Snow dressed mountains, handmade pashmina shawls, and beauty of Dal Lake are the reasons that make tourists to visit Kashmir again and again. Kashmir Valley is the part of an Indian State Jammu and Kashmir garlanded with beautiful lakes and hill stations. After visiting Kashmir, Mughal emperor Jahangir got amaze with its beauty so much that he named it "Paradise on Earth."
Brief History of Kashmir
It is believed that once Kashmir was a lake which was drained out by great sage Rishi Kashyapa, near Baramula hills and asked Brahmans to be settled here. Before the commencement of Britishers in India, Kashmir was the part of Maharaja Hari Singh’s monarchy.
Art and Culture of Kashmir
Kashmir is always been epicenter of variety of culture and Art. Its culture is mostly influenced by South Asian and central Asian culture. Kashmiri is the most spoken language in the region. The region has many folk dances and songs and Dumhal is one of them. In addition, Kashmir is also known for its rich fine arts such as paintings, poetry, pashmina shawl, and wooden handicraft are very famous among the tourists.
Kashmiri Food
Kashmir is known for variety of food as people of many religion reside here. Non vegetarian food is quite famous in the region, lamb, mutton, and goat are famous food of Muslims except few Muslim saints: Lalleshwari and Sheikh Noor-ud-din Wali. Dum Aalo, Rogan Josh, Qeleeya, Mujh Gaad, Goshtaba, Yakhni, Nadir Yakhin are the few famous dishes eaten by the Kashmiri Pandits as they do not eat Non- Veg.
Pashmina Shawl
Pashmina Shawl is quite famous in India; it is made of goat wool which is special breed of goat especially founded in hilly area of Kashmir. These shawls are made in Kashmir and some part of Pakistan. Apart from the shawl Pashmina scarf is also embroidered in the region. These products are traded to many part of India and overseas as these are on heavy demand.
Tourist Places in Kashmir Valley
Dal Lake: It is beautiful lake always considered the 'jewel in the crown of Kashmir'. It is adjacent to Shalimar Bagh and Nishant Bagh. The lake is known for colorful Shikaras and house boat. Thousands of people come here to enjoy boating in Dal Lake. The whole lake is spread over an 18 square kilometer having beautiful lotus flowers. Besides tourism, the lake is also used for fishing and water harvesting.
Nishant Bagh: It is a Mughal Garden covers the area of 46 acres. This garden was setup by Asif Khan, elder brother of Nur Jehan near 1633 A.D. The garden displays artifacts of Mughal period. It is second largest garden in the region comprises twelve terraces therefore sometimes it is also called 'Mughal Terraced Garden'.
Srinagar: It is a beautiful hill station also served as summer capital of Indian State Jammu and Kashmir. It is located on the banks of river Jhelum. Srinagar is one of the famous tourist destinations in India, as it comprises beautiful gardens and lake, Chasma Shahi, Nishant Shahi, Shalimar Bagh are one of them.
Pahalgam: It is another beautiful hill station in Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir falls in Anantnagh District. The place is known for high hills and pleasant climates that make the tourist to visit place. Many Bollywood films have been shoot here. Pahalgam is the place from where most prestigious Amarnath Yatra Starts.
Gulmarg: It is border area situated on Line of control between India and Pakistan. It is also a hill station situated on the foothills of Himalayas. The place comes under the Baramula District of Indian State Jammu Kashmir. Gulmarg, most of month remains covered with snow which makes it best place of skiing. It is considered best skiing destination in India catches tourist from all over the India.
Aru: It is a beautiful place and tourist destination consists of meadow, lakes and beautiful hills. The place is most adventurous place in the world offers platform for fishing, trekking, trailing etc.
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden: As the name suggests, it is a tulip garden, spread over an area of about 12 hectares. It publically opened in 2007. The park is adjacent to Dal Lake, owns more than seventy species of tulip flowers. Approximately, 2000 visitors come here annually. It is international tourist destination of India attracts tourist not only form the India but from oversees also. Best time to visit the park is March to April.
Other tourist places in Kashmir: Kashmir is full of tourist destinations which are quite famous in the world. Among them few are Wular Lake, Vishansar Lake, Yusmarg, Sonamarg, Gangabal Lake, Kolhoi Peak, Machoi Peak etc.
How to Reach Kashmir
Air: Srinagar airport is the nearest airport to the Kashmir which is connected with many major cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Leh and Jammu.
