Kashmir The Beautiful Cultural Wonder Of India
By Srimal Fernando Daily Mirror .Impulse ( Print /Online edition http://dailymirrorepaper.newspaperdirect.com/ep…/viewer.aspx- Sri Lanka ) Monday ,1st December 2014
“If
paradise is anywhere on the earth, it is here” was one of most
memorable observations ever spoken by the seventeenth century Mughal
emperor Jahangir in a journey to the Kashmir Valley .
Yet these words
still stands true today. Kashmir laced with myths of antiquity occupies
the Northern portion of the mountainous region of India. Jammu and
Kashmir needs little introduction to many visitors to this picturesque
landscape with mountains, gorgeous lakes, beautiful country side,
monuments, temples, tombs, Mughal gardens and palaces. The Indian state
of Kashmir boast one of the world’s longest, richest and most rewarding
histories.
The unresolved issue of Kashmir since partition of India in 1947 has remained one of the major stumbling blocks for better India, Pakistan relations and it has been at the centre stage of South Asian political iconography for more than half a century. In the hope that peace would prevail in this beautiful area, Kashmir is seeing a growing proportion of visitor arrivals in the recent past .Kashmir with its magnificent heritage, glorious culture with its rich royal past is one of the most scenic and extremely popular tourist destinations in India. The mountain journey which commences from Jammu to Srinagar passing through Kashmir valley winds its way through many hair raising curves and fearful tunnels and deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens. The scenery as it unfolds during the trip is breathtaking. There is no end to the breath-taking sites visitors can see in Jammu the winter capital , Srinagar , Jammu Udhampur, GondolaKatra , Zab Baihk , Ladakh and Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Leh.
The unresolved issue of Kashmir since partition of India in 1947 has remained one of the major stumbling blocks for better India, Pakistan relations and it has been at the centre stage of South Asian political iconography for more than half a century. In the hope that peace would prevail in this beautiful area, Kashmir is seeing a growing proportion of visitor arrivals in the recent past .Kashmir with its magnificent heritage, glorious culture with its rich royal past is one of the most scenic and extremely popular tourist destinations in India. The mountain journey which commences from Jammu to Srinagar passing through Kashmir valley winds its way through many hair raising curves and fearful tunnels and deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens. The scenery as it unfolds during the trip is breathtaking. There is no end to the breath-taking sites visitors can see in Jammu the winter capital , Srinagar , Jammu Udhampur, GondolaKatra , Zab Baihk , Ladakh and Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Leh.
As the most populous city of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar known as the ‘Venice of the East” is situated amidst a splendid panorama . Origin of Srinagar is so a unique and ancient that it has been veiled in the mist of time. The eye catching Dal Lake of Srinagar is encircled by variety of walk paths gives a perfect place for tourists to observe the spellbinding scenic views of the area. Dal Lake is famed for breathtaking river cruise in a Shikaraa , traditional small wooden boat, or in a houseboat in the bottle green waters of the lake can be an enjoyable cruise . There is no end to the breath-taking sites visitors can see in Sringar . Among those sites Hazratbal Shrine, Jama Masjid one of the oldest mosques in Kashmir Aali Masjid , GanderbalHari ,Shrine of Sharika Mata temple. Although Mughal Empire has long since vanished its influence continues to be present in every part of Srinagar .Today picturesque Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh are delightful gardens of over famed for its roses and ferns. Srinagar has a fair assortment of other country style houses with large gardens .It will take hours of roaming around to see everything in the city. Kashmir is unique, not just for its most striking natural wonders but for the veritable treasures lying in the diversity of its rich cultural heritage. Art is considered one of the defining features of the Kashmiri culture The musical communities in the country are well versed with raga, talas and the melodic modes that have rhythmical notes. Both ethnic and modern dances are featured in the dance festivals in Kashmir . There are number of dance styles in Kashmir ,however Dumhal a popular dance in the Kashmir Valley styles is performed by men . The state has produced a large number of leading writers, intellectuals’ playwrights and poets. Traveling to Jammu and Kashmir can be done in different ways .However the experience that a visitor gains is unforgettable.
Source : Daily Mirror ( http://dailymirrorepaper.newspaperdirect.com/ep…/viewer.aspx ) Sri Lanka
