Jammu & Kashmir
1-5-2016 to 10-5-2016
It all began on the 1st
of May, 2016 in the morning hours at 5 am when we boarded our flight from Pune
Airport for Jammu via New Delhi. At 42 Degrees Celsius we were not really sure
if we would be able to experience great weather conditions in the state of
Jammu & Kashmir.
Day 1 & Day 2
Jammu & Katra
The moment we landed at Jammu
Airport we directly started for Katra in the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. After
a wonderful evening walk at Katra in the evening we had a sound sleep at Hotel
Dolphin. Had a sound sleep with a power packed morning heading straight to the
Helipad for the Chopper for a divine blessing and Darshan at Maata Vaishno
Devi.
Luck being in our favour it was
pure destiny that we got a chance to be near the main idols for more than 40
seconds. Thanks to a Gupta Family from Delhi for making some quick Jugaad with
the Panditji. With a quick darshan and Prasad at Vaishno Devi we were back at
the hotel for a lovely evening free for shopping and local massage.
Day 3
Srinagar
The next day we were all set to
fly for Srinagar from Jammu Airport.
Ready with our driver at the
airport we checked in straight into Ghat No. 18 at Dal Lake where we were
welcomes by the Locals in the traditional Kashmiri way with the Shikara “Tareeq
Palace” at our command.
Had a drive through the Shikara
we checked in to our House Boat – Hotel New Texas by Mr. Khankashi . Had one of
the most different and once in a lifetime experience at the House Boat with shop
owners coming from all the sides in our House Boat to sell something or the
other from vegetables to clothes to Kashmiri Kahawa to beautiful traditional
jewellery and Kashmiri antiques.
It was quite a memorable
experience wherein you do not go to the shop but the shop and the shop owners
come to you to sell everything in Dal Lake. An experience that is one of a kind
wherein we were welcomed by sweet Kashmiri people with utmost humbleness that
is very rare to be seen in any other state. Right after a refreshing cup of Kashmiri
Tea – Kahawa we headed straight by the Shikara towards Ghat No 18 and thereafter
in an Innova for local sightseeing in Kashmir.
Covered the humongous and mesmerising Moghul Gardens. Started
with Chasma Shahi – the Natural Royal Spring, visited Shalimar Gardens, Mughal
Gardens: Nishat Garden & Shalimar Garden, situated on Eastern shore of Dal
Lake; Nishat-The Garden of Pleasure, Shalimar-The Abode of Love. Mughal
Emperors spent most of the summer times in these Garden and if idea of paradise
had any meaning, it is here. Visited Pari Mahal from where you get a view of
some very interesting places around the Lake. Viewed Shankaracharya Temple-Lord
Shiva Temple, which commands one of the magnificent view of Srinagar city and
the Dal Lake.
Had a magnificent City Tour of Srinagar and we resorted back
to our House Boat through the same Shikara – “Tareeq Palace” by a lovely
Kashmiri named Tareeq. Had a beautiful ride in the moonlight at Dal Lake at
Srinagar, it was another romantic experience gazing at the stars with serene
sounds of the waters. After a beautiful 2 hour ride in the waters of Dal we
headed straight back to the house boat for a peaceful sleep. It was raining
heavily the whole night and we also witnessed a cold breeze in the morning and
the height of the House Boat a few inches higher.
Day 4 Day 5
Gulmarg
Completing our Check out from the House Boat – New Texas
House Boat at Dal Lake we had another 2 hour Shikara Ride in the early morning
hours with lovely photos been clicked in Traditional Kashmiri style by
professional photographers. Having another cup of tea we left non-stop for
Gulmarg in Baramullah District in Kashmir.
Known for its Snow around the year and legendary for the
highest Gandola Cable Car Ride in Asia we had a check in at Hotel Hill Top
which was right besides the Snow Ring, diagonally opposite to Gulmarg Golf
Course and bang adjacent to the Ice - Snow Ring of Gulmarg where international
athletes come every year for International Ice-Skating Competitions.
After a cosy sleep and a market walk had a sound deep sleep
in the Hotel at Day 4.
Early morning hours of Day 5 we were welcome by our guide
Irshad, ready with our tickets for the Gandola Cable Car. Had a beautiful
experience and a feeling of being on Top of The World were at
Minus 3 Degrees Celsius at 10000 + feet above sea level.
