“Beauty of Kashmir, can’t be compared to the whole world.”
Aqdas
Sometimes it’s said that, nowhere is heaven nor in hell can we experience anything, everything we experience exists on earth. The statement is truly justified when we go to a place named as Kashmir which is literally heaven on earth.
At 2018 , at March we went to Kashmir to visit the tulip blooming, it became one of the memorable experience of our life. Actually it was a treat to eyes. So beautiful the place is, that can’t be explained in words. It’s like a natural carpet of flower that has been spread over the mountain valley. It’s really spectacular. One must experience this place once in a life.
So, my friends, this time we first explore that beautiful tulip blooming at Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden at Srinagar at Jammu & Kashmir at India .It is the largest tulip garden in Asia spread over an area of about 30 hectares( 74 acres). More specifically it is situated on the foothills of Zabarwan Range with an overview of Dal Lake.
This garden is opened in 2007 to enhance floriculture and tourism at Kashmir.It was formerly known as Siraj Bagh . At about 1.5 million tulip buds , all in multiple cloud , were brought from Amsterdam. Besides there are 46 varieties of flowers, including daffodils, hyacinth and ranunculus which were also brought from Holland . This tulip garden with the variety of colours is home to around 65 varieties of flowers.
The best time to be here is at late March to April end which is considered as the best time to visit the garden .Every year in the month of April , the Jammu and Kashmir government celebrates the tulip festival in which tourists can enjoy the breathtaking views of gardens at their full bloom .
It’s indeed a very beautiful place to see the spectacular tulip blooming that must be a treat to your eyes as well as soul.
So , my friends, next we will explore another beautiful place at named as Gulmarg which means “ meadow of flowers ”. It’s too, a heavenly and beautiful place and a popular skiing destination at the snow capped mountains. The town is situated in the Pir Panjal Range in the Western Himalayas and lies within the Gulmarg wildlife sanctuary.
If you start from Srinagar, it will take almost one to reach there . On d way you will enjoy the most beautiful scenery of the road with d lush green trees along with small springs and river. It’s indeed a beautiful journey throughout.
After reaching the destination you may visit the following places .
- Maharani temple
- St. Mary’s Church
- Gulmarg Gondola – Built by the French company Pomagalsky , the Gulmarg Gondola is one of the highest in the world reaching 3,979 meters.it’s an enjoyable journey. After reaching the top you may do the skiing activities.
- Golf course- The historic Gulmarg Golf Club was started by the British who used the place as holiday resort. Ever since this is the highest green golf course in the world .
- Avalanche Information Centre – It’s established by an American avalanche forecaster mainly to dispense daily avalanche risk bulletins to visitors the unmanaged back country surrounding Gulmarg ski area .
- Gulmarg in Bollywood- This place has been the shooting location of many Bollywood films like Bobby , Jab Tak Hai Jaan (41) Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani , Highway , Phantom,Haider etc. A scene in Bobby was shot in a hut in Gulmarg that later come to be known as ‘ Bobby Hut ’.Actually this place is the shooters paradise because of extremely picturesque natural beauty.
So, my friends next we will explore Pahalgam which is the most beautiful place ,situated at Anantnag district at Jammu and Kashmir.
Bordering the road with yellow hued mustered fields , small picturesque villages by the river , surrounded by big , tall trees , the journey itself a treat to eyes.
Horse riding is the major thing you can do here to explore this beautiful valley .
- Betaab valley – It is situated at a distance of 15 km from Pahalgam.The valley surrounded by lush green meadows, snow clad mountains, and covered with dense vegetation.
- Mamal Temple – Set in a rural village, the ancient temple dates from 400 CE with a shrine adorned with gold .
- Tulian Lake – It lies at an altitude of 3684 meters above the sea level . It is surrounded on the three sides by mountains that rise to over 4, 800 meters and that are usually covered with snow. It is indeed a very beautiful place in a meadow dotted with pine forests.
- Lidder view park – Actually it is the beautiful scenery you will enjoy at both the sides by the Lidder river .
As a whole the , Pahalgam is the first village where the pilgrims first stop while visiting the great Hindu shrine “ Amarnath ”. The entire valley is as beautiful as heaven with the lush green meadow , flowing river , snow clad mountains, all these are truly beautiful scenery one must explore while visiting this paradise on earth .
Apart , from these places you may visit Sonamarg ( meadow of Gold ) which is located about 80 kilometres ( 50 mi ) northeast of the capital city ,Srinagar.
- The major attraction here is hiring a pony or just trekking over the valley.
- Sonmarg provides trekking routes leading to Vishansar lake , Krishansar lake , Gangabal Lake and Gadsar lake in the Himalayas, which are stocked with snowtrout & brown trout .
- Ponies can be hired for the trip to Thajiwas glacier, a major attractions during the summer month.
- The Yatra to the nearby Amarnath Temple begins in Sonamarg .
- Baltal,15 km east of Sonamarg, is a valley that lies at the foot of the Zoji La Pass.
- Every year a rafting tournament organised by tourism department in which participants are from abroad too.
So, my friends after this pandemic will over pack your bag and keep your shoes ready to explore this paradise on earth , till then keep travelling as a positive concept in your mind. Stay safe, stay healthy.
