Day 55 - Gulmarg

Gulmarg literally means 'meadow of flowers'. It is a majestic hill station in the district of Baramula of Jammu and Kashmir in India. The hill station, at an altitude of 2730 m, was earlier known as Gaurimarg, where Gauri stands for Goddess Parvati the wife of Lord Shiva. The name Gulmarg was given to this place by the King Yousuf Shah Chak. Nestled with stunning peaks in the Himalayan ranges, Gulmarg is a spectacular picnic spot attracted by all kinds of tourists with its lush green backdrop, beautiful landscapes, flowering gardens, serene lakes and pleasant climate during the summers and falls. his imposing hill station was a pleasure resort for kings and royal family members and a summer retreat for the British officers during the British rule in India. Sir Marc Aural Stein, the renowned central Asian explorer made this place as his halting location between the expeditions during early 20th century. History claims that Mughal emperor Jehangir was a frequent visitor to this pleasant environment. Gulmarg is an eye catching place with picturesque surroundings, beautiful gardens with mind blogging flowers and fragrance. This is one of the best ski resorts in India as it gets heavy snowfall, especially during winter. Some of the highest ski slopes in India lies in the sloppy Himalayan regions in Gulmarg. Gulmarg is credited with the longest and highest cable car project in Asia. The experience in this cable car is breathtaking and really memorable.


How to reach here:

By Air: Nearest airport to Gulmarg is Srinagar which is 56 km away from Gulmarg. Jeeps and Taxi cabs are available from airport to Gulmarg.

By Rail: Closest Railhead from Gulmarg is Jammu. Jammu is connected by rail to many cities in India; especially direct trains are available from northern cities.


Best time to visit: March to October.


Languages spoken: Kashmiri, Urdu and Hindi.


Must eat: Matschgand (minced lamb meatballs in spicy red gravy),Kaanti (lamb pieces in red hot gravy, usually eaten as a snack and not part of the main course),Modur Pulaav (Sweet Pulao, usually as a dessert),Nadir-Waangan (lotus stems with Brinjal).


Famous Restaurants: Bakshi's Green Punjabi Dhaba, There, Global Hotel/Restaurant.


Places you must visit:

Alpathar Lake  located on the valley down the twin Afarwat peaks at an altitude about 4,511 m. This serene lake in a triangular shape is placed in the backdrop of scenic hilly snow capped terrains. The lakeside gardens add the beauty to the surroundings. This attractive lake remains frozen until June and during the summer streams of clear water bubbling through the lake with floating ice pieces.




Shrine (Ziarat) of Baba Reshi, dedicated to Muslim scholar and saint Baba Reshi, is a sacred mosque in the valley of Gulmarg. This tomb was built in 1480. Baba Reshi was an important courtier during the period of King of Kashmir Zain-ul-Abidin and is considered as a holy shrine. The five century old shrine was constructed with the architectural styles of Persian and Mughals. The shrine is located in a vast expanse of greenish lawns and it can accommodate many thousands at a time. This sacred tomb is a highly revered religious attraction and thousands of devotees visit this shrine every year.

St Mary's Church is a religiously important church in Gulmarg. The construction of the church dates back to 150 years and was done by famous British architectures in the construction style of British churches. This holy church is rare sight of a Christian church in Gulmarg and is reachable through trekking. The church is located in the heart of the town and is surrounded by many old fashioned huts as well as an old hotel suitable for staying to view snow falling on the surroundings. The alpine trees around the church add a soft breeze to the cool environment. Gulmarg Golf Club is a nearby attraction to visit.

Gondola Lift/Ride is a wonderful Cable Car ridein Gulmarg .Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporations manage the Gulmarg Cable Car ride. The ride is divided into two sections – Gulmarg to Kongdori and Kongdori to Apherwat. The Gondola passes over the pine forests, starting from a height of 2690 m above sea level and rise up to 3090 m while reaching Kongdoor. The majestic view of the lush green hilly terrains and the panoramic views of the picturesque surroundings offer the greatest experience for a tourist while enjoying the cable car ride. 

