The World's Highest Rail Bridge Is Now Going To Be A Hot Tourist Spot

Exciting News! The world's highest steel arch rail bridge in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, is not just a railway marvel anymore – it's turning into a hot tourist spot! The bridge, which stands 1.3 km long and a whopping 359 meters above the river, is even taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris by 35 meters. Let's dive into the details!

Tourist Transformation Underway

Chief Secretary A K Mehta and officials recently explored an engineering marvel, a bridge near Jyotipuram, just 42 km from Reasi town. Impressed by its unique features and picturesque surroundings, Mehta suggested transforming it into a tourist attraction. He urged local authorities to improve the road leading to the bridge and enhance safety measures. Reasi district, already a tourist hub with the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, has untapped potential with attractions like Shiv Khori, Salal Dam, and Bhimgarh Fort.

A Tourism Hub in the Making

Mr. Mehta didn't stop there; he had even more ideas to make Reasi a tourism hub. His plan includes improving amenities, better connectivity, and creating a seamless tourist circuit within the district. This not only benefits the locals but also residents from other parts of the Union Territory.

Things to do in Reasi

With roots dating back to the ninth century as part of the Bhimgarh kingdom established by Bhim Dev, Reasi is now a treasure trove of tourist attractions catering to a diverse range of visitors, including those seeking religious, adventurous, historical, cultural, and various other forms of tourism.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine

Nestled amidst the Trikuta hills, the Vaishno Devi shrine is located 13 kilometers from the base camp of Katra, a renowned town within the Reasi district, and 63 kilometers from the city of Jammu. This shrine holds immense significance as a pilgrimage site in the state of Jammu & Kashmir and has been under the auspices of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board since 1986. It draws millions of pilgrims annually, with a record 88 lakh devotees paying their respects in 2015.

Bhimgarh Fort

A historical marvel, Bhimgarh Fort was constructed by General Zorawar Singh, the illustrious Dogra General known for his role in driving the Chinese out of Ladakh. Perched on a hillside along the banks of the River Anji, this fort is a popular attraction for tourists visiting Reasi.

Shiv Khori (Ransoo)

Shiv Khori, located in Ransoo, is home to the sacred cave of Lord Shiva. On the occasion of Shivratri, a grand three-day fair takes place here, attracting around 16,000 worshippers in July. Each year, approximately 20 lakh pilgrims visit this Holy Cave.

Siyad Baba Waterfall

Regarded as one of North India's largest waterfalls, Siyad Baba Waterfall is situated on the Chenab River in Reasi District. It stands at an elevation of 466 meters and plummets from a height of over 100 feet, offering a mesmerizing spectacle. While the peak tourist season is from July to October, travelers frequent the site year-round. Some even include it as part of their adventure tourism, with winter visitors braving an ice plunge—a thrilling addition to the Katra-Mata-Vaishno-Devi pilgrimage.

Nau Devi Mata Mandir

Located just 9 kilometers from Katra, this well-known shrine is a popular tourist destination for those seeking the blessings of the nine Devis. Darshan (worship) can be performed in the form of Pindies.

Baba Aghar Jitto

Baba Aghar Jitto was the spiritual disciple of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, known for his agricultural struggle to obtain a fair share of his harvest from Jagirdar Bir Singh, who had refused to provide it. His courageous stand earned him fame among farmers and made him an attraction for pilgrims. Baba Jitto's statue can be found along the roadside in the lap of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.

Dera Baba Banda Bhadur

Dera Baba Banda is another significant tourist destination, associated with Baba Banda Singh, a revered saint-soldier in Guru Govind Singh's army. A Gurdwara located on the banks of the Chenab River commemorates his life, particularly his final days spent here. This site holds great pilgrimage importance for both Hindus and Sikhs and is situated in the Bhabbar region of District Reasi. It attracts visitors from various states, especially during the Baisakhi festival in April each year.

Reasi can be visited throughout the year, offering something for every season.

How to Reach Reasi:

Reasi District is centrally located in the Trikuta Mountain Range, on the southern side of Pir Pangal.

By Train: The nearest railway station is Katra (SVDK), approximately 30 kilometers from Reasi Town, with a 50-minute drive from Katra to Reasi.

By Air: Jammu Satwari Airport, around 80 kilometers from Reasi, is the nearest airport, requiring a 2-hour drive from Jammu to reach Reasi.

By Road: Reasi is well-connected by road to Jammu and other parts of the state, with a distance of around 80 kilometers from Jammu and nearly 300 kilometers from Srinagar.

In the grand scheme of things, this railway project is no small feat. Stretching over 119 km with 38 tunnels and 931 bridges spanning 13 km, it's truly remarkable. And now, with the world's highest rail bridge becoming a tourist attraction, Jammu and Kashmir have another reason to be on your travel bucket list!

Planning to travel to Kashmir soon? Check out these must-visit places in Jammu and Kashmir. Enjoy exploring te unchartered territories? Check out this news piece for more information on exploring the North Kashmir's LoC belt.