What can you say about a meal eaten against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and lush green meadows? The simplest of food would taste like ambrosia when the back-ground is this picturesque. And when the food itself is of the most delectable kind, how can a meal in Kashmir not be special?
Cullinary experiences are one of the major motivations for travel to Kashmir. Kashmir holiday packages organized by Swan Tours ensure a close encounter with Kashmiri cuisine. The cuisine of Kashmir is so extensive that it can inspire a thick volume. And that’s not surprising, for the influences are as rich as they are varied. It is said that when Timur invaded India towards the end of the 14th century, he came with a retinue of skilled artisans. Among them were his cooks, who while passing through Kashmir, left behind a legacy of recipes that originated in central Asia. Succeeding Mughal emperors beginning with Akbar would make many contributions to the cuisine. Apart from the Mughal sway, other influences — from Hindu and Buddhist to Sikh — enriched the cauldron. The cuisine also has traces of the Persian and the Afghan in it, to say nothing of the British. And out of these myriad streams, a distinct Kashmiri cuisine has emerged. The state of Jammu & Kashmir has different kinds of cuisine to offer — Ladakh has it own characteristic food which can be sampled while on Leh Ladakh Tours, while the Dogra cuisine of the Jammu region is vastly different from that of the Valley. In Kashmir, food can be roughly divided into two kinds – Kashmiri Muslim and Kashmiri Pandit. There are many similarities and a few differences between the two cuisines. The dishes – from many of the meat dishes to vegetarian delights such as nadru (lotus stem), chaman (cottage cheese) and haakh (local greens) – are common, but the use or absence of a few ingredients marks the difference.
Traditionally, Hindu Pandits do not use onion and garlic in their food. They use hing (asafoetida) instead to temper their food. There was a time when the Muslims used more fat and ghee to cook their food, while the Hindus preferred to use mustard oil. But those lines have blurred over the years.
Kashmir’s meat dishes are legendary. Take the ghushtaba and the rista – in which the meat is pounded with salt and cardamom using a wooden mallet till it is almost white and smooth. The ghushtaba goes into a yoghurt-based gravy flavoured with fennel and dried ginger powder, while the rista gravy is red – coloured and flavoured with dried coxcomb and Kashmiri red chillies. Then, of course, there is the rogan josh (meat cooked with Kashmiri red chilli) and yakhni (thickened with curd and flavoured with spices). And how can one forget the various kinds of karma — marchwagan (chilli) dhaniwal (coriander) kishmish (raisen) korma and so on?
What’s not very well known outside Kashmir is the fact that the region has a very rich heritage of vegetarian dishes too. Whenever you say Kashmiri food, you think of rich meaty food such as tabak-maaz (grilled lamb ribs) or aab gosht (meat cooked in semi evaporated milk). But actually, no meal is complete without a variety of vegetarian dishes.
Among these much-loved dishes is haakh — a green leafy vegetable, Kashmiri spinach, usually eaten steamed or boiled. Equally popular is the palak chaman, cottage cheese with spinach, or nadir yakhni, lotus stems cooked in yoghurt curry.
Then there are dishes such as gongi, or turnip cooked with black cumin seeds, cardamoms, cinnamon and dried coxcomb, manjehaakh, gaathgobicooked with leaves, and a tangy curry of sour apples cooked with tamarind and ginger powder. Waangan, or brinjal, is another vegetable cooked in many ways.
One of the most delicious – and expensive – mushrooms, the morel, comes from Kashmir. The kan gucchi is a delicacy, and often cooked with yoghurt in Kashmiri homes for special occasions.
Speaking of special occasions, you cannot talk about Kashmiri food and not mention the wazwan, a feast of dishes. Waza is the word for cooks, and wan is a shop – literally, wazwan means a cook’s shop. But in fact, it’s a multicourse feast that, once eaten, cannot be forgotten. Seven dishes must be served in a wazwan, and these are tabakhmaaz, rogan josh, daniwal korma, aabgosht, marchwangan korma, rista and ghushtaba.
