A Delightful Holiday in Kashmir


21/12/2018
Gargi Banerjee*

I was in Kashmir along with my parents for ten days on a holiday in the year 2016 during the month of May. I thought it worth writing a blog about our impressions and the beauty of nature. I can never hope to describe like movies, poets, storytellers have shown and described the splendour of Kashmir. I will just say it’s one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I have travelled to many places throughout India but the beauty of Kashmir will always remain evergreen in my mind till my last breath. 
Pir Panjal Range
In Kashmir, we were in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Srinagar, Pahalgam and Patnitop. Gulmarg is called ‘snow clad Switzerland of India’ …Snow covered natural meadows mesmerized us. The town is situated in the Pir Panjal range of the western Himalayas. Blind valleys were new to me in Pahalgam. The beauty of Betab and Aaru valley was treat to our eyes. It offers an unforgettable horse ride trip up to the valley. 
Betab Valley

River Leader at Pahalgam
Sonamarg (The Meadow of Gold) is a district about 80 km. north-east of Srinagar. We enjoyed a lot at the Zero point Glacier. Skating, Sliding, playing with snow and enjoying the beauty made us happy. We saw the place where Kargil war had taken place. Apple tree is the center of attraction of Patnitop. Apples from here are exported throughout India and other places of the World.
Near Kargil

On the way to Sonamarg

Gulmarg
Srinagar’s Dal Lake, houseboats, shikaras, Mughal gardens are really amazing. As you go around Dal lake on shikara, you can buy flowers, fruits from other shikaras or you could go to houseboats to buy Kasmiri shawls and other. Each and every mughal garden is so maintained that you will be stunned with the colour of flowers and green grounds. Full of fountains and flowers resembles the luxuriousness the Mughals used to enjoy. There are massive Chinar trees. These gardens shall not be missed during the visit to Srinagar.

Verdant valleys, Chinars, white mountains make Kashmir as beautiful as promised.


* Honours Second Year, 2018

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