FROM THE VALLEY OF FLOWERS

The next morning, we headed our journey to the valley of flowers, GULMARG, after taking our yummy breakfast on houseboat. Our taxi driver drove us to the beautiful valley, scenic beauty of there made us mesmerising. The entire way is driven with green mountains with the colourful flowers adding charms to its beauty  along with the rain welcoming us. 

Since its being little cold there and the path would become muddy, we rented a pair of shoes and warmers to maintain our body temperatures. Gulmarg is famous for its Gondola Ride which is taken in two phases, Phase I from Gulmarg to Kungdoor and second phase through ATVs from Kungdoor to Aparwath, the entire cost for its tickets is 600 Rs for Phase I & 800 Rs for Phase II. But, unfortunately,only ride till Phase I was working at that time, so we decided our elderlies would enjoy the spectacular beauty through Gondola and we were all set to ride on horses, the horses we got suited our styles making the famous idiom true, "Like the horse like the riders". 

The famous Gondola Ride of Gulmarg

It was our first horse riding and it was just surprising and exciting for dilettante riders like us to see our horses obeying our orders, more than the beauty of the valley that time our heart were dancing to see our hands controlling horses in those steep valleys. The valley is covered entirely with evergreen pine trees with sheets of flowers all over making it astounding beauty.

Our first stop is Kungdoor and summer springs, where one could enjoy the evasive view of entire valley, we clicked some photographs to capture the picturesque beauty in our small postcard frames.

From there, our horses rode us to breathtaking crystal clear waterfall that took all our tiredness along with it. We enjoyed the kahwas and maggi there made by the small local shops for enjoyment, the taste of the maggi still makes my mouthopened and tongue licking.

Khilanmarg Waterfall

Glacier near waterfall

After enjoying at the waterfall, we all way rode down to the Gulmarg entry gate, enjoying the sightseeing of Shiv Mandir where the famous song Jai Jai Shiv Shankar is framed. Also, it will be our imperative duty to mention, in the area where it is believed that the majority of the population is brought by Muslims which is true to its fact, one can still find Gurudwara, church, temple and mosque all at one place. The only question that haundered our mind that time, when god doesn't differentiate, why people differentiate? 

Trying to capture God with different names at one place

Throughout the time in Gulmarg, We saw the little girls from schools going on trek with their school fellows especially male teachers guarding them, seeking permissions from their parents, so how can one say that Kashmir is not safe for girls, are their parents not worried about their daughters, No, they trust the integrity and genuinity of their people, which I think, we the urban class living in highly educated, highly moralised metropolitan cities forget to do. And, this is what that makes the difference in us and them, they fear with plenty of their problems externally but they live with confidence internally that make them a real borne star.

With the beautiful pleasing memories, some experiences we took from there that I must say will remain engraved in our heart for years, we returned to our houseboats happily, had our delicious dinner and slept under couches relaxed ready for our next destination "Pahalgam".