BEAUTIFUL MULTAN CITY

Multan is a city in the Punjab Province of Pakistan and capital of Multan District. It is located in the southern part of the province. It has a population of over 3.8 million (according to 1998 census), making it the sixth largest city of Pakistan. It is built just east of the Chenab River, more or less in the geographic center of the country and about 966 km from Karachi.
Multan is known as the 'City of Sufi Saints (Pir) and Shrines'. A circular road around the rampart gives access to the city through thirteen gates. Some of the imposing structures of these gates are still preserved. In the bazaars of the Old City one can still come across tiny shops where craftsmen can be seen busily turning out master-pieces in copper, brass, silver and textiles in traditional fashion.The city is filled with bazaars, mosques, shrines and superbly designed tombs.



Popular Attractions:



Multan, being an historic city, attracts a number of tourists every year. When the first settlements established themselves in Multan, access to the city was through a circular road around the rampart that gave access to the city through thirteen gates and even now some of the imposing structures of these gates are still visible and well preserved. The Old City has narrow, colorful bazaars full of local handicrafts and narrow winding lanes. There are many places of historical, cultural and recreational interest in the city. In the bazaars of the Old City one still comes across tiny shops where craftsmen can be seen busily turning out masterpieces in copper, brass, silver as well as textiles in the traditional fashion.

The numerous Sufi shrines within the old city offer impressive examples of workmanship and architecture. The Shams-e Tabriz shrine is built almost entirely of sky-blue engraved glazed bricks. That of Shah Rukn-e Alam (Tughlaq period) has one of the biggest domes in Asia. The shrine of Sheikh Yusuf Gardez is a masterpiece of the Multani style. Other shrines include the Pahladpuri Temple and the Idgah Mosque (1735).

The mausoleum of Shams-ud-Din, commonly known as Shah Shams Tabrez is located about half a mile to the east of the Fort Site, on the high bank of the old bed of the river Ravi. He passed away in 1276 AD and the shrine was built by his grandson in 1 330 AD It was rebuilt by one of his followers in 171 8 AD The Tomb is square, 30 feet in height surmounted by a hemispherical dome. It is decorated with ornamental glazed tiles.

Mausoleum of Rukn-i-AlamThe tomb is located on the south-West side of the Fort premises.In beauty and grandeur so other dome perhaps equals it This elegant building is an octagon, 51 feet 9 inches in diameter internally, with walls 41 feet 4 inches high and 13 feet 3 inches thick, supported at the angles by sloping towers. Over this is a smaller octagon 25 feet 8 inches, on the exterior side, and 26 feet 1 0 inches high, leaving a narrow passage all round the top of the lower storey for the Moazzan, or public caller to prayers.
The whole is surmounted by hemishperical dome of 58 feet external diameter. The total height of the building, including a plinth of 3 feet, is 100 feet. As it stands on the high ground, the total height above the road level is 150 feet. This contributes materially to the majestic and colossal appearance of the tomb, making it the most prominent object of view to the visitors. Besides its religious importance, the mausoleum is also of considerable archaeological value as its dome is reputed to be the second largest in the world after 'Gol Gumbad' of Bijapur (India), which is the largest.

Manka: Outside the Delhi Gate, nearly twelve yards (351/2 feet to be exact) in length, there is a stone of chocolate color with marks of light yellow on it, 27 inches in diameter and 78 inches thick, with a hole through the middle 9 inches in diameter. It is called Manka. People say the saint wore it round his neck, while some maintain that it was his thumb ring. The tomb is asserted to be 1300 years old. It is possible that it may belong to the times of the early Muslim invasion under Mohammad -bin-Qasim.

The Multan Museum contains a fine collection of coins, medals, postage stamps of the former State of Bahawalpur, manuscripts, documented inscriptions, wood carvings, camel-skin paintings, historical models and stone carvings of the Islamic and Pre-Islamic periods.

The Multan Fort was considered as one of the best forts of the sub-continent from the defense as well as architectural points of view. It was located in Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.
It was built on a detached, rather high mound of earth separated from the city by the bed of an old branch of River Ravi.

MAP OF GOA IN INDIA

MAP OF GOA IN INDIA

Goa Resorts Hotels & Information

Welcome to Goa Airport, your source for online information in Goa, India.

