The lovely Wale:Jammu & Kashmir, India Options

[Vidhyut K]

before anyone starts thinking about terrorism here.

let me remind you that J&K is one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

and my own experiance has been super, although i had gone ther in 1986, i still remember that lovely place.

hopefully all the problems will be resolved.

so here goes...

with my best wishes for the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladhak.

Some Popular Hillstations: Srinagar Pahalgam Gulmarg Sonmarg

Pahalgam is situated at an altitude of 2,130 m above sea level, 96 kms from Srinagar. At the confluence of the streams flowing from the river Lidder and Sheshnag lake, Pahalgam was once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking views. Now it is Kashmir's premier resort, cool even during the height of summer.
A number of hotels and lodges cater to all preferences and budgets, from luxurious to unpretentious trekker's lodges. This place is an angler's delight and even an amateur can catch a rainbow trout from the rushing streams. The large brown bear is a natural inhabitant of the thick Pine and Cedar forests. Pahalgam has a golf course at 2400 meters above the sea level. Camping equipment, ponies and skiing equipment are readily available.



Around Pahalgam are many places of interest, and because the resort is set between fairly steep hills, it is worth hiring a pony rather than walking. Pony fares are posted at prominent locations.
The most beautiful of these is the huge, undulating meadow of Baisaran, surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine. Hajan, on the way to Chandanwari is an idyllic spot for a picnic. Film goers will recognize it instantly as it has been the location of several movie scenes.
Chandanwari, 16 kms from Pahalgam, is the starting point of the Amarnath yatra which takes place every year in the month of Sawan (July-August). The destination is the Amarnath cave, believed to be the abode of lord Shiva. If your visit to Pahalgam is not during the period of the Yatra, you can still take a pony ride up to Sheshnag lake, returning late evening.




How to get there

By Air:Pahalgam is in Anantnag District and is about 96 Kms from Srinagar. The nearest Airport is in Badgam Distt. This Airport is connected with major cities of India.

By Rail:The nearest Rail Head is at Jammu which in turn connects all parts of the country, including Delhi, Calcutta, Pune, Mumbai and Kanyakumari.

By Road: National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley with India. The road to Pahalgam takes from Khannabal or alternatively from Bijbehara villages from this National Highway. Every sort of transport, suiting every budget, from Buses to Taxis ply on this Highway.
It takes around 10 to 12 hours to cross this mountaineous road which crosses some beautiful spots including the famous Jawahar Tunnel. Bus service is available from Srinagar and Anantnag which leave at fixed time from the Bus stands.
Taxis and other sort of transport can be hired from Srinagar at pre-fixed rates. Assistance is available at Tourist Reception Centre Srinagar. On Road to Pahalgam one comes across the beautiful Lidder Valley with important spots of Mattan and Aishmuqam.

[Vidhyut K]

Srinagar, the state capital, is situated at an altitude of 1,730 metres above sea level. Srinagar is at once a collection of images: It tells the story of the love of the Mughal emperors for this paradise like vale with deep green rice fields, rivers, gardens in bloom and lakes rimmed by houseboats; It is the summer capital of the state, a business centre and a holiday resort.
Srinagar is as much imagination as it is fact, for every season offers new vistas to this city of great antiquity. Spring breathes life again into a frozen world and the air is heady with the fragrance of a million flowers that blossom on trees, shrubs and creepers. Summer heightens the effect and autumn is poignant in its colours of warm introspection. Winter brings with it snow and sometimes the Dal Lake freezes beneath a leaden sky.
The river Jhelum, the Dal and Nagin lakes, dominate Srinagar and its life and activities. Here lush wild gardens of lotus and waterlily grow amidst bustling lanes.


General Information

Area 103.3 sq km.

Altitude 1,730 metres (approx )

Rainfall 529mm (Mid June to Mid September).

