Tosa Maidan

The word Tosamaidan is derived from “Tu Shah Maidan” which literary means the “King of Meadows” The name to this king-size meadow, was perhaps given by the Mughals who used to enter Kashmir via Loran (Poonch) and Tosamaidan was their first stopover in the valley. Tosamaidan is a huge meadow, spread over about 65 sq km, comprising of so many sub meadows in its surroundings. It is about 45kms away from Srinagar, located in the middle of Pirpanjal range at an altitude of 10,395 ft, higher than the Gulmarg. In its north lies Gulmarg, in south Dudhpathri and Poonch is in its south-west. It has two main entry routes; one is trekking route from Shanglipora, about 2.5-hour strenuous walk and the other is kaccha motorable road via Sitharan village. The road is in dilapidated condition yet, making impossible for non 4X4 vehicles to make to the meadow. It also has a trekking route from Gulmarg via Ferozpor Nallah.

Things have changed now as the ‘King of Meadows’ which was once known as the meadow of death, was officially declared as a tourist destination on 29th May 2016 by the then chief minister of the state Mehbooba Mufti.

The meadow was returned to the state government in 2014 (during Omar Abdullah’s rule) after the lease lapsed.

The place is a perfect getaway from the brutality of urban life. There are no signs of construction and the government plans to keep it that way. Only Kothas (mud huts) are the shelters available in the meadow. A few tents and a campfire changes the whole scene of the place.