
Posted by: Madhushri Jadhav
Yours truly…..Kashmir
The Kashmir Valley, also known
as the Vale of Kashmir, region of the northwestern Indian subcontinent. It has
been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since the partition of
the Indian subcontinent in 1947 but when I decided to travel to this valley all
that I had in mind was the serene beauty of this land which is also called heaven on
earth. Once you enter the borders of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, either
by flight or by road, you can’t miss the sight of humungous mountains, the deep
narrow valley and high plateaus.
I was mesmerized by the sight that unfolded
its self, the melting snow on the peaks (since I travelled in March) seemed
like a bolt of lightning under the sunlight. The view got me all excited about
reaching Srinagar. ‘Agar kahin jannat hain toh woh bas yahan hain…welcome to
Kashmir’
Srinagar:
It is the perfect reflection of moods of
changing season, spring breathes life into a frozen world and the air is filled
with the fragrance of a million flowers that bloom on trees, shrubs and
creepers. Summer heightens the effect making it pleasant to bask in the beauty
of outdoors and autumn is poignant in its colours of warm introspection. Winter
brings with it a blanket of snow, drowning the roads and even the Dal lake
under the ice. Any season and you will love sending time in this valley.
Accommodation
Part of the charm of Kashmir is staying in a
floating houseboat. Houseboats are classified into different categories:
deluxe, A, B and economy. Maintained in perfect condition they have electricity
and an efficient plumbing system. The cheerful and often aesthetically
decorated houseboats with colourful awnings and flower baskets are a unique
experience.
There are also European style hotels, private
guesthouses and tourist huts. The Boulevard is lined with hotels and
restaurants to suit every budget
After checking into hotel and a little
relaxation, I decided to go take a stroll down the streets near the Dal lake,
as my hotel was situated quite close to it. Evening sight of all the house boat
and Shikara lined up in dim lights is worth seeing. Then of course you will
come across lot of shops selling traditional Kashmiri artifacts The beautiful
pashmina shawls, sweaters, jackets all things woolen.
Cuisine
One should definitely try some local foods. The one thing that
requires a special mention is the Kashmiri cuisine specialty called Wazwan. It’s
a traditional spread that includes seven delectable preparations ranging from
tender meat balls. Kashmiri food is mild in taste and rich in
flavour with the high use of hot spices like cardamom, fennel, ginger,
cinnamon, cloves and saffron. Influenced by Mughals, Kashmiri cuisine is
predominantly non-vegetarian, with mutton, chicken or fish used as prime
ingredients but there are a few delicacies for vegetarians too! Lyodur Tshaman
is cooked almost every day in the Kashmiri households, a cottage cheese
preparation. There are its other very famous dishes Dum Aloo, Modur pulav,
Rogan josh, Kashmiri Muji Gaad.
Places to
visit:
Dal Lake:
One of the best ways to commence your
Srinagar sightseeing is with by taking a Shikara ride in the calm and peaceful
Dal Lake. The water beneath forming ripples as the oar sways in it creates most
wonderful sound.
It is
divided in four parts by causeways known as Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and
Nagin. The fascination for houseboats led to the creation of a large number of
luxurious floating hotels shops and India’s only floating market. Shikaras and
houseboats crave for attention with their imaginative names.
Mogul
Gardens:
The famous Mogul gardens of Srinagar should
be on your to do list. The celebrated Mughal gardens of Kashmir owe their
grandeur primarily to Emperor Jahangir who had an undaunted love for Kashmir.
Almost all popular Mughal gardens in Kashmir except Verinag follow a similar
pattern with a central water channel sourced at natural springs.
Nishat Bagh:
Laid out in the 17th C. (1634 AD) by Mirza
Abul Hasan, the Nishat Bagh is amongst the most prominent gardens that the
Mughals developed in the erstwhile Hindustan. The garden consists of twelve
terraces encompassed by lofty Chinar trees, supposedly symbolizing the twelve
signs of the zodiac. Nishat Garden happens to be the second largest Mughal
garden. While the design of the Nishat Garden is based on Persian architecture,
the landscaping is based on Kashmiri water patterns and terrain. It also offers
breathtaking panoramic views of the stunning Dal Lake, with the magnificent
Zabarwan Mountains serving as the perfect backdrop.
Shalinar
Garden
The beautifully laid Shalimar Bagh happens to
be the largest amongst the three iconic Mughal gardens in Srinagar. The
Shalimar Garden was constructed back in 1619 under the orders of Mughal Emperor
Jahangir, who dedicated it to his wife Nur Jahan. Nicknamed as the “Crown of
Srinagar”, this public park is set overlooking the shimmering waters of the
picturesque Dal Lake. the
exquisite Shalimar Garden offers an amalgamation of stunning man-made
structures, brilliant architecture, natural allure, and well-manicured gardens.
