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Kashmir - The
Paradise on Earth !!
Set like a jewelled
crown on the map of India, Kashmir is a multi-faceted diamond,
changing its hues with the seasons - always extravagantly beautiful.
Two major Himalayan ranges, the
Great Himalayan
Range
and the Pir Panjal, surround the landscape from the
north and south respectively. They are the source of great rivers,
which flow down into the valleys, forested with orchards and
decorated by lily-laden lakes. |
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Srinagar – The Lake city
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Srinagar is
located in the heart of the Kashmir valley at an altitude of 1,730 m
above sea level, spread on both sides of the river Jhelum. The
Dal and
Nagin
lakes enhance its picturesque setting, while the changing play of
the seasons and the salubrious climate ensures that the city is
equally attractive to visitors around the year.
The well-known sights in the city are
Shankaracharya
Temple
atop the hill called Takht-e-Suleiman,
a 5 km climb from
Nehru
Park
on a metalled road. Across the city is another, much lower hill
crowned by the Hari Parbat Fort,
built by an Afghan governor of
Kashmir in the 18th century. The low wall enclosing the upper part
of the hill was constructed by Emperor Akbar. On the hill are
several famous places of worship: the
temple of goddess Sharika,
the shrine of Muslim saint Makhdoorn
Sahib, and the historic Sikh
Gurudwara Chatti Padshahi.
With terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright
flowerbeds with the panorama of the Dal in front of them - the three
Mughal Gardens of Chesmashahi,
Nishat and
Shalimar
are the Mughal Emperors' concept of paradise and are today very
popular places for picnics and excursions.
Gulmarg :
Gulmarg's legendary beauty, prime location and
proximity to Srinagar naturally make it one of the premier hill
resorts in the country. Originally called ‘Gaurimarg’ by
shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan
Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes
emblazoned with wild flowers. Today Gulmarg is not merely a mountain
resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf
course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country's
premier ski resort in the winter.
Pahalgam :
Situated at the
confluence of the streams flowing from
Sheshnag
Lake and the
Lidder river, Pahalgam (2,130 m) was once a humble shepherd's
village with breathtaking views. Around Pahalgam are many places of
interest. The most beautiful of these is the huge, undulating meadow
of
Baisaran,
surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine.
Hajan, on
the way to Chandanwari,
is an idyllic spot for a picnic. Filmgoers will recognize it
instantly as it has been the location of several movie scenes.
Pahalgam is also associated with the annual
Amarnath Yatra.
Sonmarg :
The drive to Sonamarg is through the
Sindh Valley which
presents yet another spectacular facet of countryside in
Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of 2730 m, Sonamarg (‘The
meadow of gold’) has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a
cerulean sky. The
Sindh
River
that meanders through the valley abounds with
trout and
mahaseer.
Ponies can be hired for the trip up
to Thajiwas glacier,
which is a major local attraction
during the summer months.
Sonmarg is the base of a major trek that passes along several
mountain lakes –Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Gangabal.
Sonmarg is also the take off station for the drive to Ladakh
across the Zojila,
a major pass in the
Great
Himalayan
Range,
through which the Srinagar-Leh Road passes.
Sonamarg is also a base for undertaking the yatra to the holy
Amarnath cave,
during Sawan Purnima.
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