Kashmir: An experience, a feeling.
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| Incredible beauty of Kashmir |
Dear friends, I thank you very much for the love and encouragement you have given to my articles. I wrote articles on some special topics of my interest, and also shared my personal experiences with you, hope you enjoy it.
Today I have appeared before you with the intention of sharing one more beautiful experience of mine. The name of that beautiful experience is Kashmir .
I have written this article in Hindi as well.
हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए क्लिक करें।
Kashmir: Paradise on Earth
There are two types of people in the world, those who have gone to Kashmir, and those who want to go to Kashmir, although those who have gone to Kashmir also want to go back to Kashmir. Kashmir is that precious crown on the head of India which is studded with rare gems. The skill to describe its beauty is beyond the capacity of a common man like me. Perhaps that is why the difficult task of describing the beauty of Kashmir was possible only through poets and Sufis.
About 700 years ago, famous Sufi poet Amir Khusro had said while describing the beauty of Kashmir -
Gar firdaus bar rue zami ast,
Hami asto, hami asto, hami ast.
(If there is a heaven on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here)
When Jahangir visited the valley of Kashmir, he too could not stop himself from reciting this poem in praise of the heaven on earth.
According to modern historians, even after his resurrection, Jesus Christ had spent a large part of his life after leaving Jerusalem on a preaching tour and eventually coming to Kashmir.
(For detailed information, read "Jesus Lived in India: His Unknown Life Before and After the Crucifixion" by Holger Kersten, link here )
I have had the opportunity to visit Kashmir several times, which I am narrating to you.
First Chance
I got the first opportunity to visit Kashmir in April 2005, when I went on a pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi with my elder brother and elder sister. Then about 32 people including us went on this trip.
After the supernatural darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi, the thought was going on that where to go from here, because as per the predetermined plan, we were about to go to Manali. But when I went there to book the bus, I saw that the bus to Srinagar was also available there. After some discussion, it was decided by the majority that all of us would go on a trip to Kashmir. I was very excited.
The next day around 12 noon we left for Kashmir by bus. After a difficult but beautiful journey of 11 hours, we reached Srinagar. We relished the famous Rajma Chawal at Ramban, an intermediate place. Tired we reached our hotel.
Day 1: Srinagar
The next day we visited the famous Mughal Gardens in Srinagar. Filled with beautiful gardens, Srinagar really looked like a paradise. We visited Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Chashma Shahi and Tulip Garden.
Apart from this, we also did Shikara boating in Dal Lake, which was an unforgettable experience. After roaming around the whole day, we returned to our hotel in the evening and rested. I was thrilled to see the unique beauty of Srinagar and I started waiting for the next day. The atmosphere was a bit dangerous and creepy, but everything seemed good in the excitement.
Day 2: Gulmarg
Next day we had to go to Gulmarg. It was a wonderful pleasure to climb the highest mountain covered with snow from the world's highest Gondola (Udan Khatola) 🚡. After enjoying the snow to the fullest, we returned to Srinagar at night.
Day 3: Pahalgam
Next day we had to go to Pahalgam. The way there was very beautiful. Seeing the valleys there, my eyes remained open. Although there was arrangement to go up the mountain, but being part of a very large group, we could not go up to Betaab Valley etc.
But the trip we made to Kashmir was mesmerizing. It was quite exciting to travel in such a large group. However, an unfortunate incident took place in that journey due to which we will always remember that journey. At that time we did not have a digital camera but a simple camera. All of us took many pictures, but when we returned to Banaras and gave those pictures to be photographed, it was found that its roll was spoiled, and not even a single picture could be found. My heart was very upset, because we had captured the paradise of Kashmir in those pictures, but now it seems, without pictures, we remember those moments with more intensity.
Second Chance
After this, in the month of April 2010, we got the opportunity to go to Kashmir for the second time. A few days after our marriage, my wife Swati and I went to visit Mata Vaishnodevi. After darshan we again left for Srinagar. I had been to Kashmir before, but this was Swati's first time.
Once again in Ramban, we had Rajma Chawal and took beautiful pictures in front of the Baglihar Dam built on the Chenab river next to it. She was amazed to see the beauty of the Himalayan valleys all along the way. I told them that this is what you are finding beautiful now, when you will see the beauty of Kashmir, it will all look ordinary.
