Srinagar or
the City of Sun is the summer capital
of Jammu & Kashmir. Located
in the heart of Kashmir Valley ,
at an altitude of 1,700 meters, Srinagar
is famous for its Lakes and Mughal
Gardens . The Dal and the Nagin
Lake enhance its picturesque setting
while the salubrious climate makes
the city an attractive all season
destination. As legendary as the
beauty of Srinagar is the myth regarding
its origins. Long, long ago, the
land of Kashmir was a vast expanse
of lake, the depths of which were
inhabited by a fierce and evil demon.
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Armed
with divine powers, the sage Kashyap
drained the waters and acting in
tandem, Goddess Parvati, consort
of Shiva, crushed the demon to death
beneath a huge mountain (called Hari
Parbat, or Koh-e-Maraan) that stands
to date. Often
touted as paradise on earth for its
spectacularly breathtaking beauty,
the capital of Kashmir - the valley
of Srinagar - at the foot of the
mighty Himalayas, with its expanses
of placid lakes, rapid rivers, rolling
meadows, immaculate flowering gardens,
and the chinar (maple) tree that
reflects the changing seasons from
the fresh green of spring to the
russets of autumn that are shed for
winter - tugs at the eyes and heart-strings
of the beholder.
A houseboat on a
placid lake ringed by flowering trees
is by far one
of the most attractive choices
for accommodation, setting the
tone and pace for a visit to
this ethereal city and the deluxe Gurkha Houseboats
on the Nagin Lake are an amalgamation
of all that is the last word in pampered comfort, elegant lavishness and abiding
romance. The serenity of the lake permeates into the aloof houseboat habitation.
There
are options of houseboats with 2, 3 or 4 deluxe double-bed rooms with attached bathrooms,
dining room, sitting room and verandah. The cuisine is customized to the taste
of the guest, with Continental and Indian fare, and the famed and distinctive
Kashmiri cuisine. |
