A Trip To Kashmir
History of Kashmir
Kashmir is known as the "Land of paradise". It attracts lots of tourist every year from all over the world. The vast stretches of high mountains covered with snow make Kashmir more beautiful and attractive. Kashmir is situated in the Himalayan Range. It lies in the north western region of India. Kashmir derived its name from the Kashyap Rishi and the people here are his decendants. Kashmir is such a place where one could enjoy the beauty of nature. Kashmir is now mainly dominated by the Muslim people. It falls under the Jammu and Kashmir state. Kashmir attracts hoards of visitor every year especially when the place is covered with snow.
How to reach Kashmir
To reach Kashmir is not as difficult as people thought to be. The nearest railway station to Kashmir is Jammu railway station which is 290km from Kashmir. Daily trains run on this route which connects almost all the major cities of India. One could also reach Kashmir by using the air ways which also connects flights from all the major cities and the nearest airport is Srinagar airport. One could also reach by contacting the tour and travel bus service from Delhi.Otherwise can hire private car from the Jammu station and reach the place.The roads are built by cutting down the mountains and the roads are very dangerous also. When there is heavy snowfall or landslides the roads get blocked. So be very careful while travelling to this place. But inspite of all difficulties one could enjoy the lush green mountains.
On Your Way to Kashmir
Inspite of facing all the difficulties you face while reaching this place your mind will get refresh as soon as you see this beautiful place. For a moment you will feel that you are in paradise. On your way to Kashmir you will find high mountains, green trees, and many small streams which cut their way through the mountains ans also small temples beside the road. Many tourists enjoy this sceneric beauty of the roads. The distance is very far from Jammu station and so it’s better to take some rest and enjoy your breakfast and lunch on the dhabas situated on the way to Kashmir. You will find many monkeys on the way but never stop your car to feed them otherwise they will be after you and can snatch your things rom your hands. People here cooperate with the tourist and they are very hard working person. You could enjoy photography on the way.
My Experience to Kashmir
I visited Kashmir with my family and some of my close friends some three years ago. It was the month of March and the weather was pleasant. We started our journey from New Delhi by train near about 8pm and reached Jammu next day at 6am. We then hired a private car and reached Katra where there is the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. The roads were very dangerous with lots of curve. But the driver was very expert. Then we reached Katra and stayed in the hotel which we already booked before our journey. Katra has a good population and one could find many hotels which include luxurious to normal one. We then started our journey towards the temple on the next day which is situated on the top of the mountains. Many prefer to climb the mountain by walking but if walking seems to be too difficult one can hire a horse or even travel by the helicopter or can hire a palanquin. Many small restaurants are situated on the way to the temple. Some dharamsalas are also available to take some rest.After our long walking through the mountains we reached Adhkumari where one had to take the token and wait for its number. It is a small cave and its must to visit this place first. Then we reached the main temple after our worship to the temple we reached the last temple of Bhairo Nath which is at the top of the mountain. People often said that once you visit this temple it is must to visit all the three places otherwise your "Yatra" will not be complete. Then we returned our hotel. It took full one and a half day to cover this place. We all were very tired and so we took rest on that day.
On the third day we again took our private car and started our journey for Kashmir. We all heard lot about this place and so we were eagerly waiting to see the beauty of this place.It took nearly fourteen hours to reach the place from Katra.The roads were clear. In between our journey we also halted many times to have our breakfast and lunch. We also took rest because it’s not possible to do journey continuously. We also halted to take the photography because the scenery was really beautiful one. Many beautiful spots are situated on the way to Kashmir.Then ultimately we reached the place we booked a houseboat instead of the hotels. We all want to make our holiday special one. The houseboats are situated on the Dal Lake. To reach the house boats the shikara are used to cross the Dal Lake. These houseboats are not so costly. Here also you could go for the choice of the houseboat from luxurious to the normal one. We then took rest on the house boat and were waiting for the next day to come. It was quite cold in the month of March and we also enjoyed the snow on the mountains. Our driver guides us very well where we could find the snow and can enjoy the snow.
What to see and do in Kashmir
Kashmir has lots of tourist destination. We enjoyed the sight seeing on our first day. It’s better to visit Kashmir in the month of March and April because winters are very cold with snowfall. Sometimes the roads are closed because of the heavy snowfall. On the second day of our trip we took a ride on the shikara and enjoyed the view of the Dal Lake which is the most beautiful and the second largest lake of Jammu and Kashmir. The Lake is surrounded by mountains on three sides. Many small markets are situated on the Lake and our shikara person took us to these small shops which are reasonable. These shops sell many handicrafts items of Kashmir. Other tourist spots are also situated on the bank of the Lake. We visited the pigeon house, the garden and also the orchard and the flower garden. We also saw floating crops field on the Lake. You could enjoy the photography offered by the people wearing a Kashmiri dress which will cost you Rs 100 per photo.
Then on the third day we visited Gulmarg the most beautiful place of Kashmir where you could find a temple of shiva and the whole Gulmarg was covered with snow. We hired a sledge cart pulled by the person and just roam about the place on the sledge cart. You could also enjoy the ride of ropeway. There were small restaurant situated on Gulmarg and the roof of those reataurants are covered with snow which will make one feel that they are standing in some fairy world. We really enjoyed the place.On our fourth day we visited Sonmarg, Shalimar Garden which was constructed by Emperor Jahangir for his wife Nur Jahan, Chashma Shahi Garden, and Nagin Lake and Hazrat Bal Mosque situated on the western bank of the Dal Lake. On the fifth day we visited the Shankacharya temple situated on the mountains, and then we visited Sun Temple which is situated near the town of Anantnag and also visited Nishat Garden located on the bank of Dal Lake. On our sixth day we visited the Tulip Garden. During the spring season Kashmir burst into different colors of flowers. Various types of tulip flower are to be seen in this garden which becomes the major attraction of the tourist. It is situated just opposite side of the Dal Lake on the main road. On the seventh day we return from this place.
Handicrafts of Kashmir
Kashmir is famous for its handicrafts items. Kashmiri shawls, carpets are famous all over the world. Pashmina shawls which are hand embroidered are very famous. Hand made carpets is well known and most people purchase these carpets when they visit Kashmir. Beside These items Kashmiri salwar suits and other woolen items are also very popular which are not so costly.
What to do in Kashmir
- When visiting Kashmir first enjoy the ride on the shikara over Dal Lake.
- Try to avoid staying in hotels instead spend your holidays in a house boats.
- Visit Kashmir in the month of March and April when it is not so cold over there.
- Enjoy skiing on the Gulmarg when the place is covered with snow.
- Visit the Tulip Garden in the spring season.
Some useful information
- Whenever you visit Kashmir just carry woolen clothes as it remains cold all throughout the year.
- Never visit Kashmir in the month of December and January as there is heavy snowfall and all things come into stand still.
- Take much time in your hand to visit this beautiful place.
- And lastly be very careul about the shopkeepers when you purchase any item try to bargain with them.
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