Life can get overwhelming sometimes. The constant deadlines, the never-ending to-do list, the noise of the city – it all takes a toll. For my husband and me, that toll manifested in stress and a few minor ailments that just wouldn’t budge. I knew we needed a break, a chance to disconnect and recharge.
A piece of advice is never old. It was a blessing in disguise when I stumbled upon an old Bollywood movie shot in Kashmir. The doctor in the movie gives a nice piece of advice to a family living in Bombay under constant stress that results in certain ailments. The doctor in the movie says, “Go to Kashmir and you will need no medication and no doctor”.
The piece of advice by a doctor (actor) in a 60s Bollywood movie hit me hard and I decided to follow the advice. That’s when we decided that our family would embark on a trip to Kashmir, the “Crown of India,” and it turned out to be the most transformative experience of our life.
Escape to Paradise (Kashmir Trip)
We are a family of four. My husband, my two children (7 & 5 yo) and I. From the moment we arrived at Sheikh Ul Alam International Airport Srinagar, all of us were enveloped by a sense of serenity. The snow-capped mountains that greeted us seemed to whisper promises of peace. Our travel agent had organized a comfy cab that was comparatively neat. It took us 40 min to reach our destination, Boulevard Road. We checked into a cozy houseboat on the Dal Lake, the gentle lapping of the water a constant lullaby. The air was crisp and clean, a welcome change from Bangalore city’s traffic mess and pollution.
A Journey of Healing
Instead of rushing from one place to another, we preferred a slower pace. We had planned ‘Things to do in Kashmir’ with https://roameoo.com/ our Kashmir Trip manager.
The days were filled with gentle walks along beautiful Boulevard Road sandwiched between the Dal Lake and Zabarwan mountain range. We were breathing in the fresh air. The healing of body and soul had begun. We wanted the rising sun to stay put. Jahangir has said it right, “Gar Firdous Bar Roye Zameen Ast, Hameen Ast, Hameen Ast, Hameen Ast”. (If there is Paradise on the earth, It is here, it’s here, it’s here.) Kashmir indeed is a Paradise.
We explored the Mughal gardens, their symmetry, and beauty a natural balm to our stressed mind. Exercise sessions near the most beautiful Gold course and on the houseboat deck, overlooking the majestic Himalayas, became a daily ritual, our bodies seemed full of joy.
Our Trip Manager suggested a visit to the Dachhigam National Park. This is a treasure of nature’s raw beauty. Harwan Garden lies in the foothills of the park in the west. Our first encounter was with Government-owned trout fish farm as we walked through a green tunnel. On the exit of the fish farm, we walked and sat on large stones on the banks of a gushing stream. Our legs dangling freely and playing with running ice-cold water. Considering that most tourists visit only famous tourist destinations, we were fortunate with no mad crowd around Dachhigam National Park. The serenity of the forests had a profound calming effect, washing away our worries.
Nature’s Therapy
We ventured out of Srinagar on a few day trips, each one offering a bit of new adventure. It all began with a 100 km road trip from Srinagar to Pahalgam and then a little adventure in Aru Valley. Pahalgam the “Valley of Shepherds,” was a feast for the senses. Lush meadows bursting with wildflowers, the sound of birdsong, and the distant gurgling of streams – climbing up and down the hills on foot and sometimes on horseback. We stayed in Pahalgam for 2 nights. There is so much to see around Pahalgam that one would need a month to explore this piece of Paradise. Watch out for my exclusive blog about Pahalgam.
Our Trip Manager had prepared an ideal itinerary for us. Pahalgam is in the south of Kashmir valley. Instead of going back to Srinagar and then moving on to explore other amazing places in South Kashmir, we headed towards Daksum. This is truly an enchanting place. I would love to live in the Daksum forests forever. Daksum is around 110 km from Srinagar. You can smell the untouched beauty of the waterfall, forests, and plateaus of Dasum. Daksum is truly a magical place. I can confidently say that Daksum is ideal for healing our Body and Soul.
Kashmir’s Warmth
Kashmir’s magic wasn’t just about the breathtaking landscapes and mountains. Kashmir has a visible layer of beauty. The warmth of the Kashmiris is unmatched anywhere in the world. Their smiles are genuine and their willingness to help made me feel instantly welcome.
Kashmir has a tradition of offering Kahw’e or Kahwa (Kashmiri saffron tea) as a welcome drink. Kahw’e is the best substitute for tea and coffee that can be had at any time of the day. Authentic Kashmiri Kahw’e is not prepared using any kind of tea leaves. Its soothing color comes from Kashmiri saffron.
“You can never have enough of it”.
Kashmir has many places that are still virgin for travel buffs. Choosing the right travel partner or trip manager is a smart decision. Our Trip Manager prepared an amazing itinerary that spread across all the directions of the valley. Exploring the North of Kashmir will take over a couple of months. South Kashmir will take more than 2 months to explore and so will the West Kashmir region. There are lesser-known places that are extraordinary by all means. I loved the countryside approach, the simple yet warm people, no boring highways, roads lined up with trees on both sides that are called green tunnels, mountains, streams, valleys, plateaus, grazing animals, and delicious food.
Haven for Work From Home dudes and writers.
Visualize living in a cottage in any part of Kashmir Valley and write a book, blog, film script, or anything that excites you. The moment you hold your pen and paper or switch on your laptop to write, the pure nature around you, the soft winds, the sound of streams and chirping birds join you and a train of thoughts runs in your mind. The pen begins to write the best content for you. We decided to request WFH from our office to return to Paradise.
Kashmir: More Than Just a Destination
Our trip to Kashmir was more than just a vacation; it was a journey of self-discovery and healing. If you’re looking to escape the daily grind and reconnect with yourself, Kashmir is the perfect destination. Its breathtaking beauty, coupled with the tranquility it offers, has the power to mend a broken spirit and rejuvenate the soul. So, pack your bags, embrace the serenity of Kashmir, and allow yourself to be healed by its magic.
