Dal Lake Enchanting Kashmir Kashmir is a multi-faceted diamond, changing its hues with the seasons and always beautiful. 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, richly forested with orchards and decorated by lily-laden lakes. The Mughals aptly called Kashmir ‘Paradise on Earth’, when they journeyed across the hot plains of <strong>India</strong>, to the valley’s cool environs in summer. Here they laid, with great love and care, Srinagar’s many formal waterfront gardens now collectively known as the Mughal Gardens. They also patronized the development of art and craft among the people of Kashmir, leaving behind a heritage of exquisite artisanship among its people and making the handicrafts of the land, prized gifts all over the world. Srinagar Gulmarg Sonamarg Pahalgam Leh Katra Patnitop Jammu 8
Jammu Jammu is the Duggar land where the past still dwells. It is the land of grand ancient temples and beautiful palaces, all nestling in the foothills of the Himalayas. Jammu is justly famous for its temples. In fact it is known as the city of temples, which tends to overshadow its palaces, forts, forests and powerful ziarats. If Bahu Mata is the presiding deity of Jammu, the Dargah of Peer Budhan Ali Shah is the other shrine that protects Jammuites. The other major tourist attraction is the Raghunath Temple Complex. There are two charmingly contradictory aspects to the city of Jammu which one can see while shopping. For instance, in the crowded streets of Raghunath Bazaar, among the age-old dry fruit shops, you’ll find designer boutiques that display the very latest in fashion and fashion accessories. Vaishno Devi 61 Kms from Jammu and a 13 Kms trek from Katra lies the Vaishno Devi Temple. Sightseeing places over here are mostly connected with Vaishno Devi and include Raghunath Mandir, Kalka Mandir and Bhumika Mandir. The other places of sightseeing are the Shalimar Park and the Chintamani Park. Patnitop Though not as popular as most other hill stations, Patnitop is as beautiful and serene. This famous meadow, situated at an altitude of 1950 metres, is surrounded by dense woods and the lush greenery of the pines. An ideal place for walks and picnics, one can even indulge in pony rides along the lesser known trails and camps. Srinagar In the heart of the Kashmir Valley lies Srinagar, divided in two by the River Jhelum. The beauty of the valley has lured visitors for ages and it still bears the hallmark of the Mughals. One of the major tourist attractions, the Dal Lake is a maze of intricate waterways and channels, floating islands of vegetation and houseboats that look so firmly moored that they could almost be islands and hotels on islands which look like they could simply float away. The waters of the lake are so clear that swimming in them is quite a refreshing experience. Places of interest would include the Mughal Gardens - Chashmashahi Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, the Dal & Nagin Lake, and the Shakaracharya Temple. Pahalgam 96 Kms east of Srinagar and 2400 metres in altitude, Pahalgam was initially a shepherd’s village. Upland meadows and hills covered with pine forests form the backdrop of Pahalgam. An ideal delight for trekkers, one can also cultivate a new hobby of fishing in Pahalgam. The Lidder River is divided into three fishing belts, offering bountiful opportunities for fishing. Gulmarg A huge shaped meadow with gently undulating slopes, ringed by fir trees and snow-capped peaks, is how one would describe Gulmarg. A nature lover’s delight, one can generally hear the birds sing and the sound of the wind blowing through the pines. A heaven for trekkers, one can trek the steep hills to the Seven Springs and view one of the highest peaks, Nanda Devi Peak. By December, Gulmarg is a paradise for skiers, with snow covering the lush meadows. Sonamarg This “Meadow of Gold” is a quiet valley carved by the Sindh River and encircled by placid lakes and awesome glaciers. Lying at an altitude of 3000 metres, it is located 80 Kms north-east of Srinagar. The journey to Sonamarg itself is an enchanting wonderland of nature’s beauty. Ladakh Ladakh is a land abounding in mesmerizing physical features, set in an enormous and spectacular environment. Bounded by two of the world’s mightiest mountain ranges, the Karakoram in the north and the Great Himalayas in the south, it is traversed by two other parallel chains, the Ladakh Range and the Zanskar Range. In geological terms, this is a young land, formed a few million years ago. Its basic contours, uplifted by tectonic movements, have been modified over the millennia by the process of erosion due to wind and water, sculpted into the form that we see now. Today a high-altitude desert, sheltered from the rain-bearing clouds of the <strong>India</strong>n monsoon by the barrier of the Great Himalayas, Ladakh was once covered by an extensive lake system, the vestiges of which still exist on its south-east plateaux of Rupshu and Chushul, in the drainage basins or lakes of Tso-moriri, Tso-kar and Pangong-tso. But the main source of water is winter snowfall. Himalayas Call: 1800 209 3344 | www.sotc.in | 9
Change language