A Journey of Spirituality in Jammu & kashmir

Posted on May 17, 2013 by admin

buddha_thikseMonastery

Man’s imagination has always been captured by the towering Himalayan range with their snow capped peaks due to which It has always figured prominently in India’s culture and religious texts. This has led to a profusion of holy places spread across the lap of the Himalayas where one can rediscover his inner spirituality.

This profusion is no more evident than in the beautiful state of Jammu & Kashmir, Starting from one of the holiest shrine in Hinduism the Amarnath cave dedicated to the Lord Shiva to the Vaishno Devi Mandir Dedicated to the Goddess Shakti. These Hindu Shrines have existed since time immemorial and have attracted countless people since centuries to make the long trek to find spiritual salvation.

There are also a profusion of Buddhist Monasteries in the cold desert of Ladakh, Each with its own sense of beauty, spirituality and oneness with nature. From the resplendent Thikse Monastery to the breathtaking Hemis Monastery, being established to find peace and inner well being may a traveller journey to these Monasteries in the hope of inner salvation and meditation.

The profusion of Islamic Shrines extends in the area of Kashmir from the Hazratbal Mosque with it’s pristine white marble elegance reflected on the picturesque Dal Lake holding the Hair of the Prophet Mohammed to the the Sufi Shrine of Charari Sharief with its beautiful surroundings. There is also a multitude of Various Yoga and meditation ashrams providing a person with opportunities to rest his mind and connect to oneself while sitting in the cradle of the Towering and Majestic Himalayan range. Due to the increasing calmness in the valley and increase in Kashmir tourism, more people are able to discover their inner peace and spirituality in the lap of the Himalayas.

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Tourist Attractions of Ladakh

Posted on April 18, 2013 by admin

Ladakh is the land of Great Mountains, Lakes & Passes. The landscapes of Ladakh is one of the most fascinating factor that attracted tourists across the globe, the monasteries and Buddhist culture attract peace lover. Adventure activities like paragliding, mountaineering, trekking, skiing brings lot of Adventure lovers to the coldest desert. You can experience sheep, goats and yak roam around, Please check some of the most beautiful and mesmerizing destinations of Ladakh.

Ladakh At a soaring height of 11,562 feet, Ladakh is the bridge between the sky and the earth. Here,forces of nature conspired to render a landscape of magical dream and moonscape. The lunarlandscape of Ladakh is defined by barren cliff, stark valleys, high altitude lakes and craggyplateaus. Ladakh, popularly known as ‘Land of endless discover‘.

Leh The second largest district of India, a wide place of snow covered mountains,pure rivers and mesmerizing landscapes with the various sightseeing places like shanti stupa,magnetic hill etc and equality of worship for people belong to all religion starting from Buddhistmonasteries to chamba temple to Jamamasjid to Gurudwara pathar sahib.

Kargil Its usually called Land of Martyr’s. it became renowned after the 1999 war against terrorism in Kashmir. 215 KM From Leh

Zanskar  separates Kinnaur District from Spiti in Himachal Pradesh. The highest peaks of Himachal are in Zanskar. It is also known for highest Motor able passes in India. 416 KM From Leh

Nubra Valley Most of the Nubra Valley is like a cold desert ,but blood apples, walnuts, apricots, almonds areoften seen in commonly irrigated villages 150 KM From Leh

Thiskey Monastery Built in the mid of 1500 century.Monastery of 12 floors based overthe top of the hill. Monastery has thebeautiful statues, beautifully carvedpaintings and swords in it. 20 KM From Leh

Khardung La Extremely famous, highest (5,602 m) and accessible pass for motor biking worldwide and most importantly this pass are connecting India to Siachen glacier. 40 KM From Leh

Likir The old and beautiful monastery built in 11th century then again rebuilt in 18th century has a 25 foot tall, gold covered Buddha statue. 50 KM From Leh

Alchi A village comes under the national heritage placeof having one of the oldest monasteries which inwell maintained condition and situated near thebank of Indus River. 60 KM From Leh

Fotu-La Beautiful pass between Leh and Srinagar and one of the highest mountain between Leh & Kargil. 160 KM From Leh

Pangong Lake Enchanted and captivating lake in the lap ofHimalayas, covering 134 km of area from Indiato Tibet of having rich flora and fauna in it. It’s atreat for soul, mind and body which allows youto seal the moment forever. 200 KM From Leh

Tso Moriri Tsomoriri Wetland Conservation Reserve), islake in the Changthan. The lake is at analtitude of 4,595 m it is the largest of thehigh altitude lakes in the Trans-HimalayanRegion 200 KM From Leh

Zoji-La Pass on the National highway 1 of India and it’s a beautiful link between Ladakh & Kashmir 300 KM From Leh

Facts

 Best Time to Visit Summer (June to September) is the best time to visit. The temperature is cool and can go up to 33°C.The skies are usually clear and offer panoramic views of the mountains. The average day temperature ranges from 20° to 30°C.

