Gulmarg

❧

Wikipedia

Gulmarg
Hill Station
From top left to right: Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharani Temple, Gulmarg Gondola, Gondola station, Gulmarg with Pir Panjal in the background, Apharwat Peak,
Gulmarg is located in Jammu and Kashmir
Gulmarg
Gulmarg
Location in Jammu & Kashmir, India
Gulmarg is located in India
Gulmarg
Gulmarg
Gulmarg (India)
Coordinates: 34°03′N 74°23′E / 34.05°N 74.38°E / 34.05; 74.38
CountryIndia
Union TerritoryJammu and Kashmir
DistrictBaramulla
Elevation
2,650 m (8,690 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
1,965[1]
Languages
 • OfficialKashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English[2][3]
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
193403
Websitebaramulla.nic.in/tourist-place/gulmarg

Gulmarg[a] (also known as Gulmarag,[4] lit. 'meadow of flowers' in Kashmiri[5]) is a hill station and a notified area committee in Baramulla district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.[6][7] It is located in the Indian administered Kashmir, close to the Line of Control that serves as the de facto border between India and Pakistan. It is in the Pir Panjal Range in the Western Himalayas within the boundaries of the Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary.[8] Gulmarg is situated at an altitude of 2,650 m (8,690 ft), and is a popular tourist and skiing destination in the Kashmir Valley.

Known as Gaurimarg (meaning "path of goddess Gauri") to the locals, it was renamed as Gulmarg by Yousuf Shah Chak, who ruled Kashmir from 1579 to 1586. The place served as a summer and recreational retreat during the Mughal rule in the 17th century, and British Raj in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Gulmarg ski club was established in 1927. After the end of the British rule in the Indian subcontinent, it became part of the princely state of Kashmir and Jammu, which later acceded to India in October 1947. It was briefly captured by Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948, before being re-taken by the Indian Army.

In 1948, the Indian Army established the High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg. In the 1960s, it was promoted as a tourist and winter sports destination by the Indian government. In the 1990s, the area was affected by insurgency, which had an impact on tourism, before its recovery in the 21st century. Gulmarg Gondola, which was constructed in multiple phases since the late 1990s, is a multi-stage ropeway that ferries people between Gulmarg and a shoulder of the nearby Apharwat Peak. Gulmarg has hosted the National Winter Games three times.

History

Historically, the place was known as Gaurimarg ("path of goddess Gauri") to the locals. Yousuf Shah Chak, who ruled Kashmir from 1579 to 1586, renamed it Gulmarg ("meadow of flowers").[9][10] During the Mughal rule, emperor Jahangir used to visit the place, and collected different varieties of wild flowering plants for his gardens.[9][11] In the 19th century, during the British Raj, civil servants used the place as a summer and recreational retreat. They indulged in hunting wildlife and golfing, and three golf courses were established in Gulmarg.[11][12] In 1927, the British established a ski club in Gulmarg and hosted two annual skiing events, during Christmas and Easter.[13][14] Archeologist Marc Aurel Stein explored Gulmarg during the late 19th century.[10]

After the end of the British rule in the Indian subcontinent, Gulmarg became a part of the independent princely state of Kashmir and Jammu ruled by the Dogra king Hari Singh. Singh signed the instrument of accession and acceded to India in October 1947.[15] Gulmarg was briefly captured by Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948, as a part of Operation Gulmarg. The invading militia consisting of Pathan tribesmen supported by Pakistani army, and passed through the Haji Pir pass towards Gulmarg and Srinagar. The Indian Army, led by the 1st Sikh Regiment, defended the outskirts of Srinagar.[16][17] The Indian counterattacks led to the re-capture of Gulmarg and the surrounding areas.[18] In 1948, the Indian Army established the High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg.[19] On 1 January 1949, the Indo-Pakistan war ended under the supervision of the United Nations, and the Line of Control (named as per the Shimla Agreement of 1972), which became the de facto boundary between India and Pakistan, was established closer to the region.[20][21]