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| my picture in front of baglihar dam |
Day 1: Srinagar
On the first day we both went to the Mughal Gardens which included Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Chashma Shahi (where I had visited earlier).
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| Shalimar Gardens Waterfalls |
The waterfalls of Shalimar Bagh were mesmerizing, while the view of Dal Lake from Nishat Bagh was unforgettable. While there we enjoyed Kulfi Faluda.
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| Nishat Bagh |
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| View of Dal Lake from Nishat Bagh |
Chashma Shahi is a natural source of cold water, seeing which we were delighted. The soul revived after spending time in the garden spread around it . It was a different world away from the hustle and bustle of the city, which had a relaxed feel .
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| Chashma Shahi |
Then we went to a new place called Pari Mahal. According to the name, it really looked like a palace of fairies. Once upon a time, Mughal prince Dara Shikoh used to live there.
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| Beautiful Than Heaven: Pari Mahal |
We were mesmerized to see the beautiful garden palace surrounded by those mountains. It was hard to believe that such beautiful views exist on this earth. The clouds spread over the mountain were visible just at a hand's distance. The atmosphere was heavenly making us feel as if we had come to a fairyland situated in the sky.
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| Enchanting Tulip Garden |
After this we also went to the Tulip Garden which was full of colorful flowers. Surrounded by beautiful colorful flowers, Swati was looking like a fairy.
Then we enjoyed the wonderful experience of Shikara boating in Dal Lake.
Day 2: Gulmarg
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| Breathtaking view of the mountains of Gulmarg |
The next morning we both left for Gulmarg early in the morning. Both of us were getting very excited on seeing the mountains of Pir Panjal mountain range visible from a distance on the way.
We were feeling fortunate to see that beautiful sight. We also drank Kahwa in the local market there . After spending a long time there, we returned to Srinagar.
Day 3: Pahalgam
Next morning we left for Pahalgam. Last time I had returned after seeing Pahalgam from below, so this time I had thought that I would definitely see Betaab Valley from above. After going there, both of us went to Betaab Valley by horse.
On reaching there, the wonderful sight that was seen was beyond belief. The endless grasslands surrounded by the high mountains were giving the feel of heaven on earth. Such a beautiful form of nature can hardly be seen anywhere.
Thus ended my second visit to Kashmir.
third chance
I got the privilege of visiting Kashmir for the third time in October 2018. Even then I, Swati and our daughter Jahnavi went to visit Mata Vaishnodevi. After the wonderful darshan of Mata, we reached Srinagar by flight.
Day 1: Srinagar
On the first day we went for local sightseeing of Srinagar.
First we went to the Botanical Garden, which we hadn't been to before. I wondered why I had never come to such a beautiful place, despite having been here twice in the past.
That garden was very beautiful and huge. Jahnavi had a lot of fun there.
I still remember those precious moments of peace with my family. The charming garden situated in the lap of nature seemed to give us a new life. Due to autumn, Swati found the trees full of orange leaves very beautiful.
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| Shalimar Bagh |
From there we once again went to Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh . There is also Jahnavi and we had a lot of fun and took pictures .
Then we did Shikara boating in the famous Dal Lake of Srinagar. Despite coming for the third time, experiencing the beauty of Kashmir was as enthralling as the first time. The beauty of Kashmir is untouched which makes it unique.
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| Jahnavi in traditional Kashmiri attire |
Day 2: Gulmarg
The next day I went to Gulmarg for the third time, but this time the view of Gulmarg was very different. There was very little snow in October, but snow was found at the top of the Afarwat and icy winds were also found.
The cold made the body stiff, but the pure icy air was very pleasant. After spending the day in Gulmarg, we returned to Srinagar in the evening.
Day 3: Son Marg
Next day we decided to go to Sonamarg. The road to Sonamarg was very beautiful.
At one point we saw a small shallow water lake where no one was there. The absence of anyone in such a beautiful place seemed very strange. We stayed there for a while and kept getting giddy after finding ourselves in the company of nature. Taking photographs for memory, we headed towards Sonamarg.