Goa, India, is known for its beautiful resorts, and the Fort Aguada Beach Resort shown here is just one example of such luxury.

Awarded Best Resort 5 times in the last six years. Fort Aguada Beach Resort is one of Goa's best known beach resorts approximately 45 kms from the airport. The hotel is built on the ramparts of a 16th century Portuguese Fortress overlooking the Arabian Sea which lends to the resort its unique character and of course the hill testify the presence of military during the Portuguese rule. A sprawling complex of 88 acres the Fort Aguada Beach Resort is situated right on the sands of Calangute Beach. It all has sea facing terrace suites cottages and standard rooms with spectacular views of the Palm Flecked gardens complex. It features 8 restaurants offering a fascinating range of cuisine to choose from coupled with live entertainment the resort is in adequate proximity to the city commercial centres, theatres and architecture.

GOA-------"Hottest place"

Goa, one of the smallest states in India's map, with a territory of 3,702 sq km is located in the Western Ghats.

A tropical paradise, it is bathed by the warm waters of the Arabian Sea. Goan culture is a blend of Indian and Iberian: European style central squares and Indian bazaars, Portuguese churches sharing their walls with Hindu temples.

Christianity and Hinduism exist side by side in this state. Having been ruled by the colonial Portuguese for over 450yrs, there is still a distinctive European flavor that has permeated all aspects of Goa's life including its food, religion, language, festivals, dances and names.

Apart from the increasing strength of Indian tourists from outside Goa, a large number of western tourists also arrive using the direct-chartered flights to Goa.

Goa is best known for its spectacular beaches and luxurious hotels but there are many old churches, monuments, temples and museums, that are a must see.




The state of Goa in India, was a Portuguese colony until 1962, and is famous for its Indo-Portuguese culture and architecture. Goa's beaches reflect its colourful mosaic of history.

The combination of the "sosegãdo" or laid back lifestyle, bracing weather and Goa's carnival-like nightlife has been known to lure many into a psychedelic trance.

As you vacation in Goa and feel the soft sand beneath your feet, you'll find that there is no place like a warm, inviting beach in Goa to make you feel at peace with the universe.

Since we usually stay at my parents' flat at Monte-de-Guirim, near Mapusa, the only time we check into a hotel or resort is when we don't have our own transport and want to spend more time at the beach. The transport in Goa being what it is, its always better to have your own car or bike.

I love to spend my Goa holiday gorging on the local crab, king prawns and typical Goan delicacies like chicken rechãdo and xãcuti. I also make it a point to visit my aunt's house in Mapusa, where she always has a delicious plate of fresh oyster deep fried in rava ready for me.

The local brews, like cashew and coconut "feni," with their strong aroma, are definitely not for the faint of heart (or stomach). If you visit in the right season, you can sample the local "Urak," a lighter and sweeter-smelling distillate of feni.

How to get there: You can take a cheap flight to Goa from Bombay (Mumbai). The more adventurous can opt for an eight-hour trip to Goa by Konkan railway or a sixteen-hour bus journey from Mumbai.

Where to stay: Beach resorts and budet hotels are numerous, and accomodation is often included when you opt for a cheap Goa holiday package or tour.















