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The Valley of Kashmir, is a pert of the Indian state of
Jammu & Kashmir that rises in tiers from the plains to
encompass mountainous terrain, high altitude valleys and
plateaus.
Many things: its landscape, a lush green valley and
rolling wooded uplands ringed by snowcapped mountains,
crisscrossed by rivers and studded with lakes; Its rich
profusion of trees and flowers and fruits-the Himalayan
 cedar, the Chinars, the ramrod straight poplars, the pale
pink foam of almond blossoms in spring, lotuses budding in
the late summer heat, jewel like cherries glowing in
wooden boxes, and in autumn, saffron-yielding crocuses in
the plateaus of Pampore stretching purple as far as the
eye can see.
The immense wealth of handicrafts, evoking different and
subtle tactile sensations the soft, buttery feel of
the famed Toosh shawls, the waxy smoothness of planed
walnut wood out of which beautiful motifs and designs are
carved, papier-mâché—slick to touch and a marvel to the
eyes, the rough texture of the numdah and the thick,
luxurious pile of silk and woolen close-knotted hand made
carpets; Its foodcurried stalk of lotus, tangy greens and
karam saag, crisp fried chops of mutton, mutton cooked in
spices and yogurt, meatballs made of finely pounded meat
and simmered in a creamy-rich sauce of cardamoms,
thickened milk and broth, washed down with cups of kahwa,
a tea flavored with cinnamon, cardamoms, almonds and
saffron.
The lovely liquid sound of the Kashmiri language; Its
people a medley of races and religions Aryan, Scythian and
Mongolian; Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists, faces and images
closer to Central Asia than to the plains of India.
A wealth of historical remains the sombre magnificance of
the Sun Temple at Martand, the formal elegance of Mughal
Gardens, the mighty Hari Parbat Fort overlooking the city
of Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, the Shankarachrya
Temple atop the Shankaracharya hill in the heart of the
city of Srinagar. These are sights that make Kashmir.
Other places in India have some of these but only Kashmir
has them all, and from these threads are woven the travel
experiences that are uniquely Kashmiri.
Srinagar the capital city stood at the crossroads of the
great trade routes between India, Central Asia and China,
opening Kashmir to influences from Greece, Persia, Tibet
and China, as well as the Indian heartland. The resultant
mélange is what makes Kashmir unique.
A unique experience for a life time. Through the ages, it
has remained another name for PARADISE. A dream garden,
painted a new each season, but always beautiful.
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