भारत दर्शन (यात्रा विवरण)
बिष्णुपुर (बांकुरा) के प्राचीन मन्दिरों के दर्शन
A TRIP TO BISHNUPUR
I got an opportunity to visit Bishnupur on 2ND Jan.2010. It was a memorable and remarkable tour for me as well as for my family.Bishnpur or Vishnupr , a sub-divisional headquarters of Bankura district in west Bengal , is celebrated for a large number of beautiful temples , representing nearly all verities of structural forms of medieval Bengali temple architecture. In the days of its glory, Bishnupur was the capital of a large territory known as Mallabhum which comprised, besides the entire district of bankura an extensive area in the districts of Medinipur & Burdwan . This region still retains a wide reputation as a living centre of folk crafts and terracotta, metal,silk,cotton weaving and preserves a local style of classical music known as Bishnupur Gharaana.Walking along the banks of the large tanks known as "baandhs" , the visitors get a view of the magnificence of temples(built during15Th-16Th century ),some of which have beautiful carvings on their walls offering a glimpse of the terracotta art of Bengal at a very high state of attainment.It takes hardly two & half hours to reach Bishnupur from Durgapur by road . I would like to convey my gratitude to Mr. Satyajit Chatterjee, Scientist, NIC, Bankura for his kind co-operation, guidance and giving company to us through out the journey,to make it a successful tour.A TRIP TO BISHNUPUR
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धरती का स्वर्ग : कश्मीर की सैर ( A Trip to Jammu & Kashmir)
जून 2010 के प्रथम सप्ताह में छुट्टी यात्रा रियायत पर सपरिवार जम्मू कश्मीर जाने का सुयोग मिला। कई मायनों में यह एक अविस्मरणीय तथा सुखद अनुभव था । धरती के इस स्वर्ग को देखकर कोई भी व्यक्ति मंत्र मुग्ध हुए बिना नहीं रह सकता । हमारे देश और हमारी धरती का कम से कम यह कोना तो इस बात की गवाही देता है कि अब भी सब कुछ ख़त्म नहीं हुआ है और कोई एक मुफीद जगह इस जहाँ में अब भी है जहाँ दो पल के लिए आप अपनी ज़िंदगी को इत्मीनान और सुकून के साथ गुज़ार सकते हैं। गुलमर्ग की हसीन वादियों मे बर्फीले चट्टानों के बीच घूमते- फिरते मेघों को देखना और आसमान को मानो अपने हाथों से छू लेने का यह नायाब अवसर किसी भी इंसान को एक नया जीवन दे सकता है , सहसा यकीन नहीं होता कि जिन वादियों को देखकर इतना सुकून मिलता है वहाँ आतंक का बीज भी कोई बोने की सोच सकता है। कितना अभागा होगा वह जो स्वर्ग मे रहकर भी नरकीय जीवन की तलाश कर रहा है।
About Jammu :
Jammu, also known as Duggar, is one of the three administrative divisions within Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state in India. Jammu city is the largest city in Jammu and the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu City is also known as "City of Temples" as it has many temples and shrines, with glittering shikhars soaring into the sky, which dot the city’s skyline, creating the ambiance of a holy and peaceful Hindu city. Jammu is the only region in the state of Jammu and Kashmir that has a Hindu majority population - 65% of Jammu's population practices Hinduism, 30% practices Islam and most of the remainder are Sikhs. Most of Jammu's Hindus are Dogras, Kashmiri Pandits, migrants from Kotli and Mirpur and Punjabi Hindus. Many Sikhs are migrants from Pakistani Controlled Kashmir (from areas like Muzaffarabad and Punch sector areas occupied by Pakistan during 1947).
People of Jammu mostly speak Dogri, Poonchi, Gojri, Kotli, Mirpuri, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu.
If Bahu Mata is the presiding deity of Jammu, the dargah of Peer Budhan Ali Shah is the other shrine that protects Jammuites.
The other major religious places are:
Aap Shambhu Temple Sathrian-
situated at Sathrian in Roopnagar area of Jammu city. The stone temple has self-made stone Lingam. According to a legend, in the times immemorial this entire place was an uninhabited jungle, the milky cows and buffaloes used to come to the Lingam after grazing and shed entire milk on the Lingam.
Chichi Mata-
It is situated near Samba and is popularly known as Pehla Darshan of Vaishno Devi pilgrims.