A royal wazwan can include 36 courses – all carefully prepared by the master chef, or the vastwaza. Guests sit in groups, huddled around a huge metal plate called trami, from which they eat in a spirit of harmony.
What makes Kashmir food special is not just the taste but the delicate fragrances of some of the ingredients that are commonly used in the region. Because of its altitude and weather, almond and walnut trees are common, and the nutsare liberally used in cooking. Its peculiar red chilli – bright red but not very hot – adds colour and aroma to food, as do dried plums. Saffron, which grows in the Valley, is added to food -and many dishes call for fennel (stump, dry coxcomb (mawal) and dried ginger powder (saunth).
Information about Kashmiri Bread
Kashmir has a wide variety of breads, many of which are had for breakfast. Bakeries open early enough for residents to pick up their loaves and buns. The most ubiquitous Kashmiri bread is the baquerkhani: small, circular and available everywhere – from the relatively grand Ahdoo’s bakery in the heart of Srinagar, to small bakeries in the city’s bylanes. The baquerkhani is baked in tandoors and has a crisp, almost biscuit-like texture. Made of flour and usually decorated with a liberal sprinkling of sesame seeds, it is made in the mornings and afternoons, in time for breakfast and tea. Smaller and even more biscuit-like than the baquerkhani is the salty ‘kulchat. Crisp and quite like a rusk, it’s best had dunked in hot tea. Then there is the telvaru, a bun sprinkled with roasted sesame seeds, which also goes well with Kashmiri tea. The Kashmiri naan, meanwhile, is eaten with main meals, and is a lavish affair, thanks to the generous layer of dry fruits that coats (or fills) the regular naan. Tsot – the Kashmiri word for breads – and tsochvoru are small round breads, the crust topped with poppy and sesame seeds, while the lavasa is a piece of flat bread often baked with nuts.
A Kashmir meal ends with some delicious phirni or zafranipulao. A rich and sumptuous repast also needs a bit of kainva tea – green tea flavoured with nuts and saffron – to help you digest the many dishes that a meal usually consists of. Once you have eaten and had your kahwa, you know that paradise is not just about conic beauty – it could be gastronomic too.
Information about Hill Station of Jammu and Kashmir
Arranged in the northern part as the crown of India, the vale of Kashmir is a standout amongst the loveliest areas of India. It is flanked by Pakistan, China and Afghanistan from West to East. Called the ‘Switzerland of India’, the brightness of its snow-topped mountains, the serenity of its silver lakes, a sentimental excursion on its houseboats and the quality of its patio nurseries hail the nature significant others from everywhere throughout the world. The city has many pleasant lakes rimmed with Shikaras (houseboats). Here likewise you locate some old sanctuaries and mosques of wonderful design. Also Visit – Kashmir Paradise Tour
Kashmir valley lies between the Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Mountain go. Individuals frequently come up short on superlatives while portraying the place in this manner we won’t do that and just focus on the vacation destinations of the place.
Kashmir Tourism
Regularly eluded as the ‘Heaven on Earth’ or ‘Switzerland of India’, the district has been a noteworthy vacation spot, since the season of the Mughal Emperors.
However, the entire of Jammu and Kashmir, India is wonderful, few of the spots are really a paradise for the travelers to Jammu and Kashmir, India. Other than normal magnificence, there are numerous religious destinations and different landmarks to be seen in and around the valley.
Major Holiday Destinations in Kashmir
Srinagar
Srinagar
Kashmir’s most outstanding city, Srinagar, remains by the unmistakable waters of the Dal Lake, and the hurrying Jhelum. Srinagar is known as the city of lakes, which has facinated visitor’s from hundreds of years, with its excellent pleasant Himalayan scenery, sparkling lakes that are encompassed by houseboats and Shikaras and the magnificence of Mughal compositional. Srinagar is proliferated by the excellence of Himalayas and nature. Also Visit – Best of Kashmir Tour
Arranged on the bank of Jhelum, Srinagar is a fortune trove of magnificence and it will be a delight for some voyagers to investigate the bounteous excellence of the city. The real excellence of this city is its waterfalls and greenery enclosures which were made by the Mughal sovereigns. Snow topped mountains, chinar trees and wonderful valleys give an astounding perspective to the city.