Gulmarg in 1969

After Indian Independence, the Government of India sought to develop Gulmarg as a winter sports and tourist destination. In 1960, alpine skier Rudolph Matt, who came on the invitation of the government, determined Gulmarg to be a suitable location for winter sports. In 1968, the Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering was established in Gulmarg to train skiers. The government invested ₹30 million (US$350,000) for the development of skiing facilities in Gulmarg.[22] In the mid-1980s, heli-skiing was introduced in Gulmarg.[14] In the 1990s, the rise of insurgency in Kashmir affected tourism in Gulmarg.[22] The industry started to recover in late 1990s, and early 2000s. The Gulmarg Gondola was opened in various stages from 1998 to 2011.[23][24] In 2014, Government of Jammu and Kashmir drafted a master plan, to be implemented by 2032, for sustainable development in Gumarg.[25]

Geography and geology

Gulmarg lies in a cup-shaped valley in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, at an altitude of, 2,650 m (8,690 ft). It is located about 56 km (35 mi) from Srinagar, in Baramulla district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.[10][12] The soil in Gulmarg comprises glacial deposits, lacustrine deposits, and moraines from Pleistocene epoch covering shales, limestones, sandstones, schists and other varieties of rocks.[26] 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 the spring and summer.[12][9] The meadows are interspersed by parks and small lakes, and are surrounded by forests of pine and fir trees.[12] Apharwat Peak, rising to 4,267 m (13,999 ft), overlooks Gulmarg, and offers a view of Nanga Parbat and Harmukh peaks.[12][14]

Climate

Due to its high elevation, Gulmarg has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb) and a wet winter season with heavy snowfall. Summers are moderate in temperature and length, with relatively cool shoulder seasons.

Climate data for Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir (1991–2020, extremes 1907–2020)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 11.5
(52.7)		 11.4
(52.5)		 18.0
(64.4)		 23.6
(74.5)		 28.0
(82.4)		 29.4
(84.9)		 31.2
(88.2)		 27.0
(80.6)		 26.0
(78.8)		 23.4
(74.1)		 20.0
(68.0)		 15.8
(60.4)		 31.2
(88.2)
Mean maximum °C (°F) 6.1
(43.0)		 7.1
(44.8)		 11.8
(53.2)		 18.0
(64.4)		 21.3
(70.3)		 24.7
(76.5)		 25.5
(77.9)		 24.2
(75.6)		 22.5
(72.5)		 19.4
(66.9)		 14.5
(58.1)		 9.8
(49.6)		 26.3
(79.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 0.7
(33.3)		 1.8
(35.2)		 5.4
(41.7)		 10.4
(50.7)		 15.6
(60.1)		 19.3
(66.7)		 21.1
(70.0)		 20.5
(68.9)		 18.5
(65.3)		 14.2
(57.6)		 9.0
(48.2)		 4.6
(40.3)		 11.9
(53.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) −3.5
(25.7)		 −2.3
(27.9)		 1.4
(34.5)		 6.2
(43.2)		 10.9
(51.6)		 14.4
(57.9)		 16.6
(61.9)		 16.1
(61.0)		 13.6
(56.5)		 9.0
(48.2)		 4.2
(39.6)		 −0.1
(31.8)		 7.4
(45.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −7.7
(18.1)		 −6.4
(20.5)		 −2.7
(27.1)		 1.9
(35.4)		 6.1
(43.0)		 9.4
(48.9)		 12.0
(53.6)		 11.7
(53.1)		 8.6
(47.5)		 3.8
(38.8)		 −0.6
(30.9)		 −4.8
(23.4)		 2.8
(37.0)
Mean minimum °C (°F) −12.4
(9.7)		 −11.1
(12.0)		 −8.4
(16.9)		 −3.4
(25.9)		 1.2
(34.2)		 4.8
(40.6)		 7.9
(46.2)		 7.8
(46.0)		 4.7
(40.5)		 −0.4
(31.3)		 −5.0
(23.0)		 −8.7
(16.3)		 −12.8
(9.0)
Record low °C (°F) −27.2
(−17.0)		 −31.6
(−24.9)		 −14.8
(5.4)		 −8.7
(16.3)		 −3.2
(26.2)		 −3.9
(25.0)		 2.8
(37.0)		 2.7
(36.9)		 −2.8
(27.0)		 −6.5
(20.3)		 −13.4
(7.9)		 −24.3
(−11.7)		 −31.6
(−24.9)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 161.3
(6.35)		 207.5
(8.17)		 215.6
(8.49)		 166.2
(6.54)		 139.3
(5.48)		 101.6
(4.00)		 101.7
(4.00)		 101.0
(3.98)		 75.9
(2.99)		 47.7
(1.88)		 57.2
(2.25)		 74.1
(2.92)		 1,449.2
(57.06)
Average rainy days 8.6 10.2 11.5 11.4 10.1 8.9 8.3 8.2 5.8 3.7 3.7 4.7 95.3
Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) 76 77 72 66 65 64 73 74 66 59 60 67 68
Source: India Meteorological Department[27][28]