Gadhadharji Temple-
Maharaja Gulab Singh also constructed a Gadhadhargi temple near his palace (Mubarak Mandi) soon after becoming the ruler of the State. The temple has two life size statues of Narayana and Lakshmi.
Mahamaya Temple and City Forest -
On the bypass Road, behind Bahu Fort, the city forest surrounds the ancient Mahamaya temple overlooking the river Tawi. A small garden surrounded by acres of woods provides the best view of the city.
Raghunath Temple -
Situated in the heart of the city and surrounded by a group of other temples, this temple, dedicated to Lord Rama, is outstanding and unique in northern India. Maharaja Gulab Singh, founder of the principality of Jammu and Kashmir, began the construction of the Raghunath Mandir Complex in the crowded downtown Bazaar named after it, in 1835 AD and was completed by his son, Maharaja Ranbir Singh, in 1860 AD. It consists of a cluster of temples and is the largest temple complex in northern India. Its inner sanctums contain gigantic statues of deities and numerous ‘lingams’. It contains representatives of almost the entire Hindu pantheon,though the emphasis falls on the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, which make it a rare site to behold. The complex houses a rich collection of ancient texts and manuscripts. The inner walls of the main temple are covered with gold sheet on three sides. There are many galleries with innumerable 'saligrams'. The surrounding temples are dedicated to various Hindu deities from the epic Ramayana.
Ranbireshwar Temple -
Located on Shalimar Road near the New Secretariat and built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1883 AD, this historic temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has one central 'lingam' measuring seven-and-a-half ft in height, twelve Shiva 'lingams' of crystal measuring from 15" to 38" and galleries with thousands of others carved on stone slabs.
Peer Khoh -
Peer Khoh is a cave shrine located on the Circular Road, 3.5 kms from the heart of the town. There is a naturally formed Shiva lingam in the cave which is quite mysterious as neither its antiquity nor its cause are known. Legend has it that the cave leads underground to many other cave shrines and even out of the country.
Peer Baba -
Behind the Civil Airport is the famous durgah of the Muslim saint, Peer Budhan Ali Shah. On Thursdays, Hindu and Sikh devotees who visit this shrine, vastly outnumber the Muslim devotees.
Sightseeing-
Amar Mahal Palace-
Amar Mahal, located in Jammu, is a palace depicting grandeur of an erstwhile era. It was constructed by a French architect for Raja Amar Singh, belonging to the Dogra dynasty. The architecture of this marvelous palace resembles the grand Chateaus of France. The beautiful palace of Amar Mahal is made of red sand stone which is a real visual treat. The scenic background of the place enhances the beauty of this palace manifolds. The stunning sight of River Tawi flowing below and the Shivaliks in the north will surely make your heart skip a beat or two. Dr. Karan Singh donated this palace to the charitable trust of Hari-Tara. At present, this trust is responsible for the maintenance of this palace. In fact, Amar Mahal Palace at present has been transformed into a museum. It also plays host to a well stocked library.
To reach Amar Mahal Palace, you can take auto rickshaws from anywhere in Jammu. These auto rickshaws will bring you to this place at a nominal cost. Minibuses also ply on this route. However, as they can not enter the palace premises, you will need to walk up to the palace.
Amar Mahal’s Art Galleries play patron to Indian art and artists. Showcasing an ethnic environment along with a gentle touch of modern art setting, the galleries display a wide range of paintings created in different styles. On one hand, the Indian miniature paintings of Kangra style will fascinate you. On the other, the current art-collection including works of celebrated artists like M.F. Hussain,G. R.Santosh, J.Swaminathan, Bikash Battacharjee, Laxman Pai and Ram Kumar will also give you a glimpse of the contemporary culture of India. The exhibits also consist of family sketches of the monarchs of Jammu and Kashmir in addition to some gorgeous Pahari paintings.
Bahu Fort-
Situated along the banks of river Tawi, the grand structure of Bahu Fort is possibly the oldest construction in Jammu. The magnificent waterfalls, green terraced gardens and blooming flowers inside this fort make it one of the most serene forts that you would have ever witnessed. Originally built by Raja Bahulochan about 3,000 years ago, this fort was later renovated and extended by Dogra rulers. 5 kms away from the central part of the city, Bahu Fort is positioned on the left bank of river Tawi.
