Gaurimarg to Gulmarg

Amongst various tourist spots of Kashmir, Gulmarg happens to be the most frequented place. Like in the past, this year too thousands of people, including tourists from various places visited the green meadows of Gulmarg.

However, besides being a place of tourist attraction in the present times, Gulmarg is historically important as well. Ever since the rule of Chak dynasty in Kashmir, Gulmarg has been a place of attraction for royal families.

Gulmarg originally served as grazing fields and was called ‘Gaurimarg` the name of Lord Shiva's wife by shepherds. It was in the 16th century that the name was changed to ‘Gulmarg’ by ruler of the Chak dynasty, Yousuf Shah Chak.

“It was called Gulmarg because the fragrance of flowers would fill the air all the time. ‘Gul’ means flowers and ‘marg’ means abode,” says writer Zareef Ahmad Zareef.

Gulmarg is believed to have been favorite haunt of Mughals, particularly that of Jahangir. However the development popularity and development of Gulmarg came with the British rule in India.

“Gulmarg was the most favorite place of Britishers. They lived in tents there,” Zareef Ahmad said. Golf was also introduced in Gulmarg by the Britishers. It is believed that Britishers opened it for golf lovers in the year 1904 and started the golf club. Today Gulmarg has the highest golf course in the world.

“When Britishers lived in Gulmarg they started writing about it and inviting people to this place which in a way marketed Gulmarg,” said Zareef. He says that the ambience of Gulmarg was calm and serene, with no noise or pollution which served as best environment for recreation to people.

Zareef added that other tourist places like Pahalgam were non existent. The place was unknown to the common people of Kashmir and was visited only by elites.

“It was because of the shrine of Baba Rishi that common people of Kashmir started visiting Gulmarg,” reveals Zareef. Shrine of Baba Rishi is located few kilometers from Gulmarg.

Gradually, Gulmarg began to be developed for resorts and hotels to provide facilities for visitors. All construction work was done in wood.

Situated 56 kilometers from Srinagar city, today Gulmarg is a major tourist destination of Kashmir. It is the only places here which support winter tourism, with highest Ski slopes in the world. Different developmental works are being undertaken to make it a world class tourist destination. Nonetheless, no attention is being given to the rising pollution level of the place.