Overview
Budgam is home to the revered Charar-i-Sharief shrine and three of Kashmir's most accessible offbeat meadows - Yusmarg, Doodhpathri and Tosa Maidan - all within easy reach of Srinagar. It combines an important pilgrimage site with some of the valley's best nature spots.
Budgam on the Map
Things to Do & Places to Visit in Budgam
Charar-i-Sharief Shrine
View on map →The revered shrine of the Sufi saint Sheikh Noor-ud-din (Nund Rishi), one of Kashmir's most important pilgrimage sites.
Yusmarg
View on map →A quiet meadow ringed by pine and snow peaks, ideal for gentle walks and picnics.
Doodhpathri
View on map →The "valley of milk", a wide grassy meadow with a shallow stream, a popular day trip from Srinagar.
Tosa Maidan & Nilnag
View on map →A high alpine meadow and a small forest lake, both offbeat and scenic.
Food & Restaurants in Budgam
Budgam is close to Srinagar, and the meadows of Yusmarg and Doodhpathri have seasonal food stalls and dhabas. Most visitors carry a picnic or eat in Srinagar.
Find restaurants in BudgamMarkets & Bazaars in Budgam
Budgam town and Charar-i-Sharief have local bazaars; the district is more about shrines and meadows than shopping.
Find markets in BudgamLocal Specialities of Budgam
Willow Wicker & Cricket Bats
The Budgam belt, especially around Sangam, is famous for Kashmir willow used to make cricket bats, and for wicker craft.
How to Reach Budgam
Budgam town is about 15 km from Srinagar. Charar-i-Sharief is roughly 30 km, Yusmarg around 45 km, and Doodhpathri about 40 km from Srinagar, all easy day trips.
Budgam FAQs
What is Budgam famous for?
Budgam is famous for the shrine of Charar-i-Sharief and for the meadows of Yusmarg, Doodhpathri, and Tosa Maidan. The district is also known for Kashmir willow, used to make cricket bats.
What is the distance from Budgam to Pahalgam and Sonamarg?
By road, Budgam town is about 107 km from Pahalgam (via Srinagar and Anantnag) and about 102 km from Sonamarg (via Srinagar and Ganderbal), roughly 3 to 3.5 hours each. Srinagar is 18 km away and Gulmarg about 62 km.
What are the best tourist places in Budgam?
The Charar-i-Sharief shrine, and the meadows of Doodhpathri, Yusmarg and Tosa Maidan. Doodhpathri and Yusmarg are easy day trips from Srinagar; Tosa Maidan is a longer, more offbeat outing.
Can you visit Doodhpathri and Yusmarg from Srinagar in a day?
Yes. Both Doodhpathri (about 40 km) and Yusmarg (about 45 km) are within easy day-trip range of Srinagar, though they are usually done as separate trips rather than together.
Written by Via Kashmir Editorial Team
Last checked 2026
Via Kashmir is a Srinagar-based travel company built around one goal: giving travellers the best possible Kashmir experience. Our team puts together the best-priced hotels, cabs, Kashmir tour packages, and adventure packages with real sports activities, drawing on daily, on-the-ground knowledge of Kashmir's roads, weather, and seasons. Every guide on this site is written and checked by our local Srinagar team.
Planning to visit Budgam?
Our local Srinagar team can arrange your stay, transport, and a route that includes Budgam.