Paradise on Earth: A Journey through Kashmir

Kashmir offers a breathtaking journey through one of India’s most scenic regions. In 2022 December we went to Kashmir. We started our journey with an early morning train ride from Delhi and reached Udhampur in Jammu. From there we took a car and went to Patnitop, a charming hilltop retreat.We stayed there for a night and explored Nathatop, Sanasar lake, and the ancient nag mandir. The following day we journeyed to pahalgam, a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. The atmosphere was calm and serene.We visited Chandanwari, Betab Valley and Aru Valley along with the majestic Lidder River. We also saw the route that takes us to Amarnath Cave. Our trip continued as we headed to Gulmarg renowned for its snowcaped mountain views. We took a gondola ride and reached the mountain top at around 14000 ft and were mesmerised by the panoramic view. Next we reached Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir. We did a shikara ride on the Dal Lake, then visited Adi Shankaracharya Temple where we got a 360 degree view of Kashmir and strolled through local markets. From Srinagar we ventured to Sonmarg, a place that offered its own slice of paradise. Our trip included a drive through a thrilling route of Zojila Pass to Zero Point where we got awestruck by the view. Our trip concluded with a return to Katra in Jammu. After a tiring trek of 6 hours we reached the Vaishnodevi Mata Temple and had divine darshan. Our journey then ended as we returned back to Kolkata. Kashmir with its majestic mountains, lush green valleys and serene lakes is a land of ethereal beauty. It’s landscapes seems to be painted by the divine creator. Every moment spent here will remain close to my heart.