Gulmarg Explained

Gulmarg
Settlement Type:Hill Station
Pushpin Map:India Jammu and Kashmir#India
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Jammu & Kashmir, India
Coordinates:34.05°N 74.38°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: India
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name1: Jammu and Kashmir
Subdivision Name2:Baramulla
Unit Pref:Metric
Elevation M:2650
Population Total:1965
Population As Of:2011
Demographics Type1:Languages
Demographics1 Title1:Official
Demographics1 Info1:Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English[1] [2]
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:193403
Native Name Lang:ks

Gulmarg (in Urdu pronounced as /gʊlməɾɡ/), known as Gulmarag[3] (in Kashmiri pronounced as /ɡulmarɨɡ/;)[4] in Kashmiri, is a town, hill station, tourist destination, skiing destination, and a notified area committee in the Baramulla district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.[5] [6] It is located at a distance of 31km (19miles) from Baramulla and 49km (30miles) from Srinagar. The town is situated in the Pir Panjal Range in the Western Himalayas and lies within the boundaries of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary.[7]

Etymology

Kashmir has many summer retreats suffixed with the word -marg: Sonamarg, Tangmarg, Gulmarg, Khilanmarg, Youmarg, and Nagmarg. Gulmarg is one of the Margs that has historical importance for Kashmiris.

Gulmarg is a compound word or portmanteau of two Persian words, Gul and Marg. Gul means flowers and Marg means meadow.

History

Yousuf Shah Chak, who ruled Kashmir from 1579 to 1586, frequented the place with his queen Habba Khatoon and renamed it 'Gulmarg' ("meadow of flowers").[8] [9] Wild flowers of 21 different varieties were collected by the Mughal emperor Jahangir for his gardens in Gulmarg.[8] [10] In the 19th century, British civil servants started using Gulmarg as a retreat to escape summers in the Indo-Gangetic plains. Hunting and golfing were their favorite pastime and three golf courses were established in Gulmarg including one exclusively for women.[11] [10] One of the golf courses is located at an altitude of 2650m (8,690feet) is the world's highest golf course.[11] In 1927, British established a ski club in Gulmarg and two annual ski events were hosted, one during Christmas and Easter.[12] [13] Central Asian explorer Aurel Stein also visited Gulmarg during this period.[9]

After the end of British rule in India, Gulmarg became a part of the independent Dogra princely state of Kashmir and Jammu. Pakistan planned an invasion of the state called Operation Gulmarg. One of the routes used by the invading militia of Pathan tribesmen, armed and supported by Pakistani regular troops, passed through the Haji Pir pass and Gulmarg headed towards the state capital Srinagar. Gulmarg fell to the invading army, but the Indian Army, led by the 1st Sikh Regiment, successfully defended the outskirts of Srinagar.[14] [15] Thereafter, Indian counterattacks pushed the tribesmen back - many towns, including Gulmarg, were recaptured.[16] In 1948, Indian Army established a ski school in Gulmarg which later became the High Altitude Warfare School.[17] On 1 January 1949, the war ended under UN supervision and a Ceasefire line (CFL), which was rechristened the Line of Control (LOC) by the Shimla Agreement of 1972,[18] was established near Gulmarg.[19]

After Indian Independence, Indian planners sought to develop a destination for winter sports in India. In 1960, the Department of Tourism of the Government of India invited Rudolph Matt to select a suitable location for such a purpose. Matt determined Gulmarg would serve as a suitable location as a winter sports destination. In 1968, the Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering was established in Gulmarg to train ski instructors. Over the next decade, Indian planners invested to transform Gulmarg into a world-class ski destination. Gulmarg became a centre for skiers from Asian nations.[20] In the mid-1980s, heli-skiing was introduced in Gulmarg.[13]

In the 1990s, the rise of insurgents in Jammu and Kashmir affected tourism in Gulmarg. However, tourism started to recover in late 1990s. Work on the cable car project between Gulmarg and Apharwat Peak, which was commissioned in 1988 by Government of Jammu and Kashmir, resumed in 1998 after being put on hold due to security concerns. In May 1998, Phase 1 of the project, between Gulmarg and Kongdori, began its commercial operation. In May 2005, Phase 2 of the project was completed, making it one of the longest and highest ropeways of Asia. The chairlift installed as a part of Phase 3 of the project began its operations in 2011. The National Winter Games were held in Gulmarg in 1998, 2004 and 2008.[21] In 2014, Government of Jammu and Kashmir drafted a Master Plan–2032 for Gulmarg. The plan includes development of a solid-waste treatment plant on 20 acres of land close to Gulmarg.[22]

