This is the part II of the pictures of Kashmir clicked by me. It has photographs of Sonmarg, Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
It was my second visit to Kashmir; the first was in 1970 along with my classmates as a part of my college trip. Some people asked me did I find any change after 45 years. More hotels and restaurants have come up not only in Srinagar but also in Gulmarg and Pahalgam. I don't remember having seen any hotel either at Gulmarg or Pahalgam in 1970.I still remember the strenuous but exciting horse riding at Gulmarg and the severe pain on the back and hip that I had that night. This time thanks to the cable car we could go to the top without slightest inconvenience although I had a major surgery only three months back.
The beauty of nature in Kashmir has however remained as pristine as 45 years back. It is beyond description and it is indeed very unfortunate that this paradise on earth has often remained the scene of many disturbances and conflicts.
There was no railway track beyond Pathankot during my first visit to Kashmir and we had to take a 16 hours bus ride from Pathankot to Srinagar via Jammu. Strenuous though the journey was, we all in our early twenties then, actually enjoyed it.I don't know whether today I can undertake such a journey. This time I and my wife went by air to Srinagar from Kolkata via Delhi.
During our visit this time there were repeated warnings of flood on the T.V. and the news of water level of Jhelum crossing danger level, but to our pleasant surprise we found bright and pleasant weather all the seven days of our stay. We came across the Jhelum river at several places and found the water level nowhere near the danger mark. We were told by our driver that there had always been a conscious effort by the media to highlight negative news about Kashmir. I don't know whether there is any truth in this allegation.
I must however mention that I found people of Kashmir extremely courteous, friendly and helpful.
It may not be out of place to mention that Srinagar airport has a very stringent security checking. There are three stages of security check. There is a security check of luggages even outside the gate of the airport. Cabin baggages are not normally allowed in the aircraft. All these could have been really irritating but the friendly and helpful attitude of the airport staff made the things much easier for us. I shall never forget the check in counter girl, a young muslim, who when told that I had a major surgery three months back went out of the way to give seats in the aircraft to me and my wife in such a way that we could get a vacant seat in between us from Srinagar to Delhi and from Delhi to Kolkata.
During my first visit to Kashmir I was not carrying any camera and I could not capture any sights of this beautiful place that time. This time I was having with me Ipad and one smart phone and with the help of these two I could click pictures as many times as I wanted without bothering much about the quality of the photos. Kashmir is indeed travellers' paradise and photographers' delight.
s
It was my second visit to Kashmir; the first was in 1970 along with my classmates as a part of my college trip. Some people asked me did I find any change after 45 years. More hotels and restaurants have come up not only in Srinagar but also in Gulmarg and Pahalgam. I don't remember having seen any hotel either at Gulmarg or Pahalgam in 1970.I still remember the strenuous but exciting horse riding at Gulmarg and the severe pain on the back and hip that I had that night. This time thanks to the cable car we could go to the top without slightest inconvenience although I had a major surgery only three months back.
The beauty of nature in Kashmir has however remained as pristine as 45 years back. It is beyond description and it is indeed very unfortunate that this paradise on earth has often remained the scene of many disturbances and conflicts.
There was no railway track beyond Pathankot during my first visit to Kashmir and we had to take a 16 hours bus ride from Pathankot to Srinagar via Jammu. Strenuous though the journey was, we all in our early twenties then, actually enjoyed it.I don't know whether today I can undertake such a journey. This time I and my wife went by air to Srinagar from Kolkata via Delhi.
During our visit this time there were repeated warnings of flood on the T.V. and the news of water level of Jhelum crossing danger level, but to our pleasant surprise we found bright and pleasant weather all the seven days of our stay. We came across the Jhelum river at several places and found the water level nowhere near the danger mark. We were told by our driver that there had always been a conscious effort by the media to highlight negative news about Kashmir. I don't know whether there is any truth in this allegation.
I must however mention that I found people of Kashmir extremely courteous, friendly and helpful.
It may not be out of place to mention that Srinagar airport has a very stringent security checking. There are three stages of security check. There is a security check of luggages even outside the gate of the airport. Cabin baggages are not normally allowed in the aircraft. All these could have been really irritating but the friendly and helpful attitude of the airport staff made the things much easier for us. I shall never forget the check in counter girl, a young muslim, who when told that I had a major surgery three months back went out of the way to give seats in the aircraft to me and my wife in such a way that we could get a vacant seat in between us from Srinagar to Delhi and from Delhi to Kolkata.
During my first visit to Kashmir I was not carrying any camera and I could not capture any sights of this beautiful place that time. This time I was having with me Ipad and one smart phone and with the help of these two I could click pictures as many times as I wanted without bothering much about the quality of the photos. Kashmir is indeed travellers' paradise and photographers' delight.
s
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