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Nestling in the lap of dazzling, snow-capped Himalayas, the Kashmir valley is a jewel in India's crown. An inspiration for art, music and poetry, Kashmir is also a honeymooners' paradise, a nature lover's wonderland and a shopper's dream come true. 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. Srinagar, the capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, stands by the river Jhelum that forms the lifeline of the Kashmir Valley. The valley of Kashmir is unique in its surroundings, which offers breathtaking view of its varying topography. Nature has endowed Kashmir with exotic beauty, which is reflected in its picturesque landscapes, lush green forests of Chinar, Deodar and Pine trees, beautiful rivers and waterfalls, snow covered mountains and a range of flora and fauna. Infact, it abounds in many varieties of wildlife, which includes Bears, Leopards and Himalayan Chamois etc. The countless species of luxuriant vegetation too, attract lot of enthusiastic botanists. Kashmir also has a lot to offer to the artists, archaeologists, rock and mountain climbers and big game hunters who throng this place in large numbers. Besides this, it is an ideal place for holidaymakers as well as for people who seek tranquility and peace amidst natural surroundings. No wonder that, Kashmir is referred to as the ‘Switzerland of India.’ Kashmir, “The Paradise on Earth”,
is a history in making. Kashmir has a g In 1579 the greatest of all the Mughal rulers Akbar,
visited Kashmir and fell in love with it. Thus began a love affair
which was to result in some of the most beautiful gardens and monuments
that cannot be found anywhere in India. The Mughals aptly called
Kashmir ‘Paradise on Earth’.
Here they laid, with great love and care, Srinagar’s
many formal waterfront gardens, now collectively known as the Mughal
Gardens. Anecdotes of four and five centuries ago describe their
love for these gardens, and the rivalries that centred around their
ownership. They also patronized the development of art & craft
among the people of Kashmir, leaving behind a heritage of exquisite
artisanship among thes people and making the handicrafts of the
land prized gifts all over the world. Shalimar and Nishat gardens
built on the banks of Dal lake, were Jehangir's gift to the valley.
Jehangir also laid down gardens at Achable and Verinag. From 1752-1819, Afghan rulers controlled Kashmir for nearly 67 years. The Pathan rule can easily be called the darkest period of Kashmiri history. The valley was plundered and looted and the people were in a bad shape. In 1819, 50,000 troops of the Maharaja invaded Kashmir and drove out the Pathans. Sikh rule lasted for 27 years. The fighting between the Sikhs and the Britishers lead to Kashmir being transferred to Maharaja Gulab Singh who belonged to the DOGRA CLAN. In fact Maharaja Gulab Singh was the only Indian ruler to have carved out a state from the ruins of the Sikh empire. India became independent on the 15th of August 1947 but Kashmir became the bone of contention between the newly formed countries of India and Pakistan. Kashmir at the time of India’s independence was a Muslim majority state ruled by a Hindu Maharaja. As the king was vascillating about which country to join, a Pakistani invasion prompted the king to seek help from India. Since then Kashmir has become the flash point between the two neighbors. As of now, India occupies 2/3rds of Kashmir. Further, in 1962, the Chinese invaded and occupied a part of Ladakh, increasing tensions in this area. The situation is still not normal as yet, but the people of Kashmir wait eagerly for peace to return. Kashmir has a heterogeneous population of Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Dogras. Muslims form the majority here and almost all the Hindus have left the valley after the beginning of insurgency in 1989. The Hindus of Kashmir come of pure Aryan race and can be recognized by their sharp features, fair complexion, light colored hair and eyes. The people of Kashmir wear the traditional dress called PHIRAN, which is unisex and is worn by all sections of the society. Another identifying feature is the KANHGRI, which is a coal filled pot and is kept under the phiran to ward off the cold during the winter season. Kashmiris are very hard working and intelligent and
are known for their oratorial skills. They are skilled artisans
and craftsmen whose work of art is appreciated around the world.
Kashmir is a land where myriad holiday ideas are realised. In winter, when snow carpets the mountains, there is skiing, tobogganing, sledge-riding, etc. along the gentle slopes. In spring and summer, the honey-dewed orchards, rippling lakes and blue skies beckon every soul to sample the many delights the mountains and valleys have to offer. Golfing at 2,700 m above the sea, water-skiing in the lakes and angling for prized rainbow trout, or simply drifting down the willow fringed alleys of lakes in shikaras and living in gorgeous houseboats are some of the most favoured ones. DAL LAKE - The fabled sweet water
lake is one of the most well known tourist destinations of Kashmir.