Geology and geography

Gulmarg lies in a cup-shaped valley in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, at an altitude of, 26500NaN0, 56 km from Srinagar.[11] The soil in Gulmarg comprises glacial deposits, lacustrine deposits, and moraines of Pleistocene age covering shales, limestones, sandstones, schists and other varieties of rocks.[23] The natural meadows of Gulmarg, which are covered with snow in winter, allow the growth of wild flowers such as daisies, forget-me-nots and buttercups during spring and summer. The meadows are interspersed by enclosed parks and small lakes, and surrounded by forests of green pine and fir. Skiing and other winter sports in Gulmarg are carried out on the slopes of Apharwat peak at a height of 4267abbr=onNaNabbr=on. Many points on Apharwat peak and Khilanmarg offer a panoramic view of Nanga Parbat and Harmukh mountains.[11]

Climate

Due to its high elevation, Gulmarg has a humid continental climate where the wet winter season sees heavy snowfall, especially for its latitude. Summers are moderate in temperature and length, whereas shoulder seasons are relatively cool.

Demographics

At the 2011 Indian census, Gulmarg had a total population of 1,965 over 77 households. The male population in the town stood at 1,957 while there were only eight females and no children between the ages of 0 and 6 years. Gulmarg had an average literacy rate of 99.24%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes constituted 0.61% and 0.15% of the population respectively.[24] Gulmarg has few permanent residents with most residents being tourists or those involved in the tourism industry.[11]

Tourism

According to CNN, Gulmarg is the "heartland of winter sports in India" and was rated as Asia's seventh best ski destination.[25] [26] The town is accessible from Srinagar by road via Tangmarg.The road climbs uphill in the last 12 kilometres to Gulmarg passing through forests of pine and fir.[11] [8] [10] Winter sports like skiing, tobogganing, snowboarding and heli-skiing take place on the slopes of Mount Apharwat reachable by a Gondola lift.[13]

Gulmarg Gondola

Built by the French company Pomagalski, the Gulmarg Gondola is one of the highest in the world reaching 3,979 metres.[27] The two-stage ropeway ferries about 600 people per hour between Gulmarg and a shoulder of nearby Apharwat Peak (4200m (13,800feet)). The first stage transfers from Gulmarg at 2600m (8,500feet) to Kongdoori at 3080m (10,110feet). The second stage which has 36 cabins and 18 towers, takes passengers to a height of 3950m (12,960feet) on the Apharwat Peak 4200m (13,800feet). A chair lift system connects Kongdoori with Mary's shoulder for taking skiers to higher altitudes. The high inflow of tourists has had an effect on the fragile eco-system of Gulmarg and activists have demanded tighter regulation to save the environment of the area from over-tourism.[28] An accident occurred on 15 June 2017 due to an enormous pine tree being uprooted by a gust of wind and breaking the perspex windows on one of the gondola cabins, causing it to swing violently and its seven occupants to fall 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on to the ground.[29]

Igloo cafe and Igloo restaurant

In February 2022, the world's largest igloo cafe was opened in Gulmarg.[30] It was made with a height of 37.5 feet and a diameter of 44.5 feet.[31] Around 40 people can eat there at a time.[32] In 2023, a glass igloo restaurant was developed by Kolahoi Green Heights, a hotel in Gulmarg.[33] [34]

Maharani Temple

Maharani Temple (commonly known as Shiv Temple of Gulmarg) was built by a Hindu ruler Maharaja Hari Singh for his wife Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodia in 1915.[35] [36] [37] This temple was considered as the stately possession of the Dogra kings. The temple is dedicated to Shiva and Parvati. This temple is visible from all corners of Gulmarg.[38] The temple is a popular tourist destination and shooting of some of the popular songs like “Jai Jai Shiv Shankar” from 1974 Hindi film Aap Ki Kasam was done here.[39]

St Mary's Church

St Mary's Church is located in the valley of Shepherds in Gulmarg.[40] [41] It was built in 1902, during the period of British rule, and was constructed in a British style. Made of grey brick with a green roof and decorated wooden interior walls, it has been described as a "Victorian architectural wonder".[42] In 1920 the church saw the wedding of the brother of Bruce Bairnsfather; Miss Eleanor Hardy Tipping married Capt. T. D. Bairnsfather, with newspapers describing the church as "very prettily decorated" and with the service conducted by Rev Canon Buckwell in the presence of both organ and a full choir.[43] [44]

St Mary's was closed for years but was renovated and reopened in 2003, holding its first Christmas service there for 14 years.[45] The church belongs to the Diocese of Amritsar, Church Of North India.