After reaching Sonamarg, we took horses and sitting on them we went to Thajawas Glacier, the main attraction there.
There I went a long way on foot, and reached near the glacier covered with white snow in front of me.
Then I saw that a snowstorm was heading towards us from the front. I immediately returned to my family, and we started back on horseback. Soon the snowstorm reached us, and Jahnavi saw snow fall for the first time. Another memorable chapter has been added to the series of panoramic views of Kashmir. Sonamarg is definitely a very beautiful place, and we all were very happy to be there.
Day 4: Dudhpathri
The next day we thought that instead of going anywhere today, we should rest in the hotel itself. When I told this to my driver, he said that when you have come here and have one more chance to visit, then what is the use of sitting in the hotel, I will take you to a new place where very few people have gone. After thinking a little, we left. We were on our way passing through very strange streets and lanes. I was a little apprehensive as to where we were going, because there were neither beautiful valleys nor high mountains in sight.
After a long journey, we reached a place known as Doodhpathri. There were endless fields of grass and an icy river flowed by. It started snowing as soon as we reached there, which made the weather even more pleasant. The icy river was falling on the stones like a waterfall from a height, due to which the water was turning white like milk, due to which the place was named Doodhpathri. Jahnavi ran herself and had fun in the open fields. Overall, the decision to go to Doodhpathri following the advice of the driver proved successful.
Returning to Srinagar from there, my mind was happy and satisfied that this journey was successful. Next day we returned with another beautiful memory of Kashmir in our mind.
Looking at the white hills of the Himalayas visible from the window of the aeroplane, it once again confirmed in my mind that this is not our goodbye to Kashmir but a vow to return again.
Kashmir: A Brief Description
During my three visits to Kashmir, I saw many attractions there which are as follows:
- Botanical Garden
- Shalimar Bagh
- Nishat Bagh
- Pari Mahal
- Chashma Shahi
- Tulip Garden
- Dal Lake
- Shankaracharya
- Gulmarg
- Sonamarg
- Pahalgam
- Doodh Pathri
- Nigeen Lake
- Lal Chowk
- Apple Orchards
- Srinagar Airport (very beautiful)
Getting lost in the beauty of Kashmir, every time we realized how lucky we are to have such a beautiful place in our country. Those who do not get tired of reading praises of the beauty of Switzerland, if they see the unique view of Kashmir once, they will realize that if there is heaven on this earth then it is here.
After visiting Kashmir, whenever I think of going somewhere else, my mind starts asking that if I have to go somewhere then why not go to Kashmir. Even now the mind wants to see that paradise more closely. There are still many beautiful sights which these eyes have not seen. I want to see Wular Lake closely once. Now I want to touch the heights of Leh Ladakh.
Whenever one thinks about Kashmir, it seems that a poet's ghazal has taken a concrete form. As if a traveler suddenly saw heaven while walking on the earth. Even after telling so much about Kashmir, I can definitely say that "no description can be perfect enough to capture the beauty of Kashmir" . Seeing this unique gem of the earth, the heart wants to repeat that poem of Khusro, a rich man like Jahangir:
Gar firdaus bar rue zami ast,
Hami asto, hami asto, hami ast.
Important facts related to Kashmir
The name of Kashmir is known as Saptarshi Maharishi Kashyap. And the first king of Kashmir was also Maharishi Kashyap. He had made the Kashmir of his dreams. Kashmir is the northern geographical region of Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir is a Muslim-majority region. In 1846, following the Sikh defeat in the First Anglo-Sikh War, and the purchase of the territory from the British under the Treaty of Amritsar, Gulab Singh, the Raja of Jammu, became the new ruler of Kashmir. His descendants ruled under the paramountcy of the British Crown until the partition of India in 1947. The former princely state of the British Indian Empire became a disputed territory, which is now administered by three countries: India, Pakistan and China.
