Gulmarg : The meadow of flowers

This tiny calm little mountain resort is like a picture where silence is broken only with tinkling of cow bells. Gulmarg boasts of the highest 18 - hole golf course in the world.

Originally called as Gauri Marg, after the wife of Shiva, it was renamed by Sultan Yusuf Shah as Gul Marg, which literally means the meadow of flowers. And actually Gulmarg has vast meadows of flowers. It is said that Jehangir also loved this place and collected 21 various species of each flower. It looks like a huge cup shaped meadow lush and green offering a splendid view of the entire Kashmir valley.

Gulmarg is on the higher elevation than that of Srinagar; hence the roads are often blocked by snow. On the other hand during summers, the roads leading to this place are a delight. At every turn, as if nature raises one more curtain to bring another surprise better than the earlier beauty! Lush green meadows, with grazing cows, and flowers wearing a riot of colours are seen everywhere. The view is so pretty that one often wonders if it were pasted right out from a picture postcard. The highlight of this place is the pony trail to Khilanmarg. The Khilanmarg valley is a blaze of colour and fragrance in the spring with stunning views from the mountain tops.

The recently opened Gondola lift from the mountain top of Gulmarg offers an enthralling experience when it gives a breathtaking view of the usually snow-clad pine slopes and beautiful flowers.

Winters in Gulmarg are equally exciting when the snow fall begins and the landscape changes its colour to pure white. This is the season for winter sports and Gulmarg changes from the flower valley to a wonderful skiing resort. With nice slopes, perfect and enough for skiing, Gulmarg over the years has become a popular destination for winter sports in India.

Location: Around 56 kms from the capital of city of Srinagar, Gulmarg is at an altitude of 2,730 meters above the sea level.

Languages Spoken: Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi and English

Long Distance Code: +91-1953

Importance: Meadow of flowers

Area: 3.5 kmlong;1kmwideAltitude2,650m

Best Time To Visit: March To July & October to February to enjoy the snow

Gulmarg Hotels:

ZAHGEER CONTINENTAL

Total Rooms : 28

Star Category : 4

Hotel Zahgeer Continental is Brand New Property Open on First August 2007, this hotel is one of the best hotel of Gulmarg. It have 28 double deluxe room with well furnished, and all modern facilities, all room have view of Gulmarg. This hotel is fully centrally hated, and this is chain of Zahgeer Group of HotelsLocated in idyllic surroundings in the “Meadow of Flowers” – Gulmarg, Zahgeer Continental is a cozy hotel that offers you the best views of Gulmarg. Five minutes drive from where the Gulmarg Gondola begins, enroute to Khilanmarg, Zahgeer Continental, offers scintillating views of the Affarvat range of mountains. At an hours drive from Srinagar Airport , lies the mesmerizing meadow of flowers- Gulmarg. A popular tourist destination for decades, Gulmarg boasts of the world's highest 18 hole Golf Course and is famous for winter sports. According to Sylvain Saudan, world's best known adventure skier and an honorary citizen of Kashmir , Kashmir offers a skiing area as wide as the Northern and Southern Alps brought together

THE PINE PALACE RESORT

Total Rooms : 31

Star Category : 2

The flagship property The Pine Palace Heritage amidst lush green Gulmarg started its business in the year 1986.The picturesque location, personalized service and comfort sets us apart form the other hotels. The Boutique hotel, with the completion of The Pine Palace Platinum in 2005 ,has redefined its credo to now being a resort. The Pine Palace Resort has been designed keeping in mind the utmost comfort of our discerning guest and the fragile ecosystem of Gulmarg, furthermore ,we adopt Eco-friendly options to ensure a cleaner and greener Gulmarg for our future generations. The Pine Palace Resort is a concern of MCO Group a pioneer in Infrastructure, Hydel Power and Financial Services. We are constantly upgrading our services to live up to our Company’s goal of placing Kashmir on the global tourism map.

HILLTOP

Total Rooms : 35

Star Category : 3

A Business And Leisure Hotel, with a City Center location, has in total of 35 rooms available. Rooms types available are Suites Non A/C, Cottage.

HIGHLANDS PARK

Total Rooms : 39

Star Category : 3

Hotel Highland Park is a heritage Hotel located overlooking the Golf Course and the entire Gulmarg (Kashmir, India) and is one of the best hotels in Gulmarg with maximum facilities. Hotel Highland Park is surrounded by spectacular Snow Clad Himalayas and its heritage interiors that makes it a highly recommended option at Gulmarg.

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Kollam : The Land of Cashews

Quilon or Kollam is fairly important for the State's trade and commerce and is the center of the country's cashew trading and processing industry. It is also an important hub for the State's marine products industry, with the port of Neendakara being the center for travelers and ice plants. For all its natural gifts of wide rivers, dominant hills and forest, lakes and plains, there is the throb of a vibrant industrial activity that combines with equanimity the wonders of the modern age with the traces of a bygone era. Quilon which is a veritable Kerala in miniature is gifted as it is with Kerala's very representative features - sea, lakes, plains, mountains, rivers, streams, backwaters, forest, vast green fields and tropical crop of every variety both food crop and cash crop.

Location: Kollam is situated about 71 km. north of Thiruvananthapuram and is linked by rail, road and backwater transport. The town edges with the famous Astamudi Lake.

Other Name: Quilon

Languages Spoken: Malayalam, English, Hindi, and Tamil

Long Distance Code: +91-474

International Access: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

Area: 2579 sq.km.

