Traveling is good
Visit Srinagar in spring and you would be very much inclined to believe that heaven indeed exists on earth. Millions of flowers bloom in spring infusing the valley with their vibrant colours and fragrance along with rain showers that add to a divine experience. Situated at the heart of Kashmir, the valley wraps a shawl of different hues for every season. The city of Srinagar lies on both the banks of the River Jhelum with many bridges connecting them.
Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The city is enchanting in every season and it has more in store for visitors. The serene beauty of Dal Lake and Nagin Lake are well known as are the famous Houseboats on Dal Lake. Mughal Gardens, Chashma Shahi (the royal fountains), Pari Mahal (the palace of the fairies), Nishat Bagh (the garden of spring), Shalimar Bagh are a feast for the eyes. Some of the holy places in Srinagar are Hazratbal Shrine, Jama Masjid, Hamza Makhdum, Kheer bhawani, Sarika Mata temple and Shankaracharya temple.
Srinagar is connected by National highways and has an international airport. Many picturesque valleys and adventure tourism sites are also accessible from the city.
Best time to visit: March to September
Languages spoken: Kashmiri
Climate: Rainy spring season, pleasant summers and very cold winters with snowfall
Natural Wonders: Dal Lake, Nagin Lake, Mughal Gardens, Shalimar Bagh
Holy Places: Hazratbal Shrine, Jama Masjid, Hamza Makhdum, Kheer bhawani, Sarika Mata temple, Shankaracharya temple
Places of Interest: Chashma Shahi, Pari Mahal
NISHAT means joy, khushi and whence this garden is the garden of joy. Though not as large as Shalimar garden, this garden is more beautiful than that and quietly bring smile on your faces. Numerous fountains adore this garden and is a famous picnic spot for the native people.
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Each year during Amarnath Yatra we try to cover one new place of Kashmir excluding Srinagar. By this method we have covered Aru Valley, Betab Valley, Lidder valley, Pahalgam, Anant Nag, Avantipura, Verinag spring ( the chief source of the river Jhelum) Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Mansabal lake etc. During 2009 Amarnath Yatra, we had planned to visit Wular Lake. After Darshan we started returned journey from Baltal towards Srinagar early in the morning.
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This exactly is not a tourist area but one gets to see the actual life of the people away from the gritty nitty of tourism. Common people full of common aspirations wearing tired and sullen faces (a result of not so good economic condition) dominates the scene. Shikara wallah then brings you to Meena market, a group of 4-5 showrooms selling Shawls and other woolen stuffs, carpets, Sarees and all. One argues with them that we do not want to buy anything but the common refrain is EK BAAR DEKH TO LIJIYE…
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After about one and a half hour we were in front of the temple. We had been questioned 2-3 times on the way by paramilitary forces as they thought that we were proceeding towards Sri Amarnath Yatra unofficially as the Yatra had not started till then. As we had no plan as such, it was duly told to them.
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The scene was just marvelous and my thought was …. YE KAHAN AA GAYE HUM….. We see pictures of the lake in the news papers or sometimes in television but can not gauge the extent of this lake from those visuals, this is what I think as the mighty DAL which was in front of me had rows and rows of houseboats parked in it . THE HOUSEBOATS WITH EXOTIC NAMES APPEARED TO BE LIFELINE OF THIS LAKE. (Char Chinar, Dreamland, Kashmiri beauty, Gulistan, Gul Gulshan Gulfam and numerous other names ….).
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Remember the song “AADMI MUSAFIR HAI AATA HAI JAATA HAI” from movie Apnapan picturized on Sudhir Dalvi and that unknown girl in the bus en-route to Srinagar. The verses contain a philosophical message but in the language of common man which was forte of Anand Bakshi Sahib. As our vehicle moved towards Srinagar it seemed to me that a dream shall be chased in a few hours but the destination was quite far away.
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Kashmir…. the name itself brings goose bumps. Kashmir… the name itself brings the beauty personified. Kashmir……. the name itself brings out romantic vistas. Kashmir…… the name itself brings unfulfilled desire.
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First town where some civilization could be seen was Upshi which is basically a check post where we did not stop. Next stop at about 30 km was Karu which basically a military establishment just before Leh. We stopped a Karu for a late lunch and some tea and then soon proceeded to Leh which took about 1-1.5 hours. On the way to Leh one can see gorgeous mountain views with Indus flowing along the road.
Next, day we went to places around Leh such as Patthar Singh Sahab Gurudwara (पत्थर सिंह साहिब गुरुद्वारा), so called Magnetic Hill, Confluence of Janskar and Indus rivers, a Kali temple and a Buddhist temple, and one of the oldest monastery near Leh. The landscape near Leh is also dry, barren but mesmerizingly beautiful. Buddhist temple have special wheels called Maney ( माने) carrying the holy mantra “Om Many Padme hum” or “ओम माणी पद्मे हूं” which the devotees rotate.
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Kullu is by the River Beas. It has the Kali Bari temple, Raghunath temple, Bijli Mahadev temple, Akhara Bazar and the Bhutti Weavers Colony. Manali is closer to the snowline and towering peaks. It is ideal for trekking and has many orchards.
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