The Bahu fort is quite renowned for Maha Kali temple, famous by the name of Bawey Wali Mata, positioned inside its premises. Bawey Wali Mata is the presiding Goddess of Jammu. The temple of Bawey Wali Mata was constructed in 1822, just after Maharaja Gulab Singh was coronated. It is often called the temple of Mahakali and the deity of this temple is regarded second only to Goddess Vaishno Devi if mystical power is taken into account. Every Sunday and Tuesday, a huge number of pilgrims come to this temple and take part in "Tawi flowing worship". In fact, this temple is one of the most esteemed temples of Goddess Kali in India.
Bagh e Bahu-
Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, having river Tawi for company, Jammu is truly a haven for international as well as domestic tourists. According to legend, King Jamboo Lochan founded the city. It is believed that one day while hunting, the king witnessed an unusual sight after crossing Tawi river. He noticed a goat and a tiger drinking water side by side from the same pond. Impressed by this amazing incident, he chose to construct a city at that particular location. His vision was to make such a city where strong and weak people would live together peacefully sans any hostility towards each other.
Apart from many tourist attractions in and around the city, Jammu has also grown to become a significant centre of culture and art, especially the magnificent paintings of Pahari school. Amongst the many famous tourist spots, a must see in your itinerary should be the beautiful terraced garden of Bahu Fort, famous by the name of Bagh-e-Bahu.
To reach Bagh-e-Bahu in Jammu, people traveling via air may use the Jammu Airport which is 6 kms. away from the central part of the city. Indian Airlines runs daily flights from Srinagar and Delhi to Jammu.
The air services provide by some private airlines in this route may also be used. Tourists coming to Jammu by rail would do well to use the rail station of Jammu Tawi. Once you get inside the beautiful Bagh-e-Bahu, soak the natural beauty of the place. You may also get a feeling of being transported to the lost era of forts and kings. Don’t resist it. Instead enjoy this once in a lifetime experience to the utmost.
Dogra Art Gallery -
Dogra Art Gallery lures each and every visitor with its unique collection of paintings. Located in the Pink Hall of the Mubarak Mandi Palace Complex, this art museum is a rich repository that displays rare paintings possessing immense artistic value.
More than 800 paintings belonging to different schools of art have found their place in this exquisite collection at the Dogra Art Gallery. The various schools whose paintings have found a proud place in this treasure trove are Basohli, Jammu and Kangra. These charming miniature paintings are indeed priceless. They are not merely a treat to the eye but also provide valuable insight into the way of living of the people. A lot is revealed about them. It would be no exaggeration to say that each picture has a story to narrate for the insightful observer.
Other than paintings, there are various other objects in the Dogra Art Gallery as well. These exhibited artifacts are also very interesting and appealing. They include exquisite sculptures, terracotta figures and heads of terracotta figures that date back to the 16th century.
Mubarak Mandi Palace-
Jammu, a beautiful city in the foothill of the Himalayas has its fair share of admirers. It is visited by many tourists throughout the year. Even though temples are its greatest draws, a sightseeing trip of the place includes several other historical sites like the Bahu Fort and the Mubarak Mandi Palace.
It would indeed be more precise to refer to this tourist destination as Mubarak Mandi Palace Complex for there are several buildings in this compound all surrounding a single courtyard. Formerly the residence of the erstwhile rulers of Jammu, a visit to the Mubarak Mandi Palace Complex is like talking a walk back in time. You suddenly get a taste of the kind of life led by the royals of yesteryears.
The oldest building of the Mubarak Mandi Palace Complex dates back to 1824. However the construction of all the buildings was rounded up about 150 years ago. One is sure to be impressed by the architectural skills that have been displayed by the artisans while constructing the buildings.
A unique blend of Rajasthani, Mughal and Baroque European styles, they are to be marveled at. Particularly striking is the Sheesh Mahal. It can be undisputedly rated as the most spectacular of all the structures within the Mubarak Mandi Palace Complex.
The setting is also quite admirable. The palace commands great views of the Tawi River and the city of Jammu. Presently housing government offices and courts, the halls and galleries of the Mubarak Mandi Palace were once the venue of official functions hosted by Dogra rulers.
The greatest attraction of the Mubarak Mandi Palace however remains the Pink Hall. It houses the Dogra Art Gallery. The gallery has an amazing collection of sculptures and paintings that are sure to leave any visitor startled.