Mountains covered in lush snow and huge Pine Trees &
Chinar Trees. It was a beautiful experience to see everything so different all
of a sudden. Well escorted by our guide Irshad we thoroughly enjoyed Skiing for
more than 2 hours with our respective trainers and we were proud to clear a
check list of some of those few things to be done in this life time i.e. “Solo-
Skiing”. We were well trained to handle ourselves and ride by now.
Enjoyed Sledging and also enjoyed everyone covered in snow fall,
hail and rains all over. Experienced camp fire at 10,000 feet and also tea and
Maggie. What an Experience it was with our cameras showing zero co-operation to
Turn On. All Wet in Snow and Heavy Rains. Now we were nervous how to capture
the rest of the memories.
That was when we returned back to our rooms and dissembled
the entire and keeping the camera and the set of lenses in the rooms to be
heated.
After 5 hours when we returned from the market after our
dinner and shopping we were finally able to take a sigh of relief to see our
camera come to life and taking same good pictures all over again.
It was one beautiful day worth all the fun and adventure.
Day 6 &
7
Pahalgam
It was 10 am and right after our breakfast we started for
Pahalgam, 200 kms from Gulmarg.
On the way to Pahalgam we took an halt at the very famous
Arts and Crafts Emporium, Kashmir owned by Mohammed Rafiq, the same guy who
take more than 3.5 years for the Pashmina Shawls that are sold at prices over
20 Lakh to famous celebrities like Amitabh Bachhan, Jaya Bachhan, Aishwarya Rai
Bachhan, Brad Pitt, Anjelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, etc.
It was a very good feeling to shop from here and feel like a
celebrity for a moment. J
Far straight we took couple of halts on the way towards a Bat
Factory where the world famous Willow Bats are made of Willow Trees.
We also visited Apple Orchids on the way and saw beautiful
world famous Saffron – Kesar Fields spread over kilometres that are exported
globally and have a reputation of being the Best Saffron in the world.
On the way to the beautiful district in Anantnag, we saw
famous shooting points where popular movies like Haider, Bajrangi Bhaijaan were
filmed drastically.
The town of Pahalgam (Village of Shepherds) offers breath
taking views. Pahalgam is also the entry point for the famous Amarnath Cave.
One can enjoy water rafting on the way. Pahalgam is a picturesque hill station,
which makes up for a great holiday destination. The hill station of Pahalgam
offers breathtaking panoramic views of the beautiful Himalayan Ranges. Sheshnag
river flows with pure whiteness and can be seen throughout the routes of
Pahalgam that is flowing from the Valleys of Betaab. We had complete rest on
Day 6 in our room as we had a long journey from Gulmarg and were over full with
the breadth taking views all through the valleys in Pahalgam in Anantnag
District.
Day 7 started with hard negotiations with local Horsemen to
begin for the most awaited places being covered on Horses Viz:- Dabyan (World
wide known as Mini Switzerland), Pahalgam Valley, Kashmir Valley, Kanimarg. It
was one hell of a journey on the horses as the routes to the valleys were
literally breadth taking and heart stopping. We literally started chanting
prayers and remembering all our good days. The route with all fairness in
literal sense is Dangerous for the Common Man.
However, once we reached Dabyan (World wide known as Mini
Switzerland) were actually zapped looking at the beauty over there. It was
heaven. One could feel the Joy of Achievement once he reaches there after all
the rough roads. It was as if you are kissing the skies and hugging the pine
trees and kneeling before the Gods. It was a literal feeling of contentment.
After beautiful pictures of snow covered mountains surrounded
by Pine Trees and Deodhar Trees it was the feeling of Heaven. With white Sheep’s
all over, horses running all left free, Ladakhi Lambs and Pet Rabbits for
photography, it was actually a beautiful experience all of it at once.
Enjoyed this moment like never before. It was very nice to
get the child out of you.
The journey downwards was equally thrilling with all the
prayers starting all over again and remembering all our Gods.
Reaching ground safely we immediately had a our lunch at
Nathu’s Rasoi ( Delhi’s famous Franchisee) with yummy steamy sizzlers in the
cold weather at Pahalgam.
Right after an Hour we hired a Private Car and started for
Chandanwadi – the starting point of Amarnath Yatra. With Glaciers melting with
mud from all sides it was a beautiful experience to see the transformation turn
into cold waters. Had a quick hop skip and jump from Chandanwadi we had a next
stop at Aru Valley. Aru is a resort village, located at a distance of 11 km
from Pahalgam. Lying at an elevation of 2,408 m, this meadow leads to the
famous trek via Lidderwat, extending to Kolahoi Glaciers (36 km) at an altitude
of 3,400 meters. It is another scenic spot for Landscape Photography and a
treat for all the Honeymooners. A must stop for all and highly recommended for
every heart.