History
Archaeological excavations at the Burzahom archaeological site (located 16 kilometers (9.9 mi) northwest of Srinagar) have revealed four phases of cultural significance between 3,000 BCE and 1,000 BCE. Periods I and II represent the Neolithic age; Period ELI Megalithic Age (massive stone mensher and wheel turned red pottery); and Period IV belongs to the early historical period (post-megalithic period). In ancient times, Kashmir has been the cradle of Hindu and Buddhist cultures. It is believed that Goddess Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva used to live here and at that time this valley was completely covered with water. A demon snake also lived here. Which was defeated by the Vedic sage Kashyap and Goddess Sati together and most of the water flowed through the Vitasta (Jhelum) river. This is how this place got its name from Satisar to Kashmir. A more plausible version is that its original name was Kashyapamar (or the lake of turtles). From this the name Kashmir came out.
A good history of Kashmir comes from Kalhana's book Rajatarangini (and from other later writers). In ancient times, there was the rule of Hindu Arya kings.
Kashmir became the main center of Buddhism and culture during the time of Maurya Emperor Ashoka and Kushan Emperor Kanishka. In the pre-medieval era, the Chakravarti emperor Lalitaditya had established a huge empire here. Kashmir was a famous center of Sanskrit learning.
Kashmir Shaivism was also born and flourished here. Patanjali, Durdhabal, Vasugupta, Anandvardhan, Abhinavagupta, Kalhana, Kshemraj etc. are among the great sages here. It is believed that Vishnudharmottara Purana and Yoga Vasistha were written here.
Current status and political division
India controls about half of the territory of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, including Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, while Pakistan controls a third of the territory, which is divided into two de facto provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The state, parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are administered by India as Union Territories with effect from 5 August 2019, following the revocation of the state's limited autonomy and bifurcation.
The eastern region of the former princely state of Kashmir is also involved in a border dispute, which began in the late 19th century and has continued into the 21st century. Although some boundary agreements were signed between Great Britain, Afghanistan and Russia on the northern borders of Kashmir, China never accepted these agreements and China's official position did not change after the Communist Revolution of 1949, which created the People's Republic of China. of China was established. By the mid-1950s, the Chinese army had entered the north-eastern part of Ladakh.
The region is divided in a territorial dispute between three countries: Pakistan controls the northwestern part (Northern Territories and Kashmir), India controls the central and southern part (Jammu and Kashmir) and Ladakh, and the People's Republic of China controls the northeastern part. Aksai Chin and the Trans-Karakoram Tract). India controls most of the Siachen Glacier area, including the Saltoro Ridge Pass, while Pakistan controls the low-lying area southwest of the Saltoro Ridge. India controls 101,338 km (39,127 sq mi) of disputed territory, Pakistan controls 85,846 km (33,145 sq mi), and the People's Republic of China the remaining 37,555 km (14,500 sq mi). controls.
Jammu and Azad Kashmir lie outside the Pir Panjal range, and are under Indian and Pakistani control, respectively. These are populated areas. Gilgit-Baltistan, formerly known as the Northern Territory, is a group of territories in the extreme north, bounded by the Karakoram, Western Himalayas, Pamir and Hindu Kush ranges. With its administrative center in the city of Gilgit, the Northern Territories cover an area of 72,971 square kilometers (7.8545×1011 sq ft) and have an estimated population of 1 million (1 million).
Ladakh lies between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Great Himalayas in the south. The capital cities of the region are Leh and Kargil. It is under Indian administration and was part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir until 2019. It is one of the most populous areas in the region and is mainly inhabited by people of Indo-European and Tibetan origin. Aksai Chin is a vast high-altitude salt desert that reaches elevations of up to 5,000 m (16,000 ft). Geologically part of the Tibetan Plateau, Aksai Chin is known as the Soda Plain. The area is almost uninhabited, and has no permanent settlements.
Although these areas are administered by their respective claimants, neither India nor Pakistan has formally recognized the use of the areas claimed by the other. India claims areas that were "ceded" to China by Pakistan in 1963 in the Trans-Karakoram Tract as a part of its territory, while Pakistan claims the entire region except for Aksai Chin and the Trans-Karakoram Tract. claims that. The two countries have fought several declared wars over the region. The Indo-Pak War of 1947 established today's rough borders, with Pakistan holding one-third of Kashmir, and India one-half, along the Line of Control established by the United Nations. The Indo-Pak War of 1965 resulted in a stalemate and a United Nations ceasefire.