The Two small islands within the lake are popular picnic spots. Sona lank (silver island) and Rupa lank (gold island) which are also known as Char Chinar because they both have 4 Chinar trees on them. Tourists can enjoy Shikara rides, Kayaking and canoeing, Angling ( a license is required), or they can stay and experience Kashmiri hospitality aboard the numerous houseboats. A shikara cruise with snow capped mountains in the backdrop and through the luxuriant Mughal gardens, bring back the old splendor and show of “the Dal” in its most resplendent colors. Trek upto Shankarcharya through city forest area. Also shopping can be undertaken on the shopping mall at the Boulevcard road or you can simply cycle around the lake on Boulevard and observe the lake in its full grandeur.
HARWAN LAKE - Harwan Lake is a clean and pure water lake, set among the mountains, with its dark green waters reflecting the lofty peaks of Mahadeo. The surrounding scenery is some of the best in valley. The water of Harwan lake is fed to huge garden lined with flower beds and massive Chinar trees via a beautiful canal flowing right through the middle. There is not much clutter of fountains and other fancy things rather it has 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. It also seves as take off point for visiting Wild life sanctuary of Dachi Gam and starting point of climb upto Mahadev Mountain. PAHALGAM - World famous hill station
is 45 Kms. from the District Head Quarter at Anantnag and
located on the banks of river Lidder at an altitude of 7200
ft. from sea level. Pahalgam is one among the five tehsils of Anantnag
district and tehsil head quarters are located in the main town of
Pahalgam. Once a great tourist puller and favourite place
for shooting of Bollywood films is perhaps the best health resort
in the country. Pahalgam also serves as base camp for the famous
Amarnath Ji Yatra More>>>
Adi Shankaracharya Temple - This is one of the oldest landmarks near Srinagar. It is situated right behind the Boulevard, 1000 ft above the city of Srinagar on the Shankaracharya hill. The oldest temple is said to be constructed around 2629-2564 B.C. King Gopaditya constructed the present temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Muslims call this hill, 'Takht- I- Sulaiman' or the “Throne of Solomon". A modern ceiling covers the inner sanctum and an inscription in Persian traces its origin to the reign of Emperor Shah Jehan. The original ceiling was dome- shaped and the brick roof, it appears, is not more than a century old.This temple stands as witness to the resurgent spirit of the Hindu religion, which despite persecution by the Muslims, managed to survive and flourish. The temple offers a breathtaking view of the valley below, the Dal Lake and the Moghul Gardens. Amarnath - Amarnath is 145 km east of Srinagar in Kashmir and is considered to be one of the major Hindu Dhams. There is an ice Siva-linga here that changes size with the seasons, and also as the moon waxes and wanes it becomes bigger and smaller. On the full moon day the linga is about 6 ft high. Each year on the full moon day of July-August (Sravana) when the Siva-linga attains its maximum height there is a festival at this cave temple. It is said that Lord Siva first appeared on this day. More>>> Kheer Bhawani/ Tulmul - This is the most important shrine of the Kashmiri Brahmans and is held in great reverence by them. The temple-spring complex is affectionately known as Kheer Bhawani because of the thousands of devotees who offer milk and 'kheer' to the sacred spring. According to legend this spring water changes colour whenever any calamity befalls the state of Kashmir. In the months of June and July, festivals are organized on ASHTMIS (8TH day according to the Indian Calendar), and Hindus from the world over converge on this shrine to offer prayers, sing Vedic hyms and do Havans (prayers around a spiritual fire). Lidder Valley Inarguably the best of the Kashmir valleys, this valley resembles Scotland in many aspects. Lidder valley is full of lush meadows, glaciers and snow-covered peaks stretching over 40 miles. The valley starts at Kolahoi glacier and includes the well known places like the Amarnath cave, Pahalgam etc. The whole valley is breathtaking and draws visitors to its magical beauty. It is also very important from the trekkers’ point of view. Sindh Valley The largest tributary of the Kashmir valley, Sindh sports beautiful scenery with diversified features. The valley is also the chief trade route between Kashmir and Central Asia. The Sindh valley begins at Gandherbal and ends near Baltal at the base of the Zojila Pass Lolab Valley Lolab valley has its own charm and is an eyecatching, small, compact region. It has green rice fields, fruit orchards and beautiful meadows. The valley is about 16 miles long and 3 miles broad, and lies about 50 miles off north of Sopore. This valley is the fruit bowl of Kashmir and produces most of the exotic and famous fruits of Kashmir. There are good camp sites all along the way from Patalnag, Kambrial, Magmarg to Drass. It is advisable to visit the valley before July or after August, as it becomes quite hot during this time. There are well laid out routes along the valley to facilitate the trekkers. Wangat Valley This is a small valley, no more than 6 miles from end to end. It has some spectacular sights, and stands out on its own among the valleys of Kashmir. From the amusing trinket to a collector's item, you'll find it all in Srinagar. Row upon row of shops filled with handicrafts line the streets. Kashmiri handicrafts are prized everywhere for their exquisite craftsmanship. Kashmir carpets, in both wool and silk with their Persian design, are a lifetime investment and the shoppers’ selection range from the simple to the most extraordinarily intricate patterns handed down the generations. Then there are papier-mâché items ranging from jewellery boxes to mirror frames, a range of intricately carved walnut wood furniture and accessories, stone jewellery boxes, beautiful woollen shawls, crewel embroidery on furnishing material sold by the meter and more.
