Neelum River crossing Muzaffarabad (Azad Kashmir)

31st March 2017

 

About Muzaffarabad

Muzaffarabad, located on the confluence of Jhelum River and Neelum River, is the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The splendid view of the confluence of the Jhelum and Neelum rivers at Domel attracts a number of visitors to enjoy the riversides. Its name was given due to Sultan Muzaffar Khan, leader of the Bomba tribe, who ruled Kashmir in 1646.

Muzaffarabad is connected with Mansehra, Abbottabad, Hattian Bala, and Neelum Valley. It is also connect with Kupwara and Baramulla in Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir on the Line of Control. It is connected with roads and air with all of the cities in Pakistan.

Muzaffarabad can be accessed from Rawalpindi at the distance of 138 km or from Abbottabad at the distance of 76 km. It is the center point to access all other locations in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Red Fort was also constructed by the Sultan Muzaffar Khan in 1646 in Muzaffarabad to restrict the attacks from the Mughals. It is also known as Rutta Qila. It is located on hill at the distance of 7 km from Muzaffarabad and can be accessed via Neelum Valley Road. It covered on three sides by the Neelum River and gives beautiful scenic view.

Pir Chanasi is vast lush green meadows in Muzaffarabad at the distance of 30 Km from Muzaffarabad. It is shrine of Sayed Hussain Shah Bukhari and located on the hill top at an elevation of 9,500 feet. It is a good place to visit in winter season, as it receives considerable amount of snowfall. It is also famous for paragliding, trekking, and for jeep rallies.

Neelum jhelum confluence point is most attractive location to visit and for a day trip. It gives magnificent and scenic views of the rivers. A cool breeze is always flowing there, that gives an opportunity to spend time on the bank of river. People also try to catch fish using fishing rods there. On the shallow part of river bed, visitors swim and play different water games.

The Kohala Bridge is a beautiful bridge over the Jhelum River at the distance of 35 Km from Muzaffarabad near Kohala town toward Murree via Abbottabad. It was first built in 1877, then rebuilt in 1993 after damaging due to flood. It connects Muzaffarabad with Abbottabad district in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa.

Neelum Jhelum Hydroelectric Project is power station on the Jhelum River near Chatter Kala in Azad Kashmir. It diverts water from the Neelum River to that power station through a 41 km tunnel at Nauseri. It has a capacity to produce 969 MW electricity.

Dhani Waterfall is situated at the distance of 38 km from Muzaffarabad. It is also called Dhani Noseri Waterfall and one of the highest waterfall in this area.

The Shrine of Hazrat Sayin Sakhi Saheli Sarkar, real name was Syed Zulfiqar Shah, is located in Muzaffarabad city. Hazrat Sakhi Saheli Sarkar belonged to the Syed family of Multan, so it is considered as one of the main spiritual and religious location in the city. As he called his female followers as Saheli and male followers as Aria, but became famous by the name of Sakhi Saheli Sarkar. Annual celebration is conducted in the month of January from 13 to 21 dates.

The weather in Muzaffarabad city is moderate in summer season due to the jhelum and Neelum River, whereas in winter season weather is cold and also receives snowfall.