Kashmir Sight Seeing

Sightseeing in kashmir:

Overview of Kashmir Valley

 

Best Time to Visit Kashmir

Srinagar
Srinagar is the summer capital of the state of Jammu & Kashmir. It’s a World famous city known for Mughal Gardens, Lakes, Shrines, Bazaars & Artistic fervor. Srinagar in english translates to “Venerable City” is situated in the center of Kashmir Valley surrounded by five districts. Srinagar is nerve center for the Valley from where things are put in action. Most of the goods like the famous Wooden Furniture, Clothes, Carpets & other Artworks made across the Valley are bought and sold here and provides an important market to the World. Mughal Gardens build by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir & Shah Jahan and Dal Lake is very prominent in Srinagar. Besides other equally interesting sights, they remain the biggest draw for tourists.

Srinagar is famous for Kashmiri cuisine that Wazwans prepare for locals during different Occasions. Hotels & Restaurants too serve up lip smacking dishes for Guests as requested. If you thought they can prepare only awesome Non-veg dishes, think again; they have a huge variety of Veg dishes prepared in the most sophisticated manner.

Prominent sights in Srinagar:

Cheshma Shahi and Pari Mahal
Cheshma Shahi or the Royal Spring was laid by Shah Jahan in 1632 A.D. It is at a distance from city centre and is famous for a spring of refreshment digestive water. Two kilometers uphill from Cheshma Shahi is situated the Pari Mahal,a school of astrology founded by Prince Dara Shikoh, Emperor Shah Jahan’s eldest son who was killed in the war of succession.

Nishat Garden & Shalimar Gardens

Built by Mughal rulers that introduced Persian architecture into Garden design, who’s influence spreads across the Valley and also into Pakistan. These gardens offer a serene atmosphere and grace & beauty that is unmatched in most Gardens across the World. Most of these Gardens have their own Cheshma water flowing through them. Remember to fill your bottle with this water for a flavor worth remembering.

Dal Lake, Nagin Lake & Houseboats
The World famous Dal Lake is known for its many Houseboats and Shikara rides that have been popularised by many Bollywood songs and Movies. With Fountains, Char chinar & many other activities in the lake, one can easily spend half a day in the Lake. Houseboats are in plenty and grandly built with intricate wooden designs that adorn every part of your stay. All conveniences are available for your stay in the Houseboat for days together. Remember to bargain hard with sellers who swarm up to your houseboat in their Shikaras.

Jama Masjid
Another place of reverence that is known for its Indo-Sarcenic Architecture and for its many Wooden pillars – all 370 of them. It has a distinct design different from other Jama Masjids across India. The Jama Masjid is one of the oldest and the most spacious of all the mosques in Kashmir that can accommodate over thirty thousand people to offer prayers at one time.

Shankaracharya Temple
Also known as Takht-e-Suleiman. It is located at 1100ft above surface level. Adi Shakaracharya supposedly visited and stayed at this place. The temple, besides being of archaeological importance offers the best panaromic view of Dal Lake and surrounding Srinagar.

Budshah Tomb
An Imposing Mausoleum of the Mother of Zain-ul-Abidin’s alias ‘Budshah’. It is situated by the river Jhelum in the midst of bustling wholesale Bazaar.

Khanqah-i-Mu’ala
Khanqah-i-Mu’ala or Shah-i-Hamadan is one of the oldest and most aesthetically designed muslim shrines in kashmir. Its built with Deodar wood and bricks filled up between its logs. It is probably one of the Valley’s greatest Architectural masterpiece with most sophisticated calligraphy in any of the Shrines or Monuments.

Other worthwhile sites to visit are Hazratbal Shrine, Chatti Padshahi Gurudwara, Bulbul Lankar Shrine, Makhdoom Sahab Shrine,Dachigam (Wildlife sanctuary), SPS Museum amongst many others.

Anantnag Distt (Pahalgam, Kokernag, Verinag)

Anantnag district is probably Kashmir’s most developed tourist destination with world famous meadows at Pahalgam and yatra to Amarnath taking shape during summer time. Pahalgam has lidder river flowing amidst its beautiful valley that provides Enthusiasts opportunity to river raft as well trek upon its many beautiful paths. Just before you reach Pahalgam from Srinagar, you come across the centuries old venerated Aishmuqam shrine of Baba aina-ud-din Wali.

Kokernag has a very beautiful Botanical Garden that has its own Chashma (water spring). Its quite big and frequently visited by the general public. You have many avenues to stay and one can easily while away a full day in its serenity and beauty. Enroute to Kokernag visit one of the wonders of Indian temple architecture at Mattan. The Martand Sun temple is one of the only two major Sun Temples in India. Most ancient temples in Kashmir are in ruins or non-existent but this temple though not standing still gives us a glimpse of the grandeur of Pre-Islamic Hindu temple architecture. It is definitely well worth a visit.

Verinag is another garden made famous for being the place of source to river Jhelum. It has a beautiful tank/reservoir at the source leading streams to River Jhelum in across Kashmir. Its a one hour drive from Kokernag and can be covered as an excursion.

Achabal is another beautiful Mughal garden that is about 20 minutes from Anantnag. You can use Kokernag as base to cover Achabal, Verinag and other places like Sintan Top & Daksum.

Gulmarg

Gulmarg is one of the most famous ski resorts of India and noted by some to be the heartland of skiing in India. It has the popular Gandola ride (second highest in the World) to the highest peak of nearly 4000mts. It is sparsely populated and only people in the tourism Industry are allowed to stay overnight. It has a beautiful landscape and attracted many popular Bollywood shootings during peace time. Famous song of Jai Jai shiv Shankar has been shot here.

Yusumarg

Yusumarg is called another Gulmarg due to its many meadows. Its certainly unfair to Yusumarg to call it an alternative to Gulmarg. In many ways, its more beautiful that Gulmarg and with surrounding meadows, flora & fauna adding a swiss touch to its terrain. Another beautiful meadow Doodh-e-pathri and waterfalls of Aharbal can be covered as excursions.

Gurez

The valley of Gurez has opened up in recent years to tourism. Due to its proximity to Pakistan border, there are many restrictions / permits to be attained to visit Gurez and further villages of Tulail, Budgam & Chakwali. Its probably the most beautiful valley in all of Kashmir and well worth all the efforts reach there. Accommodation is very limited and services of a knowledgeable Travel Tour operator is highly recommended.

Activities & Adventure Sports that can be undertaken:
Horse riding
Paragliding
City Walks
Mountain cycling
Shikara Boat ride
Bird watching
Trout fishing
Golfing, etc.

 

For Kashmir Houseboat Tourism, click Below:

Kashmir Houseboat

 

Hotels

With so much beauty in kashmir, your stay promises to be memorable for the hospitality & conveniences that kashmiris afford to you. Though not many new hotels have come up, there is no dearth of existing Hotels to accommodate the huge sway of tourist that come up every year. Most of the Hotels are being refurbished expecting a very promising environment like the last 5 years. Besides Hotels, the most attractive and exotic stay are probably the Houseboats at Dal Lake or Nagin Lake. Another source of Accommodation in the valley are JKTDC (Govt owned) Huts. All of them are located in breathtaking locations, some of the best in India offering a serene and enriching stay.

Hotels in Kashmir
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Click on the Links below for Hotel details:
JKTDC Huts
Hotel Al Mehar
Holiday Plaza Kashmir
Hotel Royale Jannat
Hotel Brown Palace
Swiss Hotel Kashmir