Demographics

Religions in Gulmarg (2011)[1]
Religion Percent
Hinduism
 
 86.6%
Islam
 
 12.4%
Christianity
 
 0.6%
Sikhism
 
 0.4%

As per the 2011 census, Gulmarg had a population of 1,965 across 77 households. There were 1,957 males and eight females with no children below the age of six years. The average literacy rate was 99.24%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes constituted 0.61% and 0.15% of the population respectively.[29] The town has few permanent residents with most residents being tourists and those associated with the seasonal tourism industry.[12]

Culture and religion

Hinduism was the major religion with 86.6% adherents, followed by Islam with 12.4% adherents. Minor population of Christians and Sikhs are also present in the town.[1]

Maharani Temple
St Mary's Church

Maharani Temple (also known as Shiv Temple) was built by Maharaja Hari Singh for his wife Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodia in 1915.[30][31] The temple is dedicated to Hindu god Shiva and his consort Parvati.[32][33][34] St Mary's Church is located in the valley of shepherds in Gulmarg.[35] It was built in 1902, with outer walls made of grey bricks, a green roof and decorated wooden interior walls.[36] In 1920, the church served as the location of the wedding of the brother of British cartoonist Bruce Bairnsfather.[37][38] It was closed for years before being renovated and reopened in 2003, holding its first Christmas service there after 14 years.[39]

An annual three-day Gulmarg Winter Festival is held in March. Artists from the fields of music, film and photography showcase their work during the festival.[40]

Transportation

Gulmarg is accessible from Srinagar by road via Tangmarg. The road includes a 12 km (7.5 mi) uphill segment that passes cuts through forests of pine and fir.[12][9][11] The nearest railhead is at Baramulla, about 53 km (33 mi) from Gulmarg.[10] The nearest major airport is the Srinagar International Airport at Srinagar, about 53 km (33 mi) from the town.[10]

Sports and recreation

Downhill view from Gulmarg Gondola

Gulmarg is one of the popular destinations for winter games in India.[41] It hosted the National Winter Games in 1998, 2004 and 2008. The first-ever Khelo India Winter Games was held in March 2020 at Gulmarg.[42] CNN mentioned Gulmarg as the "heartland of winter sports in India" and rated it amongst the top ten ski destinations in Asia.[43][44]

