Tourist Places of Jammu and Kashmir

It is not just tourists who flock to the Dal, avian visitors are attracted by its beauty as well. If you peep outside a houseboat window on a summer dawn, you might encounter the paradise flycatcher, the first feathered friend to break the silence of the dawn. The golden oriole with its melodious voice follows suit, as does the Tickell’s thrush. Simultaneously the ring dove can be heard stringing its harp and cooing the crescendo with the dove in repartee filling the morning breeze with melody and concord. As the day advances, other birds join in with their quota till the concert is in full swing.

Kashmir’s best-kept secret is that the valley is an ideal golfing destination. The Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar, considered one of the best in South Asia, recently played host to Ambassadors’ Cup. Rafael Conde, the Spanish ambassador, had heard about the valley, but said its beauty left him stunned. He has promised to come back and he will get others with him. In a way, a visit to the golf course in the valley has made him almost an unofficial ambassador of the beautiful state. His opinion was echoed by the others captivated with the 76-acre course which boasts natural forests and water bodies. Of course, Gulmarg boasts of the highest golf course in the world dating back to the days of the British Raj.

The Clubhouse, reminiscent of a Swiss chalet with its quaintly sloping roof, is a place with character and once magnanimously built a separate course for the women as they pestered their husbands at play. There is more to Gulmarg than golf. Remember Shammi Kapoor yodeling chahe koi junglee kahe to a merry Saira Banu? Or Shashi Kapoor wooing Nanda in Jab Jab Phool Khlle? These are just two of the exhaustive list of films enacted in the valley. At one time, this destination was such a Bollywood favorite that one road leading to the town was nicknamed Tonga Road for this was where the ardent hero wooed the heroine sitting astride a tonga. Romance aside, Gulmarg is great for skiing and other winter sports like shimmying down the snow on a snow scooter or tobogganing. If you read Calvin & Hobbes, you would know that this ingenious, impish cartoon character is obsessed with descending downhill on his toboggan. Something you can replicate on the slopes of these verdant slopes.

The romance of Sonamarg starts with the name itself, it means the Meadow of Gold. The drive from Srinagar is through the Sindh Valley which presents yet another spectacular facet of countryside in Kashmir. The Sindh River that meanders through the valley provides an angling opportunity as it abounds with trout and mahseer. This picturesque station is surrounded by snowy, alpine mountains. It is one of the best places to trek but if you would rather not put yourself through the ordeal there are robust ponies who will do the job for you. Sonamarg is just two hour away from Kargil and also is the base for undertaking the yatra to the holy Amarnath cave, during Sawa Purnima. Legend has it that Shiv recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in the Amarnathji cave. Unknown to ‘ them, a pair of mating pigeons eaves dropped on this conversation and having learned the secret, are reborn again and again have made the cave their eternal abode. Man pilgrims report seeing a pair of pigeons trek the arduous route to pay obeisance before the ice-Iingam.

Strange as this may seem, natural beauty is the least of Kashmir’s charms. Perhaps it’s the most obvious on which is why Kashmir has become a by word for beauty, but its lesser known facets - history, culture and people to name but a few are far more special, though no less wondrous than its breathtaking natural bounty.

Houseboats  

Many tourists are attracted to Srinagar by the charm of staying on a houseboat, which provides the unique experience of living on the water in a cedar-panelled elegant bed-room, with all the conveniences of a luxury hotel. Srinagar’s houseboats are moored along sections of the Dal and Nagin Lakes and river Jhelum, each decorated fancifully and named romantically and even whimsically. The well-known tourist sites in the city are Shankaracharya Temple atop the hill called Takht-e-Suleiman. Hari Parbat Fort, is another tourist spot highlight built in the 18^th century by an Afghan governor of Kashmir. On the hill are several famous places of worship: the temple of goddess Sharika, the shrine of Muslim saint Makhdoorn Sahib, and the historical Sikh Gurudwara Chatti Padshahi. Other attractions in Srinagar include Hazratbal mosque and the beautiful Mughal Gardens of Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh. and Chashma Shahi. You must sample wazwaan. It is Kashmir’s most formal meal. Hours of cooking and days of planning go into the making and serving of a wazwaan. The wazas or cooks pound the meat for hours. Guests seat themselves in groups of four and the choicest dish after dish is served, each aromatic with herbs and the fresh produce of the region.

Vaishnodevi

Tucked deep in the Trikuta Mountains of Jammu & Kashmir is the cave shrine of Vaishno Devi. Much revered by Hindus, the shrine finds mention in ancient texts like the vedas. Vaishno Devi is a bustling religious centre that draws pilgrims all through the year. The shrine is located just 61 km north of Jammu at a height of 5,200 feet. Devotees may trek to the pilgrimage tours of India from Katra. The path can also be traversed on a pony.

Midway to the shrine is the Adhkuwari temple, where the Goddess Vaishno is believed to be have spent nine months on her way to the mountains. Inside the 100-meter long cave, the shrine is narrow and pilgrims have to walk through a running stream of cold water called the Charan Ganga to get to the sanctum sanctorum. Within, three rock-cut idols of the goddesses, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati are venerated under canopies of silver and gold.

The yatra follows the path Vaishno Devi took when fleeing from Bhairon. Thousands of devotees make the climb daily to have darshan. It is believed that Vaishno Devi is the elder sister of the other seven Devi Matas (Kangra, iwalaji, Chamunda, Chintapurni, Naina and Mansa).

Patni Top

Bounded by dense forests of pine and cedar, Patnitop is easily the most picturesque hill stations of Jammu. Situated on a hilltop, it offers an excellent view of the stunning vistas of Chenab Gorge. It’s easy to walk around Patnitop - the weather is always pleasant and it is only a 5 km area. Chinar Garden, Picnic Spot and Skating Garden are the three must visit spots. Madha Top and Sanasar, a grassy meadow, called Mini Gulmarg, are a short drive away. 

Also visit the 6th century Nag temple and the Shudh Mahadev ka &Prasad which houses a holy trishul.  Mantalai is lovely with apple and orange groves. Lord Shiva is said to have married Parvati here. 

For more details:  North India Tours & Golden Triangle Tours India