Gulmarg

A visit to the exquisitely beautiful natural paradise of Jammu and Kashmir brings home the fact that heaven is indeed a place on earth. The state abounds in quaint and picturesque hill station,the undisputed monarch of while is undoubtedly the hilly paradise of Gulmarg.

Gulmarg, enveloped with stately pine groves is a beautiful valley. In winter a lovely white carpet of snow covers the valley and tourists ski across the alpines meadows. The icy cold winter nights are really enchanting as the star studded whitewashed moonlit sky engulfs the snow-clad grounds. Locally known as Gaurimarg, the hill station is the home of shepherds who wander about aimlessly as their sheep graze on the green carpeted meadows and pastures.

Gulmarg, the Switzerland of India is one of the world's most famous skiing grounds and perhaps the world's highest golf course perched at an altitude of 2,650 m. The quaint town owes its nomenclature to a sudden inspiration of Sultan Yusuf Shah who was mesmerized by the green valley adorned with variegated flowers. The resort was also a popular getaway of some great historical personalities of the likes of the erstwhile Mughal emperor Jehangir.

The journey to Gulmarg is another heavenly experience as people cross through the splendid valley laced by lovely rivers and streams. Tangmarg, the valley where the apples grow is a breathtaking locale crossing which tourists encounter the fir-clad lofty hills. A beautiful View Point greets tourists on the way where they stop for a few moments to soak in nature and gaze at the spectacular hills draped in pearly white snow.