Ganderbal

 

Ganderbal is one of the most beautiful places in Kashmir, known for its lakes and beautiful landscapes. It is considered as one of the most beautiful tourist destinations to visit in Kashmir. Places like Sonamarg, Naranag, Gangbal are the epitome of beauty and luxury to watch. Ksheer Bhawani temple situated at Tullamulla, in the Ganderbal District, is an important shrine. The temple is associated with the Hindu Goddess, Rayna Devi. An annual festival is held here on Jest-Ashtami(May-Jun) when Hindus visit this place in large numbers. not only the Hindus but Kashmiris also take part in that festival that showed the hospitality of the people there the love they have for the people of other religion who live there not only they celebrate the festival with them but they accept them as a part of themselves. Another tourist destination in Ganderbal best known for trekking is Gangbal which is located in the foothills of Harmukh. After crossing the beautiful Naranag you reach a beautiful destination. The trek pays off when you rest your eyes to the beautiful Gangbal lake and enjoying the beautiful scenic view of nature, After the  Gangabal lake, we reach Nundkol Lake and trek through. Then you trek through the meadows of Trunkol and descend to Naranag village through the pine forest of Bodpathri. Every person needs some alone time in life to get to know themselves and to get rid of the hustle and bustle of life and this destiny sorely does the work for you and leaves a huge impact on your soul that stays forever you cherish the memories and the journey for the lifetime.

       Gangbal Lake

                             

        Naranag Temple

                                          

       Nundkol Lake

                                          

If you are a mountain lover and you love glaciers you cannot surely miss visiting Thajiwas glacier. It's one of the most beautiful glaciers to visit in Kashmir. It's located in Sonamarg. The journey to Thajwas is tiring and hard but the captivating views make it worth wile. One of the most eye-catching things to see in Sonamarg Thajwas is the Bakarwals who live there. whose whole life depends on their, life through the thief point of view is different and you get to know a lot from them that how luxurious life you live and how hard life is. The beautiful meadows and the fresh air soothes your heart and soul. we can see the true colors of nature. On the one side, everything is green, and on the other side, everything is white because of the snow-capped mountains, and above all the whole sky full of dreams.  One can never explain the beauty of the snow-covered mountains. This is one of the most excellent and unforgettable experiences one can have and never forget for the rest of their lives.

If you are a travel freak and you love hiking and you want to experience new things and you are busy and tired from your day to day work and everything is slipping through your hands then take a break and visit the places in Ganderbal. The view will change your mindset it will take you on a whole new journey of your life, you will be reborn again.                                -Arsalan nisar

Jammu

 Jammu is the winter capital which lies on the banks of the river Tawi, the city of Jammu, is surrounded by the Himalayas in the north and the northern-plains in the south. Jammu is the second-most populous city in the Kashmir valley. It is known as the City of Temples for its ancient temples and Hindu shrines. Jammu city shares its borders with the neighboring Samba district. According to local tradition, Jammu is named after its founder, Raja Jambulochan, who is believed to have ruled the area in the 9th century. The local tradition holds the city to be 3000 years old but this is not supported by historians. Jammu has historically been the capital of Jammu Province and the winter capital of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir (1846–1952).

After the partition of India, Jammu continues as the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu, like the rest of north-western India, features a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cwa), with extreme summer highs reaching 46 °C , and temperatures in the winter months occasionally falling below 4 °C. 

Jammu city serves as the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir state from November to April when all the offices move from Srinagar to Jammu and the movement is well known as Darbar-Move. Srinagar serves as the summer capital from May to October.

Places of interest include old historic palaces like Mubarak Mandi Palace, Purani Mandi, Rani Park, Amar Mahal, Bahu Fort, Raghunath Temple, Ranbireshwar Temple, Karbala, Peer Meetha, Old city. Jammu is known for its sund panjeeri, patisa, rajma with rice and Kalari cheese. Dogri food specialties include ambal, khatta meat, kulthein di dal, dal patt, maa da madra, rajma, and auriya. Pickles typical of Jammu are made of kasrod, girgle, mango with saunf, jimikand, tyaoo, seyoo, and potatoes. Auriya is a dish made with potatoes.

