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Archive for Srinagar

Kashmiri art

Since its beginnings, the Kashmir region has been a source of great works of art. The arts of the area reflect the culture and spirituality of the people who live there, as well as important historical events. Everything from the smallest handicrafts to the largest paintings reveals another perspective on the region. Today, a wireless internet connection will let you view many of these pieces of work. Of course, nothing beats the real thing.”The Arts of Kashmir,” a 2007 exhibit at the New York branch of the Asia Society, introduced the history of Kashmir art to a new generation in the West. This exhibit started with the origins of art in the traditions of indigenous peoples, usually portraying Hindu deities. For example, the collection included a “life-size bronze mask of the god Vishnu from the fifth century A.D.” A typical 7th-century piece was the limestone sculpture of the mother goddess Indrani, which was loaned from Srinagar’s Sri Pratap Singh Museum (a wonderful destination for art lovers traveling to Kashmir today). Read the rest of this entry »

Srinagar, Indian capital and “city of wealth”

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 »