Monday, January 7, 2008

Hill Stations in Kashmir

General Information about Kashmir :

Area of Kashmir : 20.36 Sqkm
Population of Kashmir : 2,23,361(apprx.)
Capital of Kashmir : Srinagar
Major Languages spoken in Kashmir : Dogri, Hindi, English, Urdu, Kashmiri, Punjabi.

Introduction :
Though the whole of Jammu & Kashmir, India is pleasant, few of the places are truly a haven for the tourists to Jammu & Kashmir, India. Travel to hill stations of Jammu & Kashmir and experience the outstanding heights and engaging climate. Tour to Kashmir Hill Stations and indulge in the most challenging wild sports in the mild surroundings. Enjoy the Travel to Sonamarg and Travel to Patnitop in Kashmir , still uneplored. Enjoy every bit of it while on your most flavoured tour to Jammu & Kashmir. Reach few of the highest points of the world in Kashmir, India and be the most privileged to have seen this glittering crown of India - Jammu & Kashmir.


Set like a jewelled crown on the Map of India, Kashmir is a multi-faceted diamond, changing its hues with the seasons - always extravagantly beautiful. Two major Himalayan ranges, the Great Himalayan Range and The Pir Panjal, surround the landscape from the north and south respectively. They are the source of great rivers, which flow down into the valleys, forested with orchards and decorated by lily-laden lakes.

The Mughals aptly called Kashmir ‘Paradise on Earth’ where they journeyed across the hot plains of India, to the valley’s cool environs in summer. Here they laid, with great love and care, Srinagar’s many formal, waterfront gardens, now collectively known as the Mughal Gardens. Anecdotes of four and five centuries ago describe their love for these gardens, and the rivalries that centred around their ownership. They also patronized the development of art & craft among the people of Kashmir, leaving behind a heritage of exquisite artisanship among thes people and making the handicrafts of the land prized gifts all over the world.

Hill Stations in Kashmir state of India :

Srinagar Hill Station : The City of House Boats Kashmir's most well known city, Srinagar, stands by the clear waters of the Dal Lake, and the rushing Jhelum. During the days of the Raj, the ruler of Kashmir let the British come to Srinagar but did not allow them to build. So they took to the water and lived in houseboats on the lovely Lake! And the houseboats stayed on to become a symbol of the beautiful valley and famous hill station.

Sonamarg Hill Station : Beat the heat at the hill resort of Sonamarg. The meadow of Gold, Sonamarg is one of the many famous hill resorts of Jammu and Kashmir. Sonamarg is a major gateway to Ladakh besides being a popular base for adventure sports. The spectacular valley of Sonamarg derives its name from a legend. As per the legend there is a well in the Sonamarg valley whose water can turn anything into gold. The other possible reason for the name Sonamarg could be its location on the route to Central Asia. Sonamarg is in fact wrapped in sycamore, alpine flowers, silver birch, fir and pine.

Gulmarg Hill Station : Gulmarg, or meadow of flowers, is an apt term indeed for this idyllic flower-laden meadow at an altitude of 2,730 metres, in Baramulla district. Situated at a distance of 51 km from Srinagar, it is a saucer-shaped bowl overhanging the main valley of Kashmir. The towering peaks above the meadow are covered with dense forests of tall conifers and gigantic fir and pine trees, all vying with each other to touch the azure skies. A clear day offers some breathtaking views from Gulmarg : fields of rice; clusters of walnut, pear and mulberry; meadows, ridges and forests that lead to the snow slopes of Khilanmarg; the majestic Nanga Parbat peak over a 100 km away.

Ladakh Hill Station : The barren beauty of Ladakh with snow capped peaks and clean azure sky have attracted the intrepid traveler since the region was opened to tourists in the 1970s. Since then, Ladakh has become a favorite haunt for trekking and mountaineering enthusiasts. The rugged terrain and the majestic mountains around, make an exotic cocktail for an adventure sport lover. But before you decide to fly away to the land of Buddhist monasteries and brave people, it is imperative to understand that you need at least a week to enjoy your tour to Ladakh. Since, acclimatization it self needs at least a few days in Ladakh.

Patnitop Hill Station : Patnitop is a hill station at 112 kms from Jammu about 60 kms ahead of Katra (Base for famous shrine of Vaishnodevi). Patnitop is perched on a beautiful plateau, at an altitude of 2024 m, across which the Jammu-Srinagar highway passes.

Pahalgam Hill Station : Pahalgam is an ideal place for an adventure sports enthusiast. It offers wonderful treks, skiing, mountaineering and camping sites. Facilities for roller-skating, table tennis, badminton and cards are available at the Pahalgam Club. One can take a temporary membership at the Pahalgam natural golf course. In route to Pahalgam one comes across the beautiful Lidder Valley with tourist spots at Mattan, famed for its springs and the hillside cave shrine of Aishmuqam. The river Lidder is an angler's delight and even an amateur can catch a rainbow trout from the rushing streams. The large brown bear is a natural inhabitant of the thick forests. Pahalgam is in Anantnag district which is famous for Kashmir handmade "gabbas" and exquisitely designed wooden toys.