Tourist attractions in Srinagar
The valley of Kashmir, in which Srinagar is found, is additionally alluded to similar to a paradise on earth. There are various traveler puts in and around Srinagar.
We recommend following Popular Sightseeing spots in Srinagar:
Dal Lake: Dal Lake is well known for its excellence as well as for its vibrance. The lake is associated with number of lakes. Dal Lake is notable for its Shikaras or houseboats. Dal Lake is the biggest pool of Srinagar and host number of houseboats taken after by the Nageen and Jhelum. The lake likewise offers offices for kayaking, calculating and water surfing.
Nagin Lake : This little and lovely blue lake is referred to otherwise called the “Gem in the Ring” which is for the most part considered as a different lake is separated from Dal lake just by a highway. The thoroughfares are for the most part appropriate for walkers and bikes just so they make an exceptionally wonderful method for seeing the lake without worrying about movement or Shikaras. Also Visit – Srinagar Gulmarg Pahalgam Tour
Mughal Gardens: Kashmir was one of the most loved frequent of Mughal rulers. Mughal Gardens are for the most part cool and invigorating. There are a few well laid out patio nurseries planned in Mughal Style. These exquisite green patio nurseries pull in visitors on a vast scale for their various blossoming plant species and drinking fountains running down its middle.
Shikara ride in Dal lake
Shankaracharya Hill: Rising up behind the street, adjacent to Dal Lake, the slope was once known as Takht-i-Sulaiman, the position of authority of Solomon. The logician Shankaracharya remained at this place when he went by Kashmir ten centuries back to restore “Sanatan Dharma”.
Hazratbal Mosque: The most vital Muslim holy place of Kashmir, that charges the love of the general population incomprehensible, is without a doubt the Hazratbal Shrine, which is arranged on the left bank of the acclaimed Dal Lake in Srinagar. This unmatched worship is tied down in the affection and regard for the Prophet.
Shalimar Bagh: This garden was setup by Mughal sovereign Jahangir for his darling spouse Nur Jahan, in 1616. Later the garden was reached out by Shah Jahan.
Chashmashahi: Also known as Royal Spring, this garden was laid by sovereign Shah Jahan in 1632.
It is the littlest of all the Mughal gardens at Srinagar. The garden is known for its characteristic spring, with its water having a property of processing. Also Visit – Kashmir Summer Package
Kheer Bhawani Temple – 27 km from Srinagar, there exists a sacrosanct spring at Tula Mula town, symbolizing goddess Ragnya Devi. On the eighth day of the full moon in the time of May, aficionados quick and assemble here, offering milk and Kheer (A rice and drain arrangement) to the holy spring, consequently the name ‘Kheer Bhawani’. It is trusted that on this day the goddess changes the shade of the spring water. What is captivating about the spring is the way that it swings dark to caution of some risk within reach.
Gulmarg
Gulmarg
The knoll of blooms About 50 kms far from Srinagar, it is a container formed glade 3 kms in length, and more than 2000 meters high. At that point regular magnificence of Gulmarg has pulled in voyagers since long. The snow-clad pinnacles and the beautiful scenes of Gulmarg have given foundation to a few Bollywood wanders. The slants of Gulmarg make it Asia’s just heli-skiing resort. There are gigantic magnificence and enterprise exercises that make Gulmarg a great deal more than a cool slope resort. It is a golfer’s heaven in summer and a skier’s thoroughly enjoy winter.
Tourist attractions in Gulmarg
Skiing and Heliskiing: Asia’s a standout amongst the most popular Heli-skiing resort is at Gulmarg, Kashmir. Come December, and the verdant green slants of Gulmarg are covered with snow, shaping a portion of the finest common inclines for ski keeps running of all levels.
Gondola Lift: For a thrilling ride of a most unordinary kind, Gulmarg’s recently developed Gondola lift from high above Gulmarg, through pine clad slants, is invigorating.
