Information about Gulmarg
Sightseeing
Gulmarg is one of the
beautiful place that can be visited in Kashmir valley. Gulmarg literally
means the meadow of flowers. Originally, Gulmarg was called Gaurimarg,
named after Shiva’s coasts. Gulmarg's legendary beauty of Himalaya.
Gulmarg in Winters prime location and proximity to Srinagar make it one of
the premier hill resort in the country. Gulmarg, the hill resort is
located only 52 km. to the south west of Srinagar in the Baramulla
district of Jammu and Kashmir. Gulmarg is situated at an altitude of 2730
meters above sea level and has a gently sloping topography. Its present
name 'Gulmarg' was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was
inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes filled with wild flowers.
Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21
different varieties of flowers from here. During the colonial rule over
India, the British discovered the hill resort of Gulmarg in 1927.
Gulmarg also hosted the
British Resident and his fellow Europeans. Gulmarg attracts various
tourists due to its natural beauty. The snow-clad peaks and the lovely
landscapes of Gulmarg have provided background for several Bollywood
ventures. Today Gulmarg is not merely a hill resort - but it also has the
highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m and also
the Asia's only heli-skiing resort in the winter.
There is immense beauty and
various adventure activities that make Gulmarg more than a cool hill
resort. It is a convenient base for trek to the Himalayas and also offers
various winter sports facilities to the tourists. Gulmarg can be visited
throughout the year. The winter months from November to February are ideal
for skiing. The months from May to September are pleasant to visit the
place.
Gondola Lift Ride
For a fun-filled ride of a most unusual kind, Gulmarg's newly constructed
Gondola lift through pine-clad slopes is an experience of a lifetime. This
Gondola will take you up above 15,000 feet and is one of the highest in
the world. Here, you can touch the skies and merge with the clouds.
Golfing
It is for golfing that Gulmarg has long been famous. There is also a green
18-hole golf course in Gulmarg which is also the world's highest golf
course. The Gulmarg Golf Club has been in existence for over a hundred
years and there are records, dating from that time, which make fascinating
reading. The Clubhouse itself, reminiscent of a Swiss chalet with its
quaintly sloping roof, has a rare old character. The Golf Club offers
short-term memberships to the players. The payment of a fee entitles one
to play on the golf course. One can also hire the golf sets from Gulmarg.
Walking
Gulmarg also offers some excellent opportunities for long walks. Walking
along Gulmarg’s circular path you only have to look down to have a
complete view of the valley including Srinagar. A fine view can also be
had of Nanga Parbat, the naked mountain which is over 26,000 feet and
dominates the entire region.
Skiing & Winter Sports
Gulmarg is the main skiing resort for the adventure lovers. Some of the
best slopes in the country for beginners and intermediate skiers are
available at Gulmarg. The slopes in Gulmarg varies between 8,700 and
10,500 feet and are the highest skis in India. The skis, sticks, snow
boots, woolen socks, mufflers, windproof jackets, goggles, caps and
various other equipments are available on hire from the Ski-Shop in
Gulmarg. The Skiing instructors are easily available in Gulmarg. Even the
amateurs can enjoy the
Tourist Attractions in Gulmarg
The gorgeous hill resort of Gulmarg is dotted with various places of
interest like Khilanmarg, Alpather Lake, Wular Lake and Manasbal Lake.
Khilanmarg :
Khilanmarg is the famous spot for skiing in winters. From Khilanmarg, you
can enjoy the views of the Kashmir valley and the Himalayan range. It
takes a couple of hours by pony, to reach Kilanmarg as it is slightly
longer on foot. |