Trip to the heaven On Earth-Jammu And Kashmir!!
Jammu and Kashmir, often referred to as "the only heaven on earth," is a region of northern India that is home to many natural wonders, including chir trees, apple orchards, and gorgeous flowers like tulips and Kashmiri roses. It is one of the most popular tourism destinations due to its breathtaking valleys, snow activities, and lakes.
Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra, Jammu was our first destination on our trip. It is among the most well-known Shaktipeeths. According to Hindu mythology, Vaishno Devi is a combination of the three Goddesses Mahalaxmi, Mahasaraswati, and Mahakali. It is a 13 kilometers trek uphill. We began our ascent at night, and by daylight, we had reached the temple. In addition, there was heavy rain between. After worship, we made our way down. The pinnacle of the temple was crowded with worshippers. Although mules and helicopters could be used, we decided to climb the entire peak by ourselves.
Next, we arrived at Patnitop which is a small hill station. Around me, there were lovely flowers, including enormous Kashmir roses. It is also known for its tulip garden but unfortunately, it wasn't the time for tulip blooming. One of the oldest temples in India is Naag Mandir, which is located atop Mantalai hill in Patnitop.
It is impossible to fathom the theological and historical significance this temple, which dates back 600 years, carries. Anyone traveling there is amazed by the intricate carving of the temples, which are made of wood logs. Locals claim that the mandir is where Lord Shiva and Parvati were wed.
The Baglihar dam of the hydroelectric project, built on the Chenab River in the southern portion of the Doda district, is renowned for offering the most breathtaking panoramic view in Patnitop. The Patnitop Tunnel is also known as the Chenani-Nashri Tunnel. The 9.28 km-long Patnitop Tunnel, which was constructed at the foot of the Himalayas, links the Chenani and Nashri districts. It was a very long tunnel with adequate ventilation and emergency exits placed at regular intervals. The tunnel had a lower temperature than outside.
We stayed on a houseboat in Dal Lake in Srinagar. We had a nighttime shikara boat ride. We also ate some of their regional food and went to their floating markets. The houseboat had a view of the mountains.
The interior of the boat was brightly colored and ornamented in Kashmiri style. On the terrace of the home, we also ate breakfast. Each of the houseboats had floating gardens with pretty flowers. The homes in Srinagar resemble enormous castles and have numerous windows. Due to several factors, we were unable to visit the Mughal Gardens. the gardens built by the Mughals, such as Shalimar Bagh and Nishant Bagh.
Our next spot was Gulmarg. One of the greatest locations to visit in Gulmarg is The Gulmarg Golf Course, which Sir Neville Chamberlain built during the British era and has been here for more than a century. The course was eventually renovated by famous golf architect Peter Thomson, and as a result, it now spans 6,760 yards, is par 72, and contains 18 holes. The par five, 610-yard hole is not only the longest in India but also one of the highest golf courses in the whole globe.
We rode horses until the snow point at Gulmarg. The journey up the stony mountain was a pleasant adventure. I repeatedly thought I was going to drop over the mountainside. While taking a break, we had hot Maggie and kahwa.
Their traditional sweet tea, known as kahwa, is brewed with saffron, tea leaves, cloves, cinnamon, and water. We engaged in snow sports, such as slegding, after reaching the snow point.
They used the sledge to carry us up the hill and down the snowy slope. It was swift, fast, and enjoyable. Our night stay was at Sonmarg where we came across beautiful snow-capped valleys with tall trees.
The trip further continued towards Zojila pass and Kargil. Read more about it by clicking on the link given below: