YOU MUST VISITING LAMAYURU GOMPA ,,,, BEAUTIFULL PLACE BETWEEN LADAKH AND LEH

Lamayuru or Yuru Gompa is a Tibetan Buddhist Gompa or monastery in Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir in India. The gompa is located at an altitude of 3510 meters on Srinagar - Kargil - Leh Highway in the town of Lamayury at a distance of 127 km from Leh .

Lamayuru houses one of the oldest Buddhist monateries in the world , the Kagyupa Monastery .The monastery is located near a beautiful lake,with the huge mountains providing an intimidating b,ackground .
Built during 10th century ,the monastery is quite large even by today's standards.Lamayuru Gompa has around 150 permanent resident monks . in the past, it had up to 400 monks , many of whom are now based in surrounding villages. The monastery belongs to the Red - Hat Sect of Buddism .

in ancient times, when the Silk Route was popularly used,Lamayuru was an important site on the trail of Yarkand and Kashgar . in the 11th century ,a buddhist scholar, Naropa established the Lamayuru monastery.the gompa consisted originally of five buildings ,and remains of the four corner buildings can still be seen .

Tourists who visit Ladakh tend to visit Lamayuru as a rule, mainly in order to visit the monastery that is located in the region . Lamayuru is famous for its rich wall paintings , collection of thangkas,murals,scriptures, and statues of different forms of Buddha and other deities.

Lamayuru host an annual masked dance a festival, known as Yuru Kabgyat,which is a major attraction of the monastery .Mask dance by the lamas in the highlight of the festival.another important ritul followed during the festival is the festival is the burning of effigies . it stands for destruction of the ego in every individual,

Kushok Bakula Rinpochea Airport,Leh is the nearest airport serves flight from Delhi,Jammu,and Srinagar.at a distance of 270 km jammu Tawi is the nearest Railway station. Lamayuru is connected to Leh,Kargil,and Srinagar by regular state owned bus fleet .
The best time to visit Lamayuru is during the summer extending from April to June . 

IF U VISITING SRINAGAR ,,,,, DONT FORGET TO BUYING KANI SHAWL .AUTHENTIC HANDICRAFT FROM KASHMIR SRINAGAR

intricately woven into the history of the fabled valley is the centuries old tradition of producing exquisitely woven shawls . Kashmir owes part of its fame to these masterpieces in fabric both made by hand and loom .

The method in which it is made decides its name; the ones woven on looms ar kani shawls while the needle - embroided ones are Sozni shawls . known by different names such as Tiliwalla. Tilikar for Kani Kar , Kani shawls are worn by many all over the world not just for their warmth but also for the grace they bestow on the wearer .

History is replete with accounts of beautiful Kani shawls produced in the valley .Emperor Akbar's liking for Kani shawls is reflected in the Ain - I - Akbari , an account of the Mughal period in Kashmir (1586- 1752 ).

The text narrates how, mesmerized by their intricate beauty . Akbar went on to become a keen collector of Kani shawls . The Kani shawl is the product of laborious days and a suprising weaving technique . first, a design is selected for a shawl and the colours for the thread are chosen . it is then woven with the weft thrown across the breadth of the shawl .

to arrange colours and patterns , a specialised coded language , known as taleem, is drafted on paper. this language helps position the colour and location of threads - precisely ensuring that the final design which emerges is intricate and exquisite in detail.

the master weavers say the labour necessary to produce a Kani shawl is five times more than would go into Sozni shawl . it is no suprise then that a kani shawl is five times as expensive .

the concentratration that goes into weaving a Kani shawl can be gauged from the fact that an artisan cannot weave more than an inch a day . A Kani shawl is about 1 x 2 metres in size aand it takes two craftsmen  nearly two years to complete one . depending on the intricacy of the design , the making time can even stretch to five years . Frank Ames , author of the Kashmir shawl wrote in 1853 that a Kani shawl ordered by the Empress of France took 30 men approximately nin months to complete .


'KANI' is Kashmiri for wooden spool , the main loom element used the most to produce a shawl .
Kanihama , a village is western Kashmir , has mastered  the art of producing ad trading Kani shawls over centuries . in an attempt to keep this craft alive , the government is helping sustain 300 looms in Kanihama .

