Serendipity and Serenity in Naranag, Srinagar
Jammu & Kashmir is considered to be one of the most loved destinations for tourism across the globe. Be it the valley of Kashmir or the deserts of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir provides a mix of breathtaking views, heritage sites and pilgrimage destinations. Kashmir is famous for its beautiful sceneries, mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes and the list does not end there. You can revel in the local culture and visit destinations in and around the valley which will make you feel that heaven exists on earth. A quaint town nestled amongst the mountains approximately 50 km from Srinagar is Naranag. Naranag is an offbeat destination and a trekkers paradise where you can avoid the tourist crowd during peak seasons and stay comfortably in a location close to major trekking base camps as well as pilgrimage sites.
The Naranag Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has subsidiary temples surrounding it. The entire temple is in ruins with only the main temple standing. You will be able to visit a Shivalingam in the eastern complex and a large water tank.
Naranag is a central point for trekkers as it serves as a base for many scenic treks to major tourist points. The Great Lakes Trek is one of the most popular treks in the Kashmir valleys and usually starts from Srinagar covering all the major lakes in and around the valley. The first lake to be encountered comes after the Nichnai pass. Vishnusar Lake is a small lake at the foot of the mountains. The Vishnusar lake is blue in colour while the Kishansar Lake situated 0.5 kms away from the Vishnusar Lake acquires the colour of the sky. Both the lakes surrounded by mountains offer one of the most peaceful and serene views.
The next in the itinerary is the Yamsar Lake Yamsar Lake which comes after the Gadsar Pass. The Gadsar Lake is one of the prettiest and most pristine lakes which are encountered in this trek and rests at the base of snow clad cliffs. With increasing altitudes you will encounter Satsar followed by Gangabal, Nandkol Lakes. These lakes are massive and going around these lakes can easily take up to an hour.
Naranag functions as the base for this trek and tourists often trek back to Naranag for rest before they can explore other parts of the valley.
While Naranag is a pilgrimage destination itself, Amarnath Temple is considered to be one of the holiest places and one of the 18 Maha Shakthi Peethas. The Amarnath temple is 29 kilometres from Pahalgam and is known for the large number of tourists visiting during the months of June to August. You can always skip the large flocks of tourists in Pahalgam and stay at Naranag which is 50 kms away.
Pahalgam is known for its spectacular views and is a frequent destination for movies to be shot. The Betaab valley became famous after the movie Betaab and was originally known as the Hagan Valley. Pahalgam is often one of the most popular tourist destinations for sightseeing, trekking, camping and picnic.
Incase you?re a nature lover, Naranag is located in close proximity to the Dachigam National Park which houses the endangered Kashmir Stag. Dachigam is spread in an area of 500 sq. km adorned by the Darwin river and rick Himalayan wildlife such as musk deer, leopard, black & brown bear. You can also spot the Cinnamon sparrow, black bulbul and golden oriole in the Dachigam National Park.
Jammu & Kashmir has been one of the most pristine locations in India. Kashmir valley is as beautiful as you can imagine. Xenious hotels & resorts takes pride in the fact that we are developing a chain of eco-resorts which not only cater to the local community but also preserve the ecology through a sustainable outlook towards the environment.
Xenious Eco Wyeth Resorts is a testament to our dedication to eco-friendly tourism. Situated in close proximity to the revered Hindu pilgrimage site in the Ganderbal district, our resort offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature while ensuring easy access to sacred sites. Sustainability is at the heart of every aspect, shaping guest experiences and operational procedures alike.
Visit xenioushotels.com to book a stay in Jammu & Kashmir or reach out to us Info@xenioushotels.com for more information.