Gulmarg, also known as Gulmarag in Kashmiri, is a well-known hill station, popular skiing destination in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The name “Gulmarg” means the meadow of flowers. Originally called Gauri Marg (meaning “the path of Devi Gauri”). In the 1580s it was changed to ‘Gulmarg’ by Yousuf Shah of the Chak dynasty. It is said wildflowers of 21 different varieties were collected by the Mughal emperor Jahangir for his gardens in Gulmarg. In the 19th century, British colonial rulers started using Gulmarg as a summer retreat with hunting and golfing being their pass time.
They set up three golf courses including one exclusively for women. One of the golf courses still survives and at an altitude of 2,650 meters is the world’s highest golf course. In 1927, the Britishers established a ski club and two annual ski events ewere held eversince, Gulmarg is the ski capital of India, and was once rated and was rated as Asia’s seventh best ski destination. Every year a 3 day winter sports festival is held at Gulmarg. there is nothing to do for shopping. The main attractions are adventure sports here like horse riding, tobogganing, snowboarding, hot air balloon ride..
In the 1947-48 war with Pakistan, the town was captured by invading troops but was reclaimed by India in late 1947 after Kashmir king Maharaja Hari Singh singed a treaty of accession. The mountain slopes offer excellent views of the Himalayas. The town is situated in cup shaped valley in the PirPanjal mountain range in the Western Himalayas and lies within the boundaries of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary. The best time to visit Gulmarg to watch snowfall is in winter season during January and February.
Those who want to visit in summer should visit in April May when the entire area is covered in green. Ideally suited for an extended weekend visit, Gulmarg is open to tourists throughout the year, Gulmarg is a bit more expensive to stay and eat than other scenic places nearby. Gulmarg is accessible only by road from Srinagar to Tangmarg. A visit to Gulmarg is incomplete with a ride on the Gondola. There are not many places worth visiting in and around Gulmarg except Alpather lake, Strawberry Valley, Baba Rezi Shrine, Ningle Nallah, Ferozepur Nallah, Maharani Temple, and St. Mary’s Church.
Gulmarg has been the favorite shooting location for many superhit Bollywood films like Bobby, JabTakHaiJaan, YehJawaaniHaiDeewani, Highway, Phantom, Haider, etc. Among one of the top honeymoon destinations in India, if one is ready to endure power cut and slow internet connectivity, Gulmarg boasts of being a beautiful town without the crowd like Manali and Shimla. Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering is located here. A lot of courses on trekking, mountaineering, skiing, and snowboarding are offered by IISM.
Those who love nature can visit the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, to see endangered MuskDeer Hangul, Leopard, Brown Bear, Black Bear, and Red Fox as well as Griffon Vulture, Blue Rock Monal, Snow Cock, Kashmir Roller, etc. making it a birdwatchers paradise. also worth visiting is the Children’s Park. The quaint little place serves as a perfect recluse to both the adventurous and the peaceful.