Kani shawls come in varied patterns and de signs . in a doubled - sided or Dorukha shawl , it is difficult to distinguish one side from the other . it has two colour codes for its two faces and the designon one side is reproduced in another colour on the other . The epitome of craft and skill is , however, seen the Aksi (reflection ) shawl . The design on one side is produced by splitting the wrap threads into half , leaving the other side plain or embroidered with another pattern

IF YOU VISITING KASHMIR ,,,, DONT FORGET TO BUYING HANDICRAFT AUTHENTIC KASHMIRI ,AS LIKE PAPER MACHIE

Paper machie is one of the most delicate art practiced by Kashmiri artisans . The higly decorative products epitomise the artistic zeal and craftsmanship of the craftsman .

how paper machie , which became popular in the 15 th centur , came to Kashmir is unclear . Legend is that a Kashmiri prince was sent to jail in Samarkand in Central Asia and it was there he learnt the fine art of paper machie which requires enduring patience to practice . The art was promoted by Muslim rulers of India , particularly Mughals, who were fond of it . for good reason;watching an artisan mould a simple paper pulp into beautiful artefact is like witnessing creation come alive in a riot of colours .

paper machine products are produced from mostly waste paper. it is soaked in water for several days until it disintegrates , the water is then drained out and the soaked paper waste mixed with cloth, rice straw and copper sulphate to form pulp, which is moulded.

once it has dried , two halves of the shape of the artefat to be made is cut from the mould and glued. thereafter, glue and gypsum is applied on the surface and it is rubbed smooth with a stone or a baked piece of clay and pasted with layers of tissue paper. the begins the decoration;artisans paint it with a base colour and the draw awe - inspiring intricate designs and shapes with free hand . the object is then sandpapered or burnised and is finally painted with several coast of lacquer. the making of the object is called Sakhtsazi and painting the surface Naqashi . the colours for pinting designs are obtained by grinding and soaking various vegetable mineral dyes in pigment or stone form .

it is said that the art of paper machie art runs in the blood and it is difficult to acquire it. indeed, the best paper machie artisans come from Zadibal in Srinagar , from families that have been practising the craft for centuries .

one of the most difficult and rare paper machie designs in Arabsque . it is done in gold against a brown or red background to show sprays of rose blossem in fine lines .'Yarkand ' is an elabirate design of spirals with gold rosettes radiating from various centers and white flowers laid over gold scroll work

paper machie bowls and vases are usually line with brass and photo and pen holder with gold and silver leaves , the simmer and gloss of the products are preserved by coating of lacquer, which protects it from water thus prolonging its life

The western district of Ladakh is, unfortunately , associated in the popular imagination with the Kargil war between India and Pakistan in 1999.Kargil has a much longer history ,however, busting peaceful trade and the mingling of cultures from China ,Tibet and India . 

Located almost exactly halfway between Srinagar and Leh ,Kargil town remains a guud hub for travelers , who can base themselves here and undertake trips to surronding regions . 

The Mulbek and Suru Valleys (Southwest and Souteast of Kargil, respectively ) are popular trekking destinations, offering breathtaking view and serenity 

These are fertile regions with fruit orchards and tall poplar and willow trees creating a greener , softer landscpe than Ladakh is known for. The local ;Apricots are particularly delicious .Mulbek is also known for its 9 -m tall Maitreya Buddha carved in relief on a massive rock. 

popularly known as the Chamba statue (another name for maitreya ), this carvig has been dated to between the 2nd and 8 th centuries AD.

Those interested in more recent history could drive west to Drass and visit some significant sites of the 1999 conflict such as Tiger Hill , which the Indian army recaptured from Pakistan armed forces

trekkers will also find many trails to conquer here. J&K Tourism can suggest various trekking itineraries of which the longest is from Lamayuru to Darcha and takes 20 days . most treks are organized in summer , except for the Leh - Zanskar trek , which is held in winter and involves walking over the frozen Zanskar River. 

in the summer , the Zanskar has some spectacular white- water rapids , while the long and winding Indus River is suited to more leisurely river - rafting and of course , this land of sky kissing peaks is a joy for mountaineers. Some of the more popular climbs are the Panamik, Saser kangri and closest to Leh ,the five peas of the Stock Kangri massif 

IF U VISITING KASHMIR ,,, YOU MUST TRY VISIT DIFFERENT LAKE IN KASHMIR ,,, COME TO MANSBAL LAKE

Kashmir is blessed with hundreds of gushing streams and serene lakes . one such delightful lake is Manasbal

Situated about 30 km from Srinagar, Manasbal is said to be the deepest lake in Kashmirat 43 feet.its name comes from Manusarwar , a sacred lake that skirts the Kailash mountain . since a Mansarovar was far - off for pilgrimage,Kashmiri Pandits satisfied their religious craving by naming this secluded sheet of green water manasbal.

the lake has long mesmerized people ,most famously the Mughal emperors. Queen Nur Jaha laid a garden called Jaroka,meaning bay window, which overlooks the lake and , along with a large bloom of lotus, makes the crystal - clear lake all the more riveting .

in the south , the lake is overlooked by Aha Teng, a 6,256 feet high hillock. The northern and eastern shores are riddled with springs and covered with a watercress.On the southeastern side a stream from the Sindh merges into the lake . There appears a fissure right in the middle of the lake running east to west .

