Habba Khatoon Spring

Habba Khatoon Spring is a natural freshwater spring located in Dawar, the central town of Gurez Valley in Bandipora district, Jammu and Kashmir. Situated near the Kishanganga River and overlooked by Habba Khatoon Peak, the spring is named after the 16th-century Kashmiri poet Habba Khatoon. Known for its clear, cold water emerging from the mountainside, it is a popular stop for visitors exploring Gurez Valley's scenic landscape and cultural heritage.

Visitors can expect a small, clear natural spring with cold mountain water emerging from a stone-lined source surrounded by meadows and mountain scenery. The site is located close to Dawar market and is easily accessible on foot. The area offers views of Habba Khatoon Peak and the Kishanganga River valley, with space to sit, photograph, taste the spring water, and enjoy the quiet natural setting of Gurez Valley.

The spring is named after Habba Khatoon (1554-1609), the celebrated Kashmiri poet and queen consort of Yusuf Shah Chak, the last ruler of Kashmir. Local tradition associates the Gurez Valley and the nearby Habba Khatoon Peak with her life and poetry, and the spring has become a memorial landmark linked to her legacy.

The spring holds cultural significance as a landmark dedicated to Habba Khatoon, an iconic figure in Kashmiri literature and folklore known for her melancholic love songs. It is regarded by locals and visitors as a symbol of Kashmiri heritage and is often visited together with Habba Khatoon Peak as part of the cultural landscape of Gurez Valley.