Mandovi Beach Holiday Resort, Goa
Mandovi is a 3 star hotel having 65 luxurious rooms in 4 categories viz. 3 Deluxe Suites, 18 Deluxe river facing rooms , 26 Premium rooms , 18 Standard rooms . All rooms have central air-conditioning, wall-to-wall carpets, attached baths, C.C.TV and direct STD dialing facility. We have a specialty restaurant, a fine bar, pastry shop and other services like laundry, room service, car rentals, doctor on call etc
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Varca Palms Beach Resort, Goa
The resort is set on 14 acres and is located 10 kms. south of Margao City and 30 kms. from Dabolim Airport , the main block houses 16 rooms , a shopping arcade and the lobby.Individual villas pan out from this central block.There are 4 types of rooms to choose from ;the poolside villa suite, a villa room and a room in the main block .In all there are 60 rooms , all of which are well appointed with A/C , private bath ,T. V.,telephone,mini bar and 24 hour room service.
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Vista Do Rio, Goa
A gateway. Ensconced in lush greenery. Vista do rio is a blend of Spanish and Indian architecture, combined with elegance and comfort, offers you a choice of stunning studio, one and two bedroom apartments, comfortable for 3,4and 6 adults respectively. Stylish, exclusive and conveniently located, it has everything you would want your goa holiday rosort to be. Everything you need to relax and escape from the fast pace of life.
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Heritage Village Club, Goa
Welcome to India's first fully all-inclusive boutique resort. To give you a totally satisfying holiday we have pioneered the "all-inclusive" holiday concept- you pay one comprehensive price for all facilities. You get accommodation, unlimited food, snacks in-between meals, in house beverages and entertainment activities for the whole family.
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Majorda Beach Resort, Goa
offers 120 spacious rooms including 10 cottages & suites, spread over 22 acres of lush green landscape, with luxurious ambience in which your comfort is our paramount concern.
Each of these rooms offer a private balcony, with spectacular views of either the ocean or the tropical gardens. The rooms have individually controlled air-conditioning, luxurious baths, satellite television, free in-house movies, International Direct Dialing and a well-stocked mini-bar. Facilities like tea / coffee maker, hair dryer and safe in the rooms.
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Dono Sylvia, Goa
The Dona Sylvia is India's only 'All Inclusive' Mediterranean Style Club Resort. Located in the heart of the tourism belt, India's Premier Mediterranean Club Resort is spread over 26 acres of landscaped gardens along the stunning Cavelossim Beach in South Goa.The Dona Sylvia has 176 air conditioned rooms in Mediterranean styled villas with speciality and buffet restaurant, family entertainment centre, fitness centre, ayurvedic and medicated massage parlour, extra large swimming pool, Kids Klub, kid's pool with unlimited fun and games.
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The Kenilworth Beach Resort, Goa
Offers you one of the finest and largest blue water pools in India, within the Resorts premises, which provide multiple depths for swimming as well as deep diving. Let the kiddies play in their very own pool while you enjoy a refreshing soak in the attached Jacuzzi or enjoy a game of water polo or volleyball. Our 14,000 square-foot swimming pool even has water slides for that added merriment of swooshing through the crystal droplets; and of course a special attraction is the sunken bar. For all the young at heart and the truly young, we provide spare beds and even baby cots to keep the family closer together through your happy holiday.
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Ramada Caravela Beach Resort, Goa
This 202 rooms resort, which opened in 1990, is built on a 23 acres beach front and designed by the Hawaii based largest hotel architects in the world, Wimberley Whisen and Allison Tong & Goo. The Resort incorporates many Goa elements from the sloping red tiled roof to the red laterite stone clad pillars and Goa artifacts, all blended into a Deluxe Resort. Total number of rooms - 202 (Rooms - 192, Suites-4, Villas-6) Number of floors - 3 floors
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Dona Alcina Resort, Goa
Dona Alcina offers you well appointed AC and Non-AC rooms, furnished with all the amenities of comfort. Situated along the famous Candolim beach, its close proximity to the beach makes it the ideal place to spend time, 'Sun tanning' by the beach. Alternatively you could enjoy the serenity in the shade of swaying palms by the pool side restaurant 'Boa Cozinho' serving Goan and continental cuisine.
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Hotel la Paz Garden, Goa
Hotel La Paz Gardens provides the traveller comprehensive facilities and personalised services. The guest rooms and deluxe suites are designed to offer you gracious hospitality, the perfect blend of convenience and comfort. Hotel LaPaz Gardens is conveniently located in the heart of Vasco city. The location provides easy access to the Airport(5 minutes drive),the railway station,the Bus stand, the Port & Clearance Authorities. The shopping and business areas of the city are in the vicinity ofthe hotel. It is also in close proximity to the Bogmalo Beach.
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Sun Village Resort, Goa
Located in peaceful Arpora, Sun Village presents an indulgent, all-suite hotel experience within its landscaped environs. An imposing statue of Helios, the Sun God, welcomes guests to the resort.SunVillage has well-equipped rooms and offers a range of exciting cuisines in its indoor and outdoor restaurants. A sprawling pool and generously sun-bedded pool area ensure a relaxed day, while the nights surge by in a variety of evening Entertainments.
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Cidade De Goa
They say you can take a person out of Goa, but you can’t take Goa out of the person. Even the languages speaks of Goans’ passion for enjoying life and sharing it with friends. It is a tradition deeply rooted in Clidade de Goa’s warm, welcoming hospitality and old-charm Ensuring you and your family an experience that’s as “Goan as it gets”.

