Kashmir Tourism

Kashmir, the idyllic valley on the foothills of the Himalayas, is justifiably referred to as a Himalayan paradise. Its beauty- the all pervading gentle scent of flowers, cascading rivers, trinkling springs, colorful gardens, thick forests, tranquil blue lakes spotted with houseboats & its snow-capped mountains - is truly celestial.

Srinagar is the summer capital of the State and, in winter, when Srinagar becomes too cold, the administration shifts to Jammu city in the plains.

Kashmir Prettier than any picture postcard, this is the land of cherry blossoms and saffron fields, of sparkling rivers and serene lakes, of stunning gardens and stately chinar trees, of flowering meadows and snow-capped peaks. It is said that a visit to Kashmir divides your life into two parts - before and after Kashmir. For indeed, once you visit this enchanted land, you are never quite the same again.

The principal region in Jammu & Kashmir, the Valley of Kashmir is enclosed by the high snow-capped ridges of the Himalayan range in the east and the Pir Panjal range in the west and south. The swift-flowing Jhelum river sweeps past Srinagar and coils its way across the valley. Orchards of walnuts, almonds, apples, peaches, apricots and pears abound. Kashmir's beauty never fades - it only changes from the radiant white of winter, through the clarity of spring, the cool green of summer and the fiery colours of autumn.

The beauty of this fertile valley has attracted people from all over the world for centuries. From Emperor Ashoka who ruled in the 3rd century BC leaving behind a stamp of Buddhism, to Hindu rule in the 6th century under Vikramaditya of Ujjain, to annexation by the Mughals in 1568 - the land has seen it all. The Mughals left behind their legacy of beautifully laid out, terraced gardens which are maintained to this day.

Gulmarg's legendary beauty, prime location and proximity to Srinagar naturally make it one of the premier hill resorts in the country. Originally called 'Gaurimarg' by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah.

Situated at the confluence of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder river, Pahalgam (2,130 m) was once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking views.

The drive to Sonamarg is through the Sindh Valley which presents yet another spectacular facet of countryside in Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of 2730 m, Sonamarg 'The meadow of gold' has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a cerulean sky.

¤ Handicrafts in Kashmir
Kashmir's arts and crafts are part of an age-old, ongoing tradition developed and practised by its people for over 500 years, and passed down from father to son and grandson. Today, handicrafts are a major source of income as they are exported all over the world. A strong Persian influence, painstaking labour and the Kashmiri's love of life and nature are reflected in the rare perfection of their handicrafts - beautifully patterned, finely woven silk or woollen carpets, pashmina shawls, exquisite papier-mache products, wood carvings and embroidery in wool and silk.

The embroiderers are famous for their patience and delicate hands which swiftly ply millions of finely enlaced stitches into intricate patterns. The finished products - whether shawls, scarves or floor coverings - are true works of art. The Chinar leaf motif, so close to their daily life, is seen repeated in a variety of patterns.

¤ Culture of Kashmir
The ancient caves and temples of Kashmir, reveal a strong link with Indian culture at the beginning of the Christian Era. At one time the classical dances of the south are believed to have been practised. These arts survived only in folk forms and were performed principally at marriage ceremonies.

The popular hafiza dance performed by Kashmiri women to the accompaniment of sufiana kalam was later replaced by the bacha nagma, performed by young boys dressed like women. The bhand jashna ("festival of clowns"), a 300- to 400-year-old genre of Kashmiri folk theatre performed in village squares, satirizes social situations through dance, music and clowning.