The blog recounts a trip to Kashmir, detailing experiences in Srinagar, Pahalgam, and Gulmarg, highlighting key attractions such as Shankaracharya Temple, Lal Chowk market, and Mughal gardens. The author shares challenges faced due to curfew restrictions and their accommodations, along with recommendations for future travelers. Ultimately, the blog reflects on the beauty of Kashmir, encouraging exploration of its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes.

1. chetanbhola April 6,
2020
Kashmir: A Heaven on Earth.
realmusictravel.com/2020/04/06/kashmir
Hello Everyone,
I hope that you guys are very well. This is my very first blog of KASHMIR. Please show
your love & Appreciations.
This was the time of my Birthday when we planned a trip toKASHMIR with my best
friends. We were booked with staff booking because we were working with INDIGO
airlines at that time. You must be amazed we only paid INR 1000 per traveler ( Taxes ). I
will tell you the places to visit in Kashmir.
We took our flight with INDIGO airlines and reached Srinagar Kashmir A “Heaven” on
Earth which is also called the CITY OF VALLEYS. We flew by morning flight so that we
could save the entire day to roam around.
The moment we landed we met our guide whose name was JUNAID SAIFI. I must say that
humanity will be alive ever and forever. You must be thinking that why am i writing this
because the time we arrived in SRINAGAR a CURFEW took Place. Our journey was on an
end before it starts. But thank you JUNAID he took the responsibility and made our travel
happy and comfortable. If you want to travel there and need the best guide then share
the details in comments. I will share the details with you.
We had checked in to our hotel which was booked using a travel agency portal. But i
would suggest if you can take any chance then try to book the accommodation once you
reach there. We booked our hotel in front of DAL LAKE but it was not at that location. It
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2. was in some unknown street. Somehow we managed to stay. We had our breakfast and
left the hotel to feel the vibes.
SRINAGAR
Best time to visit : April to October
Places to Visit : LAL CHOWK MARKET, MUGHAL GARDEN, CHASHME SHAHI,
SHANKARACHARYA TEMPLE
On day 1 we had been to LAL CHOWK MARKET, MUGHAL GARDEN, CHASHME SHAHI,
SHANKARACHARYA TEMPLE. Let me introduce these historical and tourist spots.
SHANKARACHARYA TEMPLE
The Shankaracharya Temple is otherwise called the Jyeshteshwara Temple. It is on the
Shankaracharya Hill on the Zabarwan Range in Srinagar, India. It is devoted to Lord
Shiva. The sanctuary is at a tallness of 1,000 feet (300 m) over the valley floor and sits
above the city of Srinagar. According to Pandit Anand Koul (1924), the sanctuary was
initially worked by the Hindu lord “Sandiman” who, as indicated by Koul, reigned in
Kashmir from 2629 to 2564 BC. It was fixed by King Gopaditya (426–365 BC) and by King
Lalitaditya (697–734 A.D.). This is one of my personal best spots in Kashmir because of
belief in Lord Shiva.
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3. Pic courtesy : Wikipedia.More
LAL CHOWK MARKET
LAL CHOWK is a city square in Srinagar, Kashmir which is also called Red square. Lal
Chowk was named by Left-wing activists inspired by the Russian Revolution as they
fought Maharaja Hari Singh. It was a traditional place for political meetings with Jawahar
Lal Nehru. You can see a ClockTower which was made by Bajaj Electricals in 1980.
MUGHAL GARDEN
The Mughals were influenced by Persian Gardens. It’s made up of fountains, pools,
Canals. This beauty cannot be described in words. You need to be there if you really want
to enjoy the beauty. There are a few more gardens named SHALIMAR BAGH, NISHANT
BAGH as well.
CHASHME SHAHI
Chashme Shahi is one of the Mughal Gardens which was built in 1632 AD during Spring
Season. Because of this, it is also called “ The Royal Spring”.It was made by Ali Mardan
Khan as a gift from Emperor Shah Jahan for his elder son Prince Dara Shikoh as a gift. Its
Located near Raj Bhawan overlooking DAL LAKE.
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4. The Prime Minister Shri Jawaharlal Nehru’s visited Kashmir in May 1948. Visit to Chashma Shahi
gardens.
