MOUNTAIN RESORTS
Mountain resorts in this area include Pahalgam (2,110 m above sea level) and
Gulmarg (2,250m) which are within easy reach of Srinagar and other resorts like
Sonamarg (2,595m), Yusmarg and Lolab valley
a little further. Pahalgam, very popular
with Indian tourists, is itself the base for treks to the Kolahai glacier, the
snow bound cave of Amarnath, mountain-girt Sheshnag and other lakes and
other destinations. As we travel we pass through some of the most beautiful scenery in the
world.
Gulmarg
(meadow of flowers) - 'gul' is
'flowers' in Persian and 'marg' is
'upland meadow' resort is not only known for its golf course but has been fast
catching up as a ski-resort after the installation of a 500m chair-lift to the
2km ski-run. This has been supplemented by four sophisticated
ski-lifts. There is a twenty - five room, centrally heated, tourist
bungalow besides luxury hotels with eighty rooms with international
attraction. Gulmarg has practically become a year-round resort, the summer
and autumn seasons complemented by the emphasis on winter sports which
continue until spring.
The Indian institute of skiing and mountaineering, started at Gulmarg by the
Department of Tourism, Government of India, in 1969, is world - famous.
The instructors it turns out assist skiers as well as mountaineers. The
institute also conducts water - ski courses in Nagin lake at Srinagar during the
summer months. Among its objectives are building up interest in skiing,
mountaineering and trekking among Indian youth.
Besides Gulmarg, tourist resorts like Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Kakaranag , Yusmarg,
Aharbal, Daksu, Dal lake, Manasbal lake, and their environs, Mansar and Patni
top, have been further developed under a comprehensive programme, launched by
the state Government. The main thrust of the planned development was to
stabilise and improve the facilities provided so far and to open new areas with
a view to prolonging the stay of visitors and to dispose them over a wider
area of the state.
Sonamarg
Sonamarg means the 'path of gold' is 84km away from
Srinagar. It was the
last major town Kashmir before the Zoji La and Ladakh.
Lamayuru
This monastery is 10km away from
Kargil. The complex, which includes
a Tibetan Kagyupa sector library, thought to be the oldest in
region. The murals seen here are in a mixture style of Indian and
Tibetan. It has a image of eleven headed and 1000 armed Avalokiteshvara.
The caves are carved out of the mountain wall and build rooms. The rooms
are richly furnished with butter lamps, carpets and Tibetan
tables.
Government has been trying to make Kashmir an international resort. As
part of providing cheap accommodation, Yatrikas and Yatriniwas were
constructed at a number of places. New areas like Sanasar, Mantalai,
Deragali, Bhadarwah, Billavar, Sarthan Devi and Salal in Jammu have been brought
on the tourist map. Adventure tourism is a reality, with emphasis on
skiing and heli-skiing, water sports and trekking.
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