Visit to Kashmir from 07th to 10th Jun 2025

Amitabh arrived in Delhi on 3^rd June 2025. He wished to visit Kashmir for 3-4 days. Accordingly, we planned it from 7th to 10th June. We also accompanied him. Security arrangements for our stay were made. Amitabh arranged Air tickets thorough his Travel agent. He wished to stay at Taj Srinagar. We did not stay in government accommodation this time.

7^th June 

We boarded to Air India and at about 11:00 hrs and landed at Srinagar at about 13.00 hrs. We were received at the Airport. We checked in Taj hotel. The Coffee shop of the hotel was closed as there were few guests. The corner of the then Vivanta, now Taj, where we used to visit earlier and had coffee during last year was not available now. We had lime cordial in Vista restaurant. Booking of the accommodation in hotel was done by travel agent. In about 100 rooms in the hotel, 83 were occupied on any date earlier. Only 20 were occupied on the day. It has lovely surroundings with flowers in numerous beds. We had dinner in the restaurant. There were colourful lights and not many people.

8^th June

Amitabh was of great help to us. There was lovely weather cool and comfortable. We had breakfast, filling and delicious. While we were having breakfast in Vista, an unusually  huge Eagle flew over, probably in search of food. Someone said citing of the Eagle was auspicious. It is also known to be ride of lord Vishnu. 

                                               Peep into Houseboat

                                                        Relaxing in Boat

Amitabh in Boat

Then we went to the Dal-lake and moved about in a boat for about one and half hour. Amitabh wanted to peep a houseboat to see its paraphernalia. The movement in the lake was cool and pleasant despite bright and hot and sun in the sky. We went to Chasme-sahi and Pari Mahal also. Amitabh did not wish to go Nishat Garden and Shalimar Bagh as they were more a less like Chasme-sahi Garden. He wanted to visit Pahalgam but could not as it was closed for public after the attack by terrorists at that time. For lunch we came to hotel Lalit. It had huge green campus. Its occupancy was only 2-3 against capacity of 150 rooms.

                                                     In Chasme Sahi Garden

                                                            In Chasme Sahi

                                                         Lunch in Lalit hotel

After return from Lalit, we cut big size Kashmiri apple provided to us in the our rooms. We were impressed by its fragrance and sweetness. It was about 7 pm then. The sun was bright on the horizon and gradually going down about to set, the beautiful sight. Our accommodation was of duplex type. We were the first floor and Amitabh the ground floor. There was balcony in each floor, comfortable for two to sit. A number of local people apart some guests of the hotel had joined in the outdoor sitting of Vista for EID. We had continental food in the hotel after having ice tea as appetizer.

9^th June

The sun had risen. We could see sun light in human habitation far away. We could not see sun directly from the balcony as it was in our back behind the hills. It was chilly. We put on a sweater.

                                                 In the campus Hazrat Bal

We visited Hazrat Bal mosque. Amitabh was keen to visit Hazrat Bal. We spent about half an hour there. Earlier we used to have a passing view of it. After visit of Dargah we went for darshan of Panchmukhi Hanuman at Lal Chowk. Amitabh was thrilled to walk along the Lal Chowk for quite sometime. We had lunch at a 100 year old Adoo restaurant there.

                                                In Panchmukhi Hanuman temple

                                                           In Lal Chowk

10^th June

We checked out from the Hotel after breakfast in the open sitting of hotel. We also had full view of Dal Lake, cool weather and massive green hills all around. On way to Airport Venita some bought excellent dry fruit at half Delhi rates.

Arrived Delhi at about 3 PM.

Amitabh insisted that we should have full rest that day as well as well next day as we had hectic schedule of movement during the week.