Places you would love

Mughal gardens

Situated on the banks of the Dal Lake, in the backdrop of the majestic hills, these beautiful gardens command a magnificent view of the lake. The Mughal gardens include Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh and Chesmashahi bagh.

Dal Lake (Boat Ride)

The world famous water body described by Sir Walter Lawrence as the “Lake par-excellence”, half a kilometers from the city, is the jewel in the crown of Kashmir. Nigeen Lake is the most lovely part of the Dal Lake separated by a causeway. The lake of course is popular for its houseboats, Shikaras and promenades and it is undoubtedly a bird watchers paradise.

Srinagar

Srinagar district Is situated in the centre of the Kashmir valley, is surround ed by five districts. In the north it is flanked by Kargil, in the south by Pulwama, in the north-west by Budgam. Srinagar is a city of great antiquity .particularly the old city of Srinagar with its almost medieval charm has sights, smells and sounds to enchant the most jaded traveler. Its beautiful surroundings tells the story of the love of the Mughal emperors for this paradise vale; river bridges , gardens in bloom and lakes rimmed by houseboats. It is the summer capital of the state as well as business centre and holiday resort.

Gulmarg

Gulmarg is truly one of the beautiful place in the world, Gulmarg iterally means “meadow of flowers “.unlike most of the tourist destinations in Kashmir, Gulmarg itself is where you want to be. This beautiful region is surrounded by forests of Pine trees, beyond which rise the great snow clad mountain. The very first view of Gulmarg, that of high mountains in west, the famous temple of shiva on a green mound in the center, a cozy looking settlement spread around. Gulmarg is famous for Ski resort , Gondola the cable car, which runs in two phases ; the journey in first phase flies you from Gulmarg to Kongdori and Phase second Aparwath which is more thrilling. and has worlds biggest , highest and toughest Golf Course of 18 holes. There is also a famous shrine known as “ Baba Reshi ”.

Pahalgam

Pahalgam is situated away from the grind of daily life, Pahalgam occupies soaring mountains, glistening glaciers, gushing silvery steams of ice water and dense pine and cedar forests with soft whistling winds and revitalizing air. It is famously known as the” Lidder valley or valley of Shepherds”. Around Pahalgam are many places of interest , like Baisaran, Hajan, Sheshnag Lake, Panchtarni, Aru, Tarsar Lake and chandanwari. Pahalgam is ideal place for an adventure sports enthusiast. It offers wonderful treks, skiing, mountaineering, horse riding, golf, fishing and camping sites. Facilities for roller-skating, table tennis and badminton are available at the Pahalgam Club.

Sonmarg

Sonamarg the “meadow of gold”, as its backdrop snow mountains against a cerulean sky. The fast flowing Sindh River meanders along here and abounds with trout and mahseer, snow trout can be caught in the main river. In late April when Sonamarg is open for road transport, the visitors can have access the snow which is furnished all over like a white carpet. Ponies can be hired for the trip upto Thajiwas glacier a major attraction during summer months.

Yusmarg

Yusmarg is in the Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. Yusmarg is the perfect place to go for a picnic. It is possible that after reaching this place, you may want to even stay for a few days. Specially, for the lovers of long walks in picturesque locals, Yusmarg in Kashmir is the place to be. You may a laid-back stroll amongst flower-strewn meadows. Another venue for the walkers is a river, known by the name of Dudh Ganga. Frothing and crashing on its way over the rocks, the river makes a little white foam, which gives it this name. A little ahead, is a lake, Nilnag, embraced with hills. The hills comprise of a number of several peaks, namely Tatta Kutti, Sang Safed, etc. At a distance of about 13 km from Yusmarg in the Kashmir valley is the Charar-e-Sharief, the shrine of the saint Sheikh Noor-ud-din or Nund Reshi.

Verinag

Verinag is a town and a notified area committee in Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir. It is situated in Kulgam district of J&K state. The Verinag is one of the largest springs of India having the circumference of 80 meters with octagonal shape and a depth of more than 15 meters. The River Jhelum originates from Verinag. The Verinag spring, named after Nila Nag, the son of hindu sage Kashyap Rishi is the main tourist attraction of visiting Verinag. The wide diversity of colourful fragrant flowers add beauty to the scenery. The spring of Verinag neither dries up nor overflows. It is characterized by waters which are calm and clear.

Kokernag

Kokernag is a town and a notified area committee in Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir State. Koker means "fowl" and Nag means 'serpent". Kokernag is the collection of the springs which resemble the claws of a fowl and the flowing springs resemble the shape of a serpent, hence its name. The Nature has gifted the water of Kokernag with medicinal properties and is useful in indigestion. Kokernag is famous for gardens, water springs and trout streams. Kokernag is the largest fresh water spring in the Kashmir.Most important tourist attraction in Kokernag is the water spring "Papashudan Nad" or "sin-cleansing spring". Every year thousands of tourists are attracted to Kokernag to visit this magical spring the water of which is having the medicinal properties.

Manasbal

Manasbal Lake is located in the Jhelum valley, north of Srinagar city in the State of Jammu and Kashmir in India. The name Manasbal is said to be a derivative of the Lake Manasarovar. Lake is encircled by three villages viz., Jarokbal, Kondabal (also called Kiln place, is situated on the north-eastern side of the lake) and Ganderbal and is stated to be the deepest lake (at 13 m/43 ft depth) in the Kashmir valley. The large growth of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) at the periphery of the lake (blooms during July and August) adds to the beauty of the clear waters of the lake. The Mughal garden, called the Garoka, (meaning bay window) built by Nur Jahan overlooks the lake. The lake is a good place for bird watching as it is one of the largest natural stamping grounds of Aquatic birds in Kashmir and has the sobriquet of "supreme gem of all Kashmir Lakes". The rootstocks of lotus plant which grows extensively in the lake are harvested and marketed, and also eaten by the local people.

Kheer Bhavani Temple

Kheer Bhawani is a temple dedicated to the Goddess Kheer Bhawani (originally just Bhawani) constructed over a sacred spring .The worship of Kheer Bhawani is universal among the Hindus of Kashmir. The temple is situated at Tula Mula of district Ganderbal. The term kheer refers to rice pudding that is offered in the spring to propitiate the Goddess, which became part of the name of the temple. Around the temple is an area covered with smooth and beautiful stones. In it are large, old-growth chinar trees beneath which the pilgrims sit or sleep on mats of grass. While most of the colours do not have any particular significance, the colour of the spring water changes occasionally. When black or darkish, its believed to be an indication of inauspicious times for Kashmir. In 1886, Walter Lawrence, the-then British settlement commissioner for land, during his visit to the spring, reported the water of the spring to have a violet tinge. Kashmiris claim to have observed a darkish or murky tinge to the water just before the assassination of Indira Gandhi and the 1989 insurgency in the valley.