Languages Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, English

Best Season March to October

Temperatures(Average) Summer- Max.29.5, Min.10.6; Winter- Max.7.3, Min.-1.9

Food: Every sort of vegetarian and non vegetarian food is available in multiple cuisines to suit every budget. Restaurants of all hues and shades are available all along the Boulevard road. and other major spots. Foods suits all budgets and tastes
Clothing Light/Medium woollens in summers to Heavy woollens in winter
Travels Registered travel/tour operators are available.
Others Tariffs are subject to change without notice and Cheques are not accepted.

Important Road Distances Amritsar: 243 kms; Chandigarh: 436 kms; Delhi: 586 kms; Katra: 48 kms Srinagar: 305 kms; Manali: 428 kms; Patnitop: 112 kms; Mansar: 60kms
How to get there Air: Srinagar is connected with Delhi, Amritsar, Jammu, Chandigarh and Leh through Indian Airlines and Jet Airways Flights.

Road: Srinagar, on National Highway, is connected with all the major places in India and in the State, viz. Jammu 293 kms, Leh 434 kms, Kargil 204 kms, Gulmarg 52 kms, Pahalgam 96 kms, Delhi 876 kms, Chandigarh 630 kms etc.
Bus: J.& K. State Road Transport Corporation and other State Road Transport Corporation and other private bus connects Jammu & Srinagar, as well as all the major places in State and in the country
Rail: Srinagar's nearest railhead is Jammu which in turn connects all parts of the country, including Delhi, Calcutta, Pune, Mumbai and Kanyakumari.
Local Transport: J.& K. State Road Transport Corporation's Coaches (at Tourist Reception Centre); Tourist Taxis (J.& K. State Tourism Deve. Corpn., Tourist Reception Centre); Scooter Rickshaws, Matador Mini-Buses; City Buses and Shikaras are available. Helicopter Service is also there as Local Transport (J&K Tourist Office).


Places to visit in Srinagar

Srinagar is a unique city because of it's lakes - the Dal, Nagin and Anchar. The river Jhelum also flows through a part of the city. The Dal Srinagar's largest lake, has the most number of houseboats, followed by the Nagin and the Jhelum. As a general rule, houseboats in the Dal are of all categories, from deluxe to the D class, while those in the Nagin are largely luxury class and those in the Jhelum largely economy class. This, however, is a generalization.
Most houseboats on the Nagin and the Jhelum are situated on the banks of the lake, and can be accessed directly from land without the help of a Shikara, while all those on the Dal require a shikara to get to and from them. Most houseboats on the Dal are situated in long straggling rows, some face the Boulevard, Srinagar's most exciting address, while others are situated singly or in groups of two and three. The location of a houseboat tells us nothing about its class, but before checking into one, there are a few factors which you may like to consider. A honeymoon couple may want to be away from it all, and may choose a houseboat with few, if any, close neighbours.To them, it will be an advantage to stay in the interior of the lake, accessible by a half hour long shikara ride. A family with young children on the other hand may find themselves better served in an area which overlooks the Boulevard where a crossing takes just five minutes. When your houseboat is in a busy area of the Dal, it is enjoyable just to sit on the balcony and watch the world row by.
Each houseboat has anything between two and four bedrooms in it with attached bathrooms and a common sitting and dining room. The charges of a houseboat always include all meals and a certain number of crossings by shikara to and from the houseboat.
Houseboats offer far more personalized service than hotels because of the far higher host:guest ratio. On the other hand, fellow guests at the same hotel. Which is why houseboats are ideal for a large group of eight or more adults. The Dal is famous not only for its beauty, but for its vibrance, because it sustains within its periphery, a life that is unique anywhere in the world. The houseboat and shikara communities have lived for centuries on the Dal, and so complete is their infrastructure on the lake, that they never have to step on land! Doctors, tailors, bakers - you will see them all in tiny wooden shops on the lake, near picturesque vegetable gardens and acres of lotus gardens. A shikara ride is one of the most soothing, relaxing aspects of a holiday in Kashmir. It can be an hour long ride to see the sights of the Dal; a shopping by-shikara expedition to visit handicrafts shops within the periphery of the lake; or a whole day trip to visit important city landmarks. Because the Dal is so central to the landscape of Srinagar, many places of tourist interest have, over the ages, been built in its vicinity. Nishat and Shalimar gardens as well as Hazratbal mosque are directly accessible by shikara.

