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Jammu and Kashmir is
the North state in the Indian subcontinent. It stands separated
into three divisions, namely Jammu city, Kashmir valley and
Ladakh valley. Each of these three divisions boasts
of lovely beauty, charming locales as well as wonderful
monuments. However, what serves as the icing on the cake is a
tour to the Kashmir valley. The perfect beauty of the valley is
unmatched by any other place in the world. Standing as facts to
this statement is the fact that Kashmir is known the world over
as the 'glory on Earth'. The northern most state of Jammu and
Kashmir presents a thrilling combination of impressive
mountains, peaceful lakes mirroring the sky overhead, picture
pretty gardens, not to mention the lip smacking cuisines. A tour
to Jammu Kashmir is no hesitation lends an experience of touring
the heaven, right here on earth.
Kashmir tour takes you on a trip of aqua rivers,
flourishing gardens, green valleys and snow capped mountain
ranges. Tourists from all over the world come on a tour to India
every year to enjoy the splendor and splendor of the valley. The
amazing Dal Lake, its houseboats and Mughal gardens
of Srinagar are only some of the appeals of the valley.
The city of Jammu is known for the large number of temples it
houses, which has given it the name of the 'City of Temples'.
Individually from this, the major attractions of Jammu & Kashmir
tour include of the valleys of Gulmarg, Pahalgam,
Kargil, Patnitop, Sonamarg, Drass,
etc.
Not to be onwards is the Ladakh valley, famous for its wonderful
Buddhist monasteries. Kashmir tour is also quite famous for the
wide range of adventure sports it offers, including like
trekking, rafting, mountaineering, skiing, paragliding, etc.
Then, there is Gulmarg, holding the distinction of being the
highest golf course in the world. While on a tour to Kashmir
valley of India, don't forget to buy the beautiful handicrafts
in which its craftsmen specialize.
Every pillar in this beautiful city, decorated with magnificent
lakes and gardens would tell you the tale of a glorious love
affair with the Mughals. Stay at a houseboat that rim the
Dahl Lake or take a ride through the tranquil waters on a
beautiful Shikara.
Most Popular Attractions of Kashmir:
Dal Lake:
The Dal Lake is famous not only for its beauty,
but for its vibrancy, because it sustains inside its margin, 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, baker's
one can see them all in small wooden shops on the lake, near
charming vegetable gardens and acres of lotus gardens.
Hazratbal Mosque:
Hazratbal Mosque is situated in a village of the same name on
the banks of the Dal. Its pristine white marble stylishness is
reflected in the waters of the lake. Hazratbal's special meaning
is resulting from the fact that it houses a hair of the psychic
Muhammad. This is displayed to the public on religious
occasions, typically accompanied by fairs.
Apart from these occasions, Friday prayers are presented at
Hazratbal and attended by throngs of people. Hazratbal
is amazing for being the only domed mosque in Srinagar;
the others having distinct pagoda like roofs. The holy place
mosque complex is located on the western shore of the Dal Lake
opposite Nishat Bagh and commands a grand view of
the lake and the mountain outside.
Gulmarg:
Gulmarg's famous beauty, prime place and closeness 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, who was stimulated by the sight
of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers.
Gulmarg was a favorite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once
collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Nowadays
Gulmarg is not only a mountain resort of excellent
beauty, it also has the highest green golf course in the world,
at an elevation of 2,650 m, and is the country's premier
ski resort in the winter.
Houseboats:
If one is longing for the delights of a houseboat celebration,
then check out lakes of Srinagar to try one. Srinagar is
a exclusive city because of its lakes, the Dal, Nagin
and Anchar. The River Jhelum also flows
through a part of the city.
Most houseboats on the Nagin and the Jhelum are located
on the banks of the lake, and can be accessed frankly 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 located in long straggling rows; some
face the boulevard, Srinagar's thrilling address, while
others are located singly or in groups of two and three.
How to Reach:
Air:
Different airlines fly to Srinagar from New Delhi, Chandigarh,
Amritsar, Jambmu and there are flights operating from
Srinagar to Leh and back. Flights are more common during the
summer Tourist Season; at that time there will most likely be
several flights a day between Delhi and Srinagar.
Road:
Srinagar is linked by an all weather road to Jammu, which in
turn is linked to many parts of North India. One can catch buses
from Delhi but people making the trip by road should take up the
way via Chandigarh, Amritsar or from the Himachal
Pradesh hill stations.
Local Transport:
The best known Kashmiri transport is, of course, the Shikara.
These are the elegant, long boats, which throng the Srinagar
lakes. They're used for getting back and forth from the
houseboats or for longer tours.
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