2 Sisters Turn Kashmir Childhood Home Into Riverside Lodge

Mahrukh and Gulrukh Inayet spent their childhood summers crossing a rickety wooden bridge to reach their family's vacation home in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Today, that same magical retreat welcomes travelers from around the world as Yena's Lodge, a sustainable homestay the sisters opened in 2016.

Their mother purchased the property in the early 1970s. Back then, the sisters spent their days having picnics by the Lidder River, going on treks, and listening to their father tell stories about Kashmir's wildlife.

Mir Inayat Ullah, their father, served as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests for Jammu and Kashmir and was a passionate environmentalist. His love for nature shaped everything about the lodge, from its sustainable design to the conservation values the sisters share with guests today.

The building uses mostly wood and traditional brickwork, following strict environmental guidelines from the 1970s. This approach created a cozy retreat that blends seamlessly with the surrounding deodar forests and rolling grasslands.

When guests arrive at Yena's Lodge, they find themselves completely removed from the busy tourist spots of Pahalgam. The deck overlooking the Lidder River remains a favorite spot where visitors can relax and soak in the valley views.

Sunny's Take

What makes this place special isn't just the stunning scenery. The sisters offer guided tours to Aru Valley and visits to the homes of the pastoral Gujjar community, where guests enjoy traditional makki ki roti and Kashmiri chai.

These experiences connect travelers with local culture in meaningful ways. Guests learn about the Gujjar families who live in mud and wood homes during summer months before moving to lower elevations for winter.

Gulrukh still makes time to sit on that same deck from her childhood, watching the river flow past. "We would spend all our time here," she recalls, remembering days of playing in the water and eating fruit chilled in the mountain stream.

Now Mahrukh and Gulrukh are creating new memories. Every guest who crosses that bridge gets to experience the same sense of wonder the sisters felt growing up in paradise.