Introduction:
Gulmarg literally means the meadow of flowers. The Alpine landscape is a marked contrast to the flat, poplar-lined fields that cover the bottom of the Kashmir Valley. It's a lovely landscape, snow-clad peaks, lust free forest and its prime location and proximity to Srinagar, make it one of the best hill station in the country. Gulmarg is an eye catching place with picturesque surroundings, beautiful gardens with mind blogging flowers and fragrance. This is one of the best ski resorts in India as it gets heavy snowfall, especially during winter. Some of the highest ski slopes in India lies in the sloppy Himalayan regions in Gulmarg.
Photo Credit:Basharat Alam Shah
Destination facts:
Location: Jammu andKashmir, District Baramulla
Altitude: 2690m
Area: 3.7km long and 1km wide
Climate: (summer- 10 to 37°C) (winter -8 to 11°C)
Language: Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi
How to Reach:
By Air: Srinagar is the nearest
By Rail: Jammu is the major railhead.
By Road: Local transportation is there to roam in Gulmarg
Distance from the major cities/towns from Gulmarg:
Srinagar-43km,Pahalgam-146km, Sonamag-116km, Patnitop-199km is the nearby cities.
Places of Tourist Interest:
Alpathar Lake:
Calm, beautiful and a favorite picnic spot for tourists visiting Gulmarg, Alpather Lake is located on the valley down the twin Afarwat peaks at an altitude about 4,511 m. This serene lake in a triangular shape is placed in the backdrop of scenic hilly snow capped terrains. The lakeside gardens add the beauty to the surroundings.
Alpathar Lake
Baba Reshi Shrine:
Shrine (Ziarat) of Baba Reshi, dedicated to Muslim scholar and saint Baba Reshi, is a sacred mosque in the valley of Gulmarg. This tomb was built in 1480. Baba Reshi was an important courtier during the period of King of Kashmir Zain-ul-Abidin and is considered as a holy shrine.
Baba Reshi Shrine
St. Mary's Church:
A monument of the British Rule in India, St Mary's Church is a religiously important church in Gulmarg. The construction of the church dates back to 150 years and was done by famous British architectures in the construction style of British churches. This holy church is rare sight of a Christian church in Gulmarg and is reachable through trekking.
St.Marys Church Gulmarg
Getting Around:
The place is best explored on foot.
Eating out:
Rogan Josh id the famous dish of Gulmarg
Best Time to Visit and Festival:
March to October is the best time to visit this destination.
Snow Festival, celebrated in January or February every year.