Why Kashmir Is Famous : A Complete Overview Of Nature, Culture, And Adventure

The Kashmir Valley also known as Vale of Kashmir is an intermontane valley in the northernmost part of India in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Being a valley, it is surrounded on the southwest by the Pir Panjal Range and on the northeast by the Greater Himalayan range. The Jhelum River flows through the Kashmir Valley. Kashmir Valley is densely populated owing to the plains being fertile.

Mughal Emperor Jahangir on visiting Kashmir in early 17th century described it as Heaven on Earth. Kashmir is characterized by its mesmerizing unmatched beauty. When you close your eyes and think of a place which is surrounded by the majestic snow-capped mountains, lush green meadows and serene and pristine lakes a certain image forms in your mind but in reality, it cannot be put to words when one visits the place. The beauty of Kashmir is unmatched not only for its landscapes but also the peace and tranquility it offers the visitors as they leave their stress-free life away from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

Famous poet Amir Khusro in his poems during his time in the Maluk dynasty described Kashmir using the following words

"Agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast,
Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast."

Which in English means - If there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this!

Later other Mughal Emperors like Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb when they stayed in Kashmir added beautiful flowering gardens which just adds to the beauty of the valley.

Kashmir in every season offers visitors a different landscape and its corresponding beauty, the colourful gorgeous flowers in Spring, the leave of Gulmohar trees turning orange and brown in Autumn and the blanket of snow covering the region in winters is a sight to behold. A visit to this place has to be on everyone’s travel bucket list as it offers a variety of experiences making it a trip of a lifetime for travellers.

A Comprehensive Overview of Nature, Culture, and Adventure Activities in Kashmir

Kashmir offers tourists with a variety of things to do and places to visit as Kashmir is famous and known for a lot of things. Kashmir is famous for its unmatched natural beauty of its surrounding majestic mountains, the pristine and serene lakes, the gorgeous blooming flower gardens, the handicraft items like pashmina shawls, carpets etc, ‘Kesar’ or Saffron of Kashmir is world famous, the religious sites and the adventure activities of skiing in Gulmarg to various trekking expeditions. Here is an overview of them.

• Lakes in Kashmir: There are more than 20 lakes in Kashmir and they offer a relaxing time with our loved ones. The most famous lake of Kashmir is Dal Lake also known as Jewel of Kashmir is known for its luxurious houseboat stays and Shikara rides. Another popular lake after Dal Lake is Nigeen Lake which as the name suggests id like the stone on a ring.Other lakes are Wular Lake which is the largest fresh water lake in India, Mansabal Lake which is the deepest lake and less crowded option in Kashmir, Sheshnag Lake which is an important stop for pilgrims going for Amarnath Yatra and Tarsar and Marsar Lakes which are famous with adventure lovers for their trekking options.
• Valleys in Kashmir: Kashmir is known for its lush green valleys and its mesmerizing beauty. The Gulmarg valley is heaven for adventure seekers, the picturesque Betaab Valley will transport you to a song or location of a Bollywood movie, the Nagin Valley for its lush greenery due to the enormous Deodar trees and Nubra Valley for its flora and the surrounding Buddhist monasteries. Each valley is different from the other making Kashmir a hit with the tourists.
• Gardens in Kashmir: Kashmir boasts for several gardens which are a must visit places for travellers. Some gardens Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, and Chashme Shahi, all located near Dal Lake are also known as Mughal Gardens are UNESCO heritage site as they till date maintain the architecture done by the Mughal emperors. The Tulip Garden is Asias largest tulip garden located in Srinagar the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It hosts THE TULIP FESTIVAL each year from March to April showcasing the wide variety of the blooming Tulip Flowers.
• Trekking In Kashmir: Kashmir is a paradise for trekkers offering breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains, serene and tranquil lake and lush green meadows. Treks in this region also offers unique cultural experiences. The Kashmir great lakes trek is a favourite amongst the trekkers. The Tarsar marsar lake trek and The Narang Gangabal trek offer trekkers a unique blend of natural and cultural experience. For more experienced trekkers there are Kolahoi glacier trek, Harmukh Valley Trek and Kashmir alpine lake treks as these treks are high altitude the level of difficulty is high.
• Adventure Sports And Activities: If someone is not into trekking there are several other options for those seeking an adventure while visiting Kashmir like skiing in Gulmarg, River rafting in the various rivers flowing down the glaciers, paragliding, mountain biking and camping in the many valleys of Kashmir. Apart from this one can enjoy the Gondola ride which is the highest Gondola ride in the world in Gulmarg, Horseback riding in Betaab Valley or Sonmarg or go on a less adventure Shikara ride in Dal Lake. There is something for everyone in Kashmir.
• Religious Sites In Kashmir: Kashmir hosts a lot of diverse religious sites – Adi Shankaracharya Temple, Vaishno Devi Temple, Hazratbal Shrine, Jama Masjid and the most important Amarnath Cave.
• Culture And Heritage: Kashmir has diverse culture offering visitors with a wide variety of experiences. Kashmir is well known for its handicraft items like the Pashmina Shawl, hand woven carpets and intricate wooden carvings. Kashmir is a major producer for its world-famous Saffron or Kesar which are grown in the high altitude Karewas of Kashmir Valley. Kashmiri Kahwa is another local famous drink a tea blended with spices like saffron, clove and cinnamon and a must have during a visit to Kashmir.

Kashmir can be visited any time of the year at it offers different experiences in different seasons depending on interests of the tourists. The spring season is an ideal time to visit the many gardens and valleys of the region while the winter with its snow is perfect for adventure seekers and those who want to witness the snowfall. 

A visit to Kashmir should be on everyone’s travel list as the trip and its experience will be thousand times more than one can imagine creating memories lasting a lifetime as one takes back a piece of this Jannat or Paradise back home.

Read more: Trekking Places in Kashmir