Jammu and Kashmir - Kashmir
Kashmir is an ethnically diverse Himalayan region, covering around 86,000 sq miles (138 sq km), and famed for the beauty of its lakes, meadows and snow-capped mountains. Even before India and Pakistan won their independence from Britain in August 1947, the area was hotly contested. The maharaja (local ruler), Hari Singh, initially wanted Kashmir to become independent - but in October 1947 chose to join India, in return for its help against an invasion of tribesmen from Pakistan.
An armed rebellion erupted in 1989 after decades of political manipulation in Indian-administered Kashmir, broken promises and a crackdown on dissent by New Delhi. Kashmiri rebels, who enjoy popular support, seek unification with Pakistan or complete independence. India dubbed the armed rebellion "terrorism" abetted by Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denies.
Lying on the banks of River Jhelum with deep and mesmerizing valleys cascaded in sky scraping mountains and evergreen beauty, Srinagar blends together the tints of nature, beauty, harmony and romance. With deep and mesmerising valleys cascaded in sky-scraping mountains and evergreen beauty, this heaven on Earth leaves you absolutely mesmerised. Right from Chashm-E-Shahi to the exotic Shalimar garden, Srinagar offers bountiful of places to visit. Surrounded by mountains for the adventurous lot to lakes for photoholics to shopping markets for the spendthrifts, Srinagar does not disappoint anyone. The snow clad peaks in the Himalaya and the undulated hilly mountainous regions are perfectly suitable for all types of trekking expeditions. Sonamarg is the base camp for many trekking expeditions. The major treks passing through various mountain lakes such as Gangabal, Vishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Kishansar has its base at Sonamarg.
Gulmarg, the meadow of flowers, is one of Asia's premier hill resorts for its legendary beauty, prime location and the range of choices it offers to the visitors. Famous for its exquisite valleys, gorgeous streams, fascinating slopes for every sort of skiing and hiking, Gulmarg is also home to one of the highest golf courses in the world. Gulmarg is equally most sought after place in summers as well as in winters for, it offers myriad choices during summers like greenery and flower beds all around, with beautiful lakes, sublime valleys and Gulmarg Gandola. During winters, the place is thronged by the tourists for its snowy slopes where skiing is done.
Mughal Road is the road between Bafliaz, a town in the Poonch district, to Shopian district in the Kashmir valley. The road is 84km long, and situated in the Jammu and Kashmir state of India. It passes over Pir Panjal Mountain range, at altitude of 11,500 ft (3505 m), that is higher than Banihal pass (2832 m).The road brings the Poonch and Rajouri districts closer to Srinagar in Kashmir valley, and reduces the distance between Srinagar and Poonch from 588km to 126km. It makes for alternate road route to Kashmir valley from rest of India, other than over-crowded Jammu-Srinagar Highway through Jawahar Tunnel (Banihal Tunnel) (National Highway 1A) The road passes through Buffliaz, Behramgalla, Chandimarh,Poshana, Chattapani, Peer Ki Gali, Aliabad, Zaznar, Dubjan, Heerpora and Shopian.The road was historically used by Moghul emperors to travel and conquer Kashmir during the sixteenth century. It was the route used by Akbar the Great to conquer Kashmir in 1586, and his son Emperor Jahangir died while returning from Kashmir on this road near Rajouri.
Dal Lake covers an area of 18 square kilometres and has a shore line of about 15.5 kilometres which is encompassed by a boulevard lined with parks, houseboats and hotels. Its average elevation is 1,583 metres and the depth of water varies from 6 metres to 2.5 metres. Dal Lake is 7.44 kilometres long and 3.5 kilometres wide. There are dozens of habitations in the Dal Lake for whom this huge water body is an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting. The interiors of Dal Lake possess floating gardens, locally known as Rad. Besides lotus flowers, the Rads are used to cultivate a wide range of vegetables and can be easily shifted to another place if conditions demand so.
Dal Lake harbors hundreds of houseboats and shikaras. To enjoy the vastness and the scenic views of the lake, shikara cruise is the best option. Colourfully decorated and immensely cozy shikaras are available on all sides of the Dal Lake. Nehru Park is one of the attractions for the tourists. It is an isle just away from the main boulevard road containing a park and a hotel. Char Chinar is one more island in the Dal that also is equally famous among the tourists. A long line of houseboats lay from Dalgate to Gagribal, providing visitors accommodation and night stay on the waters of Dal Lake, accommodating all kinds of pockets. There are scores of hotels and restaurants flanking the shores of Dal Lake that provide an opportunity for the tourists to enjoy the mesmerizing evenings at the banks of this magnificent lake.
Nishat Bagh is located on the banks of the famous Dal Lake about ten kilometers from the Srinagar city center in the lap of Zabarwan mountains. This beautiful terraced garden commands a breathtakingly awesome view of the Dal Lake in all seasons with summers having charm of its own. Second largest Mughal garden after Shalimar Bagh in the Kashmir Valley, the garden was designed and built by Asif Khan, elder brother of Nur Jehan in 1633. The Nishat Bagh has an axial stream flow design, suitable for hill conditions with water source originating at the top of the hill. N ishat Bagh has a rectangular layout with east-west length of 548 metres and width of 338 metres.
Perched at an altitude of 14,000 ft, the Margan Top has of late become a tourist attraction for being one of the most beautiful mountain tops of the Himalayan region in south Kashmir. Situated at about 35 km from Kokernag, this mountain pass is the gate way to a hidden valley called Warwan. Surrounded by beautiful meadows all around, the Margan Top boasts of a 360 degree view with Kashmir valley on one side and the Warwan valley on the other. Its name is derived from two words; Mar meaning death and Gan connoting valley. For its unpredictable weather conditions, it had been a valley of death till a road was constructed just ten years ago.
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