What a pleasure a cruise on the lake is ! The land shelf is covered with various kinds of pond weed , in which fish are seen darting about . fisherman often stand on the prows of their light boasts. their eyes scaning the depths of the lake and their hands holding a spear with which to strike and catch the fish . As the boat moves down , the mountain peaks in the east --Mahadiv , Kothwal and Harmoukh--stand out conspicuously

Moving outwards the lake looks turf green , perfectly weed less and refreshing .The high mountain wall which surrounds the lake renders tranquility impregnable to all external disturbing forcesa

there are two camping sites on the shore . one is near the ruined Jaroka , an artistically built pavilion with a seat on the window for the queen to look out at the charming lake. the other encampment site , and one of the best stands, is on the farther end under Padshah Boni or the royal Chinars .

'Supreme gem 'of all Kashmir Lakes it is called and Manasbal indeed is . it is a delight for bird watchers, being one of the largest natural stamping grounds of aquatic bird in Kashmir .

One can drive to thelake from Srinagar via Shandipor and Sumbal, have breakfast under Padshah Boni and then hire a boat across and have lunch in Jaroka garden . from Mnasbal, excursion can be organized to place like Khirbhawani and Sonamarg . 

if u reach in kashmir ... first time,,,, you must try eat Wazwan Kashmiri Dishes

No visit to Kashmir is complete without feasting on Wazwan , the sinfully rich traditional banquet that leaves every one worth their salt and spice licking their fingers. more than a feast ,W azwan is an art perfected over the centuries by wazas , the master chefs of Kashmir . These days many renowned restaurants outside Kashmir offer Wazwan on their menus but you will always find them wanting once you have tasted it here.

maybe because such meticulous planning and hours of cooking go into making it just right for the taste buds of connoisseurs .

Wazwan is a feast of more than a dozen mostly meat - based dishes served on eccasions of celebraion . it is cooked on open fire in copper cauldrons and served in Tarami , a large circular plate of copper. four people sit around a Tarami  , usually on the floor , and are served dish after delicious dish,cooked with various aromatic herbs and spices , by the Waza (chef ). The ingredients and hand - picked and it is ensured that each dish in this cuisine is one -of - a- kind .

The meal begins with washin of hands in a basin called Tash - t - Nare , which is carried  around by attendants. then the Taramis are laid ,heaped with rice , quartered by two Seekh Kababs,Methi Korma (chicken or mutton flavored with a spice mixture containing dried methi), Tabak Maaz (twice - cooked lamb ribs ,initially braised with ground spices and milk , then browned in butter),a Safed Murg (chicken with white sauce), a Zafrani murg (chicken witha saffron sauce),and the first few courses . yogurt and chutney are served separately in small earthen pots . then delicacies such as Roganjosh ,Rista, a minced meatball cooked with gravy , a few vegetable preparations and several different dishes  of meat are served . The meal concludes with Gusthaba, a very exclusive dish and one that is never refused .

Gusthaba is a minced meatball larger than a rista - a Tarami is served just one Gusthaba but four Rista - slow cooked in curd and a assortment of herbs and spices. preparing a Gustaba takes a lot of effort. fresh meat is sheared off the bones and cut into small pieces. it is then beaten , hammered really , on slab of stone that resembles the bottom half of a grindstone for a few hours till it becomes smooth and non-fibrous. Spices are added when the meat is finely minced and eggs are then beatan into it to make is smooth enough to be rolled into meatballs.

The craft of Gustaba is not only in how it's cooked but how it is beaten and rolled. in fact, the craft of a Waza is, in part, evaluated from how smooth and spherical the Gustaba is . The meatballs are boiled for awhile and then cooked in curd and ghee.

Gustaba is always the last dish to be served . once the guests are done, Taramis are taken away and attendants return with Tash - t - Nare so they can wash their hands

for dessert, there is phirni or halwa if it is winter. one can also gulp down a cup of kahwah, green - tea flavored with saffron, cardamom and almonds

Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa in GULMARG ,Five Star Hotel in Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar

if you are in Kashmir and want to threat yourself to a five - star in the midst of spectacular natural beauty, head to the Khyber Himalayan Resort &Spa in Gulmarg . Top - grade facilities --including but not limited to,valet parking , wi- fi, concierge,garden ,gym ,cinema cigar or hookah lounge and rooms,conference room --and excellent service will make a stay in Khyber unforgettable. The resort is spread across seven acres of dense pine and deodar .besides kids club , cottages with balconies and terrace , you can enjoy heated pool, steam and sauna from October. 