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserves: The hold zone is situated at a separation of 48-km from Srinagar, to its southwest. It is well known for holding a few uncommon and jeopardized species, for example, the musk deer, and a rich and fluctuated avifauna. Also Visit – Luxury Kashmir Tours
Ferozpore Nallah: Reached from the Tangmarg street, or from the Outer Circular Walk, this mountain stream meets the Bahan River at a famous cookout spot known as ‘waters meet’. The stream is rumored to be especially useful for trout angling; it’s around five km down the valley from Gulmarg yet very near Tangmarg.
Alpather Lake: Beyond Khilanmarg, 13-km from Gulmarg at the foot of the twin 4, 511 meter Apharwat tops, this lake is solidified until mid-June and even later in the year one can see pieces of ice drifting in its chilly waters. Alpather Lake makes an energizing day’s trip, beginning early morning and returning late night.
Khilanmarg: The knoll, covered with blooms in the spring, is the site for Gulmarg’s winter ski runs and offers a fine perspective of the encompassing pinnacles and over the Kashmir Valley. It’s a 600-meter rising from Gulmarg to Khilanmarg and amid the early spring, as the snow dissolves, it can be an extremely sloppy hour’s move up the slope.
Hallowed place Of Baba Reshi/Ziarat of Baba Reshi: The Ziarat, or tomb, is of an outstanding Muslim holy person who passed on here in 1480. Before disavowing common ways he was a subject of the Kashmir King Zain-ul-Abidin. Consistently a large number of lovers visit this holy place paying little respect to the confidence they have faith in.
The Ningli Nallah: Flowing from the liquefying snow and ice on Apharwat and the Alpather Lake, this beautiful mountain stream is 8-km from Gulmarg. The stream proceeds down into the valley beneath and joins the Jhelum River close Sopur. This long, lush valley is a well known. Also Visit – Vaishno Devi Srinagar Tour
Pahalgam
Pahalgam
An elevation of 2,130m and around 96-km from Srinagar, Pahalgam is presumably the most famous slope resort in the Kashmir valley. Pahalgam implies a shepherds’ town.
The mountain town along the bank of River Liddar is known for its trout; both rainbow and dark colored and is the beginning stage of numerous a treks, trips to icy masses, hallowed places and other grand spots.
It is the base for a few treks in the district, and for the yearly journey to the buckle sanctum of Amarnath. The surroundings are perfect and take into account unwinding and relaxation in the genuine soul of a conventional slope station occasion.
Golfing at Pahalgam
Tourist attractions in Pahalgam
Mamal: Pahalgam has eight modest towns inside its environment, one of which is Mamal. There is a Shiva sanctuary here, by and large thought to be Kashmir’s most seasoned existing sanctuary, going back to the fifth century.
Martand: The grandiose level, on which the remaining parts of the old sanctuary of Martanda stand, disregards the cutting edge town of Matan, situated at its foot.
The Amarnath surrender: The Amarnath gives in is 6 kilometers far from there amid the time of Sawan, an ice stalagmite shapes a characteristic Shiva-Ling in the Amarnath give in.
Tarsar Lake: It can be come to from Lidderwat. There are delightful campgrounds and blossom glades at Sikiwas, 24 kms from here. To come to the close-by Mansar lake one needs to cross a 243 mts high scaffold. Also Visit – Kashmir Honeymoon Tours Packages
Overa Wildlife Sanctuary: Overa Wildlife Sanctuary is found 76-km from Srinagar, close Pahalgam, and has a territory of 32.27-sq-kms. The region is home to various uncommon, debilitated and ensured types of winged animals and well evolved creatures.
Srinagar
Tourist attractions in Kashmir
It is a standout amongst the most enchanting and picturesque places in India. Touring in Kashmir is for the most part about valuing the excellence of the nature. Some vital attractions in Kashmir valley are: Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Chashma Shahi, Pari Mahal, Hazratbal Mosque, Jama Masjid, Shankaracharya Temple, Makhdoom Sahib, Martand, and Awantipur.