Chashmeshahi
gardens
Dating back to the early 17th century, this
historic garden was built under the command of Emperor Shah Jahan for his elder
son, Prince Dara Shikoh. At the centre of the garden is a freshwater spring
which flows in terraces. The lush flowering lawns exhibit a striking display of
Iranian designs, and stand testament to the architectural brilliance of the
erstwhile Kashmir, making it one of the most sought after of historical Kashmir
places.
Shankaracharya
Temple
The Shankracharya Temple made of ancient grey
stones adorns thickly wooded Shankaracharya Hill. It was earlier known as
Takht-i-Sulaiman, meaning Throne of Solomon, but has been renamed after a
saint, Adi Shakaracharya, attained enlightenment here in AD 750. Dedicated to
Lord Shiva, this temple rests at an altitude of 1000 feet and can be reached in
10-15 minutes by stairs. Do ensure that you reach this temple before 5 pm.
Although it remains open till 8, the army doesn’t allow four wheelers after 5 pm.
Enjoy stunning views of the locales from up there after offering prayers to
Lord Shiva. the fun part though is getting there: a winding road leads up to
the top of the hill from where a circuitous series of steps lead to the temple.
The view from the top is spectacular and well worth the effort.
Tulip
Gardens:
If you feel you have seen all the stunni9ng
gardens of Kashmir then just wait, for here comes the Tulip gardens. Tulip
festival is an annual celebration that aims to showcase the range of flowers in
the garden as a part of tourism efforts by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.
It is organized during the onset of spring season in Kashmir valley (March to
May). As I travelled in the month of March I was lucky enough to witness this
eye popping blanket of flower spread across 30 hectares of land. I always had
believed that you can see such beautiful gardens only if you travel to Switzerland
but what I witnessed in tulip gardens was just mesmerizing. You won’t be able
to stop staring at the sight that beholds in front of you. The garden is built
on a sloping ground in a terraced fashion consisting of seven terraces. Apart
from tulips, many other species of flowers – hyacinths, daffodils and
ranunculus have been added as well
Sonmarg
Once I had seen few of the local sightseeing
the Srinagar had to offer I decided to go on Excursion to the snow valley which
I found in the tiny town of Sonmarg. Sonmarg meaning meadow of gold. It truly
lives up to its name. This beautiful Himalayan town is full of mountain ranges
and valleys to explore through trekking. It is a base camp for trekkers going
to Ladakh and for many trekking routes to different lakes of Kashmir, such as
Krishnasar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Vishansar Lake, and so on. During winter the
valley covered with snow offers an opportunity to the tourist to enjoy sledding
or skiing or snow fighting. I was able to enjoy in the snow even in month of
March. It was earlier the gateway to the Silk Road connecting Kashmir with
China. The month of April to October is the peak time to experience the beauty
of flowery meadows, snow-covered peaks, frozen glaciers, waterfalls, and
pristine lakes. But if you are interested in snow-related adventures like
skiing, ice skating, and sledding on frozen glaciers, winter is the best time
for you to visit Sonmarg.
Gulmarg
If we are talking about snow and looking at
sun-kissed peaks then Gulmarg is the place to be. I call it Switzerland of
India. Gulmarg justifies its meadow of flowers tag. The meadow is given a
visual highlight by the 1890s Anglican Church of St Mary’s that sits on a
lonely hillock which can be accessed off the dead-end road that links the 1965
neo-colonial style Hotel Highlands Park to the historic Gulmarg Golf Club. The
easiest way out is using the two-stage gondola cable car that flutters you to
3747m. The impressive clear day views from the top are worth the ride. During
this ride, you’ll encompass Nanga Parbat which is the world’s ninth highest
mountain peak located across Pakistan. Gulmarg endeavors you with more than 40
choices of accommodation each of them beautiful in their own very way.
Pahalgham:
Amidst the Liddar Valley sits a picturesque
destination in Kashmir – Pahalgam. It is located in the Anantnag district in
Jammu at an elevation of 2740 metres above sea level. Popularly it is called
the Valley of Shepherds. Some of the stunning lakes such as Sheshnag Lake will
surely take your breath away and beauteous pine trees will follow you wherever
you go. If you are waiting for an adrenaline pump, you have plenty to look
forward to on your trip to Pahalgam. Initiate trekking on a hill or climbing
the Himalayas from a suitable summit and unleash all the adrenaline. It offers
everything for all age groups, especially kids who have a gala time moving
around this beautiful place a lot. You might want to indulge in various
activities with them too by zorbing, sitting in various rides at famous
amusements parks and what not! Traversing in and around Pahalgam is devoid of
any fuss as you can easily find local transport means and not waste much time
hovering around on your holiday.