माता वैष्णव देवी : Mata Vaishnodevi (Jammu)
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set against the backdrop of the snow - capped Pir Panjal range, Jammu marks the transition between the Himalayas in the north and the dusty plains of the Punjab in the south, bridging these two extremities by a series of scrub covered hills, forested mountain ranges and deep river valleys. The southernmost unit of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, Jammu region is traversed by the Shivalik hillsand quenched by the rivers Ravi, Tawi and Chenab.
Indian Spiritual tradition has propounded four Purusharth (objectives) of a human life. These are being Dharm (Righteousness), Arth (Material Pursuits), Kaam (Contentment) and Moksh (Enlightenment). Shri Mata Vaishno Devi is believed to grant all the four boons to those who visit Her Holy Shrine. She is considered to fulfill anything and everything that a person wishes for in life, in a righteous way. It is an experience of all, that no one goes empty handed from Her Great Pilgrimage.
The journey to the Holy Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is thus an enchanting journey of the places where Mata Vaishnavi had spent some time while observing various spiritual disciplines and penances. The culmination of this journey is at the Holy Cave where she merged Her Human form with the astral form of her creators, the three Supreme Energies
Katra (48km) is the major tourist hub in Jammu and serves as the base camp for pilgrimage to Mata Vaishnodevi. The distance of 13 Kms to the holy shrine (Durbar) has to be covered on foot or pony along a well laid path. The shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi is the most hallowed Hindu Pilgrimage of Northern India and attracts over 5 million devotees every year. Katra is also the base for visiting the cave shrine of Shiv Khori (75 kms ), a 1,000 meter long cave housing a 4 ft. high naturally formed Shiva lingam. It is considered second only to Mata Vaishnodevi in religious importance. A major annual fair held here during Shivratri draws devotees in large numbers.
Getting There :
By Air : All major carriers operate regular daily flights to Jammu from all major cities in India. Jammu airport is 08 Km away from the city.
By Rail : Jammu Tawi is the major railway junction of northern India and receives a large number of Express, Mail, and passenger trains from most parts of the India.
By Road : Jammu is well connected to all the major cities and towns of Northern India through the National Highway Network. Daily direct bus services of various categories operate to and fro Jammu to Delhi ( 586 km), Amritsar(243km), Pathankot(116km), Jalandhar (219km), Ludhiana (273kms), Ambala(391km) and Chandigarh(436km).
कश्मीर को जानें : About Kashmir
SRINAGAR Elevation: 5200 feet (1730 mtrs )
The S.T.D. Code of the Srinagar is 0194.
Climate: Spring (March - May) Min 3.5°C, Max 24.6 C; Summer (June -
August) Min 14.4 C, Max 30.8°C; Autumn (September - November) Min
2°C, Max 28.3°C; Winter (December - February) Min -10°C, Max 8.8°C
Clothing: Spring: Light woolens, Summer: Tropical clothing, Autumn:
Light woolens, Winter: Heavy woolens, with overcoat. Good Footwear a
must (preferably Sneakers).
Access:
By Air: Connected by regular Indian Airlines, Jet Airways; Sahara Air ,Spice Jet, Deccan Airlines , GO Air & Kingfisher Airline flights to New Delhi & Jammu, also Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkatta, and Bangalore via Delhi, and Leh. Taxi transfer from airport to Tourist Reception Center Rs. 400/- flat rate. Coach Service also available up to Tourist Reception Center.
By Rail: The nearest railhead is Jammu Tawi, connected with New Delhi, and all important cities of the North India.
By Road: Srinagar is accessible from Jammu (300KM) with regular coach & Taxis service
The Jammu & Kashmir State ranks 6th in area and 17th in population among the States and Union Territories of India. The State consists of 14 districts, 59 tehsils, 119 blocks, 3 municipalities, 54 towns and notified area committee, 6477 inhabited villages and 281 uninhabited villages. It has hour geogrophical zones :-
1. Sub-mountain and semi-mountain plain known as kandi or dry belt,
2. The Shivalak ranges,
3. The high mountain zone constituting the Kashmir Valley, Pir Panchal range and its off-shoots including Doda, Poonch and Rajouri districts and part of Kathua and Udhampur districts
4. The middle run of the Indus river comprising Leh and Kargil.
The State of Jammu and Kashmir is the northern most state of India comprising three distinct Climatic regions viz. Arctic cold desert areas of Ladakh, temperate Kashmir valley and sub-tropical region of Jammu. There is a sharp rise of altitude from 1000 feet to 28250 feet above the sea level within State’s four degree of latitude. The climate varies from tropical in Jammu plains to semi-arctic cold in Ladakh with Kashmir and Jammu mountainous tracts having temperate climatic conditions. The annual rainfall also varies from region to region with 92.6 mm in Leh, 650.5 mm in Srinagar and 1115.9 mm in Jammu. A large part of the State forms part of the Himalayan mountains. The State is geologically constituted of rocks varying from the oldest period
of the earth’s history to the youngest present day river and lake deposits.
