Here is list of hidden tourist destination of Kashmir below:
Explore 4 Hidden tourist destination of Kashmir
Palmpore
Located 16 kms from Srinagar, on the road to Pahalgam, Pampore is the centre of Kashmir’s saffron industry, producing 90% of the state’s saffron. Called the ‘golden bowl of Kashmir’, it is known for producing the best-quality saffron in the world.
By the end of October these bright flowers are in full bloom, bathing the landscape in swathes of lovely purple. The vast stretches give the impression of ‘a newly wedded bride draped in a saffron shawl taking a nap’. It brings alive the romance of King Yusuf Shah and Zoon, the beautiful Kashmiri poetess. According to lore, one moonlit night in October, the king strayed into the saffron fields where he saw Zoon and fell in love with her. They were soon wed and Zoon became queen Habba Khatoon.
Blossoming at dawn, the flowers quickly wilt as the day passes. Thus entire families, including children and helpers, fan out over the fields with baskets before sunrise, plucking the flowers. It is a festive occasion with kahwa or saffron tea being served as a refresher. The flowers are then spread out on sheets and left to dry, after which the stigma, from which the spice is derived, is separated.
The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism organised Saffron Festival, held every October, gives visitors an opportunity to witness the colourful harvesting process.
Despite the tedious process, where every single stigma stem is carefully plucked by hand, very little saffron – is actually obtained even from vast tracts of land: 150 flowers yield barely one gram of saffron threads, making it one of the most expensive, and prized, spices in the world.
Avantipur
Founded by Avantivarman (855-883 AD), the first king of the Utpala dynasty, the ancient township of Avantipur is in Anantnag district, 28 kms from Srinagar, on the road to Pahalgam. Avantivarman built two magnificent temple complexes here, 500 m from one another: Avantisvamin, dedicated to Vishnu, and Avantisvara, dedicated to Siva. Forgotten over time, the emples were rediscovered during an excavation in the early 20th century.
The massive temples were once ornately decorated with sculptural details and even today, despite their ruinous state, give a clear indication of their original grandeur. Also Visit – Vaishno Devi Helicopter Booking
Doodhpatri
FROM SRINAGAR: 47 KMS
ALTITUDE: 1,600 M APPROX
Doodhpatri is yet another beautiful meadow, just 42 kms from Srinagar, accessed via Budgam and Khansahib. The relatively lesser-known place is being developed as a tourist resort by Jammu and Kashmir Tourism. Also Visit – Kashmir tour packages
The tranquil meadow, surrounded by thick coniferous forests, provides an idyllic setting for a relaxing outing. The river Doodh Ganga, flowing through here, is abundant in trout and draws angling enthusiasts.
Four kms before one gets to Doodhpatri is a vast green meadow at Parihas, from where one can choose to trek to Doodhpatri.
Both Parihas and Doodhpatri are being developed by Jammu and Kashmir Tourism as tourist destinations.
Close by is the ziarat of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din (whose dargah is at Chrar-e-Sharif). It is believed that the holy saint spent 12 years at this site doing ibadat (worshipping the Almighty). Every year, during the last week of August, a three-day Urs is held, that draws people from all faith from across Kashmir.
Achabal
Thirteen kilometers northwest of Kokernag, is the splendid garden at Achabal. It is 8 kms from Anantnag, off NH 1B. Built by Nur Jahan, the garden is also called Begamabad Bagh.
According to CM Stuart Villiers, gardens sprang up wherever the Mughal royal party set up their camps (Gardens of the Great Mughals). Renowned historian Takeo Kamiya writes, ‘Till today natural spring water runs with vigour in the fountains and canals. The profusion of sycamore trees in this Mughal garden gives it a lively appearance.’
The French traveller Francois Bernier, who visited Kashmir with Aurangzeb in 1664, records: ‘The spring [at Achabal] gushes out of the earth with violence, as if it issued from the bottom of some well and the water is so abundant that it ought rather to be called a river than a fountain. It is excellent water, and as cold as ice. The garden is very handsome, laid out in regular walks, and full of fruit trees — apple, pear, plum, apricot, and cherry.’
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