Gulmarg

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Gulmarg
Hill station
View of snow-capped monutains, Gulmarg
Gulmarg
Coordinates: 34°03′N 74°23′E / 34.05°N 74.38°E / 34.05; 74.38Coordinates: 34°03′N 74°23′E / 34.05°N 74.38°E / 34.05; 74.38
Country India
State Jammu and Kashmir
District Baramulla
Elevation 2,690 m (8,830 ft)
Population (2001)
 • Total 664
Languages
 • Official Kashmiri, English, Urdu and Hindi
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)

Gulmarg (translation: "Meadow of Flowers") is a town, a hill station, a popular skiing destination and a notified area committee in Baramula district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The town is within the Himalayas and is within miles of the Line of Control between India and Pakistan.

Geography

Gulmarg is located 52 km from Srinagar. It is located at 34°03′N 74°23′E / 34.05°N 74.38°E / 34.05; 74.38.[1] It has an average elevation of 2,690 m (8,825 ft).

Demographics

At the 2001 India census,[2] Gulmarg had a population of 664, though many people are required to leave by nightfall. Only tourists and those working in the tourism industry may stay overnight. Males constitute 99% of the population and females 1%. Gulmarg has an average literacy rate of 96%, higher than the Indian national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 97%, and female literacy is 22%. In Gulmarg, 0% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Climate

Gulmarg
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
7.4
 
5
−4
 
 
7.1
 
6
−1
 
 
9.1
 
13
2
 
 
9.4
 
19
7
 
 
6.1
 
25
10
 
 
3.6
 
24
13
 
 
5.8
 
23
17
 
 
6.1
 
30
17
 
 
3.8
 
28
12
 
 
3
 
23
5
 
 
1
 
17
0
 
 
3.3
 
8
−2
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Gulmarg Weather
Climate data for Gulmarg
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 0
(32)		 4
(39)		 13
(55)		 19
(66)		 20
(68)		 22
(72)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 18
(64)		 13
(55)		 7
(45)		 2
(36)		 13.9
(57)
Average low °C (°F) −9
(16)		 −3
(27)		 0
(32)		 6
(43)		 10
(50)		 11
(52)		 12
(54)		 10
(50)		 7
(45)		 5
(41)		 0
(32)		 −2
(28)		 3.9
(39.2)
Precipitation mm (inches) 74
(2.91)		 71
(2.8)		 91
(3.58)		 94
(3.7)		 61
(2.4)		 36
(1.42)		 58
(2.28)		 61
(2.4)		 38
(1.5)		 30
(1.18)		 10
(0.39)		 33
(1.3)		 657
(25.86)
Source: Gulmarg Weather

History

Gulmarg has been a resort for the kings like Yousuf Shah Chak and Jahangir who used to visit frequently. The old name of Gulmarg was "Gaurimarg", the name of Lord Shiva's wife. Yousuf Shah Chak changed its name to Gulmarg, meaning the place of roses. During the early part of the 20th century the famous Central Asian explorer Sir Marc Aurel Stein (1862–1943), made his home here in a tent between his expeditions. It was a favourite summer holiday destination for the British stationed in India.
Gulmarg in August 1969

The surrounding areas were politically restive during a period of relative peace and quiet. The town is nestled within the imposing Himalayan peaks, and lies within miles of the Line of Control. It receives heavy snowfall during the winter season and is a popular ski resort.[3]

With the abatement of militancy in the area, Gulmarg has quickly become one of the state's most visited destinations. The slopes of Afarwat Hills of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalaya Chain boast one of the longest and highest ski slopes in Asia. The total distance covered by ski lifts is five kilometres and the resort peaks at an altitude of 3,950 m (12,959 ft), accessed by an aerial gondola (telecabine). The skiing project was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on 25 December 2004. The entire hill is guarded by the army at all times. The army, which is seen everywhere in the cities of Kashmir, is not in the town or the actual hilltop. Frisking is only done midway on the access road at 3 places: Tangmarg, near an army camp on the road from Tangmarg, and 5 km before entering Gulmarg. Gulmarg does not have any permanent residents. All living in Gulmarg are hotel employees and guests.

Tourism

Gulmarg Gondola, Cable Car
Official Tourist Rate List
Gulmarg Gondola - The second highest cable car in the world.