Ski resort terrain map

Skiing, tobogganing, snowboarding and heli-skiing take place on the slopes of Mount Apharwat, which is reachable by a Gondola lift.[14] Built by the French company Pomagalski, the Gulmarg Gondola is second highest in the world.[24] The two-stage, five kilometer ropeway project between Gulmarg and Apharwat was commissioned by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in 1987. The construction was stopped in 1990 due to security issues, before resuming in 1998. The first phase connects Gulmarg with Kongdori at 2,600 m (8,530 ft) and began operations in May 1998. In May 2005, the second phase connecting Kongdori with a shoulder on Apharwat peak at 4,100 m (13,500 ft) was completed in 2011.[23][24] A 3.2 km (2.0 mi)-long chair lift system connects Kongdoori with Mary's shoulder, which is used for taking skiers to higher altitudes in the winter.[45]

In February 2022, the world's largest igloo cafe, with a height of 37.5 ft (11.4 m) and a diameter of 44.5 ft (13.6 m), was opened in Gulmarg.[46][47] In February 2023, a glass igloo restaurant was built in Gulmarg.[48][49]

Gulmarg is a popular location for film shooting,[50] and various Bollywood films have been shot here.[51][52][53]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Urdu pronunciation: [ɡʊlməɾɡ], Kashmiri pronunciation: [ɡulmarɨɡ]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Gulmarg population". Census India 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  3. ↑ "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020". Rising Kashmir. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  4. ↑ Toshakhani, S.K; Koul, Lal; Hajni, Mohiuddin; Pushp, P; Mohiuddin, Akhtar (1968–1980). Kashir Dictionary (in Kashmiri). Vol. 5. Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Arts Culture and Languages. p. 362.
  5. ↑ Plumbe, Wilfred John (1990). The Golden Pagoda Tree: Adventures in Southeast Asia. Grey Seal. p. 211. ISBN 978-1-856-40003-9. Gulmarg, meaning 'Meadow of Flowers' was 8,500 feet above sea level'
  6. ↑ Gettleman, Jeffrey (14 January 2019). "A Family Ski Adventure in the Himalayas". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 17 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  7. ↑ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 178.
  8. ↑ "Compliance report of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary: A Biodiversity Hotspot" (PDF). Government of Jammu and Kashmir. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Chaturvedi, B.K. (2002). Tourist Centers Of India. Diamond Pocket Books. p. 82. ISBN 978-81-7182-137-2.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "About Gulmarg". Government of Jammu and Kashmir. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 Lovell-Hoare, Sophie; Lovell-Hoare, Max (1 July 2014). Kashmir: Jammu. Kashmir Valley. Ladakh. Zanskar. Bradt Travel Guides. pp. 208–11. ISBN 978-1-84162-396-2.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mitra, Swati (2013). Jammu & Kashmir: Travel Guide. Eicher Goodearth Limited. pp. 30–36. ISBN 978-93-80262-45-1.
  13. ↑ Lang, Thomas. "Gulmarg - Kashmir - India" (PDF). Canadian Ski Year Book 1934. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Gulmarg". Jammu and Kashmir Tourism. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  15. ↑ Anand, Adarsh Sein (2007). The Constitution of Jammu & Kashmir: Its Development & Comments (5 ed.). Universal Law Publishing Company. p. 67. ISBN 978-81-7534-520-1.
  16. ↑ Krishna, Ashok (1998). India's Armed Forces: Fifty Years of War and Peace. Lancer Publishers. pp. 12–15. ISBN 978-1-897829-47-9.
  17. ↑ Sarkar, Bhaskar (1 November 2014). "Defence of Srinagar 1947". Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  18. ↑ Prasad, Shankar (2005). The Gallant Dogras: An Illustrated History of the Dogra Regiment. Lancer Publishers. pp. 93–97. ISBN 978-81-7062-268-0.
  19. ↑ Pandit, Rajat (1 May 2004). "High-altitude warfare school takes global aim". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  20. ↑ Karim, Afsir (1991). Counter Terrorism, the Pakistan Factor. Lancer Publishers. pp. 142–145. ISBN 978-81-7062-127-0.
  21. ↑ Rafiq, Zahid (26 February 2009). "Ski respite for war weary Kashmiris". BBC News. Gulmarg. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  22. 1 2 Seth, Pran Nath (1 January 2006). Successful Tourism: Volume I: Fundamentals of Tourism. Sterling Publishers. pp. 175–176. ISBN 978-81-207-3199-8.