On the way from Aru we also had a stop at Betaab Valley. Betaab
Valley, situated just 7 km up on Pahalgam, has got its name from Sunny Deol’s
movie, Betaab, which was shot extensively in this area. Surrounded by
snow-covered mountain peaks and dense pine and deodar forests, this valley is
the mouth of River Sheshnag. A breadth taking stop for all Photography lovers.
Had a lovely with an over dose drug of beautiful sights all
over we ended our day at Pahalgam with sumptuous dinner at Nathu’s Rasoi with
proper Punjabi Food.
Day 8
Srinagar
It was a lovely stay, leisure and adventure at Pahalgam. We
started early morning right after our breakfast for Srinagar and en route had a
halt at our driver’s (Raju, aka Mohd. Raffiq) place in Pampore, some 17 odd
kilometres from Srinagar. This was one experience that touched our souls. It
was Mother’s Day and we were away from our family. The kind of hospitality we
were welcomed with couldn’t be matched with any Top Star Hotel in the World. Every
single member in the family greeted and welcomed us with a firm hand shake
personally. Every single member sat next to us and introduced us and them
gracefully:- From Children to Old Men . They served great vegetarian food and
also amazing Kashmiri delicacies.
We had the chance to stay just for an hour and so wised we
could stay for few days with them and understand the grand Kashmiri Culture and
Heritage that is always hidden by the media and Politicians. This was the real
taste of Kashmir that we witnessed. We were also escorted back till our car by
each and every single member of Raju’s family. They also gave us home grown
almonds as return gifts and Kashmiri Culture. This experience was beyond our
imagination and beyond our expectations. It literally brought tears to all our
eyes: Ours and Theirs.
We checked in to our hotel after the grand reception at
Raju’s house and we were dropped by at Hotel Royal Batoo in Srinagar.
After a beautiful lunch and with warm hearts we were
overwhelmed by the Kashmiri Culture by now. We again decided meet our new
friend and Shikhara Owner – Tarreq in his Shikhara “Tareeq Palace”. Enjoyed Dal
lake with some more shopping and the cold breeze it was a beautiful weather
back in Srinagar. Yet another pleasing Shikara Ride in Dal.
Had a sound sleep at Royal Batoo in Srinagar.
Day 9
Sonamarg & Srinagar
Checked out early morning for a long day to start for
Sonamarg from the Hotel.
Sonamarg is located at an average elevation of 2,740 m (9048
feet). Sonmarg or Sonamarg is a popular tourist destination situated at an
altitude of 2740 meters above sea level, 82 km north-east of Srinagar.
Sonamarg, which means ‘meadow of gold’, has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains
against a cerulean sky. The drive to Sonamarg is through yet another
spectacular facet of country side in Kashmir, and you will come across Sindh
Nallah. The Sindh nallah is the largest tributary of the Indus River in the
valley of Kashmir. The Sindh meanders along here and abounds with trout and mahseer,
snow trout can be caught in the main river.
Known for the home of the Thajiwas Glaciers, it is one of the
best places in Kashmir. The name Sonamarg comes from Sona which means Gold, and
Marg means Road. Road of the Shining White Gold. Abode of the famous Bollywood
movie shooting points like Heena, Satte Pe Satta, Seshnag, Ram Teri Ganga
Maili, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, etc, this surely is a visual indulgence.
Enjoyed snow games likes sledging with full speed in the
Frozen weather amidst the Thajiwas Glaciers at Minus 2 and Minus 3 Degrees
Celsius.
To sum it in words this was a pure Experience that cannot be
narrated in words.
After the lovely weather and beautiful snow covered mountains
we started for Hazratbal Masjid in Srinagar and offered our prayers in the
Mosque.
It was surely a defining experience and one that will always
be preserved in the treasures of one’s memories. Had a lovely tour of Jammu
& Kashmir in the last 9 days and one that will always keep us fresh and
alive for every traveller heading to J & K.
Day 10
Pune
We left for Srinagar Airport and started our journey back
home for Pune with all the memories frozen in our records that will never melt.
Kashmir is definitely a place to be visited, stayed and
enjoyed more often than once in one’s lifetime.
It is fully justified and true in full consent that Kashmir
is to be called the “#Jannat”, “#Heaven” on Earth.
Thank you.
-Pranay Oswal
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