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| JAMMU & KASHMIR |
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Casements to Paradise
For centuries kings and commoners have lost their hearts to the splendours of Kashmir. From Mughal emperor Akbar who filled it with gardens of leisure to France's Empress Josephine who reveled in the softness of her Kashmiri shawls, this paradise on earth has engaged the imagination and wooed the senses with its astonishing natural beauty and the dazzle of its cultural heritage garnered from its its multi-racial history and cultural traditions, intrinsically entwined with that of the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe. In the early days of Buddhism its tranquil environs made it the ideal venue for King Kanishka's great Buddhist Council. And for decades its romantic nuances have held countless fans of Hindi cinema in thrall.
With its winding streets and ancient mohallas, set amidst the clutter of townships, and tiny villages scattered across the terraced fields of the valley in the lap of the Himalayas the Kashmir Valley, strategically placed between Central Asia and Hindustan was a prize beyond measure for endless invaders from the northern passes. With Srinagar as its hoary capital, and Jammu as its summer seat of governance the region has seen the rise and fall of numerous kingdoms, since the days of Emperor Ashoka in the the 3rd century, after who's death his son Jaluka ascended the throne of Kashmir. Buddhism played a pivotal role in the valley but Kashmir's Hindu period was marked by one of the most illustrious kings of the Karkota dynasty-- Raja Laltaditya Muktapida (724- 761 A D). Islam entered the valley with the conversion of Kashmir's Tibetan king Rinchen . in the 14th century Zain-ul-Abidin 'Great Badhshah' ruled the valley in 1420 -1470 AD which was annexed to the Mughal kingdom. (1587-1752) by Emperor Akbar. Maharaja Ranjit Singh played a brief role in its history before it came into the hands of the Britishbefore it came into the hands of the Dogra kings of Jammu. In 1947 the state of Jammu and Kashmir with Srinagar as its capital became part of the Indian Union. The state of Jammu and Kashmir comprises the territories of the Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Ladakh.
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| ACCESS |
Getting there and around
Srinagar Airport is served by flights from Delhi, Amritsar, Jammu, Chandigarh, Leh, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Jammu Airport is connected to Delhi, and Srinagar by regular flights from Indian
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Airlines and some private airlines .Jammu (239km from Srinagar) railway station is connected to Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. The onward journey to Srinagar by road takes about 8 hrs.
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| GRAND TOUR |
Srinagar
Sprawling along the banks of the Jhelum River the capital city of Srinagar is a mesmerizing tapestry of cultural splendour-offset by its gorgeous natural setting. Encapsulated in the labyrinthine water channels of the river and the dusty mohalls are vignettes of medieval magic serving up a banquet of photo-ops. This city of Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh and Chashmeshahi Bagh recalls the leisure world of the Mughals. Filled with flower beds and flowering trees, water bodies and pleasure pavilions these terraced gardens continue to attract picnickers and lovers. The newer Harwan Gardens are located around an old Buddhist site. A shikara ride, or a houseboat sojourn on the Dal or Nagin Lakes are the quintessential Srinagar experience are the craft shopping and climb up to the old Shankarcharaya Temple, or Pari Mahal with the ruins of the old observatory. Enjoy those glorious views of the city and its environs of the Pir Panjal range. The Hazratbal Mosque, the Jama Masjid , Rozabal shrine and the Sharika Devi are some of the most important pilgrimage points in the city.
Gulmarg (52km)
One of north India's most popular holiday resorts it sees visitors all year round. In summer enjoy the golf, pony rides, treks and picnics in alpine meadows and gondola rides. In winter it hosts the annual international winter sports festival.
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Pahalgam (153km)
Straddling the confluence of waters of rising from the Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder River its is a beautiful holiday destination with lovely walks, trout fishing, golf and pony rides to be enjoyed.
Amaranath
The holy cave of Amranath, the site of the annual Hindu pilgrimage can be accessed from Pahalgam. The walk up to the Amarnath Cave with its venerated natural Shiv lingam created from an icy stalagmite is a difficult one. Chandanwari, 16km away is another important pilgrim point.
Sonamarg
Set in the Sindh Valley it popular for picnics and treks to the Thajiwas Glacier. The Sindh River offers trout and mahaseer angling.
Kheer Bhawani
One of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the Valley is located near Tuala Mula village. The temple here is called Kheer Bhawani because devotees offer milk and 'kheer' to the sacred spring, whose waters turn black to indicate bad time ahead.
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