The last 1 week has taught me a very important lesson - Never go by what others say or what the hype is and form your views and opinions based upon your own experiences.. And that’s what I realized after coming to Kashmir.. I had heard soo much about what an unsafe, dangerous and life threatening place it is.. The people of Kashmir were made out to be a herd of cattle who were been shunned around by the militants and military forces.. It was made out t be a place which was perennially infested by the plague of terrorism and that it was in ruins..
But one visit to Kashmir, has completely changed my view and perception of the place and I carry back memories of a blissful, serene and peaceful god’s own paradise!! By just driving 15minutes from the Srinagar airport one starts realizing that really you are in a place that God has taken pains to create and that too with whole heart and soul… A place that can’t be compared to anywhere else in the world.. The pristine waters of the Dal Lake, the majestic magnificence of the Himalayas, the lush green meadows of Pahalgam, the ice laiden stark white mountains of Sonmarg, the gorgeous Gulmarg , forests which make excellent destinations for trekking, the grand Indus and lidder flowing through the various nooks and crannies of the paradise and much more that is yet to be explored by me….
But its not only the scenic beauty that cast a magical spell on me but the people of Kashmir… I really dint know what to expect as staying in Delhi I had interacted with very few kashmiris… But now I know for myself that the people of Kashmir are absolutely aaw - inspiring … Its not just their fair & pink glowing skins & sharp features that make them wonderful but how they are as people.. The people are soo polite and always ready to help. They make you feel soo much at home and are soo opposite to the myth that Kashmiri’s don’t like to mingle with non-kashmiris. Contrary to common perception, they are very tolerant towards other communities and respect the culture and tradition of every community.. But one striking feature that really inspired me was their ‘tehzeeb’.. The way they respect everyone, their hospitality and how they welcome everyone with open arms… This was one of the reasons why I felt soo much at home throughout the trip… At times while visiting places one feels an alien to the place, bt that’s not what happened here….
Kashmir is the ultimate destination for hopeless romantics like me… The place infuses in you the spirit to love.. and love you will… The shikaara ride in the Dal Lake under the moonlit sky with that special someone is one magical experience no hopeless romantic would want to miss… Others things like walking through the forest reserves of Dachigam, the mughal gardens which are the abode to a riot of colourful flowers and fountains, and just sitting in the balconies of the houseboats in the Dal Lake overlooking the lake and the surrounding mountains can be very romantic moments… If someone is not in love then he/she would wish to fall in love and visit the place with that special someone… And all this is actually what I felt.. Now u may find it very fairytalish nd unrealistic but trust me the place really possesses that power.. Away from the hustle and bustle of Delhi, Kashmir provides an ideal destination for lovers to spend some quality time and feel the peaceful bliss of each other’s company..
Another feature of Srinagar that really did something to me was the pious callings of God, the Namaaz and Azaam whose chants permeate throughout the city 5 times a day and create an enchanting atmosphere..
But one visit to Kashmir, has completely changed my view and perception of the place and I carry back memories of a blissful, serene and peaceful god’s own paradise!! By just driving 15minutes from the Srinagar airport one starts realizing that really you are in a place that God has taken pains to create and that too with whole heart and soul… A place that can’t be compared to anywhere else in the world.. The pristine waters of the Dal Lake, the majestic magnificence of the Himalayas, the lush green meadows of Pahalgam, the ice laiden stark white mountains of Sonmarg, the gorgeous Gulmarg , forests which make excellent destinations for trekking, the grand Indus and lidder flowing through the various nooks and crannies of the paradise and much more that is yet to be explored by me….
But its not only the scenic beauty that cast a magical spell on me but the people of Kashmir… I really dint know what to expect as staying in Delhi I had interacted with very few kashmiris… But now I know for myself that the people of Kashmir are absolutely aaw - inspiring … Its not just their fair & pink glowing skins & sharp features that make them wonderful but how they are as people.. The people are soo polite and always ready to help. They make you feel soo much at home and are soo opposite to the myth that Kashmiri’s don’t like to mingle with non-kashmiris. Contrary to common perception, they are very tolerant towards other communities and respect the culture and tradition of every community.. But one striking feature that really inspired me was their ‘tehzeeb’.. The way they respect everyone, their hospitality and how they welcome everyone with open arms… This was one of the reasons why I felt soo much at home throughout the trip… At times while visiting places one feels an alien to the place, bt that’s not what happened here….
Kashmir is the ultimate destination for hopeless romantics like me… The place infuses in you the spirit to love.. and love you will… The shikaara ride in the Dal Lake under the moonlit sky with that special someone is one magical experience no hopeless romantic would want to miss… Others things like walking through the forest reserves of Dachigam, the mughal gardens which are the abode to a riot of colourful flowers and fountains, and just sitting in the balconies of the houseboats in the Dal Lake overlooking the lake and the surrounding mountains can be very romantic moments… If someone is not in love then he/she would wish to fall in love and visit the place with that special someone… And all this is actually what I felt.. Now u may find it very fairytalish nd unrealistic but trust me the place really possesses that power.. Away from the hustle and bustle of Delhi, Kashmir provides an ideal destination for lovers to spend some quality time and feel the peaceful bliss of each other’s company..
Another feature of Srinagar that really did something to me was the pious callings of God, the Namaaz and Azaam whose chants permeate throughout the city 5 times a day and create an enchanting atmosphere..
I was told by someone and felt it right too that I should spread around the message that the mytical aura of Kashmir and its wonderful people who are our own are waiting eagerly for all of you to visit them.. I would urge everybody to go their atleast once, which I’m sure wont remain once because the experience is such that you would want to visit again and again… This place has soo much capacity to spread love and peace. Lets shun away all the fears and suspicions regarding Kashmir and so we must give it a chance to do so.
Really experience the place and then you’ll know what god’s actual paradise is…
Really experience the place and then you’ll know what god’s actual paradise is…