Khyber's 4 restaurants provide a wide and excellent range of Kashmiri and non Kashmiri menus to whet your appetite and its 85 rooms, balconies and verandas provides breathtaking vistas of towering snow- dusted Himalayan ranges. less than 3 km away from resort, which is situated at an altitude of 8,825 feet, is the world highest golf courses, which turns into a skiing paradise in winter, and even closer overhead sails one of the world's highest ski - gondolas.

and when you return from a day of sight seeing, trekking or skiing, treat yourself to the hotel's signature Alaya spa that will provide unmatched luxury services and comfort from October this year. The spa is a heaven of indulgence. on its bountiful menu are ayurvedic treatments ,aromatherapy, concentrated deep massage that ease sore muscles, all this while looking out the windows of treatment room at an incredible view . 

Khyber 's Tea lounge is an irresistible attraction . The elegantly done lounge opens on to a terrace that flows into a series of cascading terraces, offering many opportunities for al fresco dining in good weather. than there is Nouf , the deep covered deck which is a wonderful spot for guests to converge and relax over casual dining . it is where , in the evenings , the fragrance of pine from the forest mingles with aromas of delicious coal - fired barbecues. 

if you want to go out , the resort's concierge will assist you plan your activities , should you wish it . there are so many of them you would be spoilt for choice :guided horseback tour of meadows and plains ;trek along fir - clad hillsides to Alphater lake, hike down the rolling slopes to Tangmarg ;gondola rides to long stretches of snow- carpeted terrain, mountain biking ,kayaking,rock climbing,trout fishing,jeep safaris,skiing. if you are not the one for adventure sports,you can tee- oof on the golf course. in short,Khyber is adelight you may not want to miss. 

SAFARI IN DACHIGAM NATIONAL PARK SRINAGAR JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Ofall the sights of kashmir ,watching a hangul sauter is perhaps one of the most ecstatic . 

Hangul or kashmiri Stag is the pride of Dachigam National Park which is located just outside Srinagar ,Jammu & Kashmir had a large , vibrant population of hangul till not very long ago , its range extending accross kistawr and into himachal pradesh .

But hunting,poaching and loss of habitat from deforestation and dams have pushed it to the brink of extinction --indeed in just two years between 1989 and 1991 , an estimated 250 hangul were killed --so much so that it is now spotted in the wild only in Gurez valley in north Kashmir . and even there , its habitat is underthreat , hangul is the largest of the himalayan ungulates , unfortunately , the most endangered sub - species of red deer in the world .

 hangul gets its name from 'han ' or horse chesnut tree , the fruit of which the deer feed on . its coat goes from a light shade of brown in summer to a dark and rich colour during the rutting season and in winter . the white rump patch , which does not extend beyond the tail, is most conspicuorus . the fawns have distinct spots during the first  few a weeks of their lives after which they fade away rapidly .

large adult stage , that grow up to four and half feet , have and impressive rack of antlers, their most striking feature. antlers of up to 50 inches in lenght have been recorded and 12 to 13 tinested  on a set is the norm . very much at home in the forest, this magnificient deer can be seen in the lower valley of Dachigam for much of the year , though their numbers are most concentrated from October through to March. found normally in small group ,Hangul use the forest of Dachigam as feeding ground and move up the hills while grazing .individual stags can sometimes be seen feeding on hill slopes.

in March and April, the stags shed antlers and move up to the alpine meadows and pine forest of upper Dachigam ; they start descending to the lower valleys by September when the news set of antlers have hardened . by October , when the rutting season commences , the lower valleys of Dachigam reverberate with the resonant call of the stags . let's hope it only grows louder with every passing year. 

LEH IS BEAUTIFUL ANCIENT TOWN IN LADAKH

Leh , a heartbreakingly beautiful ancient town in Ladakh perched on hills3,505 metres above sea level, is steeped in history and mediatative calm . but beneath that calm is a throbbing heart of vibrant , culture and traditions and an explosion of languages - Ladakhi ,Balti ,Purgi , Shina or Dardic , Urdu . 

for centuries , leh was the midway stop on what was recognised as the best trade route between punjab and central asia . it was traversed by caravans carrying textiles, spices , raw silk , carperts, dyestuff and narcotics to the central Asian towns of Yarkand and Khotan and developed into a bustling trade town . its bazaars thronged with merchants from distants countries . 

