Kashmir – The Heaven on Earth
“Switzerland of Asia” Kashmir is World famous for its beauty from ages old and one of the Great Mughal Princes has praised its beauty by calling it a ” Paradise on earth ! “
Kashmir Tour
The Valley of Kashmir is full of the mighty mountains, Lush Greenery , blossoms of pinks , whites, yellows and flowers of all the rarest varieties. Rainbows spread across the blue skies. Meadows are spangled with daisies , flower beds with pansies, primroses, hyacinths and daffodils grow all over. Almond, cherry, apples strawberries are in abundance.
Rivers, Lakes, snow-caped mountains, dense forests, Hill stations you can’t think of any heavenly beauty which is missing in this piece of heaven !
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Srinagar :
The Jammu and Kashmir’s Summer capital more than 2000 years old in the heart of Kashmir valley spreads out on both side of river Jehlum. Srinagar has been called the “Venice of the Orient”
The quaint charm of Houseboats of Dal Lake, Nageen Lake and Naseem Lake in Srinagar to stay is a MUST .The Houseboats are having two Bed rooms, three bed rooms and four bed rooms with attached bath, with dining and Sitting room also with Sun-deck. Each houseboat is having the attendant who can also serve the food. Explore lapping journeys on a Shikara in the lakes, past floating gardens.
House Boats
Houseboat were introduced accidentally in Kashmir. Most of British Civil and Military officers serving in the plains used to come to Kashmir with their families for holidays. They wanted to built houses for themselves but the Maharaja (King) of Kashmir of that time was suspicious of their designs and did not allow them to buy land, so they built the first Houseboat- named Victory designed by Mr. M T Kenhard in 1888. Later other copied this design and now there are about 500 Houseboats in Srinagar for commercial purpose .(Learn More)
Tourist Places in Kashmir :
Pahalgam :
95 km. east of Srinagar, 2400 mt. above sea level. Popular holiday resort. It is called “Shepherds village” at the head of the Lidder valley.Best place for trout fishing. Apart from angling , Pahalgam is also known as the starting point for trekking.
Gulmarg :
56 kms from Srinagar, one and a half hour journey, 2690 mts above sea level. .It is called “Meadow of flowers”.
In summer best for trekking, golfing and pony rides . One can have beautiful walk around and can see in good weather the high mountains like Naga Parbat (In Gilgit) 7650mts high, Kolohi and Harmukh which are 5425 and 5124 mts high. Gulmarg has the world’s highest green golf course in the world.
Ski in the winter. There are cable cons that ferry the tourists up to the height of 3095 mts. (Gondola)
Yusmarg :
50 kms southeast of Srinagar, one and half hour journey through pine and fir forests. On the way to Yusmarg is the shrine of famous Kashmiri sufi saint : Sheikh Noor-ud-din, popularly known as Nunda Rishi. One can go up to Nilnag Lake either by foot or on a pony back.
Neel Nag of Yusmarg would have been one among the sources of Jehlum, the second source (present) day source at Verinag was the third source of the river.
However, the geologists widely are of the opinion that Neelnag (Yusmargh), whose water level always remain constant even in the rainy days owes to the reason that it must be contributing its precious water to ‘Verinag’ owing to the transfer of water from lake at higher altitude to the lake at lower place.
Sonmarg :
87 km. from Srinagar, 3 hours journey, 2800mts above sea level. It is called Golden meadow” at the head of the river Sind with beautiful mountains and glaciers.
Base for the treks to Harmukh range via Nichnai, Vishensar Lake, Gangabal and to Nara Nag . Also the Pilgrim route to Amarnath Cave , which can be done in one day from here. Famous for Trout fishing.
Mughal Gardens
Nishat Bagh :
The Garden of bliss laid down by Asif Khan father of Empress Noorjahan in 1633AD on the bank of Dal Lake with Zabarvan Massif at the back. In Nishat commands magnificent view of the Lake and the Snow capped Pir Panchal Range to the west of the valley.
