Almost every region of Kashmir contains rivers, streams, and lakes with clean water, but this valley is particularly well-known for its spectacular natural beauty and sweet-scented surrounds
Courtesy : Bazila Farooq
The valley is an emerald set in pearls, where men are strong, and women vie with the soil in fruitfulness
Every sunrise in Kashmir is a ‘Good Morning,’ and the same can be said about the pleasant nights here,” recalls a friend from Punjab who was enchanted after visiting the Kashmir Valley. I’ve have not seen anything more gorgeous than Kashmir. And it’s true that the people are very stunning. Fast-flowing streams of pure water, tweeting birds, majestic hills, and a pleasant, soft wind pouring down from the snow-capped mountains fascinate everyone, especially those who visit the Kashmir Valley for the first time from the rush and bustle of major cities. Almost every region of Kashmir contains rivers, streams, and lakes with clean water, but this valley is particularly well-known for its spectacular natural beauty and sweet-scented surrounds. Kashmir is a breathtakingly beautiful region of India located in northern India between the Great Himalayan Valley and the Pir Panjal Mountain Range. This place is known as “Paradise on Earth” because of its magnificent beauty. It always offers panoramic views of the beautiful natural surrounds. Kashmir is surrounded by high mountains, chilly springs, icy springs, and unspoiled forests.
This adds a fresh depth to Kashmir’s natural beauty. God has devoted all of nature’s beauty to Kashmir alone, and Kashmir is a popular tourist destination in India. There is no statistic that can fully express Kashmir’s beauty. It is the only place where you can do trekking, ice skating, river crossing, and paragliding. Nature has lavishly bestowed certain exceptional blessings on Kashmir that are unrivalled in any other country on earth. Tourism is the lifeblood of the Kashmiri economy. Kashmir is a large land covered with snow-capped mountains. These tangled mountains share a border with Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan. Kashmir is famous for its magnificent natural beauty, which allures visitors from all over the world.
It is one of the most popular tourist spots. Kashmir is a place with different seasons and changes the colors with the seasons. Filled with magnificent scenery and endless possibilities to explore and stay fascinated this enthralling valley is always lavishly beautiful and a favored destination for tourists from walks of life, round the globe. Incredible beauty of nature, innate appeal, blissful ambiance and misty cool air of Kashmir satiate inner soul of every traveler and persuade them to visit this land again and again. In Kashmir, every day provides a fresh sense of bliss. The sky in Kashmir is ‘artificially coloured.
On their journey to the plains, the duals (rivers and streams) travel through dense forest. The sound of the waves hitting the stone echelon brings great delight and lets one to forget about the worries of everyday life. It’s tough to leave the ambience of a garden behind when the chirping of birds provides the thrill of music and the green grass acts as a natural source. The most majestic of the Kashmir trees is the Chinar, which may be found across the valley. It has enormous proportions and girth. The trees change colour throughout the seasons, with the fall season being particularly beautiful. The mountain ranges of the Valley are extensively wooded with deodar, pine, and fir. The varied flora of Kashmir includes walnut, willow, almond, and cider. The Kashmir valley is undeniably a jewel in India’s crown, nestled in the lap of the beautiful snow-capped Himalayas. Kashmir is a honeymooner’s utopia, a nature lover’s fantasy, as well as an inspiration for so much art, music, and poetry. And after seeing Kashmir, you would agree that what began as a dream has become a reality continues to be a memorable experience.
There are several water bodies in Kashmir’s topography. There’s nothing quite like sitting by a lake or river and losing yourself in nature’s richness to relax. You will come across several magnificent lakes, glaciers, and rivers in Kashmir no matter where you walk. A shikara ride on Srinagar’s Dal Lake is an unforgettable experience in and of itself. You will be mesmerised by the floating gardens and marketplaces. Another well-known lake near Srinagar is Wular Lake. The Mansar and Surinsar lakes are ideal for unwinding and recharging. Sonmarg’s Gadsar Lake is a hidden beauty that can only be reached by a walk. Similarly, the Mansalbal lake in the Ganderbal area is a bird lover’s paradise. Rivers such as the Sindh or Indus, the Lidder, and the Zanskar, among others, add to the beauty of Kashmir’s landscape in a variety of ways. Each lake and river offers a distinct view that will take your breath away. The beauty of Kashmir is dependent not only on its natural surroundings, but also on its rich culture and history.
Throughout history, several rulers have governed and loved Kashmir. As a result, its culture is a diverse blend of influences from other cultures. It is also prevalent in the daily life of Kashmiris. Among the numerous old sites that bore evidence to Kashmir’s rich history are the Pari Mahal, Shalimar Bagh, Avantipur temples, and Leh Palace. These monuments tell the tale of a medieval society and are fascinating places to visit, especially for history lovers. Kashmir is famous for its scenic beauty, kangri, pashmina, paper mache, kahwa, and pheran, among other things. Kashmiri Wazwan is a world-famous dish. It is one of the valley’s most cherished gifts. Everyone who has had Kashmiri Wazwan has been enchanted. Waza, a group of professionals, prepares and serves it in massive copper pots called as deyghs. It goes without saying that it is created with great care, skill, precision, and, most importantly, love. Kashmiri ladies wear in traditional attire comparable to Afghan and Persian women. The design and construction of the Salwar-Kameez and the jewelry are very similar to the attire donned by the Pashtun women.
The Salwar-Kameez is further beautified by a fancy pheran.. Now when I say pheran don’t get confused thinking that a pheran is for wearing in winters only. Pherans are used to cover the bodies. They were worn by Kashmiri women over the centuries to cover their bodies as a sign of modesty. The pherans worn in summer are made out of light fabrics in accordance with the heat. Next comes the headscarf. It is like a cherry on top of a cake. Without a scarf, any outfit is not complete. A famous quote by Mughal Emperor Jehangir when he visited Kashmir in the 17th century is often quoted by many when they visit Kashmir.
The quote when translated into English means ‘If there is heaven on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here’(Gar Firdaus bar-rue zamin ast, hami asto, hamin asto, hamin ast). He was charmed by the valley’s lush foliage, wealth of flowers and fruits, sparkling springs, and transparent lakes. In nutshell after seeing Kashmir, you would agree that what began as a dream has become a reality continues to be a memorable experience.
“With the sound of guishing water, aroma of pine trees, the vibrancy of saffron, rise of azaan and an unfathomable calling, Kashmir surprises everyone”.