Here is some Sightseeing Destnation in Jammu and Kashmir:
The Meadow of Gold: At a tallness of 2,740 m, Sonamarg in the condition of Jammu and Kashmir is the last significant point in the Kashmir valley before the Zoji La goes into Ladakh. At the pass the green, lavish Kashmiri scene unexpectedly changes to the infertile, dry scene of Ladakh. Sonamarg is therefore a decent base for treks as well as a hopping off point for excursions into Ladakh.
Nishat Garden: It is arranged on the banks of world renowned Dal-Lake in the scenery of Zabarwan slopes. These garden charges magnificient perspective of the lake.The Garden is terraced with lovely water divert streaming appropriate in the center. Also Visit – Vaishno Devi Helicopter Booking
Shalimar Garden: This Garden was worked by Emepror Shah-Jehan for his dearest spouse Nur-Jehan. The Garden has four patios and is 539×182 meters and gets water from Harwan through trench which is fixed with lovely wellsprings. The fourth porch was once saved for illustrious women. The Garden sprouts with endless varities of blossoms in spring and autmn.
Vegetable Market on the Dal Lake
Harwan: Harwan is gigantic Garden fixed with blossom informal lodging Chinar Trees with a wonderful channel streaming directly through the center. The waterway is sustained from a wonderful lake which lies behind the garden. There is very little mess of wellsprings and other favor things yet unfathomable enormous green covered green gardens which shape a perfect spot for picnics. This spot is exceptionally prominent with local people for picnics and journeys.
Places of worship: The most essential sanctum is of Amarnath buckle arranged around 48 KMs from Pahalgam which pulls in lovers from everywhere throughout the world. It is situated in the upper ranges of the Distt at a height of around 13000ft. from the ocean level. Place of worship is accepted to be a house ruler Shiva. The sanctum of Baba-Hyder Rishi is situated at Anantnag. He is the last monster of Rishi request of holy people.
Bandipore: This town lies on the east bank of Wullar Lake and is likewise called the “Port of Wullar”. The streets to Gurez and Gilgit lead from this town. Also Visit – Vaishnodevi Patnitop Package
Chhatti Padshahi: Chhatti Padshahi Gurudwara is arranged close Srinagar, Kashmir.
Dal Lake: It is the most celebrated pool of the city where you’ll locate the greatest number of houseboats. Whatever your arrangements in the city of Srinagar, the Dal lake is continually going to be in the thick of the things as it is found ideal in the heart of the city. There is a total group of the houseboat and shikara inhabitants who have manufactured an entire framework inside the lake so that they never need to venture ashore.
Mughal Gardens: The greenery enclosures have terraced yards and wellsprings that have a falling impact venture to you the Emperor’s concept of a heaven.
Shanti Stupa: It looks great, particularly around evening time when it is sufficiently bright up with budgetary help from the Japanese government, around 3 kilometers from stronghold Road.
Hazratbal Mosque: The white marble mosque is situated in Hazratbal town, on the banks of the Dal Lake. Hazratbal is acclaimed for lodging a hair of the prophet Muhammad. The hair is shown to general society on religious events, which is joined by fairs. The mosque offers the fabulous perspective of the lake and the mountain past.
Hemis Gompa: Situated 45 km south of Leh is the most available and thus most went by gaompas of Leh. It has a superb library, all around saved frescoes demonstrating some Kashmiri impact and great Buddha statues.
Namgyal Tsemo Gompa: Built in 1430, contains a fine three-story-high Buddha and old compositions and frescoes. From here, the perspectives of Leh are eminent. A lofty path from here prompts the Leh Palace.
Bahu Fort: The first fortification was worked by Raja Bahulochan yet was altered and enhanced by Dogra rulers. This fortification, maybe the most established structure in Jammu, is found 5 km from the city. The fortification is based on rocks confronting the Tawi River. A sanctuary devoted to Goddess Kali is likewise inside the fortress. Perfectly laid-out greenery enclosures encompass the post on all sides.
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