Israelis Warned to Avoid Goa, a Longtime Favorite Tourist Destination for Young Travelers

ANJUNA, India, Dec. 15 — A favored destination of young Israelis seeking respite from the frazzle and stress of home, the tourist haven of Goa got a rude reminder of reality this week.

Based on information gleaned by its counterterrorism agency, the Israeli government issued a rare terrorism alert on Thursday warning of a planned attack by Al Qaeda on tourists during the New Year’s holiday season. The advisory described the information as “a concrete threat” but gave no further detail.

The Israeli Embassy urged its citizens to visit another time or, if they must be in the state of Goa, to stay away from crowded places. “We advise them to be alert and to take this threat very seriously,” the embassy spokesman, Lior Weintraub, said Friday by telephone from New Delhi, the capital.

In Anjuna, on Goa’s northern coast, where Internet cafes cater to Israelis checking e-mail messages from home and where restaurants serve schnitzel for lunch, the news of Al Qaeda’s suspected designs was greeted with a mixture of apprehension and aplomb.

“Now we feel at home,” Yossi Damti, 23, fresh out of the Israeli Army, said with a shrug on Friday afternoon.

“We got used to it,” said his friend, Orif Tordjman, 21, who had also just completed her military service. “We’re not going to leave because of this alert.”

Goa is among India’s most coveted tourist destinations. For Israelis, it is also a common stop on the post-military-service tourist circuit. The embassy in New Delhi estimated that around 35,000 Israelis come to Goa each year, crowding into a handful of coastal villages like this one.

Alerts like this latest one, which was unusual for its level of specificity, are particularly vexing for the Indian government, which has long maintained that Al Qaeda does not operate on Indian soil. In August, in the days leading up to India’s Independence Day, the United States Embassy said it had received information that foreign terrorists, including Al Qaeda, planned to carry out a series of bombings in and around New Delhi and Mumbai. Indian officials dismissed the alert as a routine advisory.

India has cultivated warmer relations with Israel and the United States, making it, according to some security analysts, more vulnerable to Qaeda attacks.

Local news outlets on Friday quoted the chief minister of Goa, Pratapsing Rane, as saying that his state remained safe for tourists. Tourism is among the state’s principal sources of revenue.

At an Internet cafe on Anjuna’s main strip, Shai Zimon, 23, who had been traveling across India for the past 6 weeks, said he was hunting for a ticket to fly to Thailand for New Year’s Eve, but not because of the terrorism threat. “You can’t base your trip on what the government says,” he said.

If you did, piped in a Swiss woman, Gitta Klee, also checking e-mail messages, no one would ever go anywhere.

Ms. Klee, 53, who has lived in Goa for more than 27 years, theorized that the terrorism alert was the brainchild of anxious parents not wanting their children to party in Goa. “Me, I don’t think this place is interesting enough for terrorists,” she said.

Word seemed not to have spread yet to the non-Israeli tourists who crowd into some of the same cheap guesthouses here. A pair of German tourists waiting for a bus to the beach were oblivious to the alert. A British tourist, Mustapha Dari, 24, said he had heard only something vague from a friend who had watched the news the night before on Indian television. His friend, Raffi Israelion, 20, a Parisian, confessed that he was particularly worried because local residents often took him to be Israeli.

At a Jewish community house on Friday afternoon, the news had seeped in, and the visit of a foreign journalist was enough to spark fear and hostility. At first, two women sitting on the porch of the house, where preparations were under way for a service to mark the first night of Hanukkah, said they knew of three friends who had canceled their New Year’s Eve plans for Goa.

They said friends and family in Israel had already called them and urged them to return home. They weren’t sure what they would do. One of the women, who gave her name only as Adi, said she did not want Al Qaeda to “ruin our plans.”