Road: Road is the best way to reach Kashmir as it well connected with all major roads and national highways from its near by cities like Jammu, Leh, Delhi etc.
Rail: Kashmir has its own railway station which is connected through major rail network link that makes it easily accessible with other states and cities in India.
Brief History of Kashmir
It is believed that once Kashmir was a lake which was drained out by great sage Rishi Kashyapa, near Baramula hills and asked Brahmans to be settled here. Before the commencement of Britishers in India, Kashmir was the part of Maharaja Hari Singh’s monarchy.
Art and Culture of Kashmir
Kashmir is always been epicenter of variety of culture and Art. Its culture is mostly influenced by South Asian and central Asian culture. Kashmiri is the most spoken language in the region. The region has many folk dances and songs and Dumhal is one of them. In addition, Kashmir is also known for its rich fine arts such as paintings, poetry, pashmina shawl, and wooden handicraft are very famous among the tourists.
Kashmiri Food
Kashmir is known for variety of food as people of many religion reside here. Non vegetarian food is quite famous in the region, lamb, mutton, and goat are famous food of Muslims except few Muslim saints: Lalleshwari and Sheikh Noor-ud-din Wali. Dum Aalo, Rogan Josh, Qeleeya, Mujh Gaad, Goshtaba, Yakhni, Nadir Yakhin are the few famous dishes eaten by the Kashmiri Pandits as they do not eat Non- Veg.
Pashmina Shawl
Pashmina Shawl is quite famous in India; it is made of goat wool which is special breed of goat especially founded in hilly area of Kashmir. These shawls are made in Kashmir and some part of Pakistan. Apart from the shawl Pashmina scarf is also embroidered in the region. These products are traded to many part of India and overseas as these are on heavy demand.
Dal Lake: It is beautiful lake always considered the 'jewel in the crown of Kashmir'. It is adjacent to Shalimar Bagh and Nishant Bagh. The lake is known for colorful Shikaras and house boat. Thousands of people come here to enjoy boating in Dal Lake. The whole lake is spread over an 18 square kilometer having beautiful lotus flowers. Besides tourism, the lake is also used for fishing and water harvesting.
Nishant Bagh: It is a Mughal Garden covers the area of 46 acres. This garden was setup by Asif Khan, elder brother of Nur Jehan near 1633 A.D. The garden displays artifacts of Mughal period. It is second largest garden in the region comprises twelve terraces therefore sometimes it is also called 'Mughal Terraced Garden'.
Srinagar: It is a beautiful hill station also served as summer capital of Indian State Jammu and Kashmir. It is located on the banks of river Jhelum. Srinagar is one of the famous tourist destinations in India, as it comprises beautiful gardens and lake, Chasma Shahi, Nishant Shahi, Shalimar Bagh are one of them.
Pahalgam: It is another beautiful hill station in Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir falls in Anantnagh District. The place is known for high hills and pleasant climates that make the tourist to visit place. Many Bollywood films have been shoot here. Pahalgam is the place from where most prestigious Amarnath Yatra Starts.
Gulmarg: It is border area situated on Line of control between India and Pakistan. It is also a hill station situated on the foothills of Himalayas. The place comes under the Baramula District of Indian State Jammu Kashmir. Gulmarg, most of month remains covered with snow which makes it best place of skiing. It is considered best skiing destination in India catches tourist from all over the India.
Aru: It is a beautiful place and tourist destination consists of meadow, lakes and beautiful hills. The place is most adventurous place in the world offers platform for fishing, trekking, trailing etc.
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden: As the name suggests, it is a tulip garden, spread over an area of about 12 hectares. It publically opened in 2007. The park is adjacent to Dal Lake, owns more than seventy species of tulip flowers. Approximately, 2000 visitors come here annually. It is international tourist destination of India attracts tourist not only form the India but from oversees also. Best time to visit the park is March to April.
Other tourist places in Kashmir: Kashmir is full of tourist destinations which are quite famous in the world. Among them few are Wular Lake, Vishansar Lake, Yusmarg, Sonamarg, Gangabal Lake, Kolhoi Peak, Machoi Peak etc.
How to Reach Kashmir
Air: Srinagar airport is the nearest airport to the Kashmir which is connected with many major cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Leh and Jammu.
Road: Road is the best way to reach Kashmir as it well connected with all major roads and national highways from its near by cities like Jammu, Leh, Delhi etc.
Rail: Kashmir has its own railway station which is connected through major rail network link that makes it easily accessible with other states and cities in India.