Gulmarg is easily accessible from Srinagar or Srinagar Airport (SXR), the capital of Kashmir, in under 2 hours by car or bus. Just 1 hour on the way is the town of Tangmarg, a key tourist attraction and also a main destination for skiers riding down from Gulmarg during the winter months. From Tangmarg, the Gulmarg plateau is just 30 minutes travel. Gulmarg has around 40 hotels ranging from extremely budget accommodation in private huts to hotels that are of a similar standard to a western Bed & Breakfast. When hotels say 5 star expect similar standards to the aforementioned bed and breakfast or motel. The peak season starts with the snowfall in December and lasts until March (April if it is a good season). The charges for one night stay during peak season in a hotel range typically between Rs1500 to Rs6500+, however there is also accommodation available for Rs500 which is only for the hardcore. The pre-season and post-season rates may have a discount but this is not standard.

According to CNN, Gulmarg is the "heartland of winter sports in India."[4] Gulmarg was being mooted as a possible host for the 2010 Commonwealth Winter Games. As such, Gulmarg has been rated by CNN International as Asia's seventh best ski destination.[5] This resort is famous because of its "Gulmarg Gondola," one of the highest cable car in the world, reaching 3,979 metres.[6] The two-stage ropeway ferries about 600 people per hour to and from the gondola main station in Gulmarg to a shoulder of nearby Mt. Apharwat Summit (4,200 m (13,780 ft)). The ropeway project is a joint venture of the Jammu and Kashmir government and French firm Pomagalski. The first stage transfers from the Gulmarg resort at 2,600 m (8,530 ft) to Kongdoori Station at 3,080 m in the bowl-shaped Kongdori valley. The second stage of the ropeway, which has 36 cabins and 18 towers, takes skiers to a height of 3,950 m (12,959 ft) on Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Mt. Afarwat Peak (4,200 m (13,780 ft)). The second stage was completed in a record time of about two years at a cost of Rs11 crore and opened on May 28, 2005. The French company had also built the first phase of the gondola project, connecting Gulmarg to Kongdoori, in 1998. The JKSCCC also constructed chair lifts to connect Kongdoori with Mary’s Shoulder for intermediate and advanced skiers.

The “heartland of winter sports in India”, as quoted by CNN, is a gathering ground for all things extreme sports and outdoors related. In the winter, the diverse and extreme terrain combines with torrential snowfall to create a snow destination that is among the best in the world. From the Kongdori station, Skiers can ski down a groomed trail through the woods that descends 450m in about 3.8 km. There are also countless off-piste possibilities through the beautiful Khilanmarg Forest that CNN called the 16th best Ski destination in the world in 2013. The Afarwat ridge at 3850+ metres offers an avalanche controlled ski area that offers a wide field of snow to descend 800 m in approximately 3 km of skiing, and is for advanced skiers only. Back-country skiing off the far ends of the Afarwat ridge and Heli-skiing are also available.

As the destination itself is still undeveloped, skiers and riders never have to suffer the long queues that are so prevalent in other international snow destinations – it is not uncommon to get up to 10 runs in a day from the top of the gondola and to be carving fresh lines in untracked snow for the best part of a day. Due to Gulmarg's steep terrain, the region is popular amongst advanced and extreme skiers from around the world and has been visited by a number of ski profssionals and featured in a number of ski films. During the 2012/13 winter season the Australian skier known as 'Wolf Pack' was widely regarded as the best and fastest skier on the mountain.

The summer is just as busy. With temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 °C, Gulmarg attracts outdoor sports fanatics with its world class golfing, trekking, mountain biking, horse riding, water skiing, and fishing.

Gulmarg has a lot of highest things along with its name, and of them is the Gulmarg golf club. It is the highest green golf course in the world. There are a few places of religious importance near the resort within a 5 to 20 km radius like Baba Reshi, Haji Murad at Kreeri and Tangmarg.

Gulmarg is among the most famous tourist destinations in India and there is a need for some tightened regulation to save the environment of the area from over tourism.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Gulmarg
  2. ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 
  3. ↑ BBC News Article: Ski respite for war weary Kashmiris
  4. ↑ "Kashmir ski paradise beckons". CNN. 
  5. ↑ "Gulmarg rated Asia's seventh best ski resort". Daily Bhaskar. 
  6. ↑ "Gulmarg among 7 top ski resorts in Asia: CNN Int’l". Greater Kashmir. 
  7. ↑ Choudhury, A.U. (2011). Tourism pressure on high elevation IBAs. Mistnet 12(1): 11-12.

External links

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