Nor, it turned out, did she want to say any more to a stranger. The conversation quickly turned tense. Why are you asking for our names, they demanded. Why do you want to know when the first candle would be lit on the menorah this evening? Why are you asking if we will stay here for the New Year’s holiday?

“All this situation, I don’t know,” Adi said nervously, and quickly disappeared into the house.

Snow clad mountains of Kashmir and Almond trees

Sometime in March this year, acting upon the recommendation of my friend, Rosalind aka Madame Butterfly, my wife and I stayed in one of the antique houseboats on Lake Dal, Kashmir and experienced a most picturesque and wonderful holiday.






Nature has endowed Kashmir with innumerable gifts, its towering snow clad mountains, icy cold streams, crystal clear and sparkling lakes, flower meadows, colorful orchards and villages that always attracted tourists from all parts of the world. The centuries-old traditional fruit cultivation has profusely colored the riposte and tranquility of Kashmir’s landscape. Kashmir, the land of amazing flora and fruits possesses a rich history of fruit cultivation. Kashmir has remained the symbol of fruits and flowers.






Although the almond tree is native to the Mediterranean region, this beautiful tree has adapted to the climate of Kashmir. Big and shady, these trees grow up to a height of 15m and have large oval leaves tinged with red and fleshy fruits. The fruits of the almond tree are very aromatic and sweet. Almonds are considered the healthiest nuts to eat because they have the highest protein content of any nut. Almonds are also a rich source of calcium and many minerals, such as potassium and phosphorous.


Kashmiri almonds are known for their superiority of taste and are very popular in India. Locals considered the nut as highly nourishing and of great medicinal value; its kernels are used in confectionery as well as dessert.






The almond in Kashmir is synonymous with romance in Kashmir. Ancient Indian literature depicts heroines as someone having dark almond shaped eyes that symbolize beauty and appeal. The Mughals were great patrons of art and lovers of cuisines. It was the Mughals who introduced almonds into Indian cooking. We also visited one of the wonders of the world built by the Mughals - Taj Mahal, the subject of my next story ….….

Kashmir: Will Peace Return in Paradise?

The recent election turn-out, results, the coalition government and young Chief Minister Omar Abdullah do offer some hope of finally healing Kashmir. But it is unlikely the long-term peace will return to this paradise. Escalating tensions between India and Pakistan after Mumbai attack, cast dark shadows on the little hope of peace the election results offer.

For the time being Kashmir seems to be a conflict-free zone with less militant strikes and lesser Indian army’s counter operations to flush out terrorism from the valley. But after 20 years of constant conflict (and total 60 years of history of conflicts over LoC) one wonders if there is a storm gathering beneath this calm.

Post-Independence Kashmir has always been a bone of contention for both India and Pakistan. Being a border state Kashmir and Kashmiri’s have forever been in line of fire. The region never got independence from wars and conflicts. Things became worse from 1989, when separatists launched anti-India insurgency movement. Indian army too moved in. Normal life for civilians in this tourist paradise has never been the same.

Will Omar Abdullah be the long awaited leader to turn his troubled state in to a land of peace and normalcy? Unfortunately there is very little he can do except for good governance. Peace needs to be brokered between two nations and not merely between separatists groups. But little good governance by state government can be a good beginning of the healing process.

Despite being in international news for all the wrong reasons, the disputed region of Kashmir India boasts some fascinating cultural heritage and spectacular seasonal landscapes. The region is also renowned for its textiles and crafts. Kashmir tourism ebbs and flows in relation to the political climate in the area, but there is no escaping the fact that the Kashmir Valley has much to offer adventurous tourists.

The most significant factor for Kashmir tourism is the exceptional beauty of the Himalayas, and Kashmir is home to three majestic Himalayan ranges: the Karakoram, Zanskar, and Pir Panjal. The snow-capped mountains are home to great rivers that flow through the Kashmir Valley, and the dramatic changing of seasons helps create stunning scenery. Winter brings blankets of snow, while spring and summer reveal the rivers, fertile rice fields, blooming flowers, and shimmering lakes. In the autumn, the vibrant colors remind visitors of a New England fall. Kashmir India is beautiful all year, but if you’re trying to decide when to go, March through October is typically the best time to visit, as winter weather can make the region difficult to access.

