Kashmir Travel Guide
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.
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.
The Meadow of Gold
At a height of 2,740 m, Sonamarg in the state of Jammu & Kashmir is the
last major point in the Kashmir valley before the Zoji La pass into Ladakh
. At the pass the green, lush Kashmiri landscape abruptly switches to the
barren, dry landscape of Ladakh. Sonamarg is thus not only a good base for
treks but also a jumping off point for trips into Ladakh.
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.
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.
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.