In this episode of India With Elli, we’re taking you along with us as we experience the seasons of Gulmarg! Snow, rain, hail, sunshine, we experienced it all on our short yet wonderful journey. Not only was this place a treat to explore, but we also got some perspective on how difficult life is for local tradespeople. It was extremely humbling to learn, for example, the hard work and time that goes into the making of a beautiful Pashmina shawl. Here
India With Elli: Hail In Bota Pathri, Gulmarg’s Hidden Jewel
The first location that we headed to was a little hidden town called Bota Pathri. This village, which is as of yet untouched by commercialisation, is located near the India-Pakistan border. It is only recently that the place has opened to tourists.
However, do keep in mind that you need a special permit in order to visit this place which you have to take at least a month in advance. The village is dotted with quaint and colourful wooden houses that seem straight out of a cottagecore fairytale.
If you are a die-hard Shah Rukh Khan fan (umm, hello? Who isn’t?), you’ll be thrilled to know that the iconic blue bridge in his blockbuster ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ is situated here! What made our journey more memorable was that it started hailing, and though we were a little worried about damaging our equipment, it was thoroughly enjoyable!
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Snow In Gulmarg, Visiting Local Artisans & More
Gulmarg is known for its snow and it did not disappoint! Elli may be new to Gulmarg but she is no stranger to snow. Having grown up in Sweden, she spent her childhood making igloos and snowmen. She even recounted her childhood memories and trust us, you’re going to want to hear them!
We couldn’t leave Gulmarg without paying tribute to the local artisans by visiting their workshops. There, we learned the toiling nitty-gritties of hand-weaving a carpet and we were blown away by it. No surprise then, that they cost so much.
We even got to see a carpet that cost a whopping ₹50 Lakh! Our jaws were right there on the floor along with the intricately woven carpet! Though the carpet prices were high, what Gulmarg gave us was priceless! Sunshine, rain, snow and hail, we got to experience a year’s worth of seasons during our short stay and that is unforgettable.
Also Read: 5 Reasons To Watch India With Elli’s Vaishno Devi Yatra
Want to see the exquisite Kashmiri carpet worth ₹50 Lakh? Head to the Curly Tales YouTube Channel at 5:00 PM sharp on Friday, June 30, 2023!
Cover Image Credits: Internal