Vibrant and diverse cultures can be found throughout the Kashmir Valley, and despite the political turmoil, the region displays a common celebration of all religions. Kashmir is certainly a spiritual place, and many travelers come on pilgrimages to climb the mountain passes and pay homage to the gods at one of the many shrines and monasteries in the region. A holy temple for Hindus, Vaishno Devi Mandir is located in the Jammu and Kashmir valley, around an altitude of 5,200 feet. Many also visit the Amarnath caves, one of the most famous shrines in Hinduism. The region also holds the holy Muslim site of Charar-e-Sharief, a fourteenth-century shrine of the Sufi saint of Kashmir. The town was razed in 1995 during a military encounter but has since been rebuilt.

With such stunning scenery, it’s no wonder that outdoor activities are popular among visitors to Jammu and Kashmir. All-inclusive guided treks are an excellent way to explore the stunning Himalayas in India. For instance, a two- or three-night trip following the Mughal tradition comes complete with camp cots, tables, chairs, and willing porters. The verdant Kashmir Valley and its roaring river systems make for terrific white-water rafting on the Indus and Zanskar rivers. A Kashmir tour that incorporates rafting trips offers trips that range from half a day to six days, in which daily rafting and camping at night gives travelers a closer look at the picturesque Zanskar valley.

Its network of fresh mountain rivers and streams makes Kashmir an angler’s dream, and fishing—particularly trout fishing—is excellent here. A combination of hiking and fishing create a Kashmir tour for the more adventurous travelers, and the trip includes high-altitude lakes up to 14,000 feet above sea level, which are home to an abundance of brown and rainbow trout. For those interested in spending plenty of time on the water, accommodations are available in many of the deluxe houseboats found here.

Due to the prominence of the Himalayan ranges in this state, Kashmir India attracts ardent mountaineers from around the world. The Kolahoi peak, known as the Matterhorn of India, reaches a height of nearly 18,000 feet, and the Pir Panjal range boasts two more tall peaks that are well worth exploring in the Tattakuti and the Sunset. For more experienced climbers, expeditions to the Zanskar range offer multiple peaks that are above 21,000 feet, including the pair of Nun, at 23,409 feet, and Kun, at 23, 218 feet. Weeklong expeditions into this part of the state can be arranged through both local and international Kashmir tour operators.

If ascending a peak that high sounds like too much, you can consider staying at Gulmarg, one of India’s premier ski resorts. All the necessary equipment is available to rent, and the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering offers ten-day and 21-day courses that range from beginner to advanced. Gulmarg has both downhill and cross-country ski slopes, so travelers interested in skiing should have no trouble finding a trail that suits them.

Colorful, rich, and spiritual, and with the soaring Himalayas located on its doorstep, Kashmir tourism has much to offer. For many travelers to India, it is an unforgettable destination just waiting to be discovered.

WAZWAN-THE HEART AND SOUL OF KASHMIRI CUISINE

This post is for my parents - my dad who was almost a Kashmiri himself, been born and brought up in Srinagar, (may his soul rest in peace), and for my mother because of whom I am what I am today. the kashmir valley Most of my ancestors had lived for some time or the other in the Kashmir Valley, and as long as I can remember- despite being a typically punjabi family, kashmiri cuisine had firmly interwoven itself in the weft and warp of our lives.I made Rogan Josh for the first time when I was 11yrs old!. As a child I remember, there used to be lavish parties thrown by my mother, who is an extremely gifted cook herself ,and for some very special guests "WAZWAN" was prepared. Let me give you a little introduction about wazwan, it is a unique concept and means "WAZ"-the chef person with the rare culinary skills passed on through generations, an artist who is obsessively and passionately involved with his art and who is one of the priveledged few flag bearers of this great Kashmiri tradition,"WAN" is the shop with the abundant supplies of meats and delicacies.

Pushing aside obstructions and difficulties is the Dharma of life

"Don't compare life to a pool of muddy, stagnant water. Life resembles an ever-flowing spring. Pushing aside the stones of obstructions and difficulties, marching on with vigorous speed is its Dharma. Hence it is clear that those who want to keep away from obstacles have lost the Dharma of life - verily they are dead. The graveyard, not the society, should be their abode."