Sport

Gulmarg Winter Games 2020

The first-ever Khelo India Winter Games were held from 7 March at Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir. Around 955 participants took part in the 5-day event. Organised by Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council in collaboration Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Games included various sports disciplines at the ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir from 7 to 11 March.[46]

Avalanche information center

In 2008, an American avalanche forecaster named Brian Newman began an NGO named Gulmarg Avalanche Center. The purpose of this organization was to dispense daily avalanche risk bulletins to visitors entering the unmanaged backcountry surrounding the Gulmarg ski area. The center provides avalanche education including a free weekly avalanche awareness talk during the winter season.

Events

An annual three-day Gulmarg Winter Festival is held in March. Budding artists in the fields of music, films and photography are given an opportunity to showcase their work during the festival.

In popular culture

Gulmarg has been the shooting location many Bollywood films like Bobby, Aap Ki Kasam, Jab Tak Hai Jaan,[47] Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Highway, Phantom, Haider, etc.[48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020 . The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020 . 27 September 2020.
  2. News: Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020 . Rising Kashmir . 23 September 2020 . 23 September 2020 . 24 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200924141909/http://risingkashmir.com/news/parliament-passes-jk-official-languages-bill-2020 . dead .
  3. Book: Toshakhani. S.K. Kashir Dictionary. Koul. Lal. Hajni. Mohiuddin. Pushp. P. Mohiuddin. Akhtar. Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Arts Culture and Languages. 1968–1980. 5. 362. ks.
  4. Book: Plumbe, Wilfred John . The Golden Pagoda Tree: Adventures in Southeast Asia . Grey Seal . 1990 . 9781856400039 . 211 . Gulmarg, meaning 'Meadow of Flowers' was 8,500 feet above sea level'.
  5. Web site: A Family Ski Adventure in the Himalayas. The New York Times.
  6. Book: Gopal, Madan. through the ages. 1990. 178. K.S. Gautam. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
  7. Web site: COMPLIANCE REPORT of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary: A Biodiversity Hotspot. 16 November 2020. jkwildlife.com. 25 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190225005715/http://jkwildlife.com/pdf/sanc/Compliance%20Report%20Gulmarg%20Wildlife%20Sanctuary.pdf. dead.
  8. Book: Chaturvedi, B.K.. Tourist Centers Of India. 2002. Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd.. 978-81-7182-137-2. 82.
  9. Web site: About Gulmarg . Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporation . 6 February 2015.
  10. Book: Lovell-Hoare. Sophie. Lovell-Hoare. Max. Kashmir: Jammu. Kashmir Valley. Ladakh. Zanskar. 1 July 2014. Bradt Travel Guides. 978-1-84162-396-2. 208–11.
  11. Book: Mitra, Swati. Jammu & Kashmir: Travel Guide. 2013. Eicher Goodearth Limited. 978-93-80262-45-1. 30–36.
  12. News: Lang. Thomas. Gulmarg - Kashmir - India. 9 February 2018. Canadian Ski Year Book 1934.
  13. Web site: Gulmarg . Official Website of Jammu and Kashmir Tourism . 6 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150206230324/http://jktourism.org/index.php/destinations/kashmir/gulmarg1 . 6 February 2015 . dead .
  14. Book: Krishna, Ashok. India's Armed Forces: Fifty Years of War and Peace. 1998. Lancer Publishers. 978-1-897829-47-9. 12–15.
  15. Web site: Defence of Srinagar 1947 . Sarkar . Bhaskar . 1 November 2014 . 9 February 2015.
  16. Book: Prasad, Shankar. The Gallant Dogras: An Illustrated History of the Dogra Regiment. 2005. Lancer Publishers. 978-81-7062-268-0. 93–97.
  17. News: Pandit . Rajat . 1 May 2004 . High-altitude warfare school takes global aim . . New Delhi . 9 February 2015.
  18. Book: Karim, Afsir. Counter Terrorism, the Pakistan Factor. 1991. Lancer Publishers. 978-81-7062-127-0. 142–145.
  19. News: Rafiq . Zahid . 26 February 2009 . Ski respite for war weary Kashmiris . . Gulmarg . 9 February 2015.