[Vidhyut K]

Gulmarg is at an altitude of 2,730 metres above sea level, 56 kms from Srinagar. Surrounded by dense forests of tall conifers ,Gulmarg is known for unparalled beauty and is rated as one of the matchless tourist spots of the world.

A huge cup-shaped meadow, lush and green, with slopes where the silence is broken only by the tinkle of cow-bells, Gulmarg looks like a fantasy set in a film, and not surprisingly, has been the venue of several films.
All around are snow capped mountains, and on a clear day you can see all the way to Nanga Parbat in one direction and Srinagar in another. From Gulmarg, a pony track leads upwards to Khilanmarg, Kongdori and Seven Springs, a couple of hours by pony, longer on foot. From here, across the Apharwat - the peak which looms up from this point - is Alpather Lake, a picturesque alpine lake, frozen till late June. For horse riding aficionados, Alpather lake makes an exciting day's excursion, starting early morning and returning late evening.
Slightly lower than Gulmarg is the shrine of Baba Reshi, a Muslim mystic saint, whose shrine is visited by people of all faiths. It is famous for Golf hikes and boasts of a beautiful highland golf course. It is premier resort for winter sports in the country.


How to get there
By Air:Gulmarg is in Baramula Distt and is 57Kms from Srinagar District .The nearest Airport is in Badgam Distt.This Airport is connected with major cities of country.
By Rail:The nearest Rail Head is at Jammu which in turn connects all parts of the country, including Delhi, Calcutta, Pune, Mumbai and Kanyakumari.
By Road:The journey from Srinagar to Gulmarg takes approx. 2 hours in bus and may take short time by chartered conveyance. The road to Gulmarg is very beautiful and is lined with poplar trees all through. All sorts of transport is available to Gulmarg from Srinagar bus stand at Batmallo and from various tour and travel opeartors at the prices fixed.











Sonmarg, the meadow of gold is at an altitude of 3,000 metres above sea level, 87 kms from Srinagar. The drive to Sonmarg is yet another spectacular facet of country-side in Kashmir. It has brilliant forests of sycamore and alpine flowers, silver birch, fir and pine. Sonmarg is a place of enthralling beauty. Three lakes viz Kishensar, Vishensar and Gangabal can be viewed from Nichnai Pass. 20 kms east of Sonmarg is the Zoji-La Pass at 3540 mtrs which leads into Ladakh Plateau.




How to get there
By Air:Sonmarg is in Srinagar District on the Srinagar Leh Highway approx.110 Kms from Srinagar.The nearest Airport is in Badgam Distt. This Airport is connected with major cities of India.
By Rail:The nearest Rail Head is at Jammu, which in turn connects all parts of the country, including Delhi, Calcutta, Pune, Mumbai and Kanyakumari.
By Road: National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley with India. Bus service is available from Srinagar and Anantnag which leave at fixed time from the Bus stands.Taxis and other sort of transport can be hired from Srinagar at pre-fixed rates. Assistance is available at Tourist Reception Centre Srinagar.


Sonmarg, has as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a clear sky. The Sindh meanders along here and abounds with trout and mahseer. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier, a major attraction during the summer months. Sonmarg's importance is two-fold:
It is the starting point of a major trek passing several mountain lakes like, Vishensar, Kishensar, Gadsar, Satsar and Gangabal. One trek leads all the way to the Amarnath cave. The other reason for Sonmarg's importance lies in the fact that it is the last halt on the Kashmir side for the drive from Srinagar to Leh.



This post has been edited by vicky116: 23rd December 2003, 13:56

[Vidhyut K]

[Vidhyut K]

Kashmir was a favourite retreat of the Mughal emperors who visited it as often as they could for a cool and refreshing respite from the hot plains of North India. Here they planted gardens with stepped terraces and flowing water courses. When they rested in their gardens, they dreamt they were in paradise. This is Kashmir at its royalbest, with it's beauty enhanced by the backdrop of the lakes and the mountains.