Kashmir in Winter Pictures

Kashmir, also known as Cashmere, is the northerwestern region of the Indian subcontinent. Today Kashmir refers to a much larger area that includes the regions of Kashmir valley, Jammu and Ladakh. The main "Valley of Kashmir" is a low-lying fertile region surrounded by magnificent mountains and fed by many rivers. It is renowned for its natural beauty and quaint lifestyle.

Kashmir is derived from the Sanskrit "Kashyapa" + "Mira", which means the mountain range of sage Kashyapa. Srinagar, the ancient capital, lies alongside Dal Lake and is famous for its canals and houseboats. Srinagar (alt. 1,600 m. or 5,200 ft.) served as a favoured summer capital for many foreign conquerors who found the heat of the Northern Indian plains in the summer season to be oppressive. Just outside the city are the beautiful Shalimar, Nishat and Chashmashahi gardens created by Mughal emperors.

Kashmir was one of the most important centres of Buddhism in India. Kashmir retained a strong influence of Buddhism despite the influence of Kashmir Saivism and the various Sufi Orders of Islam. Following are some gorgeous pictures of Kashmir in Winter.

Did you know this about Jammu and Kashmir?

Recently I’ve been observing most of us making raging and sentimental comments about Kashmir ..So I just thought of digging more into what the whole hype is all about.Though I find history a boring subject,the reading about Kashmir’s history was rather an intersting one,especially when related to the comments made today,by people who are ignorant of what happened yesterday,and uninterested of what may happen tomorrow..



Kashmir,the heaven on earth; Ka means “water” and Shimir means “to desiccate”.Kashmir stands for “a land desiccated from water”.What is it as of today,a valley of streaming blood?Let’s look back at some history,as I believe that it is history that made life of people of heaven hell..



A briefing from wikipedia:



The Mauryan emperor Ashoka is often credited with having founded the city of Srinagar. Kashmir was once a Buddhist seat of learning. Following the advent of Muslim rule in 1349, Islam became the dominant religion in Kashmir. The Muslims and Hindus of Kashmir lived in relative harmony, since the Sufi-Islamic way of life that ordinary Muslims followed in Kashmir complemented the Rishi tradition of Kashmiri Pandits. This led to a synergetic culture where Hindus and Muslims revered the same local saints and prayed at the same shrines and Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists were co-existing in the atmosphere of love and brotherhood.



Earlier, in 1780, after the death of Ranjit Deo, the Raja of Jammu, the kingdom of Jammu (to the south of the Kashmir valley) was captured by the Sikhs under Ranjit Singh of Lahore and afterwards, until 1846, became a tributary to the Sikh power. In 1845, the First Anglo-Sikh War broke out, and Gulab Singh “contrived to hold himself aloof till the battle of Sobraon (1846), when he appeared as a useful mediator and the trusted advisor of Sir Henry Lawrence. Two treaties were concluded. By the first the State of Lahore (i.e. West Punjab) handed over to the British, as equivalent for (rupees) one crore of indemnity, the hill countries between Beas and Indus; by the second, the British made over to Gulab Singh for (Rupees) 75 lakhs all the hilly or mountainous country situated to the east of Indus and west of Ravi” (i.e. the Vale of Kashmir . Soon after Gulab Singh’s death in 1857, his son, Ranbir Singh.After the Indian Rebellion of 1857, in which Kashmir sided with the British, and the subsequent assumption of direct rule by Great Britain, the princely state of Kashmir came under the paramountcy of the British Crown.



