Agar Firdaus Baroohe Zaminast, Hameenasto Hameenasto Hameenast

Yes, if there is a heaven on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here - in Kashmir, India.

Heaven otherwise, is a state of mind which can be found in your own home, car, workplace and elsewhere if you so desire and develop it.  Ask an enlightened Tibetan or a Vietnamese Buddhist monk who carry heaven with them in every breath and every step they take - anywhere on the planet.

Just visited Kashmir.  Kashmir is very much under-developed compared to other tourist spots which has helped in retaining its rustic charm.  The natural beauty of Kashmir has to be seen and experienced to be believed and felt.  Experience Kashmir with your *being* not with your mind. 

There is something about the mountains that is magnificent, thrilling, awe-inspiring and peaceful - all at the same time.  One experiences a sense of calm amidst the mountains. 

Some of my memorable moments of the Kashmir trip are -

Shikara ride on Dal lake

The Shikara ride on Dal lake in Srinagar takes you back to different time.  One of the best times of the day to take a Shikara ride is late evening just after it gets dark.  The lake is quiet and peaceful at this time, with the houseboat lights flickering in the distance.  All you hear is the sound of the oar slicing the waters.  If you are lucky enough, be with someone you love while enjoying the cool evening breeze and the quietude of the lake.

Sonmarg

Even before arriving at Sonmarg, the car ride to Sonmarg on the Srinagar-Leh road is so beautiful, alongside snow-capped mountains and the Indus river flowing by.  The flowing river all along the drive is gorgeous with crystal clear ice water.  Take a stopover and experience the beautiful flowing river.

Sonmarg is a "golden meadow" at a height of 2700 meters surrounded by snow capped mountains all around.  It's an incredible feeling to stand in the Sonmarg valley surrounded by magnificent snow covered mountains all around, the sun shining through them and the gigantic shadows that the mountains beget. 

Reminded me of the Sundance Resort in Utah in the US which I visited once.  And I realized why in the world is it called "Sundance".  When you are sitting in the valley surrounded by the mountains, you can see the sun play hide and seek amidst the mountain peaks and hence once gets a feeling of sun "dancing" amidst the mountains.  Utah is another beautiful place to experience the calm and serenity of the mountains.  One stands in awe at such wondrous creation of nature.  I was humbled and grateful at the same time - humbled at the magnificence of nature, grateful that I was experiencing it.

At Sonmarg, for a while, I just sat cross legged on the lawns with my eyes closed and my face towards the heavens above, soaking in the sun.  A pure meditative experience.

Gulmarg

In Gulmarg, took the Gandola cable car ride to Khilanmarg which is at the height of 13,200 feet.  The snow here is over four feet deep.  The whole area is a deep blanket of snow to walk and explore.  But the worst thing is people have littered the place with plastic and glass bottles and snacks wrappers and such.  So one has to be careful walking around in the snow.  It's a pity we never learn to respect and maintain our own environment even when it is a part of our paradise.  At this height and with the limited accessibility, cleaning this place is not going to be easy.

Pahalgam

Pahalgam is peaceful, wonderfully peaceful.  

So, what say you??  Want to pay a visit to the heavens...

Khuda Hafiz!!