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lorious
past, a painful present and an uncertain future. The history of
Kashmir is well documented and there are ample reminders of the
ancient inhabitants of this valley, still lying around in Kashmir.
Mythological tradition has it that, the valley originally was a
huge lake called “Satisar” [land of Goddess Sati, consort
of Lord Shiva], and its waters were blocked near Varamulla [present
town of Baramulla]. Modern geologists also confirm this myth as
true. According to the oldest manuscript on Kashmir “Nilvat
Puran”, in Satisar there lived a demon named Jalod Bowa who
killed and devoured the people of this region. A great saint named
Kashyap, heard about the havoc that this demon was wrecking and
performed penance for a long time. He was blessed by god and was
able to cut the mountain, near Varamulla. This made it possible
for the Satisar Lake to be drained into the plains below, and the
land of Kashmir appeared. The demon was killed and the grateful
people named the valley as "Kashyap-mar" and "Kashyap Pura". Kashmir
also implies "land desicated from water", as it is derived from
two words viz., “ka” (water) and Shimeer (to desicate).
Over the years it was ruled by different ruler including Ashoka
the great who founded srinagar & spread buddhism in the kashmir
region. It was from here that Buddhism travelled to Central Asia,
Tibet, China etc over the ages. Then Kashmir came under attack from
the Huns, who brought untold miseries to the people of Kashmir.
The next notable dynasty was the KARKOTA dynasty (beginning of the
8th century). Huen Tsang, the famous Chinese pilgrim, visited Kashmir
during the
was
built for Nur Jahan, by her husband Jehangir in 1616. The gardens
are straight out of a fairy tale. The Garden has four terraces
and is 539x182 meters and gets water from Harwan Lake through
canal which is lined with around 150 fountains which dazzle with
their display and electric lights add charm to the beautiful atmosphere.
The top most of the four terraces called the “Abode
of Love”, was reserved for the emperor and the ladies
of court. The Garden blooms with innumerable varities of flowers
in spring and autmn. 
GULMARG
- Gulmarg's -aka "meadow of flowers'- legendary beauty,
prime location and proximity to Srinagar naturally make it one of
the premier hill resorts in the country. It is located in the Baramulla
district of Kashmir at an altitude of 2,730 m. Gulmarg is 56 km
southwest from the capital city of Srinagar and is close to the
Indo-Pakistan border. A huge cup-shaped lush green meadow, Gulmarg
looks like something out of a fantasy, and in spring, the green
meadows are dotted with colourful bluebells, daisies, forget-me-nots
and 
Hazratbal
Mosque - Hazratbal Mosque is located in a village of the same
name on the banks of the Dal. Its pristine white marble elegance
is reflected in the waters of the lake. Hazratbal's special significance
is derived from the fact that it houses a hair of the prophet Muhammad.
This is displayed to the public on religious occasions, usually
accompanied by fairs. Apart from these occasions, Friday prayers
are offered at Hazratbal and attended by throngs of people. Hazratbal
is remarkable for being the only domed mosque in Srinagar; the others
having distinct pagoda like roofs. The shrine – mosque complex
is situated on the western shore of the Dal Lake opposite Nishat
Bagh and commands a grand view of the lake and the mountain beyond
Jama
Masjid - The Jama Masjid at Nowhatta, in the heart of
the old city, is the other important mosque in Srinagar at which
thousands of people congregate for the Friday prayers. This exceptionally
beautiful Mosque is built of wood and has about 327 wooden pillars,
with some more than 40 feet in height. Each of these pillars has
been made from the trunk of a single Deodar tree. The spires and
domes represent the pinnacle of Kashmiri architecture. This mosque
has been burnt down thrice, but each time it has risen from the
ashes more magnificent than before. The present mosque is credited
to Aurangzeb, who reconstructed it around 1665.