Cradled in the lap of majestic snow capped mountains of the Himalayas, Kashmir was the most beautiful place on earth. On visiting the Valley of Kashmir, Jehangir, the Mughal emperor, is said to have exclaimed: "If there is paradise anywhere on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here."
There are snow capped towering peaks, lush green fields & forests, wildlife, religious places, fresh water springs, rivers, beautiful lakes, blooming fruits, pine and chinar trees. All these attract the tourists from world over.
Every Indian nurture a dream, of visiting Kashmir once in life time in their mind. The same dream was in our mind too for a long time. Due to disturbances in the state no tourist dared to visit during last many years. With all this our dream was almost dead, but for last two years the situation improved and flow of tourists almost restored to normal. We did not think twice, planned and visited Kashmir in the summer of 2006.
Shalimar Bag, Shrinagar
During our journey to Kashmir, all sorts of ominous things started happening. We started our journey by Poorva Express from Howrah. After a while got a message from my son stating about a car bomb blast at Srinagar at Lal chowk and a tourist died on the spot as per morning TV news. On reaching Delhi next day we read the report about the incident which is described by media as a stray incident. Political parties called two days strike on 24th & 25th and due to this we had to make little change in our program to avoid the stike. We reached Srinagar on 26 May 2006 from Pahelgam. 
Nishat Bag, Shrinagar
Pahelgam is situated about 100 Km away from Srinagar, at a height of 2195 Meters in ‘Liddar valley’. This place of cool climate, famous as a calm health resort and also famous for its natural beauty. It is surrounded by high peaks of mountains so the climate of the place is too cold. When we reached Pahelgam from Katra in the evening, it was cheeled cold. 
Pahelgaon, Kashmir
Journey to Srinagar :
Just before starting from Pahelgam for Srinagar on 26th., we came to know that a Granade was hurled in a Tata Sumo vehicle and all members of a Gujarati family died. So far there was no direct attack on the tourists so far. This was the first incident of direct attack to the tourists and this made us little worried.
Before starting our bus, driver ordered to close all windows and said bus will not stop on the way. The situation prevailed that moment, made us little scared and tensed. All were nervous, thinking end of life is not far off, and we won’t see our near and dear ones anymore. In spite of all this tensions, warnings the bus had to stop on the way for one of our lady co-passenger had to respond to nature’s call. All passengers especially lady passengers, were cursing for her childish behavior. The Military soldier posted at that point, where the bus stopped, came near the bus and said leave the place quickly, don't wait here. Few hour back there was a attack by militants here. He shown the signs of the bullet marks on the wall and broken glass of a STD booth. However, with all tensions, we reached Srinagar in the evening safely, without any untoward incident.
Gulmarg, Kashmir
Gulmarg :
Gulmarg was earlier called “Gouri Marg”. Gulmarg means valley of flowers. It is situated at a distance of 50 Km west of Srinagar. It is rated as one of the matchless hill resorts in the word. The fresh green valley covered with heavy snow during winter (Nov to Jan). A 5 km long ropeway and cable car between Gulmarg and Khilanmarg is a enjoyable ride.
The road to Gulmarg is through remote villages, paddy fields. Villagers including ladies are happy to see the tourists and are welcoming with smiles and waving hands leaving their works. Police / military personnel were observed guarding remote villages, paddy fields, roads.
Dal Lake, Shrinagar
Dal Lake :
Reached Srinagar on 25 May 06 evening. Dal Lake was very near to our Hotel on the Dalgate Road. On the very first moment we went out of the hotel and visited the lake in the same evening. It is the most beautiful and famous lake of Srinagar, which is 6 Km long and 6 Km in width and situated at a distance of 2 km from the main city. Inside the lake there are many Islands and floating gardens, House Boats, Shikara and Hotels. Shikaras and house boats move in the lake through out day and night. It is said that the lake's water remains cold in the summer and hot in the winter. The lake is surrounded by high mountain peaks, Cheenar, deodar and Pine trees. Charchinar (Four Chinar trees) is located in the middle of Dallake on a island.
The House Boat & Shikaras flot on Dal Lake for the tourists. Traders arrange their marchandise on the Shikaras and sell stationery goods, vegetable, flowers, Mineral water etc. While shikara ride photography also arranged by professional photographers and delivered in the hotel in the same evening. Charchinar (Four Chinar trees) is located in the middle of Dallake on a island.
The House Boat & Shikaras flot on Dal Lake for the tourists. Traders arrange their marchandise on the Shikaras and sell stationery goods, vegetable, flowers, Mineral water etc. While shikara ride photography also arranged by professional photographers and delivered in the hotel in the same evening. Charchinar (Four Chinar trees) is located in the middle of Dallake on a island.
Mughal Gardens :
Shalimar Garden is 15 km away from Srinagar city. It was constructed by Jahangir for his wife Noor Jahan as a meeting point.
Nishat bag is situated on the bank of the Dal Lake with the Zabarwan mountain at the backdrop. It is constructed in steps and it is a biggest garden of Kashmir.