Leh was also the conduit through which buddishm reached tibet and then to China and East Asia . no wonder then that Buddism is still the majority religion in the region and its imprint is visible everywhere . one can find ancient Buddist rock engravings all over the region , even in dras and lower suru valley which are now inhabited almost exclusiv ely by Muslims. 

The approach to a Buddhist village is invariably marked by Mani walls , long, chest - high structures faced with engraved stones bearing Buddhist mantra and commemorative cairns. many villages are crownd with a gompa or monastery , which may be anything from an imposing complex of temples , prayer halls and monks' dwellings, to a tiny structure with a single image and home to a solitary lama. the major monasteries of Ladakh are Stock Palace , Shep Palace, Thiksey, Hemis, Chemday,Takthok ,Spituk , Likhir ,Alchi,lamayuru. but the town ,once the capital of an old kingdom, is dominated by the nine storied palace built by king Singge Namgyal in the grand tradition of tibetan architecture which is said to have inspired the famous potala in Lhasa that was built half a century later . 

But Leh is a lot more than its history and monasteries . its sits in the midst of captivating landscape of rolling hillsides that are home to the goats from whose wool kashmiri artisans weave the famous Pashmina or Cashmere shawls . besides Pashmina goats , 

Leh is hom to exotic species such as the tibetan wild ass and the snow leopard and rare bird such as bar - headed goose, the migratory black necked crane , the great crested grebe ,the tibetan crane .

for sight seeing , there are the panoramic areas of Khaltse, Nubra and Nyomo . THE historically - inclined can visit the villages of Dha and Bema . which are exclusively populated by Dards , who are considered to be the last of Aryans confined to the Indus Valley .

not far away are camping sites at Khaltsi Dhomkhar,Skurbucan, Achinathang. for those looking for inner peace , there is Mahabodhi international International Meditation Centre near Choglamsar , which offers regular courses in various forms of meditation . meditation facilities are also available at hotel Agling Resort

Since Leh is essentially a high altitude cold desert, its get very cold in winter, the temperature dropping to as low as 20 degrees celsius below freezing point . Summers, however, are pleasant with mercury touching 25 degrees . it also has a low level of atmospheric oxygen so it is necessary that visitors from the plains give themselves sufficient time for acclimatization before engaging in physical activity . The rarefied atmoshphere may cause acute mountain sickness , necessiting instant evacuation .

LADAKH LAKES

Ladakh is not all monasteries and rugged landscape of sparse mountains as is the common perception . Nestled in its hills and valleys are some of the most pristine and pollution - free lakes in the world .many of them provide an out - of - the world experience as they change hues, almost with the hour in the summer sun : from emerald green to midnight blue . in winters, the lakes freezes meters deep and turn into vast grounds , highways even .some of these lakes are Pangong , Pagong Tso and Tsomoriri.

pagong is an interior drainage basin lake , that is , its water is not drained , situated at 14,270 feet above sea level and straddless the border between india and China. in fact , 60 percent of it is in china . because of the lack of drainage , Pangong has salty water - so saline, in fact , that it has no aquatic life save a few crustaceans , but it is home to migratory ducks and gulls --yet it freezes in winter. Pagong changes colour every hour of the day , a marvelous sight as any .

the lake was the channel to shyok river but natural calamities have blocked it now. Pagong is 160 km from Leh and offers a spectacular view of the region

accross Changla Pass from Leh at an altitude of 4,500 metres, is one of the most spectacular lakes in Ladakh . Pagong Tso. The lake is only 8 km wide at its broadest but is 134 km long, the longest lake in ladakh . Pagong is a saltwater lake and a remnant from the ice age , probably formed by the dead ice masses left behind after huge amounts of water quickly evaporated when the earth warmed up , turning the freshwater lake brackish and eventually salty . the lake sprawls both Ladakh and Tibet

most of the fresh water . in fact , enters the lake from Tibet. The golden mountain range to its north, with its rolling spurs culminating in chiseled peaks , spreads a panorama of spectacular dimensions. Pagong, with its 2000 square km of 100 metre deep turquoise water, an baffle the eye for in the rarefied atmosphere distant objects appear to be right next door .

Tsomoriri, also known as Moriri, is situated at an altitude of 4,900 feet and is one of the largest lakes in ladakh . its water is saline since there is no mode of drainage. the lake, fed by two streams and springs, is home to 34 species of birds. Tsomorari is one of the largest lakes in Ladakh  and is almost like and inland sea. situated at an elevation of about . Tsomorari freezes deep in winter, so much so that animals and human can walk on it .

WHAT TO SEE IN LADAKH

Leh is the capital city and all the important  places of tourist interest located around it. following are same places of tourist interest in ladakh.