Flora And Fauna :- The State is rich in flora and fauna. In Jammu, the flora ranges from the thorn bush type of the arid plain to the temperate and alpine flora of the higher altitudes. Of the broad leaf trees there are maple, horse chest nuts, silver fir etc. At the higher altitudes there are birch, rhododendron, Berbers and a large number of herbal plants. In the hilly regions of Doda, Udhampur, Poonch and Rajouri there is a large and varied fauna including leopard, cheetah and deer, wild sheep,bear, brown musk shrew, musk rat. Varieties of snakes, bats, lizards and frogs are also found in the region. The game birds in Jammu include chakor, snow partridge, pheasants, peacock. Kashmir abounds in rich flora. The Valley which has been described as the ‘Paradise’ on Earth is full of many hues of wood and game. The most magnificent of the Kashmir trees is the Chinar found throughout the valley. It grows to giant size and girth. The trees presents itself in various enchanting colours through the cycle of the seasons among which its autumnal look is breath-taking. Mountain ranges in the Valley have dense deodar, pine and fir. Walnut, willow, almond and cider also add to the rich flora of Kashmir.
The dense forests of Kashmir are a delight to the sport-lovers and adventures for whom there are Ibex, Snow Leopard, Musk deer, wolf,Markhor, Red bear, Black bear and Leopard. The winged game include
ducks, goose, partridge, chakor, pheasant, wagtails, herons, water pigeons, warblers, and doves.In otherwise arid desert of Ladakh some 240 species of local and migratory birds have been identified including black-necked crane.
श्रीनगर तथा उसके समीपवर्ती दर्शनीय स्थल
PLACES TO SEE IN SRINAGAR &NEARBY
Mughal Gardens :-
Seven kilometers from Srinagar.With terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright flowerbeds with the panorama of the Dal in front of them - the three Mughal Gardens of Chesmashahi, Nishat and Shalimar are the Mughal Emperors' concept of paradise and are today very popular places for picnics and excursions.
Chasmachai Natural Water Spring :-
Six kilometers from Srinagar.At Chashmashai, is a tastefully laid garden in terraces, which commands a magnificent view of the Dal Lake below and surrounding mountain ranges. The cool water of the spring is highly refreshing and digestive. The original garden was laid out by Shah Jehan in 1632 AD.
Pari Mahal :-
Nine kilometers from Srinagar.Once the royal observatory, Pari Mahal has a charmingly laid out garden and is a five-minute drive from Cheshmashahi. A Buddhist monastery at one time, it was converted into a school of astrology by Dara Shikoh, Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan's eldest son. Situated on the spur of a mountain overlooking the Dal, the ancient monument, with a well-laid spacious garden in front.
Tulip Garden :-
This world famous tulip garden is around 4 kms from Srinagar. And is situated on the foothills of the Zabarwan hills on the banks of wold famous Dal Lake. It is the Asia `s largest Tulip Garden. The garden approxmimately covers 40 acres of land. And consists of more than 90 varieties of tulips.Around 900,000 tulip bulbs were imported from Holland. Best time to watch april or early may. As tulips bloosm at that time. There are about 1.2 Million Tulips present here here.
Nishat Garden :-
Situated on the banks of the Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan Mountains as its backdrop, (9 kms from Srinagar), this 'garden commands a magnificent view of the lake and the snow capped Pir Panjal mountain range which stands far away to the west of the valley. Nishat was designed in 1633 AD by Asaf Khan, brother of Nur Jehan.
Shalimar Garden :-
Built by Emperor Jehangir for his wife Nur Jehan, Shalimar, 12 kms from Srinagar, is a beautiful garden with sweeping vistas over gardens and lakes, and shallow terraces. The garden is 539 m by 182 m and has four terraces, rising one above the other. A canal lined with polished stones and supplied with water from Harwan runs through the middle of the garden.