1. Kashyapamar turtle lake, the real name of Jammu and Kashmir, became Kashmir by its name.
2. Mata Vaishnodevi and Amarnath cave, the main pilgrimage places of Hindus, are located in Jammu and Kashmir only.
3. Let us tell you that if a girl from Jammu and Kashmir marries an Indian, then her citizenship of Jammu and Kashmir is abolished and if she marries a boy from Pakistan, then citizenship of Pakistan is also obtained.
4. Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir is the largest in the state and the second largest district in India after Kutch in Gujarat.
5. Kahwa is the main drink of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The people here consume liquor.
6. The Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir had signed the Instrument of Accession for permanent accession to India and Governor General Mountbatten had given his approval on the Instrument of Accession to India on 27th August.
7. Under Article 370, people living in Jammu and Kashmir have got dual citizenship, which includes people from Jammu and Kashmir and other Indians.
8. India's longest road tunnel is 11km long in Jammu and Kashmir which is also known as Chinani and Nursery tunnel.
9. Jammu and Kashmir is divided into three groups, Hindus in Jammu and Muslims in the valley and Buddhist population in the northern part of Ladakh.
10. Under Article 370, no law of the Government of India can be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir without the permission of the State Government. Now this section has been abolished.
11. Saffron and walnut are cultivated in Jammu and Kashmir which is very famous.
12. The capital of Jammu and Kashmir is Srinagar, its area is 167 km.
13. Jammu and Kashmir is surrounded by China and Afghanistan in the north, and Himachal and Punjab in the south.
14. Jammu and Kashmir has an area of 2,22,236 square kilometers whose main languages are Urdu, Ladakhi, Dogri, Kashmiri Paharia etc.
15. Pashmina shawls are mostly produced in Jammu and Kashmir only.
16. K2 is the second highest peak in the world which is located in POK.
How to reach
By Road - Srinagar is connected to the rest of the country by road. You can also go to Srinagar by your own car and can also be reached via bus. There are direct bus services to Srinagar from many cities of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana. Apart from this, there is a direct bus service from almost every major city of Jammu to Srinagar. Buses also ply from Leh and Katra to Srinagar. Srinagar is 814 km from Delhi, 566 km from Chandigarh, 266 km from Jammu and 418 km from Leh. If you are going to Srinagar by road then you will have to go via Jammu.Before going to Srinagar, know about the road thoroughly and leave for Srinagar only after seeing the weather, because due to snowfall during winter, the Srinagar highway is closed many times, due to which Srinagar is cut off from the rest of the country. The road is opened only after the snow is removed.
Advantages of road route- It takes more time to go by road, but the natural beauty found on the way removes all the tiredness. You will not be able to enjoy such natural beauty by air.
By Rail - There is no direct rail line till Srinagar. The nearest railway station from Srinagar is Udhampur or Jammu Tawi Railway Station. There are many direct trains going to Jammu Tawi and Udhampur. Jammu Tawi is connected to almost every major city of the country. You will not have any problem in reaching here. By getting down at Jammu Tawi railway station, you can take a bus or taxi till Srinagar or you can also take a flight from Jammu airport. Direct train services are available from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore to Jammu Tawi.
Benefits of going by rail- By rail you can reach Jammu or Udhampur only. There is no feeling of much tiredness in the train and between Udhampur and Jammu you will also get to see many unique samples of engineering made by the railways. Only 200 kms remain from Udhampur to Srinagar.
Air – This is a bit expensive way to reach Srinagar but it is also the best way. Direct flights are available from almost every major city of India to Srinagar. It takes around 1.25-1.45 hours to reach Srinagar from Delhi by air. Also the ship takes 2.30-3 hours to reach Srinagar from Mumbai and almost the same time from Bangalore. Direct flights to Srinagar are also available from Chandigarh and other cities of the country.
Benefits of going by plane- Going by plane saves your time and there is no problem on the way.
Important Tips- If you are planning to go to Srinagar by air in winter, then definitely take information about the weather. Because many times due to snowfall, flights in Srinagar airport take off late or sometimes the flight is also cancelled.
Map of Srinagar:
