The Paradise of Earth; Kashmir

The Sun is rising, dew drops are shining in the morning light a boatman is peddling a shikara with colourful flowers in it. Birds are welcoming the new day with their beautiful song. Cool clear streams are flowing and the ripened paddy field, tall green plants the seasonal flowers everything is ready to enjoy the peace and calm of the day. The houseboat moving very slowly allows you to enjoy the beauty of the Mughal gardens, the life around the lake, the shopping malls etc.

If you wish to be in India and want to enjoy all these choose ‘the paradise of earth’ named Kashmir, the land with snow-covered mountains and mist-covered green valleys, for your holiday. The state of Kashmir lies in the North Western part of India. Indian epics mention Kashmir. It was an important place of Sanskrit learning in the ancient times.

Going through history you will find that in the 12th Century AD, Muslim rulers invaded Kashmir. Zain-Ul-Abidin was predominant among them. He ruled up to 1470AD. He advocated art, culture and music. After him the great rulers named Akbar and Jahangir took charge of the Mughal Empire. The garden near Dal Lake named Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh were created by these rulers. In the year 1819 Sikhs captured Kashmir and it come under the rule of Maharaja Ranjith Singh.
Kashmir is surrounded by the Greater Himalaya and Pir Pangal Range. Snow capped mountains, lakes, beautiful gardens, mosques and temples add beauty to the city

Important Places to visit
Amarnath: It is a Hindu pilgrim centre. Here the Shiva lingam, (Lord Shiva) is formed naturally of ice. On two sides of this lingam you can see the lingam of Parvathi Devi and Lord Ganesha. During the period of July and August of every year pilgrims visit this place.

Gulmarg: It is known as the beauty spot of Kashmir. This hill station is near Srinagar and lies in the district of Baramula of Jammu and Kashmir. From the Kilanmarg of Gulmarg you can get a view of the Himalayas, the shrine of Baba Rishi, and a picturesque lake, which remains frozen up to June.

Pahalgam: It is a shepherd’s village and you can hire ponies from here. The Sheshnag Lake and Lidder River flows through this village. Lidder River gives you the opportunity of fishing.

Sonamarg: This picturesque destination is situated at a distance of 84 km from Gulmarg. Lakes like Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and the Ganga BAL passes through this place. There are several mountain situated in this place and from here you can drive to Sindh Valley.

Tourist attractions in Kashmir
The White Mountains, numerous gardens, blue lakes and the peaceful ambiance of Kashmir is indescribable. This speciality of Kashmir drags numerous visitors towards it. The main source of income of the state is the tourist industry. Moreover there are several temples and holy shrines which attract visitors.

The most visited and sacred tourist attraction of Kashmir is the temple of Goddess Vaishnodevi. The other notable temples are Ranbirewar Temple, Raghunath Temple, Balu fort and gardens, Peer Baba, Mahamaya Temple, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Gauri kund, Mansar Lake and Parmandal.

Besides the snowy mountains, green valleys and beautiful gardens the architectural splendours of the land is also mind blowing. The Shalimar Bagh, Chasmashahi, Parimahal, Hazratbal Mosque, Jama Masjid, Shankaracharya Temple, Makhdan Shahib, Martand and Awatipur are prominent among them. Kashmir also provides facility for Golf game and boasts of a highland golf course.
If you are ready to take a strenuous journey, then places like Leh Palace, Shey palace, Hemis, Thiksey, Likir, Spituk, Alchi Lake of Pangong and Tso-moriri are to be visited.

Reaching Kashmir
It is the favourite destination for the nature lovers of the world. For them three types of transporting facilities are available in Kashmir. The state has three airports located in Srinagar, Jammu and Leh, so air transportation is most convenient. Indian airlines and Jet airways are the major airlines that connect the city. There are other private airlines which interconnect Kashmir with the other parts of India.

Kashmir has efficient rail transportations. Jammu and Tawi are the main railway station of the state. Road transportation is also efficient in Kashmir. It has excellent and smooth national highways, and it has road connection with major cities of India like Delhi, Amritsar, Ambala, Chandigarh, Ludiana, Jalandar, Pathankot, Shimla and Manali.

‘The paradise of earth’ is a unique spot which offers you the joy of a house boat holiday. Make your holiday magnificent, marvellous awesome and incredible visiting Kashmir, the land which is indescribable through words.