As the new PDP-BJP government takes over in Jammu & Kashmir, we go sightseeing in the state.
Mesmerised by the beauty of Kashmir, the Mughal emperor Jehangir was moved to quote Amir Khusro: “If there is Paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this.”
Kashmir fulfills that promise of perfection, and then some. Still pristine in its purity and breathtaking in its panoramic sweep, it is a place of brooks and meadows, peaks and valleys.
And here it is, nature’s pageant; flip the pixels for an exclusive dekko.
A panaromic view of the Dal Lake in Srinagar. This is where the Kashmir journey usually starts for most tourists. The Dal Lake is an enormous water body of 18 Sq. km. littered with houseboats and flanked by the Nishat and Shalimar gardens. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoContrary to its placid appearance, the Dal Lake is a site of frenetic activity; a veritable floating bazaar. Here is a busy street on the waters. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoEvery form of commerce happens around the Lake – from kesar to kebabs, flowers and silver.The other side of the Dal Lake: pristine, serene and very easy indeed on the eye. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoInside the houseboat, a surprising array of creature comforts. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoThe array of houseboats on the Dal Lake front in Srinagar. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojo The road skirting the Dal Lake in Srinagar that leads to the famed Shalimar and Nishat gardens. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoThe holy and tranquil Hazratbal Mosque on the shores of the Dal Lake. This mosque contains the Moi-e-Muqqadas relic, believed by Kashmiri Muslims to be a strand of the Prophet Muhammad’s hair. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoOn the way from Srinagar to Gulmarg. In Kashmir, there are no specific vantage points, every turn is one, and each is as alluring as the other. Total picture postcard territory. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoOn the way to Srinagar. Another example of the picture postcard scenery. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoThe ski lift gondola at Gulmarg takes you to Mt Apharwat in the Pir Panjal range. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoThe kingdom of white after the ski lift climb at Gulmarg. Magnificent views all around plus you can do your bit of skiing, if you’re so inclined. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoYou can ski to the blue skies if the spirit moves you. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoThe scenery on the way from Gulmarg to Pahalgam. Truly god’s own country. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoThe road to heaven: on the way to Pahalgam from Gulmarg. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoThe Betaab Valley, a short distance from Pahalgam. So named, because a certain song called ‘jab hum jawwan honge’ from the movie ‘Betaab’ was picturised here featuring Sunny Deol, Amrita Singh and, of course, the horse. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoThe Lidder river bisecting the Betaab Valley. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoAnd quite flows the Lidder, on the banks of which the famed tourist village of Aru is situated. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoAn open-air village school near Pahalgam. Rural Kashmir must have the most scenic schools in the world. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoThe long and winding roads of the Auru Valley on the banks of the Lidder river. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoBaisaran. A little more than an hour’s pony ride from Pahalgam, and panaromic beyond belief, this is God’s own playground. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoBaisaran again. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoInside a typical quaint and well kept Kashmiri village. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojoWinding Kashmiri village roads. Image source: E Jayakrishnan/folomojo
