Kashmir is an important tourist destination and has been a place of attraction for tourists for centuries. The lush green forests, sweet springs, perennial rivers, picturesque alpine scenery, and pleasant climate of Kashmir valley, has remained an internationally acclaimed tourist destination.

Saffron was brought to India by the Persian rulers around 500.B.C. The Persian rulers transplanted the Persian Saffron corms to the Kashmiri soils, once they conquered Kashmir. However, according to the traditional Kashmiri legends, Saffron was brought to the region by two sufi ascetics, Khawja Masood Wali (R.A) and Sheikh Sharif-u-din Wali (R.A) during the 11th and 12th centuries A.D.

Kashmir valley enjoys a moderate climate but weather conditions are unpredictable. The recorded high temperature is 33 °C and the recorded low is −18 °C. Summer is usually mild and fairly dry, but relative humidity is generally high and the nights are cool. The precipitation occurs throughout the year and no month is particularly dry. The hottest month is July (mean minimum temperature 16 °C, mean maximum temperature 32 °C) and the coldest are December–January (mean minimum temperature −15 °C, mean maximum temperature 0 °C).

Along with saffron, dry fruits of Kashmir are equally popular. The climate of the valley is conducive for dry fruit growing, especially for walnut and almond trees.

Apple is probably the most ancient fruit primarily grown in Asia and Europe and then brought to North America. There are mainly seven types of Kashmiri Apples grown on a commercial scale in Kashmir which are Ambri Kashmir, American Trel, Delicious (Red Delicious), Maharaji Apple, Hazaratbali Apple (Benoni), Golden Delicious Apple.

A Wazwan is a multi-course meal in the Kashmiri Muslim tradition and treated with great respect. Its preparation is considered an art. Almost all the dishes are meat-based (lamb, chicken, fish, and sometimes Beef). It is considered a sacrilege to serve any dishes based around pulses or lentils during this feast.

Gulmarg Gondola in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir is the world’s second-highest operating cable car. The two-stage gondola lift ferries about 600 people per hour to and from Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak (4,200 m (13,780 ft)).

The Shikara is a type of wooden boat found on Dal Lake and other water bodies of Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India. Shikaras are of varied sizes and are used for multiple purposes, including transportation of people. Usual Shikara seats half-a-dozen people, with the driver paddling at the rear.

Chinar Tree is the state tree of Jammu and Kashmir. They are required to be registered and are considered State Property. A 627-year-old chinar tree has been found at Chatargam, Chadoora, Badgam district, Kashmir, reportedly planted in 1374 AD by an Islamic mystic Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani.

Kashmiri people are generous by nature. Kashmir valley boasts of the hospitality that is to be found nowhere else on earth. People in the valley are very caring and they look after their guests very well.

Article first appeared here: https://www.asnaav.com/10-things-kashmir-is-famous-for-2/