Nishat Garden
The next garden along the road that encircles the Dal is the Nishat, built by Empress Nur Jahan's brother Asaf Khan. The largest of the gardens, Nishat has 12 terraces representating 12 signs of the zodiac, a central water course and a majestic site between the Dal and the Zabarwan hills.. With its flower beds, trees, fountains, the Nishat presents a dramatic sight.


Cheshmashahi
Cheshmashahi is the first Mughal garden one will pass after Nehru Park. Built at a height above the city, its views are stupendous. The smallest of Srinagar's Mughal gardens, Cheshmashahi has three terraces in addition to a natural spring of water enclosed in a stone pavilion. A crystal spring bubbles out of a stone vase at Chashmashahi. It is perched daintily on a hill overlooking the Dal Lake.




Shalimar
The third Mughal garden - the Shalimar - was planted by Jehangir, the Mughal emperor, whose love for Kashmir was legendary. This royal garden was laid out four hundred years ago by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his wife. Shaded by magnificent chinar trees, the Shalimar is a series of stone pavilions and flowing water. Shalimar Bagh has an air of seclusion and repose, and its rows of fountains and shaded trees seem to recede towards the snowcapped mountains. One of the attractions is the BlackPavilion, meant for the ladies of the court, set well to the back of the highest of its three terraces. The Garden has four terraces and gets water from Harwan through a canal which is lined with beautiful fountains. The Garden blooms with innumerable varities of flowers in spring and autumn.
How to reach there: Nishat Garden lies in Srinagar District and it is 15 kms from the Distt Headquarters. Chashmeshahi lies in Srinagar District and it is 11 kms from the District Headquarters. Transport is freely available from anywhere in the city with nominal costs to this beautiful garden.




Hazaratbal Mosque
Across the Dal from Shalimar is the mosque of Hazratbal, the only one of its kind architecturally, in Kashmir. Made of white marble with a dome and a minaret, Hazratbal is the repository of the Prophet Mohammed, exhibited to the public on certain days of the year.


Harwan garden
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.
How to reach there: Harwan lies in Srinagar District and it is 18 Kms from the Distt Headquarters. Selected Transport is available from anywhere in the Srinagar City with nominal costs to this beautiful garden. Taxis, Buses can be chartered from anywhere in the Srinagar city to this place. This garden completes the series of gardens which can be seen in the Srinagar Distt across the boulevard road.



Kashmir abounds in rich flora. The Valley which has been described as the 'Paradise' on Earth is full of many hues of wood and game. The most magnificent of the Kashmir trees is the Chinar found throughout the valley. It grows to giant size and girth. The trees presents itself in various enchanting colours through the cycle of the seasons among which its autumnal look is breath-taking. Mountain ranges in the Valley have dense deodar, pine and fir. Walnut, willow, almond and cider also add to the rich flora of Kashmir. The dense forests of Kashmir are a delight to the sport-lovers and adventures for whom there are Ibex, Snow Leopard, Musk deer, wolf, Markhor, Red bear, Black bear and Leopard. The winged game include ducks, goose, partridge, chakor, pheasant, wagtails, herons, water pigeons, warblers, and doves.

[Vidhyut K]

[Vidhyut K]

stunning view.

[Vidhyut K]

[Vidhyut K]

[Vidhyut K]

Jammu, plenty of snow as you can see

[Vidhyut K]

Shikara or House Boat(mini)

[Vidhyut K]

[Vidhyut K]

grass cutting farmer.

[Vidhyut K]

you see its so beautiful but so tragically divided.

[Vidhyut K]

one more map.

[Vidhyut K]

the streets.

[Vidhyut K]

the last picture of the street was during the recent elections thats what the caption says in Hindi.

[Vidhyut K]

super pictures coming up.





House Boat





J&K Rifles Regiment and uniform (pic. 2)

[Vidhyut K]

[Vidhyut K]

Dal Lake