10 Facts about Kashmir that everyone should know
- Kashmir is also called the land of Kinnar and Gandharva as it is believed that it was once home to these celestial beings.
2. Gulmarg was formerly named Gulimarg by the local shepherd in reverence to Goddess Gauri. Today it is the most popular ski destination in India.
3. How houseboat came into being?
The king of Kashmir has barred Britishers to build houses on the land. Therefore houseboat came into the picture to accommodate them.
4. Kawa, traditional green tea with spices and almond, is consumed all through the day in Kashmir. Apart from Kawa or Kehwa, Sheer Chai or Gulabi Chai is the traditional beverage of Kashmir. It is pink in color and salty in taste.
5. The famous pashmina shawl is derived from under the belly of a domestic Himalayan goat called changthangi.
6. Srinagar was founded by Emperor Ashoka and not the Mughal emperor Jahangir
7. The library in Raghunath Temple in Jammu houses over 6000 manuscripts in several Indian languages.
8. Wazwan is one of the traditional dishes in Kashmir. A 36-course meal, it is an integral part of Kashmir.
9. Kashmir means “desiccated”
Strange! Isn’t it? A state we associate with lakes actually has a name that means just the opposite! According to mythology, Sage Kashyapa drained a huge lake to create Kashmir. He didn’t drain it completely, of course, which is why visitors can enjoy the beautiful river and pristine lakes that dot this state.
10. India’s first floating post office was built on a houseboat at the western edge of Dal Lake in Srinagar.
Written by Kumar Vaibhav
