Kashmir The Paradise on Earth

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.

Mount Abu An Oasis in The Desert

Lovely sunset, mountain range of Aravali and clear water in Nakki lake enhance the beauty of Mount Abu. It is the only hill station in Indian State of Rajasthan surrounded by eye pleasing Aravali hills. It falls in Sirohi district covered with forest, river and lakes.

History of Mount Abu

Earlier, Mount Abu used to be known as Arbudaanchal and Arbudaranya, the name is taken from serpent God. Once, majority of the people here were of Gurjars community who are believed to be migrated from Arbuda region. In 1311 CE, the place came under the control of Deora-Chauhan dynasty. Rao Shasmal approached the place in 15^th century, and took charge over the place. Later on, it came under the East India Company, until the Indian independence in 1947.

Fast Facts

Country                                                 India

State                                                     Rajasthan

Languages                                            Rajasthani, Hindi

Altitude                                                  1164 m

Pin code                                                307501

STD Code                                             02974

Best Time to Visit                                  Feb - April, Aug – Nov

Weather                                                Summer 32 to 45°C, Winter 5 to 28°C

Tourist Attractions Around The Mount Abu

Mount Abu is the popular tourist destination in Rajasthan, visited by numbers of tourist around the year. It consists of many Hindu temples, fort, a lake, a wildlife life and many others worth seeing places. Here are few places which are most liked by the tourist.

Dilwara Temples: Dilwara Temples are beautifully architect Jain temples located at the distance of approximately two kilometers from Mount Abu. These temples made construct by Chalukya Dynasty near 13^th century. These temples are famous for its extraordinary carvings and craftsmanship. These are made of fine white marbles own unmatched carving on its pillars and ceilings. It is major Jain pilgrimage parted into five sections: Shri Mahaveer Swami Temple, Shri AdiNath Temple or Vimal Vasahi Temple, Shri ParshavNath Temple or Khartar Vasahi Temple, Shri Rishabdaoji Temple or Peethalhar Temple and Shri NemiNathji Temple or Luna Vasahi Temple.

Achalgarh Fort: It is an ancient fort built by Rana Kumbha of Mewar during 14^th century. The fort comprises numerous monument of medieval India including battlement walls. It is located at the distance of just 8 kilometers from the Mount Abu; public transport is easily available for here. The fort is based on the top of the hill offers scenic view of all around.

Wild Life Sanctuary Mount Abu: It is the part of Aravali ranges, one of the oldest mountain range in the India. It was setup in 1960, and declared sanctuary in 1980. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 288 km2 being run by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, India. It is an abode of variety of fauna and flora including many en-dangerous species; animals easily seen here are sambhar, jungle cat, langur, wild boar, bear, pangolin, jackal and sloth bear.

Nakki Lake: It is like a jewel of Mount Abu; having own place in the indian mythology. The lake is believed to dug out by Devta’s (Hindu God) by their nails to save people from Bashkhali Demon. There is a Tod Rock near the lake which is other main attractions to the lake. Facility of boating and horse riding near the lake is made available by local administartaion. Gandhi Ghat is also built near the lake, as the ashes of Mahatama Gandhi ( Father of the Nation) is also immersed here. A founatain is built in the lake which is operated in the evening.

Other Tourist Attraction in Mount Abu: Mount Abu has variety of touris places that suit everyone’s taste. In addition to above written places, few other tourist destination are there which make Mount Abu among the top tourist places in the India. These places are Guru Shikhar, Adhar Devi, Gaumukh, Crocodile Park, Sunset Point etc.

How to Reach Mount Abu

Air: The nearest airport to the place is Maharana Pratap Airport ( Udaipur Airport) that is connected to many major India cities such as Jaipur, Delhi,  Mumbai and Kolkata, It is located at the distance of near about 188 km from the Mount Abu, and one can get public transport or private taxi from the airport to Mount Abu. The Enqiury numbers of Udaipur Airport are 91-294-2655950, 91-294-2655953.

Rail: Abu Road Railway station is the nearest railway station to the city which is further connceted to the Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Mumbai. It is just 28 km from Mount Abu.

Road: Mount Abu is connceted with National Highway No 14 that makes it easily accessible form many major cities of the India. The highway is just 24 Km far. Many buses of state government are run to the place.