Harwan Garden :-
In the hillside, south of the village of Harwan (17 kms from Srinagar), Used to be wayer reserviour for srinagar city. Has remarkable remains of ancient ornamented tile pavements of the Buddhist period have come to light.
Hazaratbal Mosque :-
Fifteen kilometers from Srinagar.Across the Dal from Shalimar is the mosque of Hazratbal, the only one of its kind architecturally in Kashmir. Made of white marble with a dome and a minaret, Hazratbal is the repository of a single hair of the Prophet Mohammed, exhibited to the public on certain days of the year.
The Rozabal Tomb :-
Four kilometers from Srinagar in the old city is believed to be be Tomb Of Jesus.Roza Bal is the name of a shrine located in the Khanyar district of Srinagar, in Kashmir, India. Venerated by Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. People of many religious sects identify the sage buried there with one Yuz Asaf and with Jesus, whom they allege to have fled to Kashmir after his crucifixion. Several notable authors have held the view that Jesus had travelled to the Indian subcontinent including Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and the Russian traveler Nicolas Notovitch.
Pahalgam :-
Ninty six kilometers from Srinagar.Which is also called valley of shepherds is situated 94 kms from Swiss Hotel. Now it is Kashmir's premier resort, cool even during the height of summer when the maximum temperature does not exceed 250C.
Around Pahalgam are many places of interest, and because the resort is set between fairly steep hills, it is worth hiring a pony rather than walking. Pony fares are posted at prominent locations.
The most beautiful of these is the huge, undulating meadow of Baisaran, surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine. Hajan, on the way to Chandanwari, is an idyllic spot for a picnic.
Gulmarg :-
Fifty six kilometers from Srinagar.Gulmarg's legendary beauty, prime location and proximity to Srinagar naturally make it one of the premier hill resorts in the country. Originally called ‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Today Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country's premier ski resort in the winter. In winter, Gulmarg acquires a new persona - that of the country's premier skiing resorts. The gentlest slope of 200m is linked with a ski lift, which helps one to go up. When one graduates to intermediate level -which will happen after the first few days of practice, there are other slopes, longer and steeper, which are connected by chair lift. The longest ski run in Gulmarg is provided by the Gondola cable car, which allows a ski run of 2,213m.
Sonamarg :-
Ninty eight kilometers from Srinagar.The drive to Sonamarg is through the Sindh Valley which presents yet another spectacular facet of countryside in Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of 2730 m, Sonamarg (‘The meadow of gold’) has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a cerulean sky. The Sindh River that meanders through the valley abounds with trout and mahaseer. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier, which is a major local attraction during the summer months.Sonamarg is the base of a major trek that passes along several mountain lakes –Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Gangabal. Sonamarg is also the take off station for the drive to Ladakh across the Zojila, a major pass in the Great Himalayan Range, through which the Srinagar-Leh Road passes.Sonamarg is also a base for undertaking the yatra to the holy Amarnath cave.
Yusmarg :-
Fourty two kilometers from Srinagar.Standing in the Pir Panjal hills, out beyond the airport, at an altitude of 2,700 metres, the meadow of Yusmarg is reputed to have the best spring flowers in Kashmir. The beautiful valley is at the foot of the Sangisafaid valley on the northern slopes of the Pir Panjal range.
Dachigam National Park :-
Seventeen kilometers from Srinagar.At one time the exclusive hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Kashmir, it was declared a national park in 1951.Dachigam is spread over an area of 141-sq-km. and altitudes vary between 1,700 and 4,300 metres.The Park is the habitat of the endangered Hangul or the Kashmir stag - the only species of red Deer to be found in India. Other inhabitants include the Himalayan Black Bear, species of wild Goat like the Markhor and Ibex, Leopard and varieties of exotic Himalayan birds
श्रीनगर SRINAGAR
Wildflowers, mountain vistas, undulating valleys, gentle rivers, sparkling lakes, and pervasive greenery define Kashmir, and Srinagar is its epitome. Sinful food and soft shawls, houseboats and Heaven on Earth, Srinagar lets you touch the sky in blissful wonderment.
