The Sheep of Sinthan
On our recent long foray into the Mountains me and Tahlan Sir decided to go to the Sinthan Pass as it had opened just a day earlier. In the evening we were warned by some people that there was some Militant activity around the Pass and we should avoid.
Of course we had our own sources and being from Kashmir these thing hardly perturb me. Anyways we got our all clear and started our Journey towards Sinthan. Because of the incident which took place one day before the security personnel were on alert and the check points to the Pass were manned by the Army. The Army men were rather amused when they saw a HR registered Fortuner with two not so young men wanting to go to Sinthan Pass. We were asked why we were going there ? I told them well I am missing home and if I feel like I might go to Srinagar from there and if I m not in the mood I will come back. They obviously laughed. :)
And soon we were on our way through this beautiful pristine area which still lives in an era gone by. The Gujjars were also on the move with their livestock, Horses, Families and Dogs. The population in the area is a mixed bag, there are Hindu Kishtawaris who live in the higher Villages, Muslim Kishtawaris (some of Kashmiri) descent in the Villages along the Road and Gujjars on the move and also living in some of the Villages. This mixing gives this area a unique cultural identity and adds to the charm of the place. Mosques and Temples around each other. It almost gave a notion of Paradise but of course this area has had its share of troubles.
Anyways the drive upto the top was just amazing with a lot of Snow walls right till the top of the Pass and some more on the other side. Anyways once on top I told Ramesh Sir that lets go down to Kashmir and have a cup of tea at the first place we find in Kashmir. And it was while going down that we met these guys. And surely they looked dangerous, but they didnt bother us and to me they looked like Tourists going upto their favourite holiday destination. Have a look ;)
And of course we had Tea at a shack set up by a Gujjar boy and served Girdas with Butter and Tea. And then we met a Gentleman there. Well thats a story for another day.
Video from the Kashmir Side of the Sinthan Pass. June 2019.