Tulip Garden in Kashmir- Asia's Lagrest

Tulips have come to Kashmir in a big way. Asia's largest tulip garden at the foothills of Zabarwan hills extended tp 90 acres and on the banks of the famous Dal Lake is in full bloom is now thrown open to public.


The garden, fashioned after and inspired by the world famous tulip gardens in the Netherlands, is the brainchild of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. He ordered its creation last year to add not only more colour to the idyllic Valley but also add to the state coffers through the sale of tulips and their bulbs.
Yellow, white, pink, purple, red, blue and crimson tulips impart a majestic look to the valley's first tulip garden. These beautifully laid tulip fields are a romanticist's dream come true. They have managed to grow as many as 50 exotic varieties of tulips imported from Holland.
Very soon we are also going to have tulip gardens in the tourist resorts of Gulmarg and Pahalgam to add to the beauty of these destinations

Bandipore- The New District in Kashmir

Bandipore is a new District in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, India.

It is located on the banks of Walur lake - biggest lake of Fresh water in Asia. It is a Muslim majority district
The Hindu temple at Kaloosaon the banks of Madhumati, known as Sharda Mandir dates back to olden times .It has very big and old tree which is more than a few hundred years old and can be termed as a rare tree of its type.This is popularly know as Bran, a reverred tree. There are many villages named after Hindu gods and goddesses such Chitar Nar, named after Chakerishwar,in this newly formed district a the villages like Onagam/ Wonagam/ Sonagam has been named after wun(jungle) and another village Koel Muqam has been named after lot many Koels used to sit there, Ashtingo(Peak Of Love) has been named after the beauty of ladies in Bandipore.

Bandipore town has a Nishat Bagh just like one in Srinagar. Bandipore, also known as 'Port of Wullar', is situated on the east bank of Wullar Lake, one of the largest fresh water lakes in Asia. It plays a significant role in the hydrographic system of the Kashmir valley by acting as a huge absorption basin for the annual floodwaters. The lake, along with the extensive marshes surrounding it, is an important natural habitat for wildlife. It is also an important habitat for fish, accounting for 60 per cent of the total fish production within the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
The lake is a source of livelihood for a large human population living along its fringes. The catchment area of the lake supports magnificent coniferous forests, alpine pastures and orchards, adding to the natural beauty and biodiversity of the wetland area.

There are lot many canals which are used for the agricultural resources in the district which include Nehr Zengeir(Zengeir Canal), built in the reign of Sheikh Mohamad Abdullah for the purpose of irrigation to Sopore, Zengeir, Watrena, Panjigam, Wonagam, Patushay, Astingoo, Aloosa and the lower areas of Bandipore. Nalla Arin(Arin Canal), which serves as the main irrigation channel for Nadihal, and its catchment areas, Madhumati the main irrigation resource for Laharwaghat, Kaloosa and etc etc.
The town has a beautiful park, similar to that of famous Nishat Garden at Srinagar, and sports stadium and a college named after the famous kashmiri poet Mr Nadim

Kiuhnus Bay
Kiuhnus bay is a small valley 20-km from Sopur and 12-km from Bandipur. Further up this valley of the Madumati River

Bandipur
The important town of Bandipur, famous for its woven blankets, is on the eastern shore of the lake, at the foot of the 3,355 metres Tragbal Pass. On the northwest side of the lake, near Ashtiung, there is a Ziarat or shrine to Baba

Shukur-ud-Din, a disciple or the saint Nur-ud-Din.
Narmarg Narmarg, above the lake, is a popular trekking centre.
Houseboats, Doongas and sailing boats can be hired on the lake. The three main mooring places are at Ningal Nullah, Kiuhnus Bay and at Ajus Spur on the south east side. Around the lake there are various canals, which lead through the silt at the river mouths up into the rivers themselves. One of the best is to the Erin valley, which starts from Nodhal and winds 6½-km up to two high altitude lakes.

There are lot many famous villages in Bandipore.

Watrina: Famous for its waterfalls(Series of 12 waterfalls), they give it a charming look.

Onagam: Famous for its Twin Waterfalls, it attracts lot number of tourists to the village. The apple orchards of onagam outnumber the orchards in the whole district. It is known for its quality education as the literacy percentage in this village touches 95%.


Watapora: Famous for Apple orchards Villow