TRAVELOGUE
Kashmir
HEAVEN ON EARTH
“If there is paradise on Earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.” – Amīr Khusrow
M
uch before visiting
Kashmir, I was always
fascinated and attracted
to the valley. It had been
a lifelong dream for me to visit the
valley and witness the enthralling
beauty that has fascinated people
for centuries.
While deployed in Delhi with a fellow
HPite Shri Haroon Hamid Kar, who
happened to be from Srinagar, I
expressed my will to visit the valley.
To my surprise, he immediately
invited me to visit Kashmir and helped
me narrow down all the places that
I should visit. After extensive
research, my plan to visit the valley
finally took shape.
It was around the same time when
the Youth Hostel Association of
India (YHAI) announced their ‘Family
Adventure Camping’ at Srinagar. The
itinerary fit perfectly for my needs and
I registered immediately.
26
ISSUE 1 2018
We boarded a flight from Mumbai
to Srinagar via Delhi. On reaching
Srinagar, we hired a cab for local
sightseeing. With three days in our
kitty, we decided to divide them
between Pahalgam, Gulmarg and
local sightseeing in Srinagar.
Srinagar provides a plethora of
options to choose from. First on
our list was the popular Dal Lake
where we took the Shikara ride and
relaxed for an hour. The beauty of
the lake, the pleasant climate and
the friendliness of the Shikara driver,
rejuvenated us from the tiredness of
the long flight.
We were mesmerised by the beauty
of the famous Three Gardens.
The Three Gardens, as they are
popularly known, represent the royal
Mughal Gardens of Srinagar. These
gardens date back to the Mughal
era and represent the finest blend of
architecture and nature.
The largest of the three is the
Shalimar Bagh, situated along Dal
Lake. It was built in 1619 by Mughal
Emperor Jahangir for his wife Nur
Jahan. The garden is divided into
three parts and is decorated with
beautiful Chinar trees and colourful
flowers. The Nishat Bagh is another
popular garden. It was built in
1633 by Nur Jahan’s brother Asif
Khan. It is divided in 12 parts—each
representing different zodiac signs
of astrology. Chashme Shahi Garden
is the smallest Mughal Garden but
is as beautiful as its counterparts.
It has natural springs of freshwater
which further add to its beauty.
Emperor Shah Jahan built this
garden in 1632. The gardens were
very well maintained and the
flowers were in full bloom. But the
icing on the cake is nature itself,
with greenery all around and
breathtaking views from every point,
the place really felt like heaven
on earth.