Page 32 - Seniorstoday June2023

Travel

Revisiting

Heaven on Earth

Tourism had suffered a major setback in Kashmir for over two decades and
then the pandemic struck, giving a further blow. Fortunately things are
looking up in a big way, so it’s time to plan a trip, writes Malti Gaekwad

“Gar firdaus bar-rue zamin ast, hami asto, Kashmir for over two decades and then the
hamin asto, hamin ast” pandemic struck, giving a further blow.
Mughal Emperor Jahangir is reported to Fortunately now things are looking up in a
have spoken about Kashmir, recalling the big way.
words of poet Amir Khusro. Jahangir is said There was a time when Kashmir was
to have visited the valley 8 times during his the destination for Bollywood movies in
reign. its Golden days with countless movies of
The Kashmir Valley lies between the Shammi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, Rajinder
Karakoram, Zanskar and the Pir Panjal Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan
Ranges. It was said to be a huge lake which and Rishi Kapoor to name just a few. Then
got drained due to tectonic shifts, that there was a lull due to unsafe conditions as
explains why there are still so many lakes. we all know. Film shootings have once again
Having spent my childhood in Kashmir, started with younger actors like Siddharth
I was really looking forward to visiting Malhotra, Kartik Aryan, Tapsee Pannu
it one more time, especially after hearing and Kaira. Most recently the Badshah of
that conditions have improved and lakhs Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan was also
of tourists have been visiting the valley shooting there. So once again the valley
in the last couple of years, be it to see the is literally blooming with a lot of people,
Tulip Garden, enjoy winter sports, do colour and activity.
the Amarnath Yatra or just for a holiday. Every effort is being made by the
Tourism had suffered a major setback in administration to provide a good experience

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