Does
it sound repetitious when we say that Kashmir is often referred to as
paradise on earth? Yes, it does. But if people are turning to these words
uttered by Mughal emperor Humayun time and again, it's not without reason.
So, we'll do the same while we describe dazzling spectacles or towering
mountains of Kashmir valley. The Kashmir valley is renowned the world over
for its breathtaking natural beauty and is often compared to Switzerland for
the same reason. The place has also served as inspiration for many of the
artists and is reason for creation for many of the artistic masterpieces.
It's no wonder the place is everywhere filled with tourists from everywhere.
Kashmir valley lies between the Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain
range. People often run out of superlatives while describing the place
therefore we won't do that and simply concentrate on the tourist attractions
of the place.
Tourist Attractions
Srinagar
The city of Srinagar is often known as the "City of Lakes" and is
the ideal place to get away from heat and dust of the cities. Srinagar is
located in the Kashmir valley and is spread on both sides of the Jhelum
river. The setting of the city is increased in its appeal by the presence of
the Dal and Nagin lakes whereas the climate of the place ensures that
Srinagar remains attractive to the tourists throughout the year. There are
many aspects of the city life that are attractive for the tourists which
include the waterways, water sports, houseboats, hand crafted souvenirs and
to top it all the nearby resorts which give you an unforgettable vacation.
Dal Lake
It is the most famous lake of the city where you'll find the maximum number
of houseboats. Whatever your plans in the city of Srinagar, the Dal lake is
always going to be in the thick of the things as it is located right in the
heart of the city. Other tourist attractions have also come up in the
vicinity of it. There is a complete community of the houseboat and shikara
residents who have built a complete infrastructure within the lake so that
they never have to step on land.
Mughal
Gardens
The gardens have terraced lawns and fountains that have a cascading effect
project to you the Emperor's idea of a paradise. Today these gardens have
become a celebrated destination for picnics and outings.
Gulmarg
It is a charming hill station which captivates you with its verdant slopes
and beautiful flowers. Gulmarg was often frequented by Emperor Jehangir who
collected many varieties of flowers from here. Though the place has always
been a popular as a hill station, it now is home to the highest green golf
course in the world. The mountains come alive in the spring when the place
is full of colourful flowers. The place is also famous for being a popular
skiing attraction among the tourists worldwide.
Pahalgam
The place is about 96 km away from Srinagar and is located in Anantnag
district. Initially it was a nondescript shepherd village which later grew
in stature and became a popular hill resort. There are eight villages within
Pahalgam which live in harmony with each other thereby creating an
exceedingly pleasant environment for the tourists who visit the place. It
also serves as the base camp for many excursions and expeditions.
Sonamarg
As is the case with all the tourist destinations in Kashmir, the place is
really beautiful as you'll find the lush green meadows along with the snow
capped mountains but that is not what we intend to talk about. The place
abounds in terms of opportunities for the trekkers and hikers as it offers
you some of the finest treks which will afford you myriad opportunities to
explore the areas such as Vishansar, Krishansar and Gangabal lakes.
Vaishno Devi
It is a pious cave shrine and is located on top of Trikuta hills. The
journey to the place begins from Katra and continues through Banganga and
Ardhakunwari. It is believed that the Goddess meditated at Ardhakunwari for
nine months.
Pilgrimage to Amarnath Cave
It is believed that Lord Shiva resides in the Himalayas though he has built
no house or shelter for himself. The trek to Amarnath cave takes place in
the month of Shravan (July - August). The place is famous for the naturally
formed ice lingam of Lord Shiva.