By Photo Division, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India
Our complete day was well spent by exploring the beautiful gardens & complete
Srinagar. On the very same day, we left for PAHALGAM VALLEY by 01:00 am. You must
be wondering that everyone leaves at a decent time & why the journey was started by us
at an odd time. I tell you the reason because of curfew in the entire Kashmir. Since we
have a local guide with us so he asked us to change the cities in the night only.
We were scared due to Curfew but finally, we reached our destination. Our hotel
reservation in Pahalgam was also a waste. It was dark & we landed up to a cottage. A
man came out with a lantern. It was like we are entering a hunted house. Our room was
on the first floor & to our surprise, there was only 01 bed. We all 04 friends somehow
managed to sleep.
The next day when we woke up we told the night story to our guide that the bed was
super cold. He said that he forgot to tell us that there was a bed heater installed & we
should have activated that. The moment we got to know we utilized that heater very well.
We soaked our clothes, Shoes everything since it was a new thing for us. We really had
fun at that time.
Since it was a very old trip of us so we lost most of the pics. Let me tell you this was the
view from our cottage Backyard. We enjoyed our breakfast in Chilly morning in sunlight
with the sound of River. It was like we were in Heaven.
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5. Pahalgam Valley
Best time to visit : March to November.
Places to Visit : BAISARAN VALLEY, AVANTIPUR TEMPLE, TULIAN LAKE , BEETAB VALLEY
Since we had a short trip so we only went to BAISARAN VALLEY so let me introduce this
place.
BAISARAN VALLEY
Baisaran is also called as Mini Switzerland. Baisaran is an eye-catching place which is
located approx 05 km away from Pahalgam valley. You can hire a local guide & Horses to
take you there. It will be an adventurous ride. You can enjoy games, rides and local food
like Maggie.
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6. Pic Courtesy : Travel Triangle. BAISARAN VALLEY
After exploring the Baisaran Valley we came back and spent a well evening in Pahalgam
Valley.
Now the time was to left Pahalgam. It was around 01.00 am & we left to GULMARG a
most awaited place to visit on our trip.
Best time to visit : December to mid March ( If you love snow ) / March – June ( If you
want to go in summers ).
Activities to do : SNOW BOARDING , SKEING , GANDOLA RIDE.
Places to Visit : MAHARANI TEMPLE / STRAWBERRY FIELD / GULMARG GANDOLA
We reached the destination by 04 am. You can rent or buy snow shoes and Jackets at the
entrance f GULMARG.
We had our bookings in GULMARG. So we did not go to any other hotel. We always
wanted to see the snowfall but luckily the moment we entered the snowfall started &
enjoyed the moment very well.
GULMARG is especially very famous amongst foreigners because they come here for
adventurous activities like SNOWBOARDING, SKIING, etc. It’s also very famous for
shooting films. There are so many films which were shot here like KASHMIR KI KALI, JAB
WE MET, ROTI.
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7. By Andrew Turland – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
MAHARANI TEMPLE
Maharani Temple is also known as Shiv Temple of Gulmarg which was built by Hindu
Ruler Maharaja Hari Singh for his wife Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodia. This temple is
dedicated to Shiva & Parvati.
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8. Maharani Temple : Gulmarg Kashmir
STRAWBERRY VALLEY
Strawberry valley is a most visited and a must visit place in Gulmarg.
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9. Strawberry Valley : Gulmarg Kashmir
GULMARG GONDOLA
This was built by the French company POMAGALSKI. The height of GULMARG Gondola is
around 3979 meters
Gondola : Gulmarg Kashmir
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10. ARTICLE 370
This is to inform you that we traveled to Kashmir a few years back when ARTICLE 370 was
not removed. But now you can go freely since ARTICLE 370 & 35A has been removed by
the Central Government.
Watch Video At: https://youtu.be/i6Algo5-4sw
Since we have a short plan to visit Kashmir due to which we were not able to explore
other places there. I wish i could go there and explore the unexplored beauty of
Kashmir.
So Let me end this blog here. I hope you have enjoyed this blog very much. Please do
share your comments and feedback that how more i can improve my blogs.
Please do not forget to subscribe my blogs.
Thanks & Regards,
Chetan Your Travel blogger.
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