Visit Kashmir in India

The State of Jammu and Kashmir is situated in the North Western region of India and is one of the oldest states in terms of history and civilization. Although the name Kashmir was used to refer to the valley in between the Himalayan mountain ranges, in recent days, the name has also come to include: the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh of Pakistan and the uninhabited Chinese regions of Aksai Chin and Trans Karakoram tract.

Visit this wonderful valley and you will realize that it’s definitely one of the best paintings of Mother Nature. Splendid valleys, rugged mountains covered with snow, various pilgrimage sites, boat houses, annual festivals, natural parks, wildlife reserves and not to forget, spectacular waterfalls draw hundreds of visitors every year.

The beauty of the valley is such that it has a steady stream of tourists even though the state is known to suffer frequent terrorist attacks. The best time to visit this magical land would be between early October and late March. Summers tend to be uncomfortably hot and as October progresses; it starts to get quite cold with temperatures dropping below -5 °C. So be prepared for both extremes and pack according to the season in which you visit the valley.

The Kashmir valley is touted to have two breath taking waterfalls, Kokernag and Verinag respectively. The spring water of Kokernag is said to contain magical healing powers. Verinag on the other hand is the largest spring lake in India and its picturesque location has a serene effect on the visitor. A shrine sits beside the lake and draws a number of pilgrims every year.

If you want to see Kashmir at its royal best, visit the Mugal and Nishat Bagh gardens. The Shalimar Bagh garden, also called “The Garden of Love”, is housed within the Mugal garden and exudes peace and serenity. The Nishat Bagh garden is positioned on 12 terraces representing the 12 zodiac signs and merges at the bottom to form a color palette of flowers, fountains, and trees.

Pilgrimages are common in the valley, and the notable pilgrimage sites include: Zanskar, Vaishno Devi, Amarnath, Padum, Alchi and Stongdey Monastery. The holy shrine of Vaishnavi Devi is considered sacred and is present in a cave in the Trikuta Mountains, the permanent abode of the goddess.

Festivals (called Melas) are aplenty in Kashmir and provide a feast for the hungry eyes. The biggest festival is the Purmandal Mela which is a three day function in preparation for the Shivratri Festival. The Jammu and Kashmir tourism center arranges the Mansar Food and Craft Mela which is aimed at showcasing the crafts and cuisines of the valley and the neighboring states as well. The Legend of Baba Jitu, an honest farmer, is celebrated in the name of Jhiri Mela.

The adventure sports of Kashmir are a bit tame compared to other regions. Skiing is a well known attraction of the Himalayas and you will have a blast skiing down the snowy slopes of the Gulmarg resort. A Gondola Cable Car Lift transports skiers from the base to the top of the mountain in addition to other ski and chair lifts.

Golf is popular sport and the resort of Gulmarg is said to be one of the world’s highest green golf courses inclusive of a club house and temporary membership facilities.

Climb the Himalayan Ranges of Nun-Kun Massif or trek through mountain slopes, stopping at isolated villages and scenic ridges. You can choose between a single day trek and treks that span multiple days with camping faculties. The 10 day Lamayuru-Padum traverse and the Stok-Khangri round trek are the more popular ones among numerous options.

Jeep safaris are very popular in and around the Pangong and Tso Moriri lakes which provide ample picnic and camping spots. Alternatively, go for a 5 day water trekking expedition on a Gondola (also called Shiakara), with options to camp mid way.

River rafting is also available for the more adventurous. In addition to smooth stretches of the river, you are bound to encounter some of the wildest rapids in the world in the region of Saspol. Water skiing is also available the Dal and Nagin lakes in the capital, Srinagar.

Trout fishing is also a common affair during spring and summer. In case you have a favorite fishing spot (called “beat”), you can opt to reserve the area before you arrive. This can be done by placing a request for beat reservations through an Indian Government Tourist Office or via the Tourist Reception center in Srinagar.