Where to Stay

  1. Hotel Lasermo
  2. The Grand Dragon
  3. Hotel Asia Ladakh
  4. Hotel Namgyal Palace
  5. Hotel Reenam

Tour Operators

  1. www.kashmirtourism.org
  2. www.triphills.com© www.triphills.com

Things to do

  1. Motor Biking in khardung la
  2. Cycling in Khardung la
  3. Yak Safari in Leh
  4. Bactrian Camel Safari in Nubra Valley
  5. Para Gliding in Lamayuru, Stok Kangri, Leh, Thiksey, etc.
  6. Water rafting and Kayaking Indus River and Zanaskar River
  7. Mountaineering in Stok Kangri, Mountain Nun and Kun
  8. Jeep Safari Tours to Suru Valley, Nubra Valley
  9. Tour to Magnetic Hill
  10. Trekking and Wildlife Sanctuary

How to Reach

1. By Road

  • Srinagar – Leh – 413 KM
  • Manali – Leh – 474 K

2. By Train

Jammu is the Nearest Station which is connected with rest of India with distance of 700 KM from Leh

3. By Air

Leh airport is situated at a distance of 8 km from city center and receives regular flights operated by Air India, Jet Airways and All other Flight operators from Mumbai, Delhi, Jammu and Srinagar. 

Important Numbers

1. Sonam Norbu Hospital -01982-253626

2. 24-Hour Pharmacy -01982-252160

3. TOURISM OFFICE: Director -01982-252297

4. TOURISM OFFICE: Director -01982-252095

5. POLICE: SHO- Leh -01982-252018

6. POLICE: SHO- Leh -01982-252283

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Ladakh becoming one of the most preferred holiday destination for Indian tourist

Posted on April 2, 2013 by admin

Pangon Lake Ladakh
Ladakh covered in the arms of wide and blue sky, crystal clear lakes, beautiful Buddhist monasteries with high mountains, this always been a delight for international tourists, but now the charm of ladakh is appealing to Indian tourist as well. Time is changing so the choice of people, Indians are becoming more experimental and ready to try something new as well as adventurous. If listing down the reasons of ladakh becoming very popular amongst Indian tourists counting from a big thanks to Bollywood who beautifully captured the simplicity and beauty of ladakh in films like 3 idiots, Jab Tak hai Jaan etc, then the developed tourism infrastructure and the peace loving ambience which brings new rays of hope in the life of people.

Bike in Leh LadakhLadakh is giving you all from adventure sports like mountain climbing, Jeep safari, rafting, trekking etc. Young generation or youth are always very fascinated for the new stuff like as we can see it in a routine college groups are coming up with their biker gangs through Bike rally’s with amazing road trips that adds cherry on the cake (trip).

ladakh monasteryWhen we think about peace, first thing strikes in our mind is Buddhism culture and the beautiful monasteries of ladakh, they simply swept me away from my world. People are simply awesome and down to earth, it reflects in the change in hospitality and Indian tourism. Things are getting better in every way they can start from the wide range of hotels offering affordable prices with the blend of variety in food and multiple cuisines. Ladakh is one of the best tourist destinations to plan a trip with family and is very popular amongst newlywed couples to plan their honeymoon. Ladakh is topping the charts in the list of most popular destination for Indian tourist.

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It really summaries the beauty & diversity of Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh

Posted on March 14, 2013 by admin

Cradled in the lap of majestic mountains of the Himalayas, Jammu & Kashmir is one of  the most beautiful place on earth. It is situated right at the top most part of the country and if Mother India is a ‘Queen’, then Jammu & Kashmir surely looks like the ‘Crown’ on her head. From sun-kissed mountains, lush green valleys, and beautiful gardens to blue lakes, the state has it all. To experience the beauty of Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh take this memorable trip!

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Explore Wildlife in Jammu & Kashmir

Posted on February 28, 2013 by admin

Kashmir snow leopard

Jammu and Kashmir, “The paradise on Earth” is very rich in wildlife and has a huge variety of flora and fauna. The lovely mountains along with subterranean green valleys make it an ideal destination for tourists. Kashmir is also popular for its fascinating wildlife and is visited by tourists owing to its rich and captivating natural beauty. The Himalayas and sub Himalayan mountain ranges are a pure and unique eco system where birds and rare animals can be located.hangul in kashmir

The fauna species that you will come across on your trip to Kashmir comprise of the wonderful snow leopard, the strong Himalayan Black Bear, the majestic Hangul or Kashmir stag, the Bharal or blue sheep, the Chiru or Tibetan antelope, the yak – a wild animal which has been domesticated for centuries as a best of burden, many species of mountain goats, and various varieties of rare birds which includes the impressive Himalayan Tragopan and Monal pheasant. Other animals you can see comprise of musk deer, leopards, monkeys, ibex, and langurs. While planning your visit to this beautiful state, you can’t afford to miss Dachigam National park, Gulmarg Biosphere reserve, Hemis high altitude national park, etc.

