Perched on the banks of the Mawar River, Reshwari is a tiny hamlet in the lap of the Himalayan foothills of Kashmir. This summer-green village is located in the Naugam sector of Handwara district of Kashmir province, India. Drenched by the sunrays with birds chirping and wild bush smell in the breeze, the village brings one close to the rural life of any Himalayan village.
The journey to Reshwari started from the beautiful city of Srinagar in Kashmir. Driving through the picturesque valley, and securing permit to enter the zone as a nature thirsty tourist was a gun-less battle in itself. After thorough scrutiny and background verification, permit was secured from SP Office Handwara and Indian Armed forces to arrive at the only Forest Guest House at Reshwari.
Morning starts in Reshwari with dazzling sunrays on the snowy peaks that cuddle the village. Nature has benevolently bestowed her blessing in the hilly slopes of Reshwari. Abundant flora and fauna supports life and livelihood in its own way in the terrain. Shepherds and sheep herders called "Bakri-Baaz" take their livestock to the hilly pastures for grazing. Hill slopes are punctuated with shanties where they take rest during the day.
Reshwari is one of the gateways to the famous Bungus valley. It is one of the most spectacular valleys with endless pastures and slopes that every traveler to this region aspires to view at least once in a lifetime. Its access is hidden within the forest trails and every year access to the valley is closed down due to heavy snowfall. Tourists are not allowed to reach the valley unless the forest path is cleared every summer and security is ensured. This time, fate was not in favor.
Sparkling summers, freezing winters and warm hearted villagers ornament the mesmerizing beauty of Reshwari. Tourists are welcomed with warmth, love and respect. Children were naturally curious and inquisitive about the whereabouts of the rare guests in their village, as were the elders. They made every shot beautiful with generous smiles.
Life is tough due to harsh winters in the region and scarcity of resources. However, people are honest, sincere and simple in the village. In recent years Indian Government and Army has jointly worked extensively in encouraging and enabling the youth from this village and nearby villages, to be self-reliant. Supported by the government, three local village schools are run sovereignly by educated local youths who graduated from Srinagar and other major cities in India.
There are three primary and two secondary school in the vicinity of Reshwari (for both boys and girls), teachers appointed from the educated graduates of the region - a self sustainability program lead by the Government. The warmth from local villagers makes strangers feel at home. Invite for "Namkeen Chai" or "Kahva" is common, followed by socio-economic discussion with eloquent villagers. Having lived in the village for generations, elders narrated how education and Government sanctions have improved life in the region.
Mostly unexplored, highly sensitive, situated at a border district of India, Reshwari is inhabited by very warm, amiable and peace-loving people. Hope the new era brings hope and happiness to the region and connect them with all the goodness that this World has to offer.