Shalimar Bagh :
The Abode Of Love.’ Is said to have been a village, built by Paravarassna II. He used to stay here when on a visit to Sukhswami a saint living near Harwan. In 1619 Jehangir ordered a garden to be laid out this spot, calling it, Ferrah Bakkash (Delightful). In 1727 A.D Zaffar-Khan. A governor during the reign of Shah Jahan made an extension of it and called it ‘Faiz Baksh’ (Bountiful). The garden is laid down in four terraces, rising one above the other. A canal runs through the garden lined with polished stones and supplies with water from Harwan.Chasma – Shahi : East of Srinagar. Built in 1634 A.D by Shah- Jahan. It commands a superb view of the Dal Lake it has the advantage of having a natural spring of Pure, Cool and Sparking water known as Chasma- Shahi (Royal Spring).
Parimahal ( The palaces of Fairies)
It was a school of Astrology built by Dhara Shikua, Shah Jahan’s eldest son for his tutor Muhlah Shah. School of observatory.
Hari Prabat:
The Hill of Hari Parbat crowned by the pathan fort who his visible from every part of the city. 400 feet above the plain, Legend says the hill grew from a pebble dropped by the goddess Paravati to crush a demon, in the form of Sharika bird (Maina). This is called now Hari Parbat.
Shankrancharya Temple:
his Temple is situated at the height of 1000ft above the plain. The earliest of all the Temples built in 200 BC,. By Jalaka the son of the Great Buddhist convert Ashoka. The temple was subsequently rebuilt and dedicated by Raja Gopadittya in 6th Century. It is said to be that “ the Takhut-I-Sulaiman (throne one of the Solomon).
Panoramic view of whole Srinagar City .
Hazrat Bal:
It is the most important Muslim Religious place, situated on the western shore of Dal Lake.
Jamia Masjid:
The largest Masque built by Sultan Sikandar Constructed in 1400 A.D. Enlarged by his son Zain-Ul- Abdin.
Tomb Of Zain-Ul-Abdin:
The most attractive chapter of Muslim rule in Kashmir (1421-1472) in the reign of Zain- Ul-Abdin.
Pather Masjid:
Pather Masjid of the Mughal Mosque built by emperor Noor Jahan in 1620 A.D. wife of Jahangir. Muslims did not however use it for prayers.
Shah Hamdan:
originally built in 1953 AD. To commemorate the visit of Mir Syed Ali Hamdan destroyed by fire in 1479 and 1731 AD. It was rebuilt in 1732 by Abdul Barket Khan and since then stand as a land mark in the City. Built of timber, not a nail or Screw was used in the construction.
Lakes
Dal Lake:
In Srinagar’s Aquatic Plaza around the lake. Villages and Orchids and the Famous gardens built by the Moghul Emperors famous for Shikra ride. Most of the House Boats around in Dal Lake. From the Lake one can see the Historic Shankara Charya Hill in the east and the west Hari Parbat.
Nigeen Lake:
Popular for water sports like water skiing, swimming, diving and sailing.
Manasbal Lake:
This Lake is famous for Lotus flowers during summer and Paradise for Bird Watchers,. Between the river and foot of the Mountains spurs lower end of the Sind valley famous for Picnic spot.
Wular Lake:
The Largest fresh water Lake in India 26 Kms long and 8 Kms wide. Surrounded by the mountains. The river Jehlum passes right through the Lake the deepest part is near the Hill Called BABA SHUKR-UD-DIN on the north west side.
Dachi Gam Wildlife Sanctuary:
Home of the Hangul: The Dachigam area has been protected to preserve its unique Himalayan range of Flora and Fauna. Hangul are Kashmir stag, one of the most endangered species of Red Deer in the world, this is the only place in the world with a viable Hangul population.
Paradise for bird lovers: In the Park Leopard, Jackal, Hill fox, Himalayan Griffon, Lammergeier, Long Tailed Blue Magpie, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Himalayan Weasel are in average numbers.