Dachigam national park, jammu

In 1978 Jammu and Kashmir wildlife protection act was enacted to give a fillip to the conservation movement for wild species and habitat in the state. In order to achieve the basic aim and objective of the Department, the Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir via various S.R.O’s, and Cabinet decisions, Notifications, and Government orders issued from time to time has brought about 15,806.75 sq.km under the Protected Area Network, which comprises of 5 National Parks, 14 Wildlife Sanctuaries and 37 Conservation Reserves.

No doubt that Kashmir has always been an impeccable destination not only for travelers, but also for romantic lovers, Sufi saints, and nature lovers. From the historical times, it has been rightly called the “heaven on earth”, a place where nature has spread its arms and is always celebrating the fervor of its beauty and elegance. The wildlife of the state has always contributed to the astoundingly beautiful and mind boggling scenery and environment.

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Words of Praise for Kashmir Mart Team

Posted on February 20, 2013 by admin

Shivajee Mukherjee Kashmir trip

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR MAKING OUR TRIP SO MEMORABLE.

Our trip was brilliantly managed by all of you. Right from the day Ms.Nidhi answered my query on the trip to the last day I spoke to Mr.Sourav & Ms. Seema, everything was managed brilliantly. Nidhi was brilliant in clearing all the doubts & arranging everything for the trip, Sourav was amazing & very helpful when contacted & above all Ms. Seema was just exemplary in her coordination & overall brilliance. There had been odd hours when I called, never did I have to wait to get my call answered by Seema or Sourav. They were very helpful.

The entire trip was very professionally managed with top class customer service rendered at all points of the trip. Right from the initial days of booking, The Pick up, The transport provided, The driver cum tour guide, The Hotels, The sightseeing planning everything was meticulously planned & executed to perfection.

A few names have to be mentioned. Mr. Bilal Bhat who was our driver cum sightseeing guide was brilliant. Always smiling, helpful, professional, knowledgeable & courteous. He is one reason why our trip was so good. Mr. Ashok from Glacier Heights Hotel in Sonmarg was also very helpful. Always smiling & at our service. The entire staff of Hotel Vaishno Devi Inn at Katra were very helpful.

All the Hotels were chosen well, were located in comfortable areas & very easily accessible. We always encountered helpful staff at all places with very good customer service.

shivajee mukherjee kashmi trip

The itinerary prepared by Ms. Nidhi was very well planned keeping all the major destinations in view. Special thanks to Ms. Seema for being there for us at all times

Overall our trip was excellent and memorable.I have traveled with other tour operators as well but never have I seen the trip planned & executed the way it has was by KASHMIR MART.
We have already spread the word to our relatives who are keen to visit KASHMIR in the future.
I personally want to visit Kashmir again & will do it through KASHMIR MART for sure.
Thanks again to the entire team of KASHMIR MART.
Hope to talk to you soon.

Shivajee Mukherjee kashmir trip

 

Shivaji Mukherjee
Dubai
UAE

You can check our Customer Speak section for more testimonials

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Tips for Travelers Visiting Kashmir

Posted on January 31, 2013 by admin

Kashmir travel tips

As heavy rush is anticipated in Kashmir during the Summer of 2013, we would like to lend some tips to the travelers planning to visit Jammu and Kashmir

  1. Get your Kashmir Tour Package Pre-booked, as it will not only confirm your bookings but the chances are you will get some discounts.
  2. In Srinagar do not miss an opportunity to stay in the Houseboats-“palaces on lakes” as it is a very unique experience. Avoid the cheaper houseboats since they can be quite messy
  3. Book your package from a reliable and genuine company, beware of touts who claim to have made your bookings and have not given you booking vouchers. It’s a good practices to cross check your bookings from Hotels once you receive your booking vouchers from tour operators.
  4. Don’t forget to take ID proof along during Kashmir tour as it would be required during hotel check-in, Railway/ Airport boarding , Gandola ride, helicopter booking etc.
  5. Try to avoid the touts, Negotiate rates for pony ride, Sledging & taxi wala. You can also check with the rate list provided by the Jammu and Kashmir tourism Department.
  6. For Shopping you can go to the Government Emporium to avoid over priced items. Avoid the shop recommended by any tourist guide and drivers as they take commissions from the shops and their rates overpriced. You can make purchases from the markets of Badshah Chowk, Boulevard Road, Lal Chowk, Polo View (Srinagar), Ragunath Bazar (Jammu). Its always a good practice to compare and Bargain.
  7. You can also visit the Kashmir Shawl Museum to learn the techniques for testing Pashmina Shawl of genuine quality.
  8. If you are a cricket fan, and plan to buy a Kashmir willow. Search for a sports shop rather than shop near your place of stay. They are readily available and mostly cheaper than anywhere else but not all of them are Kashmir willows.
  9. Carry woolen and winter-wear along, as it gets cold in night. Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg are usually more cold than Srinagar and Jammu.
  10. Oxygen Level at few places in ladakh is low compared to other region, so people are requested to carry Asthma puffs along even if they are not suffering from Asthma.
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Heavy rush of tourist anticipated in Kashmir during the summer of 2013

