Tomorrow is my birthday! 5 yrs ago, in this blog, I had revealed a birthday wish to visit Pakistan to explore the country as I explore India. Its yet to come true. Today, for this birthday, I'm expressing my wish to explore Kashmir. Well, I already said my wish to do a Himalayan trek in my Tada trek post. May be Kashmir, Ladakh, Himalayan trek, Pakistan and Baluchistan together in one trip.... Anyone from Pakistan Tourism Dept reading this???
Ever since I was a child, I've always loved the shape of Kashmir. It indeed looks like a crown atop India! The state is in 3 parts - Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh.
Pic Courtesy: Basharat Shah via Wikimedia Commons
The place is filled with water (lakes & rivers) and mountains (the mighty Himalayas). Its a place where, unlike Chennai, but more like London, the 4 seasons are much more pronounced, where the whole valley fills with snow in winter, sun shines in summer, all Mughal gardens and valleys fill with flowers in spring and all their leaves fall in autumn!
Close to Srinagar is the famous Dal Lake where a ride in a house boat or a flower boat would be just perfect! Esp in winter, when the water of the lake almost freezes on the surface yet stays water below makes the ride even more spectacular. I'd want to go there not alone, but with my guy for a romantic day out!!!
Pic Courtesy: Monson126 via Wikimedia Commons
I haven't skied in my life so far but I have to do it and what better place than our own Kashmir. Switzerland of India - the spectacular Gulmarg, is India's place to do skiing and cable car! There are some proposed ecological preserve like Bungus and Gurez etc where snow leopards and Himalayan Brown Bears exist.
Pic Courtesy: Bhadani via Wikimedia Commons
What's the best way to feel any place than with the people living in them and personally for me it would be with the artisans and craftspersons. A few years ago, a junior in my university went to Kashmir to understand the crewel embroidery from the craftspersons there and I was definitely a bit jealous, I should say. I really wish to meet the people who do various crafts incl Namdas wool work, chain stitch embroidery crewel work, Pashmina work. Most of them are Muslims who practice these crafts and they deliberately leave a small portion of the piece of art incomplete, because in their philosophy, the only one who can be perfect is Allah!
Pic Courtesy: Doniv79 via Wikimedia Commons
Apart from all these regular places (well though not all are tourist destinations), there are some unique places that I'd like to visit. Kargil War was one of the first point (if you read my post on Pakistan, you'd know) when I felt deeply about the general public of Pakistan. So yeah, I'd really love to visit Kargil. Another unique place that I'd like to see is Rozabal shrine - a controversial place. The tomb here is of Youza Asouph. Some believe that Jesus Christ survived his cruxification and traveled to India and lived in Kashmir till his natural death and Youza Asouph is actually Jesus of Nazareth!!!
All the best for your dream to come true. UK than dhoorama irukku, Kashmir pakkathula thane irukku!! :)
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I hope you're able to visit one day too. My dream is to visit Australia and I hope to go there one day soon. I can't wait to see all the beautiful places you visit.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to you! I hope that your wishes will come true. My dream destination is Oia, Greece and I hope that I'd be able to go there in this lifetime. :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to you! May all of your wishes come true!
ReplyDeleteThe place you call paradise on earth looks amazing! Wonderful photos as well!
Happy Birthday to you Bhushvali! You have wonderful wishes. I hope that they soon become a reality. Hope you have a beautiful day and that you make the most out of it.
ReplyDeleteIt's powerful when you set your intentions out there in the world. They usually come true. Make it happen! :-)
My dream destination is to tour Europe.
Happy birthday to you! I hope your dream to visit Pakistan will come true for you someday, as well as this trip to Kashmir you desire. So interesting to know that there is a ski resort in India!
ReplyDeleteI am keeping my fingers crossed for you. I hope your dreams do come true! I hope you had a nice birthday yesterday! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteSounds like creamy fun to me. More like Joyeaux Anniversaire, Bhus! More years ahead..
ReplyDeletei haven't been skiing before too and i would love to go one day. big happy birthday to you :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to travel to all the places you wish to travel. Looking forward to reading your stories when you do. Belated happy birthday.
ReplyDeleteI hope you make all of these travel wishes come true soon, looks like you're in for an adventure. Here's to hoping you get to travel to Kashmir first and enjoy all the lovely things you can do there!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday dear! It is indeed a paradise on this earth and so splendid scenic place.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! May all your Travelling wishes come true...Indeed, J and K is heaven on earth. Remember visiting it in the childhood.
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool that you have a skiing area in India. I have no idea how to sky since we are located in a tropical country but I would want to try it sometime.
ReplyDeleteI hope that I can travel more, kind of feel like taking a long leave from work and start to travel for a few months.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy reading about less famous areas like this! The world truly is such a beautiful place! :D
ReplyDeleteAll the best for you! Thanks for this post. http://goo.gl/Sg8KTa
ReplyDeleteKashmir is one of my favourite place but lately due to tension between Ind-Pak, the peace in paradise is shattered. hope things get better.
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