Hotels in Kashmir
Destinations in Kashmir
Set like a jewelled crown on the map of India, Kashmir is a many faceteddiamond, changing character with the seasons - always extravagantly beautiful.Three Himalayan ranges, Karakoram, Zanaskar and Pir Panjal - snow capped,majestic, frame the landscape from northwest to northeast. They are the birthplace of great rivers which flow through the kashmir valley.RajTaringini the chronology of the Kashmir Kings written by Kalhana eulogises the beauty of Kashmir as follows:"Kasmira Parvati Paroksh; Tat Swami ch Maheswara". Meaning Kashmir is as beautiful as Goddess Parvati manifest; and its owner is Lord Shiva Himself" And the Mughal Emperor exclaimed "Gar Bar-ru-e-Zamin Ast ; Hamin Ast ,Hamin Ast Hamin Asto. Meaning if there is paradise on this earth : This is it, this is it, this is it.
Srinagar is at once a collection of images: a son-et- lumiere that tells the story of the love of the Mughal emperors for this paradise vale; deep green rice fields and river bridges of gardens in bloom and lakes rimmed by houseboats; at once summer capital of the state,business centre and holiday resort.
Srinagar is as much imagination as it is fact,for every season offers new vistas to this city of great antiquity. Spring breathes life again into a frozen world and the air is heady with the fragrance of a million flowers that blossom on trees, shrubs and creepers.Summer heightens the effect and autumn is poignant in its colours of warm introspection. Winter brings with it snow,sometimes the Dal Lake freezes and beneath a leaden sky, roasted chestnuts turn the atmosphere aromatic with the promise of warmth and comfort.
The river Jhelum and the Dal and Nagin lakes dominate Srinagar and its life and activities.Here lush wild gardens of lotus and waterlily flower amidst bustling lanes.By the lakeside spread the gardens of the Mughals in patterned beauty.And the people move with a tranquillity borne of a history laden pulse of activity.
If legends are to be believed, the Kashmir valley was once a lake as large as a sea and here lived an abominable demon who was killed after most of the lake had been drained with the collective help of Brahma's grandson, Kashap and the goddess Parvati.She wasfinally stilled the demon by dropping upon him a mountain and thereby crushing him to death.This legendary mountain is no other than Hari Parbat, Srinagar's 'Takht-i- Sulaiman' hill that forms the famous backdrop to the city.
---- General Information -----
| Best Season |
March to October |
| Temperatures (Average) |
10 to 30 degrees cent. Low Temperatures in winter |
| Clothing |
Light/Medium wollens in summers to Heavy wollens in winter |
| Rainfall |
529mm |
| Languages |
Kashmiri,Urdu,Hindi,English |
| Food |
Every sort of vegetarian and non vegetarian food is available in multiple cuisines to suit every budget. Restaurants of all hues and shades are available all along the Boulevard road. and other major spots. Foods suits all budgets and tastes. |
| Travels |
Registered travel/tour operators are available. |
| Others |
Tariffs are subject to change without notice and Cheques are not accepted. |
----- Places to Visit -----
Amarnath
One of the holy Trinity, Shiva is a living God. the most sacred and the most ancient book of India, the Rigveda evokes his presence in its hymns. Vedic myths, rituals and even astronomy testify to his existence from the dawn of time. But Shiva, Destroyer, the mendicant, is undefinable : He is a great yogi. Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in a Cave in Amarnath. Unkown to them a pair of mating doves eavesdropped on this conversation and having learned the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims report seeing the doves pair when they trek the ardous route to pay obeisance before the ice-lingam.
According to an ancient tale, there was once a Muslim Shepherd named Buta Malik who was given a sack of coal by a sadhu. Upon reaching home he discovered that the sack, in fact, contained Gold. Overjoyed and overcome, Buta Malik rushed back to look for sadhu and thank him.
But on the spot of their meeting discovered a cave, and eventually this became a place of pilgrimage for all believers. To date , a percentage of the donations made by pilgrims are given to the descendents of Malik, and the remaining to trust which manages the shrine.
Ye another legend has it that when Kashyap Rishi drined the Kashmir valley of water the cave and lingam were discovered by Bregeish Rishi who was travelling the Himalays. When people heard of lingam Amarnath for the became Shiva's abode and a centre of pilgrimage.
Vaishno Devi
The Vaishno Devi cave is one of the important pilgrim sites. As the temple draws near you hear cries of 'Jai Mata Di' (victory of the Mother Goddess). Then at the shrine entrance, pilgrims walk in batches through cold ankle- deep water to the low and narrow cave entrance to get a glimpse of the deity.
