Kashmir: Enchanting Paradise

My shangri-la beneath the summer moon
I will return again.
Sure as the dust that floats high in June
When movin' through Kashmir...

-Kashmir by Led Zeppelin

Kashmir situated at the extreme north of India is like a jewel crowned on the top of the country. Also known by the nickname of the 'Switzerland of the East', Kashmir is truly a paradise on earth with myriad hues and colours changing with every season like a multi-faced diamond, with sunlight kissed snow clad peaks, enchanting sound of the waterfalls and the blooming saffron meadows.

The mellow pink during spring draped cherry blossoms gives way to sparkling greenery during summers and are followed by the flaming orange hues of Autumn and then the fairy white cover of winters.

There isn't a better season than autumn to cruise down the scenic Jhelum when the Valley is dressed in shades of gold and auburn  In a season as painterly as autumn is in the Valley, nothing escapes its surreal magic. There's a special luminosity in the environs, giddy fragrance fills the air and every nook wears fresh colour. The accolades for nature’s makeover are all directed towards the elegant chinar, which dresses its leaves in the most blazing colours to lend a radiant twist to the vistas and add a new hue to life and its routines. That a simple leaf can herald hope and joy appears quite incredible but that is what’s always been on view. As autumn enters its final stages, the chinar is at work again, preparing for the grand finale of its fall collection that carpets its grounds to add a degree of romance to reality.

Surrounded by the mighty snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan range in the east and Pir Panjal range in the west and south, the swift Jhelum River flows across the valley. The regal Chinar, Maple and Oak trees stand stall oozing beauty all throughout the picturesque serpentine roads criss-crossing the meadows and the hills.

Situated in the heart of Kashmir is Srinagar the capital city with the river Jhelum encircling it and the Dal and Nagin lakes enhancing its picturesque setting.

Shikaras or wooden house boats wade through the glistening waters of the Dal with some stunning views of the misty mountains encircling the lake on three sides and the Char Chinar on the centre of the lake enhancing its visual beauty especially during Autumn when the Chinars spread themselves into Orange hues.

The Mughals Gardens with their vivid displays of fountains, trees and exquisite flowers dotting the area are water front gardens laid by the Mughals during their 19th century rule; and will beckon you to visit it in every season to feel the real beauty of it. Other notable gardens are the Shalimar bagh and the Tulip Gardens.

Situated at the confluence of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder river is Pahalgam with the Kolohoi Glacier, situated up the Lidder Valley encircling it. The Kolohoi mountain is a popular trekking circuit up the Lidder Valley with some of the most difficult terrains in the western Himalayas, but the breath-taking views will force you to go on and on.

Just 56-km south west of Srinagar is Gulmarg, which looks like a fantasy set in a film and has featured quite a few films here. Standing at 2,730 metres, Gulmarg means the 'Meadow of Flowers'. The meadow remains covered in a wide variety of colourful flowers from daisies to bluebells, forget-me-not, buttercups and a thousand more. Gulmarg also boasts of having the longest cable car ropeway in Asia ferrying around 600 people per hour to and fro Kongdoori mountain, nearby the Afarwat Peak at 13,780 feet.

Kashmir valley also boasts as a favourite adventure sports destination with diverse activities ranging from Skiing, golfing, trekking, hiking, mountain biking, river rafting, para-gliding, camping, kayaking and canoeing among others. Kashmir also boasts of a number of pilgrim centres, with it being the starting point of the most revered pilgrimages of Amarnath and Vaishno Devi.

The exquisite handicrafts of Kashmir from Pashmina shawls to silk carpets, exquisite woodwork, copperware, silverware, and a number of other crafts are some items to be treasured for a lifetime. And for the local delicacies the cherries and the apples during winter will always invite you with the numerous orchards on the way. You can also have some local home-made cheese and Kashmiri tea, Kahwa along with rezwan on the way.

It is said that a visit to Kashmir divides your life into two parts – before and after Kashmir. Once you visit this enchanted land, its beauty and charm will remain etched in your memory forever. Kashmir looks like a picture straight out of a fairy-tale. In the words of one of the mughal rulers, If there is paradise on this earth, this is it, this is it, and this is it.


If you want to catch some mysterious folktales surrounding this amazing place, visit here 

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