Ladakh is a trekker's paradise and there are so many trekking routes for trekkers . the region is full of circuits in Zanskar valley, Lamayuru ,Leh , and Nubra valley . 

1.  Leh Khar Palace and fort : Sengge Namgyal's imposing nine - storey palace, which just out of the slopes of Tesemo Hill over - looking the town , was built in the 17th century.
2.  Leh monastery 
3.  Tesemo Gompa: built in 1430 A.D. the monastery has statues of Maltreya Buddha, Avolokiteshvara and Manjushree
4.  Alchi Gompa 135 K.m from leh
5. Choglansar 14 K.m from leh 
6.  Hemis Gompa 49 K.m from leh 
7.  Stok palace and museum 17 K.m from leh :The royal family of ladakh resides here and the museum houses artefacts associated with the dynasty 
8. Lamayuru Monastery 125 K. m from leh : this is among the oldest and the most important monasteries set in picturesque moon land surroundings. 
9.  Likir Gompa61 K.m from Leh 
10.  Phiyang Gompa 20 . K.m from leh 
11. Sankar Monaslery 3 K.m from leh 
12. Shey palace and Monastery 15 K.m from Leh: vibrantly coloured murals are the attraction here
13. Spituk Monastery 8 K.m from Leh: The Spituk Monastery boasts of some prized thangkas (painted scroll) and enourmous statues of Kali
14. Thiksey Monastery 19 K.m from Leh : Thiksey Monastery is famous for its excellent maintenance and impressive Potalla- like location overlooking many picturesque villages . The library here is one of the biggest in Ladakh 
15. Shanti Stupa overlooking the leh city :inaugrated by Dalain Lama in 1985 , this stupa was  built for world peace by japan 
16. Gurudwara Pather Sahib of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji 15 K.M from Leh in Nubra valley Desket , Hundar ,Khardung La , Tirit are famous place in the visita and Panamik 
17. Pagong Lake 145 K.m from Leh 
18. Tsomoriri lake 240 K.m from leh 

WHERE YOU CAN SEE PILGRIM PLACE IN SRINAGAR KASHMIR

SHAH - I - HAMDAN 

On the bank of Rive Jhelum in old Srinagr is the first mosque ever built in the city in 1395. it is the mosque of Shah - e- Hamadan, the saint and scholar , credited with spreading Islam in Kashmir. 

Shah - e - Hamadan (Mir Sayed Ali Hamadan) was born in Hamadan , Persia . he came to Kashmir in the 12 th century and stayed in Khanqah - i - Mualla , the monastery dedicated to him . he visited Kashmir several times to teach people about Islam . Such was his spiritual hold on the people that in just  a few years, most of the people in the valley embraced to Islam . No wonder he was called Amir- i - Kabir or The Great Leader .

Illness cut short his third and last visit to Kashmir and he returned to Central Asia  where he passed away in 1386 . On the way back , he established a mosque at Shey, near Leh in Ladakh which to this day attracts devotees from far and wide. 

Shah - e - Hamadan's influence , however , was not limited to religion .he has been one of the principal historical figures who shaped the culture of Kashmir , its arts and economy . The seven  hundres followers who accmpanied him were men of arts and crafts who flourished in Kashmir . They popularized shawl making, carpet manufacturing , cloth , weaving , pottery , callighrapy and wood carving . 

it was because of its arts and crafts introduced by Shah - e - Hamdan and his followers that Allama Iqbal wrote, had turned Kashmir into mini - Iran . 

Indeed , the skills and crafts he brought gave rise to an industy that has not only provided livelihood to the artisans of Kashmir for centuries but earned Kashmir world - wide recognition . he also introduced Central Asian architecture which  fused with the kashmiri architecture to give rise to a new style, the most famous example of which is the Khanqah - e- Mualla .

The Khanqah  was established  by his son Mir Muhammad Hamadani , who followed his father to Kashmir and preached for 15 years . it is a wooden structure that features exquisitely carved caves and hanging bells , beautifully , painted interiors decorated with antique chandeliers that reflect its elegance . Shah - e - Hamdan is also said to have brought and planted the first Chinar in Kashmir 

Thats not all, Shah - e- Hamdan was also a social reformer who helped rid kashmiris of such abominable practices as black magic and sati . his influence did not cease after his death; he is still venerated in every corner of kashmir all these centuries later .

WHERE YOU CAN RAFTING IN SRINAGAR KASHMIR

Where you can rafting in Srinagar Kashmir :Pahalgham ,Sonamarg,Ladakh,Zanskar 

The lakes, rivers, and streams of Kashmir not only enhance its beauty but provide avenues for pleasure and leisure sport .for the less adventurous there is the meditative Shikara ride on the Dal and Nigeen lake in Srinagar ; the more daring can go for motor - boating, water skiing , canoeing or kayaking on the lakes , or better still, rafting  on the throbbing rivers and streams. 