The main pilgrimage season is March to July. The arduous climb along the 13-km trek to the cave temple has been re-laid, widened and tiled, and railings provided. Another road lower Sanjicht to the Darbar brings you 2 km. Closer with 300 m. less to climb. Ponies, dandies and porters are available from Katraat fixed rates. Auto-rickshaw and taxi can go as far as the Banganga checkpoint within six hours. Tea, snacks and drinks are available on the route.
Visitor should leave all leather items in a cloakroom at Vaishno Devi before entering the cave; carry bottled water and waterproofs. If you are on your own or in a small group, to avoid a wait for a group allocation, present yourself at gates1 or 2 and smile. Katra is an attractive town at the foot of the Trikuta Hills where visitors to the Vishno Devi cave can stay.
Nishat Garden
Queen Nur-Jehan's brother Asif Khan laid the Garden in 1633 AD. It is situated on the banks of world famous Dal-Lake in the backdrop of Zabarwan hills . This garden commands magnificient view of the lake.The Garden is Terraced with beautiful water channel flowing right in the middle.
Shalimar Garden
This Garden was built by Emepror Shah-Jehan for his beloved wife Nur-Jehan. The Garden has four terraces and is 539x182 meters and gets water from Harwan through canal which is lined with beautiful fountains. The 4th terrace was once reserved for royal ladies. The Garden blooms with innumerable varities of flowers in spring and autmn.
Chashmashahi & Parimahal
Chashmashahi or the Royal spring was laid by Shah Jehan in 1632 AD . It is famous for the spring of refreshing digestive mineral water. The Garden is terraced with fountains laid right through the middle. The Garden is host to multiple kinds of fruit and flower plants. Some massive Chinars are also found there. Pari Mahal is two Kms uphill from Chashma shahi and there was a school of astrology and philosophy based on various religions there.
This was built by Dara Shikoh who was killed in war of succession to the Mughal Empire.
Dal Lake
The world famous water body has been described as Lake Par-Excellence by Sir Walter Lawrence. It is the Jewel in the crown of the Kashmir and is eulogised by poets and praised abundantly by the tourists. the lake is 6x3 Kms and is divided in four parts by causeways known as Gagribal, Lokut Dal,Bod Dal and Nagin. The Dal Lake is host to world famous Shikaras and Houseboats which vie with each other with eye catching names. Dal Lake changes its moods and scenery throught the day and after every few kilometers. It is lined with world famous Boulevard road.
Harwan
Harwan is huge Garden lined with flower beds and massive Chinar Trees with a beautiful canal flowing right through the middle. The canal is fed from a beautiful lake which lies behind the garden. there is not much clutter of fountains and other fancy things but vast big green carpeted green lawns which form an ideal spot for picnics. This spot is very popular with the locals for picnics and excursions.
Gulmarg
The meadow of Flowers is a world famous tourist spot in the Baramulla Distt of Kashmir. The altitude of Gulmarg is 2730 meters. surrounded by dense forests of tall conifers ,Gulmarg is known for unparalled beauty nad is rated as one of the matchless tourist spots of the world.It is famous for Golf hikes and boasts of a beautiful highland golf course. It is premier resort for winter sports in the country.
Pahalgam
The Village of nomad is unspoilt by the ravages of progress. This is a quaint little village nestled on the banks of river Lidder. This place is an angler's delight and even an amateur can catch a rainbow trout from the rushing streams. the large brown bear is a natural inhabitant of the thick Pine and Cedar forests. Pahalgam has a golf course at 2400 meters above the sea level. Camping equipment, ponies and skiing equipment is readily available. Kolahoi is a popular destinantion via Aru a charming meadow. Pahalgam is base camp for the pilgrims of Amarnath.
Sonamarg
The Golden Meadow is at an altitude of 2740 meters and is gateway to Ladakh.It has brilliant forests of sycamore and alpine flowers, silver birch,fir and pine; Sonamarg is a place of enthralling beauty. Three lakes viz Kishensar,Vishensar and Gangabal can be viewed from Nichnai Pass. 20 Kms east of Sonamarg is Zoji-La Pass at 3540 mtrs which leads into Ladakh Plateau.
Wullar Lake
The largest fresh-water lake in India is 60 km from Srinagar. Spreading over a 125 km area, the lake, by drawing off excess water from the Jhelum, acts as a natural flood reservoir. Interesting ruins in the centre of the lake are the remains of an island created by King Zain-ul-abidin. With its turbulent wateres perpetually wind ruffled, its exciting variety of avian life and the sheer beauty of its setting, Wular represents Nature at her most untamed.
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