Hill station

Gulmarg Hill Station in India

Written by Sudhir Kumar

Gulmarg is located in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. Gulmarg is 57 km southwest from the capital city of Srinagar and is close to the Indo-Pakistan border. Gulmarg have one of the world’s highest green golf courses. For the future golfer, there are golf sets on hire, pros to instruct one in the game, and temporary memberships, including one-day memberships. Naturally, these facilities are available to players. For a fun-filled ride of a most unusual kind, Gulmarg’s newly constructed gondola lift from high above Gulmarg, through pine-clad slopes, is exhilarating. Gulmarg is the ultimate beginner’s skiing resort.

About Gulmarg :

Gulmarg is one of the most splendid hill resorts in the country, falling in the Baramulla Distt of Kashmir. Initially, Gulmarg of Kashmir used to known by the name of “Gaurimarg”, by the shepherds pasturing their herds. However, the present name of this hill resort dates back to the 16th century. Sultan Yusuf Shah, impressed with the stunning spectacle of the grassy hills adorned with colorful flowers, gave the name of “Gulmarg” to this beautiful hill station. Gulmarg hill station also served as the preferred rendezvous of the Mughal Emperor Jehangir. It is said that the emperor once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. The journey to Gulmarg is half the enchantment of reaching there-Roads bordered by rigid avenues of poplar give over to flat expanses of rice fields interspersed with picturesque villages. Depending on the season, nature’s colours could be the translucent green of spring, summer’s rich emerald, or autumn’s golden hues, when scarlet chillies festoon windows of village homes. After Tangmarg, the climb to Gulmarg begins through fir-covered hillsides. At one point, known simply as View Point, travellers generally stop their vehicles for a few minutes and look out a spectacle of snow-covered mountains, almost within touching distance.

Attractions of Gulmarg :

  • Skiing & Heliskiing : Asia’s one of the most famous Heli-skiing resort is at Gulmarg, Kashmir. Come December, and the verdant green slopes of Gulmarg are blanketed with snow, forming some of the finest natural slopes for ski runs of all levels.
  • Gondola Lift : For a fun filled ride of a most unusual kind, Gulmarg’s newly constructed Gondola lift from high above Gulmarg, through pine clad slopes, is exhilarating.
  • Gulmarg Biosphere Reserves : The reserve area is located at a distance of 48-km from Srinagar, to its southwest. It is famous for retaining several rare and endangered species such as the musk deer, and a rich and varied avifauna.
  • Ferozpore Nallah : Reached from the Tangmarg road, or from the Outer Circular Walk, this mountain stream meets the Bahan River at a popular picnic spot known as ‘waters meet’. The stream is reputed to be particularly good for trout fishing; it’s about five km down the valley from Gulmarg but quite close to Tangmarg.
  • Alpather Lake : Beyond Khilanmarg, 13-km from Gulmarg at the foot of the twin 4, 511 metre Apharwat peaks, this lake is frozen until mid-June and even later in the year one can see lumps of ice floating in its cold waters. Alpather Lake makes an exciting day’s excursion, starting early morning and returning late evening.
  • Khilanmarg : The meadow, carpeted with flowers in the spring, is the site for Gulmarg’s winter ski runs and offers a fine view of the surrounding peaks and over the Kashmir Valley. It’s a 600-metre ascent from Gulmarg to Khilanmarg and during the early spring, as the snow melts, it can be a very muddy hour’s climb up the hill.
  • Shrine Of Baba Reshi / Ziarat Of Baba Reshi : The Ziarat, or tomb, is of a well-known Muslim saint who died here in 1480. Before renouncing worldly ways he was a courtier of the Kashmir King Zain-ul-Abidin. Every year thousands of devotees visit this shrine regardless of the faith they believe in.
  • The Ningli Nallah : Flowing from the melting snow and ice on Apharwat and the Alpather Lake, this pretty mountain stream is 8-km from Gulmarg. The stream continues down into the valley below and joins the Jhelum River near Sopur. This long, grassy valley is a popular.
  • Golf Courses: Gulmarg also has one of the world’s highest green golf courses, as well as a clubhouse, which is a historical building in its own right. For the would-be golfer, there are golf sets on hire, pros to instruct one in the game, and temporary memberships. Naturally, these facilities are available to players as well, except that serious golfers usually carry their sets along.

Adventure Skiing in Hill Station of Gulmarg :

In winter, Gulmarg acquires a new persona – that of the country’s premier skiing resorts. Skiing, to many who watch it on TV, seems like a very elitist sport, requiring a high level of training and expensive equipment. They are surprised, when they visit Gulmarg for a day’s expedition to “see the snow”, that others with the same level of physical fitness and training are skiing down slopes. Gulmarg is the ultimate beginner’s skiing resort. One doesn’t requite a heavy woolen wardrobe – slacks or a Salwar Kameez will do fine. In Gulmarg one will also be able to drift to one of the many Ski shops and hire skis, sticks and goggles. Just find yourself a ski instructor and set off down a slope.
Neither does one need to exert oneself climbing up slopes. The gentlest slope of 200m is linked with a ski lift, which helps one to go up. When one graduates to intermediate level – which will happen after the first few days of practice, there are other slopes, longer and steeper, which are connected by chair lift. The longest ski run in Gulmarg is provided by the Gondola cable car, which allows a ski run of 2,213m.

History Of Gulmarg :

British discovered the hill resort of Gulmarg in 1927 during their colonial rule in India. Originally called ‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Today Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf course in the world, and is the country’s premier ski resort in the winter.

Shopping At Gulmarg :

There is a dearth of good shopping in Gulmarg. But there are many shopping opportunities at Srinagar, which is close by. At the Lal Chowk, Bad shah Chowk and Polo View area there are ample chances for shopping. Cane and bamboo work, metal-crafts, Brass and silver ware, willow baskets, articles of papier-mâché and woolen garments are the much sought after items.

Best time to visit Gulmarg :

The hill resort of Gulmarg is a gorgeous place to be at throughout the year. There are winter months from November to February that are ideal for skiing. The adventurers are known to throng the hill resort as soon as the snow falls. As it is the summer months from May to September offer pleasant weather to the tourists. The sun scorched souls from the plains flock to the hill resort as a summer retreat.

Travel Information :

By Air : The closest airport to Gulmarg is at Srinagar. Srinagar receives a flight from Delhi everyday. Srinagar is well connected to all the major airports in India. From airport, you will have ample of option to come to Gulmarg.
By Road : State road transport corporation of Jammu and Kashmir operates both luxury and normal coaches to and from Srinagar to Gulmarg.
Local Transport : Public transport is the main player in local transportation apart from taxis. To go to mountainous region of the town, you can hire a horse or take a ride scenic ride in a cable car.

Location: Baramula District, 57 km from Srinagar
Area: 467sq.Kms
Altitude: 2730m above sea level.
Climate: Summer 20°C to 25°C , Winter 4°C to 8°C.
Languages : Kashmiri and Hindi
Clothing:  Summer- Light woollens,  winter-Heavy woollens
State :  Jammu and Kashmir

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About the author

Sudhir Kumar

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