  23. 1 2 "At ₹100 crore, Gulmarg Gondola's revenue collections soar to a new high". The Hindustan Times. 17 March 2025. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  24. 1 2 3 Wally Koval (20 October 2020). Accidentally Wes Anderson. Voracious. p. 278. ISBN 978-0-316-49273-7.
  25. ↑ "SAC approves Phase-I of Gulmarg Master Plan-2032". 30 May 2014. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  26. ↑ Vaidya, Balkrishna C. (1 January 2003). Geography of Transport Development in India. Concept Publishing Company. p. 354. ISBN 978-81-7022-957-5.
  27. ↑ "Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  28. ↑ "Extremes of Temperature and Rainfall for Indian Stations (up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  29. ↑ "Gulmarg Population Census 2011". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  30. ↑ "Fire destroys Gulmarg Shiva temple with Kashmir's royal links". The Times of India. 6 June 2024. Archived from the original on 28 March 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  31. ↑ "Fire damages Gulmarg's century-old Shiv temple". The Indian Express. 6 June 2024. Archived from the original on 10 December 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  32. ↑ "Maharani Temple Gulmarg Kashmir". Discover India. Retrieved 1 June 2025.[dead link]
  33. ↑ "Fire destroys 109-yr-old Shiva temple in Kashmir Valley". The Times of India. 6 June 2024. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  34. ↑ "Gulmarg's 'Jai Jai Shiv Shankar' song famed temple destroyed in fire". 5 June 2024.
  35. ↑ "St. Mary's Church". Buzzntravel. Archived from the original on 25 December 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  36. ↑ "St Mary Church - Gulmarg". Kashmir Hills. Archived from the original on 21 March 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  37. ↑ "Wedding at Gulmarg - Bruce Bairnsfather's Brother". The Pioneer Mail. 17 September 1920. p. 38. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  38. ↑ Holt, Major Tonie; Holt, Valmai (1995). The Biography of Captain Bruce Bairnsfather: In Search of the Better Ole (2014 ed.). Milestone Publications. p. 180. ISBN 978-1-473-82723-3. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  39. ↑ "Gulmarg". Holiday Mine. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  40. ↑ "Music, adventure at Gulmarg Winter Festival". Deccan Herald. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  41. ↑ "Kashmir ski paradise beckons". CNN. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012.
  42. ↑ "Gulmarg to host 5-day national winter games from March 7, 2020". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020.
  43. ↑ "Gulmarg rated Asia's seventh best ski resort". Daily Bhaskar. 26 November 2010. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011.
  44. ↑ "Gulmarg among 7 top ski resorts in Asia: CNN Int'l". Greater Kashmir. 25 November 2010. Archived from the original on 26 November 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  45. ↑ "J&K Cable car corporation launched joy ride at Gulmarg resort". United News India. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  46. ↑ "'World's largest' Igloo Cafe in Gulmarg can seat 40 guests. Details here". India Today. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  47. ↑ "'Largest' igloo café comes up in Gulmarg, can seat 40 guests". The Indian Express. 6 February 2022. Archived from the original on 10 February 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  48. ↑ "India's first glass igloo restaurant in J-K's Gulmarg". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  49. ↑ "In Pics: India's first glass igloo restaurant in Kashmir's Gulmarg". Live Mint. February 2023. Archived from the original on 16 January 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  50. ↑ "Holiday, the Bollywood way". The Hindu. 26 December 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  51. ↑ "This is cheating! The Manali in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is actually Gulmarg, fumes Omar". India Today. 6 June 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  52. ↑ "Shah Rukh ek kamre mein band in Kashmir". NDTV. Archived from the original on 4 April 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  53. ↑ "Movies Filmed in Kashmir". Jammu and Kashmir Tourism. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.