“GAR FIRDAUS BAR-RUE ZAMIN AST,
HAMI ASTO, HAMI ASTO,HAMIN AST.
The Mughal emperor Jahangir was so impressed by the beauty of Kashmir that he often used to say, if one has not visited this beautiful paradise, they are missing out on something worthwhile.
This time after Diwali we thought of going on a family trip, and as it was the start of the winter season and we all wanted to experience snowfall once in our lifetime so we planned a trip to Paradise which is Kashmir, fun fact that it is not my first time.
MY first trip to Kashmir was when i was only eight months old and airfare was just Rs 35, Imagine that!!! haa haa haa!!!
So after having lovely get-together on Diwali (without Crackers) and delicious Firni and besan ladoo made by Mother-in-law, we packed our stuff for next day early morning flight.
In the morning we had some rough time with Uber so had to book other two cabs with Ola, it was a humble and clear ride to the airport.
We booked our tickets with Vistara, and I was quite excited about it, as was traveling with this particular airlines for the first time, but was little disappointed to see leg space was not enough and even food was not upto to the mark..(It’s ok we had home cooked Paneer sandwich)
Anyways we reached Kashmir in one and half hrs, and we were able to see beautiful mountains covered with snow from our windows.
We reached Reserve bank holiday home in the afternoon as my Father-in-law use to work in the same bank. For lunch we had the most yummiest kashmiri pulav of our lives. Caretakers were so good and humble and their hospitality was beyond measures.
After lunch we tried traditional hot drink ‘kehwa’ with crushed almond chunks in it, it’s a popular post meal beverage. You can smell the amazing fragrance of saffron strands, cinnamon bark, cinnamon pods and occasionally added kashmiri roses.
So we started Kashmir visit from Mughal garden, which is situated along Dal Lake. It was laid in 1619 by Mughal emperor Jahangir for his beautiful wife Nur Jahan. Divided into three terraced parts, this garden is lined with trails of chinar and carpeted with colourful flower beds. Exquisite arched niches called chini khanas form the highlight of this garden.
Chashme Shahi Garden is the smallest Mughal Garden but is equally picturesque and impressive as its counterparts. This garden earns fame for its natural springs of freshwater, and believe me it was purest form of water i have ever had in my life. We decided to take some of this water with us, but we soon realised that we didn’t have a water bottle on us. So my brother in law went to the local shop and bought a bottle of coke. We then had to finish that bottle of coke while braving the chilly winds on top of Chasme Shahi.
JUST IMAGINE!! drinking super chilled coke in snow clad mountains with the temperature being 2degrees.
Another fascinating attraction in Kashmir is the small wooden-carved boats called ‘Shikara’. You can find plenty of them on Dal Lake.
Usually colourful and decorated, a typical boat ride will take you on a journey across the lake, through the many houseboat shops situated on the lake and the shores. During the trip, other Shikaras will usually flock around your boat to sell local things like local costume jewellery, stones, flowers, kesar (saffron), etc.
Viewing the sunset over the Dal lake is another must-do in Srinagar.
Shankaracharya Temple as the name suggests is lord shiva’s temple. The name comes after a saint Shankaracharya, who visited the valley around 10 centuries ago to spread his philosophy of Vedanta. He was well known for popularising the worship of Lord Shiva in Jammu and Kashmir. Photography and any luggage is not permitted after a point. It is a wonderful panorama etched in our minds. This view made the Shankaracharya Temple one of our best experiences in Srinagar. Highly recommended.
Kheer Bhawani is a temple dedicated to the Goddess Kheer Bhavani (originally just Bhawani) constructed over a sacred spring. The worship of Kheer Bhawani is universal among the Hindus of Kashmir.
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.
It is the most important temple for the Kashmiri Hindus in Kashmir, known as the Kashmiri Pandits. Around the temple is an area covered with smooth and beautiful stones.
While most of the colours do not have any particular significance, the colour of the spring water changes occasionally. When black or darkish, it is believed to be an indication of inauspicious times for Kashmir.
The Hazratbal Shrine is a Muslim shrine in Hazratbal, Srinagar. It contains a relic, the Moi-e-Muqqadas, believed by many Muslims of Kashmir to be a hair of Muhammad. The name of the shrine comes from the Urdu word Hazrat, meaning “respected”, and the Kashmiri word bal, meaning “place”. Thus it means the place which is given high regards and is respected among the people.
Hazratbal’s special significance is derived from the fact that it houses a hair of the prophet Muhammad. This is displayed to the public on religious occasions, usually accompanied by fairs. Hazratbal is remarkable for being the only domed mosque in Srinagar.
Pari Mahal is seven terraced garden which was laid in mid-17th century by Dara Shikoh, eldest son of Shah Jahan. It has been referred by Dara Shikoh as a residential School of Sufism headed by his spiritual guide Akhun Mullah Shah, a Sufi saint.
Mughals always had a special place for Kashmir and many of Kashmir attractions have been built by them. This place is also one of them with amazing Sufi past and blissful natural beauty.
There are gardens full of blooming flowers on all levels of terraces.
Next day early morning we headed for Pehlgam aka mini Switzerland of India. it took us near about 2.30hrs one way. On the way you can see saffron fields (at Pampore) and apple garden. You can purchase authentic Kashmiri saffron from Pampore. Pony rides are available to a scenic meadow called Baisaran or ‘Mini Switzerland’ from city center and with full bargaining.
Pony rides are really interesting and fun, you are going to enjoy this for your entire life. We hired 5 ponies, one each for us and started off at a gentle pace. The pony attendants walked beside us guiding the animals.
These places are some of the most beautiful locales in Pahelgam but can be explored only on horseback. So aged people and those who are not capable to ride ponies will be deprived from such scenic places.
we moved on through the hilly trails and reached Pahelgam valley, a point from where the city can be viewed. Then we moved across streams, hilly terrain, boulders and reached a vast grassland called Baisaran or mini Switzerland.
The lush green grasslands fully covered with snow, lined with pine trees and mountains beyond, were a treat for the eyes.