Posted on January 24, 2013 by admin
tourist rush in kashmir

tourist rush in kashmir

Due to the vastly improved Situation in the Valley, Kashmir has experienced a huge increase in tourists visiting the state numbering above 1 Core in the year 2012 and it is expected that there will be a 20% increase over this for the year 2013. Heavy Rush in the summer of 2013 is anticipated and almost all the Inventory of hotels are booked for the period. This year hoteliers have also increased the tariff by 30% – 40 % compared to the last year.

Srinagar The “Venice of the east”, is expecting the maximum rush due to it being the capital of the state and having an international airport. Government Employees are also given leverage to fly from Delhi to Srinagar with refundable Air fares, as part of LTA plan to increase tourism to Kashmir. The Tulip Gardens of Srinagar are expected to be in full bloom during the months of March and April. Most of The Houseboats are almost pre-booked for the summer season so hurry before all the houseboats are completely booked.

Jammu is also expected to experience heavy rush during the period of Navaratra.  The month of April is the peak seasons during which people come to visit Jammu which is when Navratra, the 9 days of worship of the goddess Shakti, takes place. A lot of pilgrims make their way to the Mata Vaisno-devi temple during navratre as it is considered very sacred. The Local Sightseeing of Jammu is incomplete without visits to the Bahu fort and Raghunath temple, Excursion points like Patnitop, Sanasar, Bahdarwa & Kashtwar are also expecting heavy rush.

Pahalgam & Sonmarg  Sonmarg is a beautiful place to visit during the summer season as also the climate is much cooler than the rest of India. Sonmarg hosts most of the adventure activities in Kashmir during the summer seasons like river rafting, trout fishing, and trekking. Many international tourists ensure to keep sonmarg in their itinerary as it has picturesque scenery. Pahalgam will experience unprecedented heavy rush when Yatra for Amarnath shrine starts.

 Ladakh – “land of high passes” lies between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Great Himalayas to the south. Pangong Tso (Pangong Lake), Nubra Valley, and Zanskar Valley are the most visited places in Ladakh. Ladakh has been famous amongst foreigners since a long time but now Indian tourists are also discovering and exploring the most beautiful land created by the God itself. Every year a lot of adventure loving people visit Ladakh via road, to capture the vivacious peaks covered in snow in their cameras and memories.

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Another milestone to connect Kashmir valley with the rest of India

Posted on January 5, 2013 by admin

Rail between Banihal station and Qazigund

Indian Railways made history as its pilot train chugged through Asia’s second longest tunnel. The tunnel cuts through the Pir Panjal mountain range connecting Kashmir and Jammu, providing the valley a further step in getting connected with the rest of India.

The train on a trial run arrived at Banihal station from Qazigund in Anantnag district of Kashmir. The 11.21 km tunnel has reduced the distance between the two towns by half.  The train pulled in at the station amidst thunderous applause from the people, who had assembled there to witness the historic achievement of the Indian railways. Service is slated to start from March 2013 and the extension to join the railway link to rest of India shall be completed by 2017.

The The Pir Panjal tunnel constructed is an engineering marvel. It is 8.40 metres wide with a height of 7.39 metres.  There is a provision of a three metre wide road along the length of the tunnel for the purpose of maintenance and emergency relief.

It will be a helpful boon to the locals and multitude of tourists that make the journey as the Srinagar – Jammu Highway is regularly closed due to heavy snowfall and rain in winter months. The train will enhance services provided to locals and will provide an alternative route for commutation with rest of India, Which should In the long term lead to overall development of in Kashmir in all major areas

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Latest Photographs from Kashmir

Posted on December 21, 2012 by admin

Snowfall in most areas of Kashmir valley.

snow in gulmarg

Snowfall in Gulmarg

snowfall in sonmarg

Snowfall in Sonmarg

snowfall in kashmir 2012

Snowfall in Kashmir

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