Don't Miss
Spend a day on a houseboat or take a Shikhara boat ride on Dal Lake, or even stroll around in wondrous gardens such as Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and The Mughal Gardens. Visit places of religious significance like Shankaracharya Mandir, Roza Bal (Jesus' apparent Tomb), and Hazratbal Mosque. Buy world famous Pashmina shawls, or exquisite carpets and felt mats. Don't forget to try the Wazwah cuisine or drink Kahwah tea.
With its almost medieval charm the city of Srinagar has sights, smells and sounds to enchant the most jaded traveler. Its labyrinthine roads and bustling bazaars are a photographer’s delight. A Mughal fort , developed to its full size in the 19th century by an afghan governor Atta Mohammad Khan around and atop Koh – I - Maran hill ( Hari Parbat) dominates the city. Sprawling southward from the base of the hill, the old city is the nerve center of Srinagar, Seldom seen by visitors it embodies the essence of Kashmir. It is a part of Srinagar that has endured, more or less, in its present form for centuries. Srinagar has for long been Kashmir’s ‘most important commercial town. Boats have been a primary means of conveyance in Kashmir in the past. That is how the city formed around the banks of river Jehlum. Over a dozen bridges span the river now. Some important bridges providing a wonderful river view are Zero Bridge, Abdullah Bridges, Amira Kadal, Budshah Kadal, Habba Kadal, Fateh Kadal, and many more; Kadal being the Kashmiri word for bridge. The view from the any of the city’s bridge is unmistakably Kashmiri. Old brick buildings line the banks. The distinctive pagoda- like roof of a mosque or a shrine enlivens the horizon. In the waters of the river Jehlum, a straggling row of doongas flank the edge.
The city of Srinagar is a gateway to some of the most scenic and beautiful places of the Indian subcontinent. The beautiful and world famous hill station and skiing resort Gulmarg is just 50 km from the city. Srinagar is well known for its lakes. Dal Lake with its houseboats is famous all over the world. Srinagar is a small and beautiful city with a wonderful climate in the summer. Nagin Lake is another famous lake in the city. Just outside the city are found the beautiful Shalimar Gardens created by Jahangir, the Mughal emperor, in 1619.
Patnitop
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Jammu city is surrounded by several hill resorts in the Shivalik and Pir Panjal ranges. The premier resort is Patnitop (112 km), perched on a picturesque plateau across which the Jammu- Srinagar highway passes. It is enveloped by thickly wooded forests and offers scenic views of the Chenab basin and the Pir Panjal range. In winter, it is generally blanketed in snow and provides various winter sports, including amateur skiing and sledging.
Patnitop is also the base for visiting several satellite hill stations and pilgrimage sites. Sanasar (19 kms), is a cup- shaped meadow surrounded by gigantic conifers, ideal for nature walks and paragliding. Batote (13 km) straddles the forested slopes of the patnitop plateu, overlooking the spectacular lie of the Chenab gorge. On the way to Patnitop is Kud (09 km), a hill station with panoramic views of the terraced Shivalik hills. Sudh Mahadev (08 kms), is a popular pilgrimage site thronged by pilgrims on full moon nights to worship the Trishul and mace believed to belong to the Pandava hero Bheem. Near Sudh Mahadev is Gauri Kund, the legendary spring where the goddess Parvati used to bathe before commencing her daily prayers at Sudh Mahadev, and Mantalai set amidst lush deodar forest, is associated with the legend of the marriage of Lord Shiva with goddess Parvati.
Amarnath Cave
Amarnath cave is located in a narrow gorge on the farther end of Lidder valley at 3,888 m above sea level. The cave is 45 km from Pahalgam and 141 km from Srinagar. The trek begins in July-August. Despite being an extremely difficult trek, millions of devotees come to pay homage to Shiva in one of his Himalayan abodes.
Nowadays people travel to Pahalgam first and then undertake the onward journey of 45 km on foot, in batches. Overnight halts are in encampments that are set up at fixed distances and give the appearance of a military site. The return trek has to be covered in five days with night halts at Chandanwari, Wawjan and Panchtarni. The distance of 12.8 km from Pahalgam to Chandanwari is completed in five to six hours with the first night halt at Chandanwari. The trail is along thick and green woodlands of breathtaking beauty. The playful stream of Lidder meanders and dances alongside, showing its sparkling white foam with the pride and purity of a maiden descending directly from the lap of the perennial Himalayas. One main attraction of this trail is the bridge on the river Lidder, which is covered with snow even when the surroundings are bereft of snow.
