Kashmir Memoir-I: Kashmir went beyond my imaginations; it’s a God-designed valley

"Agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast"
This is a famous verse by a sufi mystic, poet and musician Amir Khusro, in Persian language, which means......

"If there is paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here (Kashmir)"

#Kashmir is the most beautiful place on earth... this is an unquestionable fact!

Till last year August (2014), I had only heard about it, watched the beautiful valley in television, movies and saw those enchanting flower beds in images, while surfing on Google. The God has carved out this valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range.

My good luck that my sister invited my family and our parents for a three-four day visit to Kashmir as her brother in law was posted there that time and accommodation was no problem. Though more than accommodation, I would say, we had the best of person to guide us about the place, for he is another wanderlust types.

My sister booked our tickets. She flew a day earlier, along with our parents, my kids and her own family and I followed, the next day. It was August 14 and the security was criminally tight at the airport, both in Delhi and Kashmir. Why? We all know the reasons.

Finally, I arrived in Kashmir; all the kids and my brother in law, were there to welcome me and pick me from airport. The distance to the Airport Authority Colony was hardly five minutes as we all had to camp at bhaiyya’s place J.

Majestic Dal Lake at sun set

It was August 14^th evening and we started with #Dal Jheel, the sprawling and enchanting lake. The captivating houseboats, anchored at the banks of the lake, were worth experiencing.  

             

We hired three ‘#Shikaras’. Appeared as if that song from “Kashmir ki Kali” came alive... tareef karun kya uski, kisne tumhe banaya. The “Shikaras” are no less that a “doli” (for a newly-wed bride).

  

My sister and her husband... singing .. tareef karun kya uski... in Shikara

             

Lake hawkers started travelling with us too to sell their trinkets and some were there to showcase their photographic skills, though we all know that it isn’t about the photography, but it’s ‘the’ picturesque place on earth.        

Shopping.. no no it's window shopping actually.. while travelling in a Shikara...

Next day, started with drizzles. Taxi was waiting for us and we too were on toes for the sightseeing and capturing ourselves with images from a DSLR and Smart phone cameras, in various valleys that were awaiting us too.

We both sisters posing to eat the sumptuous green apples in an apple orchid

My father in the lap of Aru Valley

Kids and I.. my ady is missing in this pic, though ... in Aru Valley

We passed via saffron fields, apple orchids...halted at Aru Valley, Pahalgam, for Lunch and then headed towards Betab Valley, same valley where the movie “Betab was shot”.

The shade which came to our rescue in Betab Valley.. saved us from heavy rain, which continued for almost an hour

It started pouring; temperature dipped to about 10-12 degree and we started freezing, in a while....but the spirits weren’t dampened.

Thankfully, we carried warm jackets for kids as we had perceived the change in weather, when we started in the morning.  So kids were safe... and we were having our own joy drenching in the rain, shivering.. having pop corns and pakodas in that serene and unruffled valley.... the only moving part was the majestically flowing water in river #Lidder. The green painted bridge over the river gives the site a heavenly touch; as if someone would have painted it on canvas.

My sister and I...  in Betab Valley.. rain couldn't dampen our spirits!!!

The green bridge over river Lidder in Betab Valley.. Honey giving a pose..!

Over the next two days, we were blessed to realise the beauty of #Sonamarg and visited #Shankaracharya temple and fragrant gardens, in Kashmir too. And of course, did some shopping too.

I am putting an end to this piece now, but I need to delve more into my Kashmir journey... shall be back soon with another one, Kashmir Memoir-II !