Lakes in Kashmir:
The gorgeous Mughal gardens and hypnotic lakes that run through the diverse sections of the valley make Srinagar, the largest district of Jammu and Kashmir, famous. Srinagar is also known as “Lake City.
Dal Lake, the valley’s second largest lake, is the second largest of all the lakes. Among all the Lakes in Srinagar, it is the most popular. With the massive snow-capped mountains surrounding it, the lake is breathtaking. Houseboats and Shikaara are the main attractions for guests who want to add to the beauty of the lake. It’s a lovely experience to spend the night on a houseboat. The shikaara ride at sunset is a jaw-dropping experience. With the golden light of the sun, the surroundings around the lake appear to be captivating. In Kashmir, Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is very popular.
Wular Lake is Srinagar’s and India’s largest freshwater lake. The lake also contains the ruins of an island from the reign of King Sultan-ul-Aabideen, which are a famous tourist destination. Aside from the lake, this location is a popular destination for birdwatchers.
Nigeen Lake is located next to the Hari-Parbat Fort’s hilltop. It’s sometimes mistaken for being a part of Dal Lake. Through a little slot, the two are linked. It’s also linked to Khushal Sar and Gil Sar, which are linked through the Amir Khan Nallah Channel. Nigeen Lake is one of Srinagar’s most popular tourist attractions. Visitors who enjoy peaceful surroundings come here for a night’s stay because the lake is located far from the noise and bustle of Srinagar City.
Manasbal Lake is another lake that is located on the outskirts of Srinagar rather than in the city. It’s in the Gandarbal neighbourhood. It is one of Srinagar’s most tranquil lakes, with few visitors. There is no way to spend the night there, but you can spend the entire day there. The lake is surrounded by stunning mountains and lush green forests that are hypnotic to see.
About Kashmir Festivals:
Kashmir’s allure stems from its beautiful scenery, which includes massive snow-capped mountains, lush green hilltops, and rushing rivers and streams. The valley’s friendliness is well-known around the world. The inhabitants of Kashmir have such loving hearts that they make everyone who visits feel at ease.
Festivals are held at times when people of all religions come together to celebrate them. From the beginning of the year until the end, the valley hosts a slew of events. Kashmiri festivals are celebrated with vigour and devotion. Every religion has its own festivals, which add to the cultural diversity of the valley.
First and foremost, because there is such a large Muslim community, Muslim festivals are celebrated with great passion and excitement. The Muslim community celebrates two major festivals: Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha. Eid does not have a set date, instead it varies according to the lunar calendar. Eid-ul-Fitr, on the other hand, occurs before Eid-ul-Azha.
After 30 days of fasting in the month of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated. A special prayer is also held, in which both men and women rush to mosques, shrines, and parks to participate. People share sweets and gifts as they meet with great gladness and joy.
One of Kashmir’s Festivals, Eid-ul-Azha, is held in the second part of the year. It’s also known as Bakra Eid, because it involves the sacrifice of a goat, camel, or cow in honour of the prophets Ibrahim and Ismail. The chunks of mutton are given among relatives and friends when an animal is sacrificed. Eid is being observed for over three days this year.
Local Urs are also observed by Muslims in different parts of the country. The Urs is mostly commemorated in the region where the shrine is located. Thousands of pilgrims flock to the sanctuaries during the Urs.
The Baisakhi celebration, which is one of Kashmir’s festivals, comes next. It is commemorated by the Sikhs. Every year on April 13th, it is commemorated. Sikhs celebrate this day as the start of a new year and the start of the harvest season in the country. Because the valley has a large Sikh population, Baisakhi is widely observed.
Every year on the 13th of January, Lohri is commemorated. This festival marks the conclusion of the prime winter season for the locals. People gather in various locations and light bonfires at their respective locations. Around the blaze, they dance and sing songs. There are also some unique desserts comprised of sugary ingredients. It is more widely observed in Jammu than in Ladakh or Kashmir.
In Kashmir, the Tulip Festival is observed as a harbinger of the approaching spring season. It is traditionally celebrated in April and lasts for a month; the tulip garden is only open during this month throughout the year. It is regarded as one of Kashmir’s most important festivals. Thousands of various flower kinds can be found in the garden. Thousands of visitors travel from all over the world to see the best view of the tulips in Asia’s largest Tulip Garden.
Shikaara Festival is one of Kashmir’s other festivals. In 2016, it was the first time it was commemorated. The Shikaara are painted in a variety of appealing colours before being sent to compete in the famed Shikaara race. Riders from Shikaara take part in the race, as well as other activities such as the Dragon Boat Race and Caneo Pole Match. On the houseboats, there are also cultural programmes that highlight Kashmiri culture. The festival is usually held in June or July.
The festival of lights is known as Diwali. Diwali is a festival that is celebrated with vigour and fervour. This event is observed by Kashmiri Pandits. Diwali is a festival of love and pleasure in Jammu.
In the state, Holi is also celebrated, but only in the Jammu region. Holi is known as the colour festival. This holiday is celebrated with great excitement and zeal throughout the state. Kashmiri pandits gather in various locations to play with colours. This festival is well-liked by youngsters and teenagers.
Christmas is also observed in Kashmir in various locations. Several churches can be found around the valley in various locations. Christmas is also observed with great reverence and excitement in every church. Santa brings joy and happiness to the entire valley.
