Kashmir in Pictures: 43 Reasons why Kashmir should be your next Holiday Destination

Also known as “Paradise on Earth,” Jammu and Kashmir in north India is one of the best tourist destinations for summers. During summers, its the verdant valleys with spectacular sights, that draw families to this valley nestled in the lap of Himalayas. During winters, it is the allure of snow and adventure activities.

With its natural beauty, religious importance and diversity of sights and things to do, it is no wonder that Jammu and Kashmir happens to be one of the top places in India for honeymoon, family holidays, adventure activities and pilgrimage.

One only becomes aware of the beauty of this part when presented with Kashmir in Pictures. Here’s our photolog that brings out the diversity, awe inspiring beauty and multitude of experiences through Kashmir in pictures, for it deservedly is one of the top tourist destinations and and evergreen place to visit in India.

Jammu in Images

1.Raghunath Temple

Raghunath Temple – A famous temple in Jammu City

 2. Vaishno Devi Temple

Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu

Ma Vaisno Devi shrine on nestled on the Trikuta Hill near Katra is India’s second most visited Hindu religious shrine. Millions head to Ma Vaishno Devi every year to pay obeisance to mother goddess and seek blessing.

[Have a look on packages to Vaishno Devi Darshan]

3. Patnitop

“Patnitop” A better place for outing after Vaishno Devi Darshan

Patnitop is a favored destination in Jammu and Kashmir for honeymoon and adventure. Activities like paragliding, ice skating and cool climes make it one of the top places to visit in Jammu.

4.Sanasar

“Sanasar” A Popular place for Paragliding in Jammu & Kashmir

Sanasar in Jammu is an ideal place for the beginners to go for tandem paragliding as well as opt for paragliding lessons from the experts.

[Book Paragliding Tour for Jammu]

Srinagar in Images

1. Boulevard Road

Boulevard Road, Srinagar

Boulevard Road in Srinagar is like a postcard from Venice or Greece. The road that passes by the Dal Lake is one of the most popular jaunts of the tourists visiting Srinagar. There are a lot of shopping options, street food as well as some of the best hotels located by the Boulevard Road.

2. Dal Lake

World famous “Dal Lake” in Srinagar

With its rows of shikaras, floating markets and houseboats moored at the bank, Dal Lake is the center of activities in Srinagar. Hemmed in by Pir Panjal range of Himalayas, Dal Lake is the life line of the city. Flotilla of shikaras ferry tourists and locals alike. The scenic view of the Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh, both build by Mughals forms the highlights of shikara ride in the Dal Lake.

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3. Shikara Ride

Shikara’s at Dal Lake

The flotillas of shikara forms the lifeline and hub of activities around Dal Lake. Be it the floating bazaars and shops, ferrying school children or travelers, shikara rides are the highlight of tour & travel around Dal Lake. You can hitch for the shikara ride from boulevard road or from the houseboat to reach boulevard road if you are staying in one.

4.Nishat Bagh

Nishat Garden, Srinagar

One of the most spectacular Mughal Gardens in Srinagar, Nishat Bagh with Zabarwan mountain in its backdrop is the second largest terraced gardens built in Kashmir. The garden was commissioned and designed by Asif Khan, the elder brother of Nur Zehan an father in law of Shah Jahan. In total there are 12 terraces lines with avenue of Chinar and Cypruss trees that begins from Dal Lake and reaches up to the hill that forms the front facade of the garden.

5. Shalimar Garden

Shalimar Garden, Srinagar

Built by Mughal Emperor Jahan Gir for his wife Nur Jahan, Shalimar Bagh is one of the most spectacular charbagh style gardens in India. Considered the zenith of Mughal horticulture, the Shalimar Bagh is 3 terraced garden fitted with water fountaines and lines by Chinar trees.  Nestled on the east bank of the Dal Lake with Zabarwan mountain as its backdrop, this garden is one of the favored haunt of tourist and love struck couples.

6. Tulip Garden

Tulip Garden, Srinagar

Spread across 12 hectares in Srinagar, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is the largest Tulip Garden in Asia.

[Checkout List of Gardens in Srinagar]

7. Kheer Bhawani Temple

“Kheer Bhawani Temple ” A Famous Hindu temple near Srinagar City

Kheer Bhawani, so called beacause of the kheer or the pudding that is offered to propitiate the goddess, is the most important temple for the Kashmiri Pandits, the historical followers of the Vedic religion in the Kashmir region. This temple is located 14 miles east of Srinagar in the village of Tula Mula.

8. Hazratbal Mosque

Hazratbal Shrine, Srinagar

Hazratbal is the most revered Muslim shrine in Srinagar. It is believed that the holy relic belonging to Muhammad Prophet are stored inside the shrine of Hazratbal.

