The Forest Lodge Kud Patnitop

A heritage homestay built in pre-Independence era, it has quintessentially British architecture and is one of the finest heritage homestays in Kud, Patnitop. After undergoing renovation in 2018, today it offers guests all the comfort of a contemporary homestay with a old heritage charm. The ground floor houses the common living-cum-dining room, kitchen and a double room with a bathroom and private balcony. The first-floor has three bedrooms, a bathroom, a cozy living room and a common balcony. The space The Shivdhaar Estate is the perfect escape from the stress and distractions of modern day life. Peaceful setting tucked away from all the noise. Rise with a hens crowing in the morning with a dog playing in the garden, spend some time cuddling cows in the attached gaushala or just lazy basking in sun on the forest facing balcony, and enjoy a quiet afternoon sunset. If you truly love nature and like to relax, this is the place for you. The charming verandah overlooking the garden and the rolling hills is the perfect spot for a cup of tea. The fresh mountain air and serene aura here allow you to slow down and enjoy the simple things for once. It is perfect for writers, poets, bird-watchers or anyone who wants to spend some time away from the burden of city life. Go on exhilarating treks in and around Patnitop or take a lovely drive on scenic mountain roads that twist through forests and streams. Guest access THINK TO DO. KUD: Kud falls close to many underrated tourist spots. There is something for everyone in this wonderland, from temples to hill stations. Firstly, do not miss out on Highland Park where you can catch sight of rows of tulips in various colors. Find Ghee Patisa and Sund Panjiri sweets which this region is famous for at Kud Market nearby. PATNITOP & NATHATOP: Branching out further, explore the hill stations Patnitop and Nathatop. Play in the snow with the whole gang and then enjoy hot coffee bought at a roadside stall. And let us not forget Sanasar, a cup-shaped meadow perfect for a picnic. You can take a horse ride through the pastures and go boating in the lake or just wander about and watch sheep graze grass. Engage in adventure sports activities at these places - to make arrangements consult our caretakers at The Shivdhaar. There is no shortage of temple sites here. These pious, holy hills won’t let you go without awakening your spirituality. Here is some information about a chosen few, but the list of shrines you can pay a visit to is almost endless. GAURI KUND: After bathing in Gauri Kund, Goddess Parvati would worship the Shivling at Sudh Mahadev which houses a trishul of Lord Shiva and Bheema’s gada. Both temples offer those who seek purity within the chance to bathe in water that comes from mountain streams before they offer their prayers. NAG MANDIR: Another revered site is Nag Mandir. Devotees from all over the world visit it, especially during the grand celebration of Nag Panchami. Indulge in some street food and shop for souvenirs at the market near the temple. SHIV KHORI: Shiv Khori is situated in Ransoo village of Reasi district. Considered Lord Shiva's abode, this natural cave is about 200 metres long and contains a naturally formed lingam. Svayambhu Lingam continually bathes in limestone water dripping from the ceiling. Mystical and full of wonder, this temple comprises natural impressions and images of various deities. Vaishno Devi: Temple is the second most visited religious shrine in India and definitely one of the most well-known. It is a cave temple lying deep in the Himalayas, dedicated to Mata Rani or "Mother Goddess". THE RURAL EXPERIENCE We offer you the opportunity to participate in on-site farm activities. Practise your gardening skills in our garden for there is incomparable joy to be found in digging your fingers in soil and helping life grow. You could also feed and milk the cows kept at the estate. Get to know these gentle creatures, observe the amount of work that goes into their care and maintenance and see how they are loved and revered. GET SPIRITUAL Discover inner peace in our meditation room or use this time to finally get into yoga – don’t worry we will provide the mats. Watch your mental and physical health improve as the mountains soothe your soul. BOARD GAMES When was the last time you sat down and played a game of saanp seedi? Way too long ago, I bet. But life slows down enough at The Shivdhaar for you to experience simple pleasures like board games again, while you kick back and rest. TAKE A DRIVE There is no end to the beauty which surrounds the cottage and we want our guests to experience it personally. We provide facilities to aid your travel like bicycles, motorcycles. STAR GAZING The starkest difference between city life and life at our abode is a night full of stars. Open yourself up to a world of beauty and wonder every night here. Enjoy the unbeatable view sitting around a bonfire with your loved ones. Other things to note Check-in & Check-out time: Check-in time is at 2 pm and check-out time is 12 pm. Please note that check-out timings are strict as we need to ready the rooms for our next booking. In case you wish to check in a little early or check out a little late, do inform us at the time of booking. Garbage: Since there are no recycling plants close-by, we request all guests to carry dry garbage, used bottles, etc. from their travels back to Shivdhaar where we will properly dispose them. Keeping mountains clean is important to us. Use of refrigerator: You can use one shelf of the common fridge to store some food/beverages. Drinking water: We boil the drinking water and it is absolutely safe. We do not encourage bottled water, but it can be arranged upon request at an additional charge. Safety: This locality is extremely safe and we have had no untoward incidents. It is even safe for just one guest staying. I live alone most of the time and have had no cause for concern. Medical Kit: We have a basic medical and first aid kit at Shivdhhar. If you are on any prescription medicine, please carry it with you. Though we have a chemist in the village of Kud, all medications are not available here. Heaters: Heaters in the living space and each of the bedrooms will help keep you warm especially in the colder months. Power Backup : We don’t have 100% power back up. Inverter backup is available in the common areas and rooms. In any case, if they do occur, power cuts are no longer than 40-50 minutes unless there is a fault in the line. Room Service There is no room service. Food is served and eaten only in the dining area. Shoes : We leave outdoors footwear at the door. Slippers are provided for your comfort indoors. Guest access : Rice field to walk about in and lots of garden space to relax. You have access to the entire space. Enjoy. Treat it with love and respect. The kitchen is fully equipped with a gas stove and stocked with essential cooking utensils & commodities. You also have access to the lovely forest within the property.