Behind the Scenes

Beautiful Kashmir: 5 Spots to Visit

The beautiful and epic land of Kashmir is delight to visit and every year millions of tourist flock to this part of the world as they look to escape the daily hustle and bustle of life in the big cities. To the unseasoned traveler, finding places to visit can be quite daunting so we’ve put together our selected list of five places every visitor to beautiful Kashmir must go.

As you go through the list, keep two things in mind:

  1. The list is not exhaustive and you could very well find other places in Kashmir just as delightful to visit
  2. Pretty much all of Kashmir is beautiful so you can’t go far wrong by just visiting the place

So, with that out the way let’s dive right into our top 5 list of places to visit in Kashmir.

1 – Shalimar Garden

Top of the list is Shalimar Garden, built in 1616 by Emperor Jehangir for his wife Nur Jahan. The garden was enhanced significantly when during the reign of Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, between 1628 and 1658 who commissioned a second garden called Faiz Baksh.

Shalimar Garden is truly a sight to behold. Spanning a delightful 539 x 182 metres, the garden is known for its four breath-taking terraces and its beautiful decorated canal which can be found inside. The garden is often called the Garden of Love due to its beauty and was once the playground of the royal ladies of the time. Today the garden is a harvest of beauty and simply a delightful place to go in order to see the rich artistic history of Kashmir.

2 – Dal Lake

After the garden of love, the Dal Lake is perhaps the most beautiful sight and experience any visitor to Kashmir can have. Nestled wonderfully between mountains on three sides, the banks of the Dal Lake provide a visual feast for the eyes with its beautiful blooming gardens and orchards which run alongside.

The Dal Lake has five basins and numerous channels; all linked together perfectly for exploring. The Dal Lake is the sight of commerce from farmers who grow sumptuous organic vegetable below and take them to market. Tourists get a chance to visit the numerous houseboats which form part of the landscape of the Dal Lake.

3 – Drass

There’s only one other inhabited place on earth that is colder than Drass and it is in Siberia, Russia. But despite this status as being the second coldest inhabited place in the world, Drass is a haven for tourists looking to explore the Kashmir to its fullest.

Drass is 3230 metres above sea level and situated around 60 kilometres west of Kargil. The Kashmiri inhabitants of Drass all live in a small township located in the heart of the Drass Valley. Visitors to Drass begin their adventure at the commencement pass of the Drass Valley known as Zojila Pass – otherwise known as the Himalayan Gateway to Ladakh

4 – Chashmashahi

Another garden but this time the smallest of the three Mughal gardens located in Kashmir. Built in 1632 AD, Chashmashahi is located above the Nehru Memorial Park and provides a picturesque view of the Dal Lake and its surrounding mountains. The garden has several terraces – all adorned with beautiful fountains.

Visitors can also explore and enjoy the gardens aqueduct as well any one of several water falls that help accentuate the beauty of the garden.

5 – Jama Masjid

No visit to Kashmir is complete without a trip to any one of the numerous mosques in the country. There are several mosques in Srinagar and one of the most important is Jama Masjid, located in Nowhatta. The mosque was built in 1400 AD by Sultan Sikandar and later extended by his son, Zain-ul-Abidin.

This magnificent structure has 370 wooden pillars and a beautiful courtyard – all characterized by Indo-Saracenic architecture.

As we said at the beginning, condensing a list of five places to visit is hard work because there are so many beautiful places one can visit.

Hopefully this list will inspire to make the journey and explore this beautiful and epic land.

And if you’ve visited Kashmir before and have a favorite spot not on the list, share it with other readers by leaving a comment below.

Kashmir – A Skier’s Journey

Skiers Chad Sayers and Tobin Seagel travel halfway around the world to Kashmir to ski the high altitude Gulmarg gondola, only to find the snow pack is a ticking time bomb. Never the less, they find safe areas to ski and discover the beauty of Kashmir and the Himalaya – its people and its landscape.