Chashma Shahi : It is also called “Shahi Bag” which is 9 km away from the city. This Garden was constructed by Shahjahan’s Mughal Governor Ali Mardan’s supervision in 1632AD. There is a cold water spring in the center of the Garden. Fresh water is continuously flowing. Its water is refreshing and digestive.
Shankaracharya Temple :
According to historians this temple was constructed by Jhaluka, the son of King Ashok in 200 BC. Lateron it was renovated by Lalitaditya in 699-736 BC. Hindu saint and philosopher Shankaracharya lived here for few days. It is situated near Dal Lake above 305 meters above on the hill. To reach the temple one has to climb 242 steps on the hill.
People of Kashmir :
“Hospitality of Kashmir has been another matter of great interest among the travelers, which is indeed Kashmir’s precious holding even today.” It is true that they are really hospitable. They are polite and friendly in nature.
The people of Kashmir is generally good looking. Due to cold climate through out the year, they are generally fair. Those who are too fair, their face is reddish. In our few days stay we could talk, discuss with Mr. Hameed, (MD of a state PSU), who is also one of the partners of the family business “Hotel Sahara”. In this connection we used to meet in the evening.
Mr. Hammed is a educated and well behaved thorough gentleman. One evening he said that he is now engaged in writing a book on all Hindu God and Goddesses of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions which have been lost in the course of time, and no history is available. He also said the history of the Shakaracharya temple and contribution of muslims for restoration of the temple.
We visited the paradise in summer but the temperature of Srinagar was not enjoyable as we expected. It was hot. It is the result of Global warming we could understand but Hammed saab said deforestation in the region is also responsible for this. While visiting Gulmarg and Sonamarg we saw the sign of deforestation everywhere.
Beauty of Kashmir
To describe the beauty of a place is a difficult task. Because we have no appropriate words for that. Naturally I have to lend the words or sentences from somebody. Moreover I have seen Kashmir for a short time in summer season. Therefore it will be injustice to if I try to describe what I have seen in that short period. Mr. Hameed has traveled a lot in the state for last 26 years and seen Kashmir’s every corner in all seasons. Recently he has written an article about Kashmir and he is kind enough to send me a copy of the same. Following paragraphs are the extracts of his article tittled “ The land which Nature has gifted with a great bounty” written by Mr A Hameed in a Kashmir daily “Shawal-ul-mukaram”.
“Kashmir, it has been often said for centuries, is an indefinable beauty. Noted travelers and historians felt it is Natures blessing to the universe but failed to describe it appropriately as for them words proved inadequate to define beauties of this precious land, its mountains and valleys. Yet for ages human endeavor has invested efforts to interact with Kashmir’s beauty, explore it and describe and highlight it to the outside world. Almost all explorers with their rich experience and knowledge could not mention any place or spot in the world that was comparable with this beautiful land which according to many historians and geologists was a ‘bottom-land’ in prehistoric times.
Kashmir has been often described as the Switzerland of Asia. However in actual terms the main valleys of Switzerland are like the sideways of Kashmir. Talking of purple hills dancing seas and clear blue sky of Greece.
To the Mughuls Kashmir was known as ‘the terrestrial paradise’. GT Vigne regard Kashmir as one of the most blessed spot upon the earth.
Different writers have described Kashmir differently in their best possible way, yet most of them felt it was beyond description in the most appropriate terms.
But it was quite amazing to the writer to learn how the greatest saint of Kashmir , sheikh Nur-ud-din Reshi has commented on the beauty of Kashmir in the following linguistics, more than 600 years ago : “Every minute that I spend here will be deducted from my stay in heaven”.”
Most Scarred situation :
Thanks to GOD once again to make the dream come true without any untoward incident during our journey in the state, when there was every possibility of it. Our bus crossed the 4KM long “Jawahar tunnel” in the Pirpanjal range. After that at the check post some 4/5 armed army Jawans stopped and boarded our bus for traveling to a place enroute. In the situation prevailed in Kashmir it was not an impossible that terrorists in a disguise of India Army or police personnel (it happened many times) can easily board the bus to massacre the tourists. We the tourists (full bus) were tense till they got down
Gods Grace :
Our tour ended on 30 May 2006, safely and without any untoward incident, and on the next early morning at 0630 hrs we left Srinagar for Jammu. On reaching Jammu we came to know that there was grenade attacks on two tourist buses at Dal lake. First we thanked God for making our journey safe. When a Tata Sumo vehicle was attacked by Grenade and killed all tourists, media said it was a stray incident. But it was not so. That was a beginning. Some mastermind were working at the behind to sabotage the tourism of Kashmir since it was soaring to a new height this summer. This was a planned attack on tourists directly. Buses were on their return journey from Gulmarg and another from Sonmarg.
We escaped but our brothers, neighbors became victims of the situation. All tourists were Bengalis from Kolkata. Some tourists were seriously injured and was hospitalized. The tourists who went to paradise to fulfill their lifetime dream, came back with injury. But their injury was consoled by the hospitality of the great Kashmiri people. They are the really beautiful people of the beautiful land.
