Farhad Ahmad Pir
Travelling from Marwah Valley through the Margan Top to Warwan Valley is a mesmerizing adventure that offers a profound sense of tranquility and natural beauty. Embarking on this road journey takes you through a landscape where serenity, peace and murmuring of water dominate.
As you journey towards Marwah, you are met with beautiful views. Lush green mountains rise majestically on one side, while the Marwah and Warwan valleys reveal their deep, captivating beauty on the other. To the northwest, scattered houses dot the landscape, nestled within the vast natural greenery.
From the top, you can enjoy an amazing view of the Marsudar River flowing smoothly below, adding a sparkling charm to the scenery. As you leave Warwan Valley, you will enter the equally beautiful Marwah Valley, where its natural beauty and peaceful surroundings offer an unforgettable experience.
Marwah Valley stands out not only for its unparalleled natural beauty but also for the captivating journey to reach it. The road from Vailoo, winding through the mesmerizing Warwan Valley, offers a breathtaking adventure as you pass through lush landscapes and serene surroundings. This remote route is largely free from heavy traffic; hardly a single vehicle can be visible on the road which allows you to fully immerse yourself in the stunning sights without the distraction of crowded roads. This sense of isolation and tranquility makes Marwah Valley an enticing destination for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts looking to explore a less-traveled place.
Local Expertise: Upon arriving in Marwah Valley, you’ll be welcomed by the exceptionally hospitable local residents. Their warmth and generosity are truly remarkable, often inviting visitors into their homes and treating them as cherished guests without any expectation of payment. I stayed there for two nights as a guest in a local home. They treated me like their own son. They had me sit in the kitchen and sat around me to make me feel special during mealtime. After I left, they didn’t take a single penny from me, despite my insistence. Instead, they asked if I needed cereals, beans, walnuts, or maize. This unparalleled hospitality means you will experience the true essence of Marwah Valley, where locals go above and beyond to ensure you feel like part of their community. Their dedication to making you feel at home adds a deeply personal touch to your journey, making your visit even more memorable.
Tranquil Retreats: A Journey to Serenity: You will experience a serene escape that offers a refreshing departure from the daily tasks. As soon as you step into the valley, you’ll feel tranquility touch both by your heart and mind. Here, life follows a natural rhythm, beginning with activities such as tending to maize fields and looking after livestock. The community holds a lifestyle free from technological distractions, relying instead on traditional forms of entertainment and engagement with nature. While walking around the village I spotted the Yaarbal, the same kind of tradition that once flourished in the valley of Kashmir. It was a source of social exchange, gossip and information, where women and girls fetch water pitchers on their heads. I saw women spending a lot of time at Yaarbals, chatting in small groups while holding pitchers and some were carrying their children with them.
In Marwah, you will experience a similar sense of liberation from the digital world. There is no individual phone connectivity or internet. During my two- day stay in Marwah, I had to wait in a long queue at the STD booth for a single phone call, which costs 10 rupees for 5 minutes. It takes about an hour of waiting for your turn to come. While waiting you engage in conversations to pass the time and learn about everything happening in the village. The absence of internet means no social media and modern technological interruptions. This allows you to fully immerse yourself in your surroundings. To enjoy leisurely walks through meadows and verdant landscapes, refreshed by pristine, natural water sources. I witnessed the local inhabitants as they go about their daily routines very early in the morning, engaged in meaningful work that sustains their way of life. This retreat offers you the opportunity to break free from the confines of your usual routine and digital world and reconnect with a simpler, more enriching way of life.
Local Cuisine: A Taste of Marwah
In Marwah, the local food is all about traditional cooking and fresh ingredients. During my stay with a local, I enjoyed a meal that was truly special. One memorable dinner included juicy rooster raised right at home, served with local rice, raazma dal, and freshly baked maize flour bread. Everything was cooked using old-fashioned methods over a wood-fired mud stove, not gas which hardly anyone there possesses. The meal’s great flavors showed Marwah’s dedication to fresh, homegrown ingredients and traditional recipes.
It was an entirely enjoyable experience. If you truly want to disconnect from all worldly tasks, then Marwah is the perfect place to refresh and reconnect with yourself.
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