Kashmir – The Paradise on Earth

Kashmir – The Paradise on Earth

Kashmir is located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in the north-western region of India. Nestled between the Pir Panjal mountain range and the Himalayas, Kashmir is beauty personified. Often referred to as the ‘Paradise on Earth’, Kashmir has been, since time immemorial, one of the most stunning regions of the Indian subcontinent.

The mythological stories state that Sage Kashyap drained a lake so that the Brahmins could stay there. This region was later known as Kashmir.  For several centuries, Hinduism and Buddhism were the dominant religions of Kashmir. Kashmir was ruled by many dynasties like the Karkotas, Utpalas, Tantrins, Yaskaras, Guptas and Loharas among others.

Kashmir came under the Muslim rule in the 12th century for the first time.

In the 14th century the Mughal Emperor Akbar conquered Kashmir and made it a part of his empire. Kashmir was under the rule of Pakistan from 1757 till 1819. Kashmir was joined with the Sikh Empire later. Kashmir became part of the British who later sold it to Gulab Singh of Jammu. In 1947, the then Maharaja of Kashmir, Hari Singh decided to annexe Kashmir to India making it a part of present India.

Srinagar has a lot of sightseeing options in and around the city. Some of the tourist spots frequented by tourists are  the Hazratbal Mosque, Dal Lake, Charar-i-Sharief, Martand Sun Temple, Shankaracharya Temple, Khanqah-e-Mola, Kheer Bhavani Temple, Shiv Khori and Jama Masjid to name a few. Kashmir is world famous for its beautiful shikaras, wooden handicrafts, chinar trees and saffron flowers among others.

Gulmarg and Sonamarg are famous for their snow capped mountains, beautiful valleys and apple orchards. Kashmir is famous for its gardens from the Mughal era like Nishat Garden, Shalimar Garden and Chashmashahi. Kashmir is also home to the most beautiful lake of India, the Dal Lake. The shikaras and house boats on Dal Lake present a picturesque setting.

Kashmir is also home to many sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves. Dachigam National Park, Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, Hemis High Altitude Wildlife Sanctuary and Overa National Park are some of the places that highlight the rich flora and fauna of Kashmir.

The best time to visit Kashmir is from March to October, when the climate is favourable, cool and pleasant. Kashmir was once the most favourite tourist destinations in India but the political uncertainty and insurgency has affected normal life in Kashmir from the 1990s and has resulted in an increased presence of Armed forces in Kashmir. Due to the security issues Kashmir is not the most favoured destination anymore. But, despite being hugely devastated by bombings and firing by the militants and the locals caught in crossfire, Kashmir still remains the paradise on earth.  





 

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