The state government has introduced commercial rafting in Pahalgam and Sonamarg as well  in the  more treacherous waters of Ladakh and Zanskar , and national and international rafting competitions , which are routinely organized, draw a large number of tourists and adventure sports enthusiasts, for plunging down the icy waters in a raft certainly is the most adventurous to see kashmir

The gentle gradients of the Lidder in Pahalgam are well suited for beginners while the roaring Sindh in Sonamarg is a treat for avid rafters. for the most adventurous , Ladakh, and Zanskar beckons ; Ladakh offers a range of rafting options on the indus and its major tributaries amidst spectacular , rugged landscapes of deep gorges, towering snow - capped peaks. hilltop monasteries , hillside villagesand glimpses of unique wildlife. The best for professionally - guided runs in white water is between Spituk and Nimu or Saspol , which rates 4 to 5 on the international river grading scale of 1 t 0 6 . The strecth upstream of  Spituk up to Karu is ideal for basic training or "scenic floating".

The most difficult though exciting rafting options , however , is on Zanskar river which flows through a spectaculer gorge in Zanskar mountains between Padum and Nimu . This strecth is meant only for well - organized white- water expeditions of trained rafters , prepared for about a week of rafting and camping in absolute wilderness.

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besides these, chenab, jhelum, suru and Drass rivers are ideal for rafting though they are less popular as of now . the best time for rafting in kashmir is between April and September.

SONAMARG IS BEAUTIFULL PLACE FOR TOURIST IN SRINAGAR KASHMIR

Situated on the bank of Nallah Sindh , Sonamarg is a popular tourist destination about 87 km from  Srinagar . Sonamarg is a vast expanse  of open meadows and grassy slopes nestled in the cold - clad peaks of the Himalayas . Sonamarg attracts a large number of  tourists every year and being on one of the two routes to the cave shrine Amarnath, it is particularly crowded during the Amanrnath pilgrimage in summer.

in ancient times, Sonamarg was a gateway on the silk road, connecting kashmir with ladakh and on to china through the zojila pass which lies 15 km east of it . the pass is one of the highest passes for rad transprt in the world. no far lie Kolhoi and Machoi glaciers which are accessible only in summer. Sonamarg is watered by the Nallah Sindh, the largest tributary of jhelum which abounds with trout and mahseer. some 15 km north of sonamarg in the foot hill of zojila is Baltal , the base camp for pilgrims to the holy cave .

and just a trek across the pass is the splendid Leh. From Sonamarg, one can also trek to the Himalayan lakes of Vishansar,Krishansar,Gangabal and Gadsar, which are stocked with snow trout and brown trout . floating ice flakes in the crystal water of vishansar makes for an incredible view from the top of Sonamarg

The climate is very bracing but rainfall is frequent though not heavy , except for two o three days at a time in july and august . in winter, heavy snowfall makes sonamarg, located about 9000 feet above sea level, inaccessible.

sonamarg has of late also emerged as a haven for rafters. the tourism department organises river rafting tournaments every year which now attract teams from abroad .

for campers, there is the ridge that separates sonamarg from Thajiwas. The ridges Sonamarg slope is steep and covered with a dense forest of fir and birch .The ascent on the Thajiwas side is through Alderberry plants and under Sycamore and pine. The range isn an assortment of miniature plateaus separated into distinct compartments. Some 6 km from here is Nilagrad, the confluence of a mountain river and the Indus . its water is a bleeding red which makes for a spell - binding sight. Locals believe this water can cure skin ailments, so they take a bath in it once a week

sonmarg is stunnigly beautiful would be an understatement. just ask Bollywood filmmakers who would flock here to picture it as backdrop for their movies before kashmir eupted in violence in the late 1980s. 

