStar as a beautiful majestic lady sitting atop a hill and wondering what exactly it is to see the landscape and far distant horizons. Not a poet exactly but I will still give it a try to present the spectacle on the blue hills of the district. ‘Today, she is sitting at the top of a mountain and appreciating the majestic panoramic view of mesmerizing Himalaya. As a kid, she used to look up in the sky and wish for wings to fly up to the mountains. And now after a long wait of many years, she is sitting here and living her dream. It’s the moment when she can’t believe her eyes because what she always dreamed of has come alive. She looks with amazement as if she’s witnessing a miracle. It is the moment of her life. She just wants to feel it. There are beautiful clouds below her and there are snow clad mountain peaks emerging from those clouds. The white peaks shining in blue sky among white clouds look like glittering diamonds to her. The view of the large lush green meadow surrounded by mountains under blue sky with a rainbow circling the horizon has put her in a state of tranquility. As the sun starts drowning in the horizon, the sky begins to boast his mystical colors. The beautiful mix of pink, orange and red looks like creating a twilight saga. She opens her both arms and takes a deep breath to entwine with nature. The glimmering rays of the moon are paying tribute to her by kissing her warm cheeks and her eyes twinkle in bright moon light’. That is Dhana Shah Staar for you all, perched up the hill, wanting to be visited and haunted by the people as and when they decide to go atop the hills and enjoy themselves in mountain zephyrs.
The place is 30 Kilometers away from Mendhar just near Jaran Wali Gali. From the road head the track goes up hill and it’s a walking distance and when you reach the locale be rest assured that you would be awe struck. Such is the magnetic attraction of the place and the impact it leaves on the psyche is simply mesmerizing. The first sight that catches the attention is a mosque made of stones clearly indicating the locals are the ones who visit this place on regular basis. What is the history of the mosque is not known but the architecture says that it is quite ancient. Then there is a sprawling flushing meadow which makes you remember the more famous tourist spot in Shahstar If this meadow is developed it can be a great tourist attraction since there are many other spots that are real beauties.
A big fruit grove is there and is known in local dialect as Khor Wala Tallah. A fruit grove basically with a variety of fruits available. This definitely has been grown but by whom is not known yet it is very symbolic to the place. To relax there is sitting enclosure known as Baithak an innovated four walled structure for those who visit do sit here and enjoy the surroundings along with having the grub which they carry along. If developed, this can become a great picnic spot. I talked about the meadows, they are lush green wide open and expansive interspersed with water Khuls where cool water flows very soothing for parched throats.
There are several view points from where you can run round your eyes to have a great pastoral view. The far horizons of the massive Pir Panjals, the serpentine curves of the Mughal road, Bufliaz, Loren, Mandi, Surankote and Poonch, oh its awesome!. The entire view is sumptuous and if you plan to stay for a night then carry your pup tents, mattresses and sleeping bags in your haversacks, food items and enjoy the breezy night under the moon and the stars. Such beautiful places cannot be allowed to remain desolate. If developed by Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department this can become a great place on the tourist circuit in Rajauri and Poonch. Starting from Peer Badesar, Dharnidar Fort, Girgan Valley, Shrine of Baba Ghulam Shah, Nagali Sahab, Dhanna Sha staar and ending with Noori Chhamb! A deeper thought to it would definitely be more productive.
But I would point out that there is another and still more important function of this place in the hills- the culture not of athletic faculty alone, but of that intellectual sympathy with untamed and primitive nature which our civilization threatens to destroy. This place is something more than a thing to climb. To the many who, on a fine summer day, swarm up places in the laps of the hills in J&K by the well-worn pony-paths for a pure holiday experience. This place also wants to be the part of the list of places where people can come and enjoy their holidays. For posterity it is going to be great if we start thinking now about it!
