Kashmir- The Heaven on Earth

Millions of tourists visit Jammu Kashmir every year to see its fascinating tourist destinations, exotic wildlife and heritage sights. Jammu Kashmir, situated in northern India has been famous for its natural beauty since time immemorial and has been aptly described as "Heaven On Earth".

Formerly one of the largest princely states of India, it is bounded to the northeast by the Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang and to the east by the Tibet, to the south by the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, and to the northwest and west by the Pakistani-administered portion of Kashmir. The administrative capitals are Srinagar in summer and Jammu in winter.

The city of Jammu is known for its temples, Srinagar is famous for its houseboats while Kashmir is known for its scenic beauty. Kashmir has often been referred to as "The Switzerland of the East". Some of the major pilgrimage centers of the nation are located in Jammu Kashmir, the two most important being Amarnath cave and Vaishno Devi shrine.

The state has a lot to offer to its adventure loving visitors like trekking, mountaineering, skiing, paragliding, parasliding, cycling, water sports, angling, hand gliding and hot air ballooning. Jammu, Gulmarg and Sonamarg are few places where these activities are carried out.

Famous places in Jammu and Kashmir that are worth visiting are Patni top, Dal Lake, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Leh, Ladakh, Katra, Bahu Fort, and Raghunath temple.

The hotels in Jammu Kashmir range from deluxe/luxury hotels, five star hotels, budget hotels to business hotels and economy hotels. Dal Lake Houseboats have similar categories.

Houseboats are greatest attraction in Kashmir. The bewitching water-boat residences carved out of cedar wood are impressively finished with stately living rooms, drawing and dining rooms, carved wooden furnitures, beautifully embroidered rugs and fabrics. The main idea behind the concept of a houseboat is the fact it provides a haven for those who like to spend a quite holiday, away from the noise and bustle of the cities. Most of the houseboats have all the amenities of a five star hotel. The houseboats have everything from spacious bedrooms, sun decks washrooms with the latest amenities, electricity and plumbing etc.

After touring Kashmir you will surely say, "If there is paradise anywhere on earth, "It is here, it is here, it is here.", once said by famous Mughal Emperor, Jehangir.

Kashmir- Its Sapphire

Very little is written about Kashmir sapphire, in comparison to other regions of the world.  Although every source agrees Kashmir is the premiere source for sapphire. Today few people visit India's "Shangri La" and it's source of sapphire remains a mystery.


To the investor, the most important fact is that they appreciate in value. Recently these breathe-taking blues have made headlines every six months breaking world-record prices.  From New York City's 5th Avenue to the elite auction houses of Switzerland, the world's wealthy and powerful pay big dollars for the "Trade Name" that transcends all other factors.  KashmirBlue


"The world's finest and most expensive sapphires are from Kashmir and experts agree that Kashmir sapphires are among the rarest of all gemstones. Found in the legendary mines in the high Himalayas, these gems are set apart by the rare combination of intense blue color and their warm, soft velvety, glowing appearance is unlike any other type of sapphire." Sotheby's Auction

"In the 30-40 year period during which the mines were intensively worked, Kashmir sapphires achieved a reputation second to none.  Today, with the exception of estate sales, fine Kashmir sapphires are virtually unobtainable, mute testimony of the degree to which they are coveted, Outside the collection seen in the Jammu and Kashmir State Treasury, few cut stones of greater than 65ct have been reported (Sweiger, 1990). Crystals are sometimes of enormous size.  Mallet (1882) reported on one which measured 1ft (30cm) in length." Ruby + Sapphire, by Richard Hughes.

"Since their discovery in 1881 high in the Himalaya Mountains of northwest India, the sapphire deposits of Kashmir have become synonymous with the finest blue sapphire" Los Angelos Natural History Museum's Hixon Vault

Kashmir- Its Chinars

Called Booune in the Kashmiri language, the Chinar tree is an integral part of Kashmiri culture. Almost every village in the valley has a Chinar tree. You can experience a cool breeze under the shadow of this majestic tree which is very conducive to health.
It is unfortunate that in recent years the number of Chinar trees is decreasing. It is no wonder that if the present trend continues, the day is not far-off when the tree will see its extinction from the land of Kashmir. However, it is heartening to note the government is making its honest best to stop the illegal felling of this great tree of Kashmir.
Chinar is a gigantic sized tree, found growing throughout valley. Its scientific name is platanus orientalis. Its family is plataneae. A deciduous tree, Chinar traces its origin to Greece. Its incredible beauty has to be seen to be believed. The tree is at its most elegance and exuberance during autumn. Though its majesty can be seen all through the year. Iqbal, the poet of the East, traces the warmth of the Kashmir soil to the "blaze of Chinars it nurses in its bosom".
Chinar grows up to a height of 25 meters and a girth exceeding 50 feet in certain cases. This tree with the largest circumference of 60 feet is located at a village named Chattergam in central Kashmir.
These days conscious efforts are being made to undertake plantation of this tree to other states. The tree has been successfully planted in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun and Meerut. But the size and girth attained in these places are no parallel to those of the tree in Kashmir valley.