Srinagar the lusty green paradise

“Look deep into nature, gaze at the passing clouds and starry sky amidst the vivaciously huge mountains or watch everything being tiny from above, or stand in between – look deep and you find the answers to all your questions”

- Ramya

My journey in Srinagar started with me being picked up at the Srinagar airport with a board like they show in movies since I was travelling from Bangalore and arrived in Srinagar separately.

You can avail prepaid taxi from the counter.

The driver was a local from Srinagar, his polite manner gave me a virtuous feeling and so I was listening to him speak about Kashmir and its history. We were driving off towards Shalimar Bagh from Srinagar Airport. We crossed the 25 kilometers drive through Dal lakes coast. My heart beating like a maniac with high spirits.

Photo of Srinagar the lusty green paradise 3/3 by Ramya Balakrishna

Shalimar Bagh:

Shalimar Bagh

Shalimar Bagh is a Mughal garden with Persian garden layout, with finely groomed tall Aspen trees planted at 2 feet apart from each other, with a backdrop of the vast monsoon Blue Mountains. Furthermore through the third arena are the beautifully picturesque Chinar trees with water fountains in the centre. Shalimar in Sanskrit means abode of love. Mountains merged with the bare blue sky at the horizon almost making the clouds and mountains seem one. Some of the other striking gardens of Kashmir are Chashme Shahi and Nishat Bagh.

Then we drove to my most awaited place.

Dal Lake and Shikara ride:

Dal Lake spreads across Kashmir for about 24 square kilometers. So beautiful is this lake and its coast that the drive across is a paradise in itself and so it’s called the “Srinagar’s Jewel”. The ride through Dal Lake in a Shikara is one of the most tranquil and soothing experience one can ever have. This ride is vivacious shades of nature, the shifting colors in the sky with a blend of high mountains and the colors of Kashmir in the floating markets.

Dal Lake

Shikara is the traditionally decorated boat made of wood with the shades of Kashmir being bright red, monsoon blue and green. The ride was from the shore of Dal, through the floating gardens with lotus leaves, off the floating Market through the view of Nagin Lake and vast and picturesque house boats and back.

Photo of Srinagar the lusty green paradise by Ramya Balakrishna

"Every cloud has a silver lining", apt and when you see it with your bare eyes, you will just make a silent wish.

Sunset above the lake with the mountains across. A treat to the bare eyes.

As kids we all drew the sun and the moon above the mountains or in-between them and when they are real and in front of your eyes, all you can do is transform into that kid that captured the image in the mind and drew it as it is...

Nagin Lake

This mesmerising Shikara ride had so much beauty and peace to offer, It came in like a boulder to me, too many things to absorb that the nature shares with us.

Houseboats @ Nagin lake

Photo of Nagin Lake, Srinagar by Ramya Balakrishna

The Houseboats are anchored in Nagin Lake. These boats are made of Cedar wood that sustains the damages that could be caused while its anchored for a longer duration. The accessories are carved out of walnut wood. They and have intricate wood paneling. The interior is sophisticated with extravagant design and rooms are cosy with Jacuzzi attached. We stayed in Shehenshah group of Houseboats. After this long day of travel and all the excitement, I had amazing peaceful sleep in a romantic abode.

The journey for the next day and the next were equally thrilling and will be posted further.

My restless roaming spirit quotes Paulo Coelho, "Travel is never a matter of money but of courage"

For few more amazing pictures of this journey:

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