WHY YOU MUST VISIT SRINAGAR KASHMIR

SO, why should someone visit kashmir ? well, for ,one , it is the Paradise on Earth, as Kashmr's famous guest Mughal emperor jehangir termed it all those centuries ago and another famous guest , George Harison of the Beatles ,reiterated a few decades ago. and Harrison was only writing about his stay in a houseboat on the Dal lake ! 

 if you want to experience the perfect blend of natural , spiritual and cultural heritage, head to Kashmir and lose yourself amomng the majestic Himalayas, sparkling ,lakes ,virgi meaows, and embrace the rich history, an exploision of culture, tradition , craft and hospitable people. and there is no restriction to when you can visit and when not .

come in spring when kashmir burst into a riot of colors and millionsof flowers carpet the landscape and soak in the magical sight of almond blossoms at Badamvaer, the garden in the foothill of the majestic Hari Parbat Fort in Srinagar, built by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1597; walk through the mesmering Tulip Garden, Asia's largerst, on the shores of Dal or the impossibly green Mughal Gardens not far away .

come in summer and walk through the virgin meadows and gardens and trek along mountans paths in Gulmarg, Pahalgham ,Baderwah, Kishtwar, and Sonamarg;go rafting , paragliding and camping ; spend a few unforgettable nights in a houseboat on Dal; take  a shikara ride on the lake;take in the calm of Wular and Mansbal lakes ; soothe your eyes at Chashm -e- Shahi and feel your blood rush at Verinag ;see the sparse landscape of ladakh ,as if designed by a modern - day minimalist, and its crystal clear high- altitude lakes ,which  are among the few zero - pollution lakes on the planet, such as Tulin; go meditating in its monasteries; walk down the streets of Srinagar , Leh , Ladakh which littered with history and its artefacts ; join hundreds of thousands of pilgrims on their way to the Amarnath Cave shrine in the deep Himalayas . 

come in autumn in  autumn and watch the chinnars turn fiery , the field golden and the meadows lush ;go fishing , trekking,hiking and rafting ; watch the peasants harvest the golden paddies. 

welcome the first snowfall with friends over a barbecue and a cup of kahwa (the local tea brewed with honey , cinnamon, cardamon, and saffron), or Nun Chai (salted tea served from a samovar); 

go skiing in Gulmarg or try walking on frozen lakes ; watch the valley as it is carpeted while 

And while you are on here, you can stay in luxurious hotels and huts in Srinagar , Pahalgham ,Gulmarg, and elsewhere; watch Kashmiri craftsmn weave their magic on pashmina shawls, carpet , woodwork, embroidery and paper machie;feast on the sinfully rich royal cuisine, Wazwan , redolent ,with flavour of cinnamon , cardamon , cloves and saffron .

so with so much, and a lot of more, on offer, how can someone stay away from Kashmir? 

HOW TO REACH SRINAGAR KASHMIR

Srinagar ,the summer capital of jammu and kashmir,has attracted visitors since ancient times. but being in a valley tucked away in the mighty himalayas several thousand feet about sea level ,it was difficult to reach. not anymore;these days the beautiful city, the beloved of emperors, travelers and poets ,is just a flight or two aways from anywhere in the world. 

1.  By Air the sheikh - ul - Alam International Airport, comonly known as Srinagar airport, is the nearest air base that connects the city to rest of the world . the major airlines operating at the airport include Air India,Indi Go,GO. Air,Jett Lite, Jet AIRWAYS , SPICEJET, KINGSFISCHER AIRLANES AND etc.Flight fly ot to and from jammu, leh, delhi, mumbai, indore, chandigarh,Shimla,Banglore,Ahmedabad and several other place in india 

2. By Train the nearest railways station from srinagar is at Jammu, nearly 290 kilometers away. trains connect jammu railways station to most major cities in india such as Delhi, Mumbai ,Kolkata , Banglore,PUNE,Chennai Trivandrum,and Kanyakumari. Chief trains to and from Jammu include Jammu tawi bandra AC special , jammu tawi varanasi special, jammu delhi sarai rohilla super fast special, jhelum EXP, jammu tawi EXP, Kathgodam Garib Rath Exp, Uttar Sampark Kranti Exp,jammu Kanpur Exp,Jamnagar Exp,Amarnath Exp,Jammu Mail,Shalimar Exp,Andaman Exp,Ahmedabad Exp,Bhatinda Exp,.work is going on to connect the barramulla - qaziqund,banihal rail link wit the jammu - udhampur line and thereby to the rest of indiain the coming few years . once that is done ,visitors can catch direct trains to and from srinagar . 

3. By Road . Srinagar is connected with other parts of the state through a well - laid road network .the chief highways that link srinagar with other destinations of jammu and kashmir are national highways 1 A and national highways iD. Jammu and Kashmir state road transport corporation operates daily buses between jammu and srinagar :srinagar and leh and kargil and srinagar . buses also ply between srinagar and delhi . besides a number of private traveling agencies provide bus and cab servie between srinagar and several other neighboring cities. the central bus and cabies . the central bus stand of srinagar is walking distance from the famous Dal Lake ,Busess and Cabs also run between Srinagar and Pahalgham ,Gulmarg,Sonamarg,Barramulla,Anantnag and several others tourist destinations .