Ranbir Singh’s grandson Hari Singh, who had ascended the throne of Kashmir in 1925, was the reigning monarch in 1947 at the conclusion of British rule of the subcontinent and the subsequent partition of the British Indian Empire into the newly independent Union of India and the Dominion of Pakistan. As parties to the partition process, both countries had agreed that the people or elders of these states will decide to opt for either Pakistan or India keeping in view the geographical position and religious beliefs of the majority of the people or—in special cases—to remain independent. In 1947, Kashmir’s population was 80 per cent Muslim and it shared boundaries with Pakistan and India. Hence, it was anticipated that the Maharaja would accede to Pakistan or India, when the British paramountcy ended on 14-15 August. When he hesitated to do this, a struggle broke out, supported by Pakistan. The Maharaja appealed to Mountbatten for assistance, and the Governor-General agreed on the condition that the ruler accede to India. Once the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession, which included a clause added by Mountbatten asking that the wishes of the Kashmiri people be taken into account, Indian soldiers entered Kashmir and drove the Pakistani-sponsored irregulars from all but a small section of the state. India approached the United Nations security council for cease fire and to mediate the quarrel. The UN Security Council passed the resolution that the opinion of Kashmiris must be ascertained. The Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru promised a Plebiscite under UN supervision which never happened as one of the pre-conditions for the same was Pakistan should withdraw all Military forces from the region of Kashmir.



In the last days of 1948, a ceasefire was agreed under UN auspices; however, since the plebiscite demanded by the UN was never conducted, relations between India and Pakistan soured,and eventually led to two more wars over Kashmir in 1965 and 1999. India has control of about half the area of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir; Pakistan controls a third of the region, the Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Although there was a clear Muslim majority in Kashmir before the 1947 partition and its economic, cultural, and geographic contiguity with the Muslim-majority area of the Punjab (in Pakistan) could be convincingly demonstrated, the political developments during and after the partition resulted in a division of the region. Pakistan was left with territory that, although basically Muslim in character, was thinly populated, relatively inaccessible, and economically underdeveloped. The largest Muslim group, situated in the Vale of Kashmir and estimated to number more than half the population of the entire region, lay in Indian-administered territory, with its former outlets via the Jhelum valley route blocked.”



Currently,The region is divided among three countries in a territorial dispute: Pakistan controls the northwest portion (Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir), India controls the central and southern portion (Jammu and Kashmir) and Ladakh, and China controls the northeastern portion (Aksai Chin and the Trans-Karakoram Tract). India also controls the majority of the Siachen Glacier area including the Saltoro Ridge passes), whereas Pakistan controls the lower territory just southwest of the Saltoro Ridge. India controls 101,387 km2 (39,146 sq mi), Pakistan 85,846 km2 (33,145 sq mi) and China, the remaining 37,555 km2 (14,500 sq mi).





Now, it makes some sense to me as to what is happening in Kashmir today .I am sure most of the people who take this issue as Muslim-fanatic cause, know nothing about what was it that lead to such a pathetic state as of today .I understand that Jammu and Kashmir was purely a political issue, which has turned into a completely religious one in nature over a course of 61 years. I wonder why on earth Hari Singh opted not to join neither India nor Pakistan.. His name will be written in history, in cow dung , for having made a decision that spoiled life of many fellow people, for years ,and many more years to come..



Political parties have taken the most of this issue. Religious fanatics too have used the matter to maximum possible extent, to suit their selfish needs.. But in the end, can anybody answer as to who won and who lost..



What went wrong in Kashmir is that, we have been looking at the issue as a Hindu vs Muslim. Sadly it is not otherwise, though many religious factors have contributed to make the situation even worse.



Don’t mix religion here. This is an issue of redrawing the contours, for the sake of humanity. This is in no way related to other communal issues moving around ,as like in Nagaland and Assam.The integrity of India cannot be questioned, but Kashmir was never part of India, was it? From very day we gained ‘independence’ there is issues going on in the valley.. Its high time we bring an end to it.



As an Indian,I am very much concerned about my nation’s security issues ,once an independent J&K nation is formed.But I believe that India is strong enough to take care of security concerns.But one question is left unanswered;how will the kashmiris survive then?I don’t think Pakistan will care a damn about it.Just for instance,recall what happened during 2005 earthquakes.But then again,they made their own choice and are entitled to deal with the consequences.



During partition, people from other states of India joined Indian union out of their own free will. Same right should be extended to Kashmir .Let them decide what they want. Let India not act like America ,withholding somebody else’s land, even when the inhabitants are against themselves being controlled by an ‘external force’ .I had always stood for national interest,and will remain to do so till my last breath. But I just realized that I was concerned about Kashmir, not about Kashmiris. .Don’t they deserve a life ?Or is it destined to be another Isreal-Palastein conflict?