  20. Book: Seth, Pran Nath. Successful Tourism: Volume I: Fundamentals of Tourism. 1 January 2006. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 978-81-207-3199-8. 175–176.
  21. Web site: About Gondola . Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporation . 6 February 2015.
  22. Web site: Draft Master Plan-2032 for Gulmarg . Wani . Arif Shafi . 30 May 2014 . 6 February 2015.
  23. Book: Vaidya, Balkrishna C.. Geography of Transport Development in India. 1 January 2003. Concept Publishing Company. 978-81-7022-957-5. 354.
  24. Web site: Gulmarg Population Census 2011 . 9 February 2015 . Census Commission of India.
  25. Web site: Kashmir ski paradise beckons. CNN.
  26. Web site: Gulmarg rated Asia's seventh best ski resort. Daily Bhaskar.
  27. Web site: Gulmarg among 7 top ski resorts in Asia: CNN Int'l. greaterkashmir.com. Greater Kashmir.
  28. Choudhury, A.U. (2011). Tourism pressure on high elevation IBAs. Mistnet 12(1): 11-12.
  29. News: Gulmarg Gondola claims 7 lives in tragic accident K-Line Adventures. 26 June 2017. K-Line Adventures. 14 September 2017. en-US.
  30. Web site: 'World's largest' Igloo Cafe in Gulmarg can seat 40 guests. Details here.
  31. Web site: 'Largest' igloo café comes up in Gulmarg, can seat 40 guests.
  32. Web site: World's largest igloo cafe is now open in J&K's Gulmarg. .
  33. Web site: India's first glass igloo restaurant in J-K's Gulmarg.
  34. Web site: In Pics: India's first glass igloo restaurant in Kashmir's Gulmarg.
  35. Web site: Fire destroys Gulmarg Shiva temple with Kashmir’s royal links.
  36. Web site: Fire destroys 109-yr-old Shiva temple in Kashmir Valley.
  37. Web site: Fire damages Gulmarg’s century-old Shiv temple.
  38. Web site: Maharani Temple Gulmarg Kashmir.
  39. Web site: Gulmarg's 'Jai Jai Shiv Shankar' song famed temple destroyed in fire.
  40. News: St. Mary's Church Gulmarg India Travel Guide Location History about & facts of St. Mary's Church Gulmarg Buzzntravel.com. Buzzntravel. 16 May 2017. en.
  41. Web site: St Mary Church - tourist attraction in gulmarg . www.globalvisiontours.com . 16 May 2017.
  42. Web site: St Mary Church - Gulmarg. www.kashmirhills.com. 18 May 2017.
  43. News: Wedding at Gulmarg - Bruce Bairnsfather's Brother. 18 May 2017. The Pioneer Mail. 17 September 1920. 38.
  44. Book: Holt. Major Tonie. Holt. Valmai. The Biography of Captain Bruce Bairnsfather: In Search of the Better Ole. 1995. Milestone Publications. 9781473827233. 2014. 18 May 2017.
  45. Web site: Gulmarg. www.holidaymine.com. en. 16 May 2017.
  46. Web site: Gulmarg to host 5-day national winter games from March 7, 2020 Times of India Travel . timesofindia.indiatimes.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200225011851/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/gulmarg-to-host-5-day-national-winter-games-from-march-7-2020/as74285557.cms . 25 February 2020.
  47. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/holiday-the-bollywood-way/article5505590.ece Holiday, the Bollywood way
  48. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/irritated-omar-abdullah-criticises-yeh-jawaani-hai-deewani-for-portraying-gulmarg-as-manali/1/278007.html This is cheating! The Manali in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is actually Gulmarg, fumes Omar on Twitter
  49. Web site: Omar Abdullah disappointed over Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani projecting Gulmarg as Manali. The Times of India. 11 February 2015.
  50. Web site: Kalki enjoys skiing in Gulmarg. The Times of India. 11 February 2015.
  51. Web site: Saif goes from Beirut to Gulmarg. The Times of India. 11 February 2015.
  52. Web site: Outlook Photogallery. outlookindia.com. 11 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20140304231019/http://photogallery.outlookindia.com/default.aspx?pt=3&ptv=0&date=01%2F16%2F2014&pgid=84397. 4 March 2014. dead.
  53. Web site: NDTV Movies. ndtv.com. 11 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20140404062106/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/shah-rukh-khan-ek-kamre-mein-band-in-kashmir-262823. 4 April 2014. dead.
  54. Web site: Kashmir First - The Gulmarg Nostalgia-X. kashmirfirst.com. 11 February 2015.
  55. Web site: Movies Filmed in Kashmir. jktourism.org. 11 February 2015.