Anantnag
Packed with mesmerizing freshwater springs, gushing streams,
and breathtaking lush gardens, Anantnag is one of the most divine places to see
in Kashmir. Anantnag is packed with a number of religious destinations, such as
Martand Sun Temple, Kheer Bhawani Asthapan, Ishmuqam Shrine, Ziarat Baba Hyder
Reshi, and Masjid Baba Dawood Khaki. Other attractions of Anantnag include
Kishtwar National Park, Verinag, and Achabal.
Jama
Masjid
Nestled in Downtown Kashmir, Jama Masjid is
the biggest mosque in the city and one of the most important of Kashmir tourist
places. A vast courtyard flanks its entrance, and is dotted by 370 pillars. The expansive halls here can accommodate up to 33,333 people at once,
and is thronged by devotees on each Friday of the week.
Khilanmarg
One of the most underrated of Kashmir tourist places, Khilanmarg offers the perfect getaway from the busy city life. During spring, the meadow remains virtually covered in a blanket of flowers, and offers quite a spectacle. During winters, Khilanmarg transforms into a thriving winter sports destination, with its slopes giving way to ski trails. The valley is also well known for commanding panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks. On a clear day, one can also catch a glimpse of the Nanga Parbat from here.
The
Hazratbal Shrine
The Hazratbal Shrine, is situated on the left
bank of the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar. This unmatched reverence is anchored
in the love and respect for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), whose
Moi-e-Muqqadas, the sacred hair from the beard of Prophet Muhammad (peace be
upon him) is preserved here. The construction of this white marble edifice with
a domed structure was completed in the year 1979. Although this shrine is
frequented by locals on Fridays for mass prayers, it experiences an influx of
visitors on special occasions, when holy relics are displayed.
Chandanwari
Chandanwari is the popular entry point to
Amarnath, one of the four dhams of Hinduism. It is located
exactly halfway between Srinagar and Amarnath. It is named after an interesting
phenomenon in that it has a holy sandal (meaning ‘Chandan’) tree that is
unlikely to survive at such high altitude and topography. trek to the
Chandanwari Glacier point will give you unparalleled views of Pahalgam. Don’t
skip the adrenaline-rushing sledge ride across a snow bridge and be mesmerised
by this visual treat. As it remains covered in snow all year, it is advisable
to rent a pair of gumboots from a nearby local shop.
Dachigam National Park
The Dachigam National Park is the world’s
best-preserved natural habitat for the near-extinct Hangul or Kashmir stag (Red
deer). It has piqued the interest of many wildlife enthusiasts to visit and
photograph a wide range of species in their natural habitat. They believe that
one visit is insufficient to explore its wilderness.
Betaab Valley
In the year 1983, this little Kashmiri Valley
formed the backdrop of the hit Bollywood flick Betaab. Since then, the former
Hagan Valley has earned its name ‘Betaab’ Valley. With its backdrop dotted with
coniferous forests, gushing streams and meadows, the beauty of Betaab beckons
to all those looking to escape into the serenity of the natural world. You can
take in the scenery while sipping tea, coffee, or Kashmiri Kahwa at a roadside
café. It is a common stopover en-route Chandanwari. The other bollywood connection
to this place are blockbusters as old as Kashmir Ki Kali in
1964 and more recent movies like Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)
showcasing the best of Kashmir.
Shopping
The list of places to visit in Kashmir can be
endless, but let’s move to some other interesting things to do in Kashmir.
Walnut wood carving is done in many parts of Kashmir and some exquisite pieces
of furniture or other items, like a collectible chess set or home décor, can
easily fit your pocket and your luggage. If you appreciate the fine things in
life, you must take a look at the pashmina shawls and other fine wool items
present at the state emporiums or other local shops. For those who prefer
opulence in their houses, Kashmiri carpets are a must – check out at various
shops before buying as prices are usually hiked. If you wish to buy souvenirs
then Papier Machie is your best bet as you’ll find a variety of items in
varying prices. Make sure you bag some fresh walnuts and saffron before you
head home.
Nothing can be more refreshing than a trip to
Kashmir. Kashmir takes you on an
unforgettable journey of mountains, snow, trekking, shopping, paradise for
foodies, lush gardens, holy shrines, highest golf course. Something for
everyone. Come on, plan your journey to yours truly Kashmir.