Presented by Gore-tex and Arcteryx.com.
Production – Jordan Manley
Skiers – Chad Sayers & Tobin Seagel
Narration – Chad Sayers
Animation – Chad Manley
Music – “Ringa Ringa” by AR Rahman
“Bachpan” by Gurpreet Lally & Arshpreet
Special thanks to Anthony Bonello

Secret Garden Shawl Collection 1024x768 The Secret Garden Collection: Add a Dash of Magic to Your WardrobeFrances Hodgon Burnett wrote the classic that would later become the Secret Garden, the British film that captured hearts in 1993 and which is now firmly established as a cult classic.

The Secret Garden Movie Poster Kashmir CompanyShawls 727x1024 The Secret Garden Collection: Add a Dash of Magic to Your Wardrobe

The Secret Garden is a 1993 British film based on the novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

It’s a story of love, renewal, enchantment, compassion and discovery. But more than that it’s a story of the magical and transformational power of love and if you’ve seen it we are sure you’ll agree. This enchanting piece of cinema is the unique inspiration for the Secret Garden Shawl Collection.

The founder of the Kashmir Company believes and is inspired to evoke powerful and positive memories through the timeless pieces of art that are created. This is no different and with the Secret Garden Shawl collection the emphasis is renewal and enchantment.

This renewal and enchantment has been skilfully etched in the Parisian motifs and pastel colors—characteristics that help define a cosmopolitan and sophisticated you. You are after all, a woman for all seasons and all time—you are timeless, sophisticated, beautiful and enchanting and so nothing will compliment you more than the fabulous, draping joy that comes with wearing a shawl from the Secret Garden collection.

Spring is just around the corner and if you enjoy the crisp breeze and tantalizing scents of this beautiful time then you’ll appreciate the theme of renewal and freshness that comes with the Secret Garden collection. Each piece has been enriched with the skill and artistry that is unique to Kashmir; each piece has been embroidered with the timeless skill and mastery of artisans that have honed a craft more than 300 years old. We want you to be a part of that history, that story, that tale that is now the preserve of kings and their queens, aristocrats and their wives.

Sage Secret Garden Shawl Seasons Kashmir Company The Secret Garden Collection: Add a Dash of Magic to Your Wardrobe

Sage Secret Garden Kashmir Shawl – Secret Garden Collection

 

Azure Blue Ivory Secret Garden Shawl Seasons Kashmir Company The Secret Garden Collection: Add a Dash of Magic to Your Wardrobe

Azure Blue Ivory Secret Garden Kashmir Shawl – Secret Garden Collection

 

The Secret Garden Shawl collection has within it a deep and enriching promise which we hope will deliver in spades. We want your spring outings to match the natural and enchanting spirit of the time. Whether you choose the peaceful yet moving blue design, or the fiery and passionate red, you can be assured of selecting something special and magical.

Aurora Secret Garden Shawl Seasons Kashmir Company The Secret Garden Collection: Add a Dash of Magic to Your Wardrobe

Aurora Secret Garden Kashmir Shawl – Secret Garden Collection

 

Glacier Secret Garden Shawl Seasons Kashmir Company The Secret Garden Collection: Add a Dash of Magic to Your Wardrobe

Glacier Secret Garden Kashmir Shawl – Secret Garden Collection

 

Create your own secret garden today. Click here to browse this enchanting collection Secret Garden Collection.

Laduree Silk Collection Seasons Paris Kashmir Company 1024x576 Ladurée Silk Scarf Collection: Inspired by Laduree Paris

Laduree Silk Scarf Collection

 

Paris is famous for many things; there are cafés, fine restaurants, lots of gothic architecture and Laduree shop 300x224 Ladurée Silk Scarf Collection: Inspired by Laduree Paris macaroons! These delightful sweet meringue-based confectioneries are now famous around the world because of the world-famous French patisserie called Laduree.

What Laduree has done is given the macaroon an aesthetic appeal and many people when they see one for the first time are unsure of what to do. “Do I wear these little jewels are eat them?” That’s a typical dilemma and one look at macaroons made by Laduree show you why. Wrapped in some of the most eye-popping and soul-enchanting pastel colours, no two macaroons are ever alike. From baby pink to minty green, one look at Laduree macaroons will make you fall hopelessly in love visually.laduree paris macroons kashmircompany 300x296 Ladurée Silk Scarf Collection: Inspired by Laduree Paris

This brings us to the Kashmir Seasons’ spring collection, for it is this beautiful and timeless array of pastel colors that inspired the company’s founder to create designs in the colors that you see in our main online store.  The founder, on one of his many visits to Paris became inspired after a casual visit to the Laduree patisserie.  While inside, the idea of merging the ancient and timeless art of Kashmiri shawl making with the beautiful colors of Laduree macaroons was born.

