Kashmir used to be one of the major national as well as international travel destinations during those days before the unrest started there around the year 1986. It show-cased a lot many tourist attractions in its travel packages that it offered. The center of all the tourist activity was based at Srinagar that made the major part of the valley. It was a city of apple orchards, a business that made the major chunk of its economic activity.
The second chunk came from the traditional arts and crafts of the state that were famous for their superior quality all over the world, comprising hand woven carpets, papier mache, wood carving, brass and silver Ware, silk textiles, shawls, rugs, tweed, pherans and embroidery.
Tourism made the third major chunk coming from the tourism to Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg, Leh, Zanskar, Kargil and Patnitop along with Srinagar being the center of it all.
Gulmarg offered one of the best ski slopes in the world along with a lot many other winter sports.
Mountaineering and trekking in The Pir Panjal, Karakoram and Zanskar ranges were a real challenge to take up as the finest adventure activities.
Fishing made another involving activity to be done in the lakes and mountain brooks all around. There was a lot of wildlife as well in Dachigam National Park, Overa Wildlife Sanctuary and Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve.
Amarnath, Hazratbal, Charar -e - Sharif, Kheer Bhawani and Vaishno Devi were much sought after pilgrimages in the state too.
Along with being one of the major international travel destinations, Kashmir also used to offer the beautiful locals to the thriving film industry of India for shooting their movies in its picturesque valleys, meadows and snow-clad peaks. There was hardly a time all through the year when one or the other movie was not being shot whether here or there in the state somewhere!
It was such a beautiful land that I had transported myself to as I tried to play the game of life to come out of the psychological emptiness that Eva's departure had thrown me in!
US $182.34