Best Time To Visit: August To March

Kollam Attractions

Temples of Kollam

There are many important temples in and around Kollam. The Kottukal Rock Cut Cave Temple; around 10 kms from Kollam is an ideal example of rock cut cave temple. Mayyanad 10 km south of Kollam, is noted for its Shrines and temples. The most important temple is the one at Unayanalloor, dedicated to Lord Subramaniyam. It is believed to be consecrated by the great saint Shri Shankaracharya of Kaladi. Besides the temples, there are three churches and a mosque. The Oachira temple is the most unsual temple without any shrine or any idol, but the presiding deity of Parabrahmam is worshipped by one and all. The Achencoil Temple is situated amidst dense forests and idol of the local deity Lord Sastha has been here for the past 2000 years and even more. The other important temples near Kollam are The Bhagavathy temple (Anchal), the Aryankavu, the Sasthamkotta, and the Kulathupuzha temples.

Mahatma Gandhi Beach

Mahatma Gandhi beach & park at Kochupilamoodu, Thirumullavaram beach and Ashramam picnic village, are some of the important spots of local sight seeing. Mahatma Gandhi beach lays just 2 km from the town. It is fascinating place for an evening. Thirumullavaram Beach is 5 km. from the town. The sea here is ideal for swimming and bathing. Ashramam picnic village is located in the 48-acre Guest House Complex. This is the centre of various tourism development activities of the district. The setting up of a picnic village here is progressing under the supervision of the District Tourism Promotion Council. The Government Guest House here is 200 years old.

Backwaters of Kollam

Located 71 Km to the north of Thiruvanathapuram, Kollam is another coastal district of Kerala. The district, which is the center of the country's cashew trading and processing industry, also has some interesting historic remnants and a number of temples built in traditional ornate architectural style.One of the oldest ports on the Malabar Coast, Kollam was once the port of international spice trade. 30% of this historic town is covered by renowned Ashtamudi Lake, making it the gateway to the magnificent backwaters of Kerala.The eight-hour trip between Kollam and Alappuzha is the longest backwater cruise in Kerala.

Picnic Village

This village is located at Ashramam, along the backwater front, is the main centre of recreational activities in Kollam. The 200-year-old Government Guest House, an Adventure Park, the Tourist Boat Club, the Children's Traffic Park and the Yatrinivas are situated in this vast tourist complex.

Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary

Established in 1984, the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary situated on either side of the Shendurney River is the only one in the Kollam district. The sanctuary covers a total area of 250 sq km and is acclaimed the world over for its bio-diversity. The Parappar dam has been built across the Shendurney River and serves the purpose of irrigation in Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts. The lake covers a total area of 13.72 sq km. The mean temperature during summer is 35 degree centigrade and during winters it around 16 degree centigrade, with the annual rainfall is approximately 3200 mm. The terrain here is rugged with gentle to steep slopes ranging 90m to 1550m.

Kollam Hotels

CAMBAY PALM LAGOON

Total Rooms : 30

Star Category : 3

This six acre paradise nestled in the picturesque backwaters of the Asthamudi Lake offers connoisseurs a luxurious recluse away from the frantic city life. Kick back and relax in the privacy of your very own cottages, suites, tents and floating houseboats, experience the holistic advantages of Ayurveda at Orient Spa, savour multi-cuisine delicacies or indulge in the matchless joy of family fun with an array of recreational activities

REGENT LAKE PALACE HOTEL

Total Rooms : 40

Star Category : 4

A new project of the Madathil Group, Regant Lake Palace Hotel, a four star hotel situated in Neendakara, Kollam, Kerala, is a perfect getaway from the hasty city life. The placid air of this place really gets to you, making you forget all your worries. Here, you treat yourself to the joys of leisure, to the delights of nature. Be it our tastefully done reception area or the aesthetically designed rooms, the restaurants serving mouth watering delicacies or the Ayurvedic spas offering relaxing treatments, everything exudes a warmth that instantly puts you at ease. The swimming pool, where you can take a plunge or laze by the side, goes one step ahead at soothing your nerves. The traditionally decorated rooms, equipped with all modern amenities are specially designed to give you the comfort of your home with a generous topping of irresistible luxury. And so it goes without saying, that we offer our guests the best of everything. We look forward to having you with us.

AQUASERENE

Total Rooms : 28

Star Category : 3

The Aquaserene Resort is a 3 star property with 28 villas, part of the Tulip Star Hotels chain which presently has luxury class hotels in major cities in India. The chain is headed by the Ex-Chairmen of the Taj Group of Hotels Dr. Ajith B Kerkar and other seasoned professional’s from the hospitality industry.

THE BEACH ORCHID

Total Rooms : 95

Star Category : 4

A Luxury hotel with 95 rooms, located on the beach offering panoramic view of the Arabian Sea from every room till its horizon. The hotel is an ideal host to a holiday maker as well as corporates for their meetings, conventions at a destination which is untouched by many.... providing seven wonder views of the sea, beach, park, city, greenery harbour and backwaters.

NILA PALACE

Total Rooms : 21

Star Category : 3

Nila Palace is a 3-star deluxe hotel, situated at Kollam, near Thenmala. It is the first and the only Hotel in South India to be certified as ISO 9001: 2000 and HACCP IS/15000: 1998 together. We have 21 well-appointed rooms, which include 01 Royal Suite, 02 Club Suites, 02 Honeymoon Suites, 12 Deluxe Rooms and 04 Standard Rooms. We have 4 Banquet halls. Reservation Check In Check Out Rooms No of Persons We have well-equipped residential conference facilities to accommodate 25 to 600 people. Our service includes 12-hour Room Service, Business Center, Laundry, Doctor on Call, Currency Exchange, Safe Deposit Lockers, Direct Dialing, Internet Connectivity in each room, acceptance of all credit cards, check out 24 hours.

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