Lucas Noah Each year thousands of pilgrims travel to Amarnath, south Kashmir’s most sacred shrine. Many people don’t realize that Amarnath is a holy shrine in south Kashmir. It offers tourists the chance to explore Kashmir valley. From its picturesque lakes and snowcapped peaks to the roaring rivers and numerous trails, the possibilities for adventure and admiring the beauty of nature are endless.
Here are some top places you can visit in Jammu & Kashmir before and after Amarnath Yatra.
Srinagar
A visit to Srinagar will leave you intoxicated by wonder; from the green mountains that reach the sky to the deep valleys below, Srinagar offers a lot, from the Mughal Gardens that include Chashme Shahi, to the Hazratbal Mosque, which preserves the Moi-e-Muqaddas, or the “sacred hair” of Prophet Muhammad. However, the crown jewel of Srinagar is its Dal Lake with its stationary houseboats, which redefine romance. Srinagar is one of the best places that you can add in your jammu and kashmir tour.
What are the top places to visit in Srinagar?
Take a ride on one of the houseboats (also known as “shikaras”) on the tranquil Dal Lake. The lake is spread over 15km and buzzes in the mornings with activity – including the floating vegetable and flower markets. The Shankaracharya Temple is believed to be one of the oldest. It was built by Jaluka around 200 BC and is located on top of Shankaracharya Hill.
Go to the Mughal gardens is a beautiful opportunity to see nature in its most vibrant form. The garden’s most distinctive feature is its square fountain pool. It is fed by water from the Royal Springs.
Gulmarg
Gulmarg is the perfect place to experience Kashmir’s heavenly beauty. It is also known as the “Meadow of Flowers” and hosts the highest golf course globally, a triangular frozen lake, and the Gondola ride. Skiing the Gulmarg’s huge slopes is another way that adventurists get their adrenaline fix. This place is beautiful in every season. It brings out its best every time.
What are the top places to visit in Gulmarg?
Go on a Gondola Ride. Gulmarg’s beauty is breathtaking from the suspended height of 10,000ft. The Gulmarg Golf Club is the most extensive 18-hole course in the country. It has a total length of approximately 7km.
The Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is a great place to witness exotic flora or fauna. This reserve, located at 2400m above sea level, houses a fantastic variety of wildlife, including Red Fox, Brown, and Black Bears.
Pahalgam
Pahalgam, at 7,200ft high, is also known as the “Valley of Shepherds”. This hill town is surrounded by dense pine forests, rolling meadows, and the vast Himalayan Mountains. Besides serving as a base camp for tourists during the Amarnath Yatra, the Pahalgam-Chandanwari-Amarnath route also caters to tourists eager to reach the mountain cave of Lord Shiva. You can also go water rafting down the Lidder River.
What are the top places to visit in Pahalgam?
Visit the Betaab Valley. Its beauty was immortalized in the movie Betaab. The valley is located at River Sheshnag and is surrounded by dense pine, snowy mountains, and deodar forests. Visit the Mamaleshwar Temple to learn more about history.
The Mamaleshwar Temple is one of the oldest temples in Pahalgam. It dates back to the 12 th century. This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was built by King Jayasimha. It contains a pedestal, Shiva Lingam and a pure water basin covered with a basin.
Sonamarg
The Sindh Valley is the main road from Sonamarg to Kashmir. It paints an excellent picture of Kashmir’s countryside. This region is a contrast to the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside and snowy mountains. The valley is home to many trout and mahseer, which are both fish species. This is the beginning point of a significant trekking route. It also serves as a base camp for pilgrims making the journey to Amarnath cave via the Baltal route.
Where to go in Sonamarg
Cross the Zoji-la Pass. This pass is 3,465m above sea level and serves as an essential gateway to Ladakh. This pass offers spectacular views of the Drass Valley and dense forests, as well as the snow-capped peaks surrounding it. The magical properties of the Nilagrad River are revealed. The Baltic Colony is where the Nilagrad River, a mountain stream, meets the Indus River. The red water from this river, according to popular belief, is believed to have several curative properties.
Jammu
Jammu is the place where the past lives in the present. It is also J&K’s capital and once belonged to the Dogra dynasty. Jammu, also known as the “City of Temples”, is a stronghold for religion. The unique cuisine of this place, which includes authentic Dogra dishes such as Rajma, Aloo Dum and Kashmiri Pulao, has earned it a high-profile status.
Jammu: What to See?
Bahu Fort is a symbol of architectural excellence and antiquity. The fort was built by Raja Bahulochan 3000 years ago and housed the Bahu Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. Raghunath Mandir, another religious shrine, displays grandeur on a grander scale. All three sides of the inner walls of this sanctum have gold sheets. The temple houses numerous galleries dedicated to different gods and goddesses. The Sanskrit Library is an incredible treasure trove of rare manuscripts.
Make a pilgrimage towards Vaishno Devi’s holy cave temple. Trekking and spirituality are combined in the journey to the temple located in Trikuta Hills, about 13km from Katra. To reach the shrine and receive the blessings from the Goddess, devotees must climb uphill.
Ladakh
Ladakh, once a Buddhist kingdom, was a place that looked like paradise. It is located crosswise to Zanskar and Ladakh and is bordered by the Himalayas or Karakoram. Jagged mountains surround it from all directions. The gompas or Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries with their whitewashed stupas & prayer flags add a spiritual vibe to the environment. This place is also profoundly traditional and self-sufficient, as can be seen from its residents’ lifestyle.
Ladakh: What should you see?
The Pangong Lake is a must-see on any visit to Ladakh. This lake, located about 140km from Leh and one of the largest brackish-water lakes in Asia, is located around 140km away that demands your review. It extends to China and covers a distance of 134 km. You can seek blessings at Shanti Stupa, also known as the “Pillar of Peace”, established by a Japanese Buddhist peace sect. It contains gilt panels that depict scenes from Buddha’s life.
Khardung La is also known as Khardung Pass. It’s the highest point in the world. It is at 5359m elevation and is the highest vehicle-accessible pass anywhere in the world. It allows you to enter the Shyok or Nubra valleys. The Siachen glacier lies halfway up the Nubra Valley.
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