Sonamarg Still Inaccessible

 With the improvement in the weather conditions, the picturesque Sonamarg here in district Ganderbal is still inaccessible with authorities doing nothing to clear the snow on the Srinagar-Sonamarg National Highway. Due to the non-clearance of snow, the tourists and hoteliers are miffed at the concerned authorities.

The tourist, residents of Sonamarg area, hoteliers and the businessmen have demanded immediate restoration of Srinagar-Sonamarg road. They said change in weather has increased the number of tourist visiting different tourist resorts in Kashmir, but world famous Sonamarg wears a deserted look and it is still cut-off from rest of the world.

The authorities are trying their level best to clear the snow from the Srinagar Sonamarg highway, which was closed in November last due to heavy snowfall.
According to the businessmen and tourists, the closure of Sonmarg road has made both the tourists and traders disappointed as the tourists are not allowed to go beyond Gagangeer from where Sonamarg is just eight kilometers away.
One of the tourists from Gandhi Nagar, Rajesh Sharma said that he and his family are in Kashmir for the last one week and have visited almost every tourist place except Sonamarg. They said their vehicle was not allowed to go beyond Gagangeer due to snow on the road.

“We are really very disappointed as we could not visit ‘golden meadow’ Sonamarg," said Rajesh.

One of the hotel owners Bashir Ahmad Mir told Jk News over phone that they have build a hotel at Sonamarg after taking the loan from the bank and now they have to pay interest without any earning as the road is still under snow which does not allow visitors to reach Sonamarg.

“I am suffering huge losses and if the road is not cleared within few days, I may approach to the judiciary for compensation and justice," he said.
A shop owner Shabir Ahmad Lone termed it "very unfortunate" on part of government for keeping this world famous tourist spot closed for six months.
“Need of the hour is to take immediate steps for making Sonamarg accessible to the whole world throughout the year," he said.

Meanwhile, a senior official of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in an interaction with media persons said that they intend to start snow clearance process from two sides in second week of March to make vehicular movement possible up to Sonamarg.

“We have deputed two bulldozers in Sonamarg in November last year for which fuel and drivers will be airlifted to reach there to start snow clearance process from Gagangeer as well as Sonamarg at a time and we are trying our level best to restore Srinagar-Sonamarg road functional as early as possible," he said.

He further added that BRO has decided to construct 6.5 kms long tunnel between Gagangeer and Sonamarg to make Sonamarg motorable for round the year, and the foundation stone of the proposed tunnel will be laid in September this year.

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Places to visit in kashmir

GULMARG

Gulmarg's legendary beauty, prime location and proximity to Srinagar naturally make it one of the premier hill resorts in the country. Originally called 'Gaurimarg' by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Today Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country's premier ski resort in the winter.

 

The journey to Gulmarg is half the enchantment of reaching there-- roads bordered by rigid avenues of poplar give over to flat expanses of rice fields interspersed with picturesque villages. Depending on the season, nature's colours could be the translucent green of spring, summer's rich emerald, or autumn's golden hues, when scarlet chillies festoon windows of village homes. After Tangmarg, the climb to Gulmarg begins through fir-covered hillsides. At one point, known simply as View Point, travellers generally stop their vehicles for a few minutes and look out a spectacle of snow-covered mountains, almost within touching distance

PAHALGAM - The Valley of Shepherds.

Situated at the confluence of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder river, Pahalgam (2,130 m) was once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking views. Now it is Kashmir's premier resort, cool even during the height of summer when the maximum temperature does not exceed 250C. A number of hotels and lodges cater to all preferences and budgets, from luxurious hotels to unpretentious trekkers' lodges, including J&K TDC's huts.

Around Pahalgam are many places to visit in kashmir interest, and because the resort is set between fairly steep hills, it is worth hiring a pony rather than walking. Pony fares are posted at prominent locations.

The most beautiful of these is the huge, undulating meadow of Baisaran, surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine. Hajan, on the way to Chandanwari, is an idyllic spot for a picnic. Filmgoers will recognize it instantly as it has been the location of several movie scenes

SONAMARG - The Meadow of Gold.

The drive to Sonamarg is through the Sindh Valley which presents yet another spectacular facet of countryside in Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of 2730 m, Sonamarg (‘The meadow of gold’) has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a cerulean sky. The Sindh River that meanders through the valley abounds with trout and mahaseer. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier, which is a major local attraction during the summer months.

 

Sonamarg is the base of a major trek that passes along several mountain lakes –Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Gangabal. Sonamarg is also the take off station for the drive to Ladakh across the Zojila, a major pass in the Great Himalayan Range, through which the Srinagar-Leh Road passes.

Amarnathji Yatra - a journey into faith

"The Himalayan pilgrimages are the oldest organised travel system, evolved over time by Hindu sages and embodying the spirit of wander, adventure and spirituality"

One of the holy trinity, Shiva is a living god. The most ancient and sacred book of India, the Rig Veda evokes his presence in its hymns. Vedic myths, ritual and even astronomy testify to his existence from the dawn of time.

Shiva is known to have made his home in the Himalayas. He built no house nor shelter, not for himself or his bride. He was an ascetic, and yet married; he could be both for "he was the wild god sporting in the forest or taking his ease on a cloud."

Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in the Amarnathji cave. Unknown to them, a pair of mating pigeons eavesdropped on this conversation and having learned the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims report seeing the pigeons-pair when they trek the arduous route to pay obeisance before the ice-lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva).

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