[Checkout Famous Islamic sites to visit in India]

9. Lal Chowk

Lal Chowk, Srinagar

The famous city square of Srinagar, Lal Chowk is known as the site for political meetings and protests. It was that the first prime minister of India hoisted the National Flag of India in 1948 and promised a referendum to Kashmiris to choose their political future.

10. Jama Masjid

Biggest mosque in Srinagar “Jama Masjid”

11. Vegetable Market

Amazing vegetable market in Dal Lake

The floating  vegetable market in Dal Lake is lifeline to the supply of food material to the numerous houseboats moored on the edge of the lake.

Gulmarg in Images

1. Gondola Ride

Famous activity to do in Gulmarg “Gondola Ride”

Goldola Ride in Gulmarg is the highest in India and one of the top things to do in Gulmarg, one of the popular honeymoon destinations in India.

2. Skiing

Gulmarg is the best place to enjoy Skiing

Good snowfall and favorable terrain makes Gulmarg the best ski resort in India. From December till March, Gulmarg offers the best ops for skiing, snow boarding, ice skating and heli skiing ops in India making it one of the top places for winter holidays in India.

[Checkout Places to see in Gulmarg]

3. Gulmarg Golf Course

Golfing in Gulmarg golf course

The golf course in Gulmarg is one of the highest in India. Gulmarg Gold Resort has hosted quite a few major golfing events in India and definitely rates as one of the most scenic golf courses in India.

4. Khyber Pass Resort

Khyber Hotel of Gulmarg covered in Snow

For the discerning travelers, the recently opened Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa offer the elegant and comfortable stay suffused in luxury. It’s beautiful location coupled with state of the art amenities and gracious hospitality makes it one of the best luxury hotel experiences in Himalayas.

Sonamarg in Images

1. Thajiwas Glaciar

Thajiwas Glaciar in Sonamarg

Hike to Thajiwas Glacier atop ponies is most popular among the honeymooners and families on tour to Sonamarg. More adventurous soul take the trail and trek to this beautiful glacier.

2. Amarnath Cave

Holy Amarnath Cave, Sonamarg

Every Year, thousand of pilgrims embark on Amarnath Yatra, an important Hindu pilgrimage to seek blessings from Baba Barfani, the snow incarnation of Lord Shiva. You need to register for permit, and obtain medical certificate to be elegible to take the Holy Amarnath Yatra. Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage starts either from Baltal near Sonamarg or from Pahalgam.

Nowadays Amarnath Yatra by Helicopter packages are available to cater to the elderly and devotees with less time up their sleeve.

[Find here Packages to Amarnath Yatra by Helicopter]

3. Sindh Nallah

Sind River in Sonamarg

Emerald water streams flowing with the lush Himalayas in backdrop and tranquil surrounding makes Sonamarg one of the popular places for honeymoon in North India.

4. Fishing

Trout Fishing in Sonmarg

If you love angling, obtain a permit from the forest department in Srinagar and embark on an adventurous fishing tour in Sonamarg. Trouts are the most common found around here. You could also do a one day trek to high altitude lakes in the region to fish for trouts. Remember that a day permit only allows you to fish 6 trouts a day. Tourist could get up to 6 days permit at once from the department.

5. Zoji La Pass

Zojila Pass, Sonamarg

Zoji La near Baltal is where you leave the stark landscape of Ladakh behind and enter the lush meadows and verdant valleys of Kashmir. The Zoji La pass connects Kargil to Srinagar and is one of the strategically important mountain passes on Leh Srinagar highway.

Pahalgam in Images

1.  Arru Valley

Aru valley, Pahalgam

View of the snowcapped Himalayas, lush valleys strewn with towering Chir and Deodar forest and tranquil surrounding makes Aru Valley one of the top places to visit in Pahalgam. Together with Betab Valley, Gulmarg and Srinagar, Aru Valley in Pahalgam is one of the most sought after honeymoon destinations in Kashmir.

2. Betaab Valley

Betaab Valley, Pahalgam

So named after the shooting of Hollywood hit movie Betaab, this valley is one of the most verdant places in Pahalgam. There are several treks that could be embarked upon from here.

3. Rafting in Lidder River

Water rafting in Lidder river, Pahalgam

4.  Shesnag Lake

Shesnag Lake, Pahalgam

5. Baba Reshi Shrine

Baba Reshi shrine, Gulmarg

Leh Ladakh in Images

  1. Ladakh by Bike

Ladakh Trip by Bike

One of the most adventurous, thrilling and spectacular road trips in India is the Ladakh Trip on Motorcycle. The bikers follow either the Leh Manali Highway or the Leh Srinagar Highway to reach Leh by road in one of the most spellbinding adventures on motorcycle in India. Bike trip to Ladakh entails crossing some of the highest motorable mountain passes and riding across challenging but awe inspiring terrains that include the Morey Plains and Gata Loops on Leh Manali Highway.