 Jammu cuisine features various chaats, especially gol gappas, kachalu, Chole bhature, gulgule, rajma kulche and dahi palla, among various others.Jammu is known for its sund panjeeri, patisa, rajma with rice and Kalari cheese. Dogri food specialties include ambal, khatta meat, kulthein di dal, dal patt, maa da madra, rajma, and auriya. Pickles typical of Jammu are made of kasrod, girgle, mango with saunf, jimikand, tyaoo, seyoo, and potatoes. Auriya is a dish made with potatoes. Jammu cuisine features various chaats, especially gol gappas, kachalu, Chole bhature, gulgule, rajma kulche and dahi palla, among various others.                                                   -Arsalan nisar

Anantnag

 The name of Anantnag District according to a well-known archaeologist, Sir A.Stein from the great spring Ananta Naga issuing at the southern end of the town. This is also corroborated by almost all local historians including Kalhana according to whom the town has taken the name of this great spring of Cesha or Ananta Naga “land of countless springs”. The spring is mentioned in the Neelmat Purana as a sacred place for the Hindus and Koshur Encyclopedia testifies it. Anantnag is also called and its old name is Islamabad.  It is, however, said that the name of Islamabad was assigned to the town by one Islam Khan who was the Governor of Kashmir during the Mughal rule in 1663 A.D. The name Islamabad is Popular among common masses, though the official name is Anantnag. Before the advent of Muslim rule in 1320 A.D., Kashmir was divided into three divisions, viz; Maraz in the south, Yamraj in the centre and Kamraj in the north of the Valley. 

Anantnag, like the rest of the Kashmir Valley, has witnessed many vicissitudes and experienced many upheavals from time to time. The district consists of a number of tourist places including Verinag, Achabal, Kokernag, Daksum, Pahalgam, Dandipora (under process), Chatabal, Martand, and Sinthan top. Of these places, Pahalgam and Kokernag are just 50 km from Anantnag town. Amarnath Temple, a Hindu shrine dedicated to Shiva, is located in Pahalgam. It is the site of an annual pilgrimage, Amarnath Yatra.                                                             -Arsalan nisar

                                                                    Pahalgam Kashmir

                     

Srinagar

 Srinagar, The main city of Kashmir lies on the banks of Jhelum River, Dal, and Anchar lake. The main attraction in Srinagar is  Hazratbal which is situated on the banks of Dal Lake. One more attraction in Dal lake is char chinari and houseboats. One of the most fascinating, mindboggling places from the ancient times in Kashmir is Mughal Gardens and Pari Mahal which is situated on the beautiful sides of the boulevard. it's one of the most important tourist attractions in Srinagar. Shalimar Bagh is a Mughal Garden In Srinagar located on North East of Dal Lake. Its also known as Shalimar Gardens, Farah Baksh, and Faiz Baksh. Bagh was built by Mughal emperor Jhanjir for his Wife Noor Jahan In 1619. The bagh is considered as the high point of Mughal horticulture. It's referred to as the "crown of Srinagar".  The garden has three terraces. The first terrace is a public garden which was for local people known as 'Diwan-e-Aam", the second terrace was accessible only to the ministers, nobleman and was known as "Diwan-e-Khass"(It has 410 fountains), The black fabulous was built during the early part of Jhangir reign, In the top terrace of Shalimar Bagh has a famous inscription in Persian which says" Agar Firdaus bar rōy-e zamin ast, hamin ast-o hamin ast-o hamin ast". This is a couplet by the Persian-language poet Amir Khusrau, which is inscribed on many other buildings also in India and Pakistan.

Translated to English, it means:

“If there is a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.”

It is also mentioned that when Jahangir was asked on his death bed about his cherished desire he is credited to have said:

“Kashmir, the rest is worthless.”

-Arsalan nisar