The beautiful yet subtle and captivating colors of the macaroons were the kernel for the delightful works of art presented in the Kashmir Seasons spring collection. Each shawl or scarf in our spring collection has been infused with the lush and rich colors of pastel. Layered on top of such beautiful and timeless color selection are the enduring craftsmanship of the finest and most timeless and artistic embroidery from the beautiful and wonderful region of Kashmir.

Laduree Silk Collection Seasons Paris Kashmir Company detail 1024x576 Ladurée Silk Scarf Collection: Inspired by Laduree Paris

Laduree Silk Collection

 

A few shawls are worth mentioning here and a fitting place to start is with the Crème de Menthe Paisley Silk Scarf / Shawl. Decked in the finest and most delicate embroidery you can find the Crème de Menthe Paisley Silk Scarf / Shawl has been delicately coated with the subtle but enriching color of mint-green.

Crème de Menthe Paisley Silk Scarf Shawl Seasons Kashmir Company Ladurée Silk Scarf Collection: Inspired by Laduree Paris

Crème de Menthe Paisley Silk Scarf Shawl – Seasons – Kashmir Company

 

We also have to mention the beautiful Lavender Fog Paisley Silk Scarf / Shawl which was inspired by the timeless lavender color of one of Laduree’s best-selling macaroons. Versatile and dynamic, the Lavender Fog Paisley Silk Scarf / Shawl will add timelessness and artistic flair to any wardrobe. It will also add the liveliness of spring and add the chirpiness that comes with the procession of the equinox, a time for renewal and rebirth.

Lavender Fog Paisley Silk Scarf Shawl Seasons Kashmir Company Ladurée Silk Scarf Collection: Inspired by Laduree Paris

Lavender Fog Paisley Silk Scarf Shawl – Seasons – Kashmir Company

 

L’amour Paisley Silk Scarf Shawl Seasons Kashmir Company Ladurée Silk Scarf Collection: Inspired by Laduree Paris

L’amour Paisley Silk Scarf Shawl – Seasons – Kashmir Company

 

You are invited to browse our spring collection and enjoy the delightful and enchanting pastel motifs that we’ve put together for the discerning woman of timeless fashion and luxurious taste.

Ladurée Silk Scarf Collection >>

 

Skilled embroidery still alive in Kashmir

Art Lovers Shawl Pashmina Jamawar Hand Embroidered Shawl Skilled embroidery still alive in Kashmir

Art Lovers Shawl Pashmina Jamawar Hand Embroidered Shawl

 

Skilled embroidery still alive in Kashmir

Featured ShawlArt Lovers Pashmina Jamawar Shawl

Seasons – A Fashion Art Brand of The Kashmir Company

Seasons Red 2013 Logo Big Seasons   A Fashion Art Brand of The Kashmir Company

Seasons – A Fashion Art Brand of The Kashmir Company

The Seasons Brand is The Kashmir Company’s Fashion Art brand.

New Look of Timeless Fashion Luxury

The Passion Ignited Shawl New Look of Timeless Fashion Luxury

The Passion Ignited Kashmir Shawl

A Big Thank You to Lori Matlak

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From Here to Eternity Blue Silk Scarf

“So lovely and luxurious…and exquisite packaging…so impressed!”

We just wanted to acknowledge and thank Lori Matlak, a
customer of the Kashmir Company, for her fine feedback.

http://www.kashmirseasons.com/collections/silk-route-paisley-scarves/products/from-here-to-eternity-blue-scarf-shawl

A Big Thank You to Shalini Trefzer

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The Pretty in Pink Silk Scarf

“I have this in hot pink and I Love it!” We just wanted to acknowledge and thank Shalini Trefzer, a customer and friend of the Seasons Brand for her fine feedback.

http://www.kashmirseasons.com/collections/silk-route-paisley-scarves/products/the-pretty-in-pink-scarf-shawl