Archive for September, 2010
September 24, 2010 at 12:00 pm · Filed under Shikharas
Visit any of Kashmir’s luxurious lakes and you’re sure to see exotically-ornamented houseboats, known as “shikharas,” ringing the shore. Besides being a popular tourist attraction, these boats are an affordable alternative to land housing for many Indians. They range in size from small open fishing boats to larger “floating hotels” with 3 or more bedrooms. The finest examples are found on Dal Lake, Nagin Lake, and the Jhelum River in the city of Srinagar. Here, you’ll find a unique and enticing accommodation experience, which includes a dining area with full pantry, lounge, and a balcony where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and lakes.HouseboatsKashmir.com is one site which makes it easy to book a shikhara vacation. The best part about staying on a houseboat, of course, is that you can go to sleep in one location and wake up in another. Read the rest of this entry »
September 17, 2010 at 12:00 pm · Filed under Srinagar
What’s in a name? A lot, when you’re referring to Srinagar, the capital of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In Sanskrit, “sri” is “wealth” and “nagar” is “city”, giving the most common reading of the name. However, “sri” can can also refer to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, as well as to the sun itself. This name captures the glowing beauty and abundance of the city, which prides itself on its tourist economy dating back the 19th century, when only 200 tourist passes a year were issued by the government. Even then, the city was one of the most popular sites.Srinagar is also known as the “Land of Lakes”, which signifies its main tourist attraction. Straddling a length of the 480-mile Jhelum River, the city does indeed host several lakes. The Dal Lake is the best known, as well as the second largest in the state. Read the rest of this entry »
September 10, 2010 at 12:00 pm · Filed under Himalayas
For winter sporting enthusiasts, the Himalaya Mountains are the Holy Grail of locations. Besides the two largest peaks in the world, Mount Everest and K2, the region features a unique environment where grasslands and savannas give way to sub-tropical forests and then snowy peaks. In addition, the mountains have developed their own mythology, with numerous reports of the Yeti and associations with the mystical city of Shangri-La. With all of this mystique surrounding it, it’s no surprise that skiers and mountaineers can’t wait to take to the peaks.At Kashmir Alpine Winter Adventures, doing so just got a whole lot easier. You can schedule your accommodations at a variety of hotels close to the Gulmarg Ski Resort, which features one of the highest gondola/ski-lifts in the world. Hotel options range from the luxurious Highland Park Hotel to the small, 6 room Rosewood Hut. Read the rest of this entry »
September 3, 2010 at 3:35 pm · Filed under Amarnath Pilgrimage
Every summer during the Hindu holy month of Shraavana (July-August), followers of the Hindu faith make the trek from the city of Pahalgam to the sacred Amarnath Cave Temple. Since many tourists already find themselves in Pahalgam due to its beautiful hotels, majestic mountains, and skiing during the winter, the Amarnath pilgrimage has also caught on with visitors. However, it’s important to remember that the pilgrimage and the destination are both important parts of the Hindu religion. The Amarnath Temple itself is believed to be over 5,000 years old, and appears in many ancient writings like those of Aryaraja (34 BCE 17 CE), who summered at the site.The cave is considered to be the home of Shiva on Earth, and contains an ancient ice lingam which Aryaraja also mentioned. The lingam has begun melting in recent years, for which many blame global warming. The pilgrimage has remained steady despite recent difficulties. Read the rest of this entry »