Ningle Nallah is a beautiful stream, flowing down the mountains near Gulmarg. Melting snow and ice that flows from Apharwat Peak to Alpather Lake in the summer season gives rise to this stream. The stream continues to flow down into the valley and meets the Jhelum River near Sopore. Area around the stream is a favourite camping ground among tourists.

Outer Circular Walk offers a beautiful view of the whole Kashmir Valley. Visitors can opt for this 11 km long walk amidst the grassland, while visiting Gulmarg. Surrounded by landscapes and lush green pine forests, the walk provides  view of Nanga Parbat, the fourth highest peak on earth at 8,500 m.

Drung is famed for a beautiful stream that flows towards the city of Gulmarg. Popularly known for trout fishing and rock climbing, this place constitutes one of the major picnic spots around Gulmarg. This developing resort is the site where the downhill road from Tangmarg reaches the Ferozepore stream.

 

Benji's Bar at the Highlands Park is one of the beautiful locations around Gulmarg to enjoy a meal or a snack. The place has been adorned with personal memorabilia of the erstwhile owner.

Khilanmarg is a small valley, which is the site for Gulmarg’s winter ski runs. Carpeted with flowers in the spring season, the meadow offers beautiful views the surrounding peaks and the Kashmir Valley. It can be reached by a 600-m ascent from the destination. From the peak, views of Himalayas, Nanga Parbat, and the twin 7,100-m peaks of Nun and Kun can be availed.

Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is known for providing shelter to the endangered wildlife species like leopards, red foxes, serow, musk deer and many more. Furthermore, the reserve also houses various species of flora like cedrus deodara, pinus griffithii, aesculus indica, and abies pindrow.Vegetation of the reserve also comprises dicotyledonus herbs, along with shrubs like Indigofera heterantha, sorbaria tomentosa, viburnum sp. and others. Apart from the flora and fauna, the reserve is renowned as a natural habitat of various species of birds like European hoopoe. Spread over an area of about 180 sq. km, it offers abode to both resident and migratory birds like European hoopoe, snow cock, jungle crow, koklas, blue rock pigeon, griffon vulture and Kashmir roller.Having an altitude that ranges from 2,400 to 4,300 m above sea level, the reserve also has a population of pheasants and upland birds. Birds residing in the reserve also include crimson tagopan, monal pheasant, blood pheasant and many other species. In the reserve, birdwatchers can also spot griffon vulture, monal, snow cock, koklas and more.

Lien Marg is a meadow of flowers that is set amidst pine forests. Placed at an elevation of 2,653 m above sea level, it is a round the year destination and India's only winter sports resort. 

Maharani Temple, located on a small hillock in the middle of Gulmarg hill station, previously served as the royal temple of Dogra Kings. Often known as Mohineshwar Shivalalaya, it houses idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.It is also referred to as Rani Temple, as it was built by Mohini Bai Sisodhia, the wife of the erstwhile ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh. Maharaja Hari Singh was the last king of Kashmir, who ruled the region till 1915. She is believed to have spent some time at the temple worshipping Lord Shiva.

Joshmaidan is a meadow located in the Kashmir Valley.

Kokernag has some of the most beautiful rose gardens in the region. In the spring season, tourists can indulge in trout fishing in the region. 

Verinag is a spring that is situated at the foot of the Banibal Pass in the Pir Panjal Range. This spring is believed to be the source of Jhelum River. At the spring, Emperor Jehangir built an octagonal stone basin in 1612. Shah Jahan laid a garden around it in 1620. Water of the spring is known for its medicinal value.

Tangmarg, situated in Baramulla District, is about 13 km way from Gulmarg. It is amongst the 8 taluks of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. Tangmarg is famous throughout the region for its handicraft works.Situated on the foothills of the Pir Panjal Range, Tangmarg is home to some of the beautiful tourist attractions like Ferozpore Nallah, Waters Meet and Baba Reshi Shrine.