Guddar Village: Nature, Heritage and Faith

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Gudar: A Scenic Village of Kulgam 

Gudar village is situated in Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory in the southern part of Kashmir valley. This village has a population of about three thousand people according to 2011 census. It has an area of 334 hectares. It has a scenic beauty and good agriculture productivity. Gudar is famous for horticulture as it produces apples, Peach, walnuts in very large numbers. The river Vishaw which flows through Kulgam is the source of irrigation not only for kulgam but for Gudar village and in fact for the whole district. It is a destination for picnic and students of nearby schools go to this village for excursion as it has much natural beauty and is a quite, serene place away from mad rush, hustle and bustle of a city.  

                         (Image of Park)

Gudar’s Natural Beauty and Connectivity:

I appeal to people to visit this place in summer and autumn & have a glimpse as well as feel of natural beauty. This village has its own place in Kulgam district. Kulgam is the nearest town to Gudar village for all purposes economic, social and political. As per census of 2011, it has approximately population of 1429 males and 1,370 females and today the population will be significantly more as so many years has passed since the latest and the last census of 2011. Connectivity is the main requirement and pre-requisite for the economic, social, political and cultural exchange of a village or city and Gudar is no exception to this important role of roads and other infrastructure. The main forms of transport to this village is public bus transport, private bus service and from some years railway service as it has access to these forms of transport. The villages such as Malwan, Chambgund, Asthal, Arigutnoo, Pranhal, Chindergi, Pahloo etc are the nearby villages to Gudar. This village falls under the Pahloo Community Development Block. Gudar has a historical, cultural and spiritual significance as the famous Tirthsathan of Godavari is situated in the foot hills of this village which has made Gudar famous not only in Kashmir but outside Kashmir. People particularly Kashmiri Pandits and other Hindus frequently visited this place for the glimpse of the sacred Godav.

Communal Harmony and Distinguished Personalities:

Gudar village is 15 Kilometres away from the district and Tehsil Headquarter Kulgam. It is nestled on the bank of mountain range Himalayas. This village has a great history and culture. The population of Gudar consist of predominantly Muslims with only one Kashmiri Pandit family of Tota Ram Dhar who was famous man of the area. The main occupation of the inhabitants of Gudar is horticulture and all most all people of this village are orchardists and some people also cultivate Paddy and earn their livelihood from paddy crop. Kulgam is considered as the rice bowel of Kashmir as it is kulgam district where farmers mainly cultivate paddy and wheat. They produce more than their consumption and sell in the open market to other districts of Kashmir. In Gudar village people also produce paddy. But the main avocation of the people is apple cultivation.The dynasty of Khan’s of Gudar is famous for having very big orchards of apple and the apple of village Gudar is sold in different states of the country. The Khan orchardist’s are very famous and they are also rich and wealthy. 

Godavari: The Sacred Shrine of Gudar:

The communal amity was the hallmark of this village like other places of Kashmir and Kulgam district. The Muslim residents of Gudar treated the single and only family of Tota Ram Dhar with great respect and they turn to this Dhar family for suggestions. The lone Dhar family also possessed agriculture and horticulture land. The only Kashmiri Pandit family had migrated outside valley and are temporarily residing at Jammu. The eldest son of Tota Ram rose to the post of DC central from a Patwari. He was honest to the core so much so that he never used his office vehicle for private purpose whatever were the circumstances. Many people of this village were and are educated and many are in the government job. I well remember that one Mr Bashir Ahmad Khan a post graduate was appointed as a teacher as he was MA, Bed. Later on he passed KAS and was appointed Tehsildar. He may have retired from a high position in revenue department. Gudar was a spiritual and religious place. On the bank of Himalayan mountain, there was a famous pilgrimage where from the nostrils of a cow water is coming, the cow was naturally formed and this pilgrimage is called Godavari.

A Pilgrimage of Enduring Faith and Tradition:

Usually Hindus used to pay visit to this sacred place any time during the year. This Godavari pilgrimage is famous throughout Kashmir and outside Kashmir. The festival of Godavari comes after every twelve years. The devotes from far and wide visit  place for the glimpse of the sacred place which is located in Gudar village at the bank of the mountain. Before militancy and migration of Kashmiri Pandits, KPs from all over Kashmir used to pay visit to this village for having the  of the sacred and natural shrine.On the occasion of the Godavari festival, there used to be great rush of devotees. The Muslims of the village and nearby villages also respected the holy shrine situated below the foothills of Gudar. May this pristine religious, historical and cultural of Gudar flourish and continue to attract devotees and other tourists.

Link to some older posts:

1. https://vivekkoulinsights.blogspot.com/2025/09/shankaracharya-temple-is-one-of-most.html

2. https://vivekkoulinsights.blogspot.com/2025/02/with-its-countless-meadows-holding.html

3. https://vivekkoulinsights.blogspot.com/2025/01/kailash-mandir-chinore-sacred-ancient.html


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