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Kashmir Travel
Kashmir - Kashmir also known as switzerland of the east because of its natural beauty and land of cherry blossoms and saffron fields, of sparkling rivers and serene lakes, of stunning gardens and stately chinar trees, of flowering meadows and snow-capped peaks. Kashmir is the most famous tourist destination of the india which offers so many attractions such as lakes, monasteries, pilgrimages of kashmir, wildlife of kashmir and many other things. It is said that a visit to Kashmir divides your life into two parts - before and after Kashmir. For indeed, once you visit this enchanted
land, you are never quite the same again.
The principal region in Jammu
& Kashmir, the Valley of Kashmir is enclosed by the high snow-capped
ridges of the Himalayan range in the east and the Pir Panjal range in the west
and south. The swift-flowing Jhelum river sweeps past Srinagar and coils its
way across the valley. Orchards of walnuts, almonds, apples, peaches, apricots
and pears abound. Kashmir's beauty never fades - it only changes from the
radiant white of winter, through the clarity of spring, the cool green of
summer and the fiery colours of autumn.
The beauty of this fertile
valley has attracted people from all over the world for centuries. From Emperor
Ashoka who ruled in the 3rd century BC leaving behind a stamp of Buddhism, to
Hindu rule in the 6th century under Vikramaditya of Ujjain, to annexation by
the Mughals in 1568 - the land has seen it all. The Mughals left behind their
legacy of beautifully laid out, terraced gardens which are maintained to this
day.
Winter temperatures are as low as in the Scandinavian countries and
there is no central heating. So the Kashmir! devised his own - the
'Kangri', a clay pot filled with burning charcoal and held close to the
body, under the long, flowing, woollen, tent-like gown called 'phiren'.
Dried fruit, 'chilgoza' and endless cups of 'kahva'- a rich almond and
saffron tea, are some of their other central heating devices! (Chilgoza is the
edible seed of the Chilgoza Pine whose cones can be up to 20 cms long and 11
cms wide - the largest cones in the sub-continent).
The Kashmiris have
an innate love for their rivers, lakes and springs which dot the land. Even the
youngest member of the family may be seen plying the 'shikara' (a graceful,
long canoe) across the lake. While the Jhelum is a primary source of
sustenance, the picturesque Lidder River is famous for the Kashmir!
brown and rainbow trout. A little out of Srinagar, in a spectacular setting
amidst snow-capped mountains, lies one of the smallest but prettiest lakes in
the valley, the Manasbal Lake. Further north-west, with a serene, silky
beauty, is Wular Lake, India's largest freshwater lake.
 Kashmir's
arts and crafts are part of an age-old, ongoing tradition developed and
practised by its people for over 500 years, and passed down from father to son
and grandson. Today, handicrafts are a major source of income as they
are exported all over the world. A strong Persian influence, painstaking labour
and the Kashmiri's love of life and nature are reflected in the rare perfection
of their handicrafts - beautifully patterned, finely woven silk or woollen
carpets, pashmina shawls, exquisite papier-mache products, wood carvings and
embroidery in wool and silk.
The embroiderers are famous for their
patience and delicate hands which swiftly ply millions of finely enlaced
stitches into intricate patterns. The finished products - whether shawls,
scarves or floor coverings - are true works of art. The Chinar leaf motif, so
close to their daily life, is seen repeated in a variety of
patterns.
You cannot go to Kashmir and not bring back a carpet. If you
like you can order one of your own design and come back even a year later to collect it.
Major tourist places in Kashmir have fairly good transport infrastructures with compatible road, rail, and air links. Some of the places are not connected during the winters because of heavy rain and snowfall. You can find domestic air ticketing and A/C or Non A/C cars with chauffeur for visiting and exploring Kashmir.
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