[Booking open for Adventures trip to Ladakh by Bike ]

2. Khardungla Pass

Khardungla Pass, Ladakh

One of the dream of very aspiring road tripper in India and even around the globe, the climb of Khardung La offers ride through one of the highest motorable roads in the world. Scaling Khardung La by road on motorcycle or car, whose summit varies from elevation of 17, 582 feet to 18, 379 feet depending on whose version you believe, is one of the most popular activities in Ladakh.

3. Magnetic Hill

Magnetic Hill in Leh Ladakh

Magnetic Hill on Leh Srinagar Highway is rumored to have magnetic properties. It is said that if you park your vehicle inside the box on the road at the signboard (in the picture), your vehicle will automatically start moving uphill due to the magnetic property of the surrounding hills. Of course many experiments and trials has come to the conclusion that same is not the true and the vehicle just appears to be moving due to the optical illusion caused by the landscape.

4. Camel Safari

Camel Safari in Leh Ladakh

One of the most popular things to do in Leh Ladakh is the camel safari up on Double Humped Bactrian Camels in the sand dunes of Hunder, also referred to as the desert in the sky. Hunder is a popular camping site in Nubra Valley.

5. Shanti Stupa

Shanti Stupa in Leh Ladakh

One of the top attractions in Ladakh, Shanti Stupa in offers majestic panorama of the Leh Town. It is a peace pagoda built by the Japanese and one of the popular places to visit in Leh. The Shanti Stupa holds a relic of Buddha at its base which was enshrined by his holiness Dalai Lama.

6. Pangong Lake

Crystal Clear “Pangong Lake”

One of the top things to do in Leh Ladakh, Pangong Tso is one of the highest saline water lakes in the world. Nestled at an altitude of 14, 270 feet, the Pangong Lake is known for its crystal clear brackish water which changes different shades of colors at different time of the day.

[Checkout most interesting things to do in Ladakh]

In recent time, Pangong has become one of the recurrent features in Bollywood movies and many an advertisement commercial. The lake first shot into prominence after the climax scene of the super hit Bollywood movie 3 Idiots was shot here.

7. Hemis Festival

Hemis Festival in Leh Ladakh

 8. Hemis Monastery

Hemis Monastery

 9. Ladakh Festival

Ladakh festival

Festivals in Leh Ladakh offer a peek into the ancient Tantric Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism that forms the culture of this region. Festival tours in Ladakh are offer great opportunities to aquatint yourself with the culture, art and lifestyle of Ladakh.

10. Leh Palace

Leh Palace

Leh Palace, the former residence of the royal family of the Ladakh region is one of the popular tourist attractions in Leh town. It also houses a small museums with relics and artifacts.

11. Snow Leopard

Snow Leopard in Leh Ladakh

If you are fortunate enough, there are chances that you may sight the elusive and endangered snow leopard during your visit to the Hemis Biosphere Reserve or during one of your treks to upper Himalayas in Ladakh region.

12. Spituk Monastery

Spituk Monastery in Ladakh

Spituk is yet another top attractions to visit in Leh Ladkah, 8 kilometes from the city center.

13. Thiksay Monastery

Thiksay Monastery

One of the most awe inspiring sights near Leh town, Thiksey Monastery is affiliated with the Guleug sect of Tibaten Buddhism. One of the most striking thing about this gompa is its resemblance to the Patola Palace, the residence of Dalai Lama in Tibet.

Located at an altitude of 11,800 feet, this 12 storey structure houses various items of Buddhist arts that include chortens, stupas, thangkas, paintings, murals and artifacts. The monastery also houses the largest Maitreya Buddha statue which rise up to 15 meters covering 2 storey of the building.

14. Trekking

Trekkers in Leh Ladakh

Many adventure seeker head to Ladakh to do trekking in some of the most challenging yet spectacular terrain of Greater Himalayas, Zanskar Padum, Markha Valley, Trans Himalayan and Chadar are some of the popular treks in the region.

Nikhil Chandra

​Nikhil Chandra is a freelance travel writer, blogger and photographer based in New Delhi. He loves to go on long rides on his bikes, is an avid listener of rock, blues and country music, and could read any book he lays his hands on. He travels because it stretches his perspective in unexpected ways. Nikhil also loves to explore historical buildings and believes that the crumbling remains of old structures and monuments are as romantic as love poems of Pablo Neruda. Through his writing and photography, he endeavors to paint a canvas redolent of the scents, sights, textures and vibrancy of life and nature.