When the sweltering summer heat settles over the Kashmir Valley and Srinagar pulses with urban hustle, the urge to find sanctuary becomes irresistible. For our group of twenty—a retreat team comprising doctors and healthcare professionals from Gauri Heart Centre and Prasad Joo Khan Heart Centre—that relief was found in the serene, untouched highlands of Khag Tehsil in Badgam district. Located approximately 45–50 km from Srinagar. The route passes through Magam and Khag towns via well-connected roads suitable for cars and light buses. Nestled amidst towering conifers, verdant meadows, and whispering mountain streams lies Kastoorwan , an extraordinary haven where nature's beauty seamlessly intersects with spiritual heritage and peaceful tranquillity. All of us had packed comfortable walking shoes, light woolens for the cooler evenings, and a reusable water bottle to taste the local spring water.

The place is located in the heart of Badgam district, the village of Nowroz Baba in Khag Tehsil feels like a world frozen in time. The area takes its name from the revered Sufi saint, Hazrat Nowroz Baba (RA), whose spiritual legacy permeates the entire landscape. Local folklore and historical memory credit Nowroz Baba with performing remarkable miracles—most notably bringing clean, perennial water streams to the arid patches of the region through his spiritual devotion. Today, his mausoleum stands as a beacon of faith, drawing visitors seeking solace, healing, and reflection. The ambient energy around the Asthaan sets a contemplative tone,........

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