Neelum River - Neelum Valley

Neelum Valley

The Neelum Valley is a Himalayan gorge in Gilgit–Baltistan of Pakistan, along which the Neelum River flows. This green and fertile valley is 250 km in length and stretches its way from Muzaffarabad all the way to Athmuqam and beyond to Taobutt. It is one of the most attractive tourists places, like Swat and Chetral, but due to poor road system is yet veiled to the outside world. This area was badly affected by the 2005 earthquake and was cut off from the outside world as the roads and paths were filled with rubble. Now construction of an international standard road is in progress. Neelum has had a great importance before and after the partition of India due to its beauty. Sharada Peeth was once most advanced and international standard institution during the Hindu and Buddhist era.

It is named after the river Neelum, which is famous for its crystal bluish water and that is the reason for its name Neelum. Some traditionalists say that the valley is named after a precious stone neelum (sapphire). It enters in the Neelum from Taobutt and continues its journey through narrows and mountains different streams in the way add its strength and finely tributes into river Jehlum at a spot at Domail in Muzaffarabad.

There are two entrances for Neelum valley, one Neelum Road by Muzaffarabad and the other by Kaghan the Julkhad Road. Generally Neelum valley starts just after Muzaffarabad but in political division the area from Muzaffarabad to Chelhana is named Kotla valley in election division. District Neelum starts from Chelhana and goes to Taobutt. The valley is famous for its lush greenery, fir forests, slop hills and waterfalls. Specially in summer a large number of tourists visit the valley. Azad jummu and Kashmir tourism department and Forest Division Keren constructed Guest Houses in most important points. Good strandard hotels are also available in almost places.

Shardadesh is a name for the drainage basin of the Neelum River. The name is a form of Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music and the arts in Hinduism.