FEEL LIKE HOME

Instead staying in 7 star hotels and having a luxurious trip, one should try and live in the homestay cottages of KASHMIR, for experiencing the essence of the Heavenly Abode.
one such beautiful homestay cottage is the DOVE COTTAGE AT SRINAGAR.

DOVE COTTAGE

Dove Cottage is a boutique guest house located in the heart of the picturesque Srinagar City inside the posh locality of Rajbagh. 

Built and designed around the theme of “peace”; Dove provides a tranquil and soothing environment during your stay.
The rooms have been individually and elegantly designed and furnished; eclectic in style, the interiors display a subtle blend of tradition and modernity. The Famous Khatambund wooden ceilings, the papier machie accessories and popular local furnishings create an ambience that will charm you and add value to your stay.
You will love to unwind in the abundant outdoor lounging space dotted with fruit trees and flowers, while sipping traditional Kashmiri beverage - Kahwa.
Dove Cottage is ideal for both long and short stays, for tourists and business executives looking for a relaxed home stay atmosphere; a perfect base for travellers exploring Srinagar City as well as going on day trips to various hill resorts in the countryside. 
Dove is a mere 15 minute drive away from the Srinagar Airport and 5 minutes by car from the Dal Lake. The central shopping areas of the city are just 5 to 7 minutes away. 
Dove takes pride in its professionalism and guest centric services and looks forward to welcoming you on memorable stay.

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WILD KASHMIR

Kashmir is more than a natural wonder; it is also a shelter for wildlife. Sheltering a wide range of world’s mammal species and more than 120 species of birds, Kashmir promises diverse wildlife. Varied wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in Kashmir provide brilliant option for wildlife tourism. The valley comprises of rich flora and fauna that not only impresses but also mesmerizes.

While Dachigam is reckoned to be home to endangered species like Hangul (Kashmir Stag)

Hangul (Kashmir Stag)

Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, on the other side is known for sheltering endangered species like musk deer

Musk Deer

A wildlife tour in Kashmir offers sight of leopard, jackal, yellow-throated marten, hill fox, Himalayan griffon, lammergeyer, long tailed blue magpie and Himalayan weasel in Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary. Whereas, at Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, other than Hangul and Musk deer, one can spot Serow, Leopard, Black Bear, Brown Bear, and Red Fox. At Overa Wildlife Sanctuary, one can catch the glimpse of Serow, Rhesus Macaque, Langur, Leopard and Leopard Cat. The bountiful fauna has the potential to leave one on a Kashmir wildlife tour awe-struck and mesmerized.

SOME OF THE BIRDS FOUND IN KASHMIR  ARE:

Summer Swallow is Kattiejj in kashmiri

Golden Oriole is Poshnool in kashmiri

 Indian Sky Lark is Dedhar in Kashmiri.

Turtle Dove is Wun Kukil in kashmiri.

Little Grebe is Pin'ditchh in kashmiri.
A water bird found in lakes.
So many in Dal lake during summer season .
Feeding on small fish and insects.

INDIAN GREENLAND

Describing the flora of Jammu and Kashmir is like trying to catalogue a library that has an extensive collection of books. Many of the species have not even been documented properly. Nevertheless, it should suffice to say that the state possess a rich diversity of flora. An estimate puts the total number of plant species in the state at over 3000.The flora of the state have a high degree of endemism. 

A poem I learn’t at school fits so well here…

How many kinds of sweet flowers grow
in the Kashmir country garden
I’ll tell you name of some that I know
those I miss you’ll surely pardon
Daffodils and pansies
tall holly hocks
marigolds and tulips
and snow drops
roses, asters, daisies
blue forget-me-nots
in the Kashmir country garden......

I give kashmiri names of some flowers found in kasmir..

German Iris is sosan that grows in graveyards.

Amaranth is mawal in kashmiri

 Haycinth is Sumbal in kashmiri..

Iris is Maswal in kashmiri.
( Maswal flower has been used frequently in kashmiri poetry )

Hollyhock is. Sazaposh. in kashmiri

Guelder Rose is Dastaar Posh in kashmiri

Golden Collyrium is Virikyom in kashmiri 

EXPLORE THE INDIAN GREENLAND

THE MUGHAL GARDENS

THE MUGHAL GARDEN: with terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright flowerbeds with the panaroma of the dal in front of them-the three Mughal gardens of Chesmashahi, Nishat and Shalimar are the Mughal Emperor's concept of paradise and are very popular for there tranquil environment.

NISHAT BAGH

GARDEN OF BLISS

Nishat Bagh, situated on the eastern shore of the enchanting Dal Lake, is a beautiful terraced garden with the Zabarwan ranges as its scenic backdrop. Covering an area of 46 acres, it is Kashmir's second largest Mughal Garden, next to the Shalimar Bagh situated nearby. Its name translates to 'garden of joy', which is justified by its enthralling natural beauty.  Tall chinar trees and colourful flowers adorn the lush green landscape of this garden that also has several beautiful fountains. Nishat was designed in 1633 AD by Asaf Khan.

SHALIMAR BAGH

ABODE OF LOVE

Shalimar Bagh is a royal Mughal Garden that lies along the right bank of Dal Lake in Srinagar. Spread across a total area of 31 acres, it is the largest among the three Mughal Gardens in the city. The name of this garden literally means 'abode of love', which is supported by the fact that it was built by Emperor Jahangir for his loving wife Nur Jahan. Laid in 1619, this garden was originally named Farah Baksh that means delightful on translation. THIS WAS BUILT BY EMPEROR JAHANGIR FOR HIS WIFE: NURJEHAN.

CHASHME SHAHI

THE ROYAL BATH

Chashme Shahi Garden, meaning 'The Royal Spring', is situated at the foothills of Zabarwan Mountains in Srinagar. Covering an area that is 108 metres in length and 38 metres in width, this garden is the smallest amongst the three Mughal Gardens in the city. Shah Jahan – the Mughal emperor – got this garden laid under his supervision in 1632. It has several natural springs discovered by a revered female saint Rupa Bhawani, who was also known as Sahibi. In her honour, the garden was initially named as Chashme Sahibi. 

LAKES OF KASHMIR

NAGIN LAKE

JEWEL IN THE RING

Known as the 'Jewel In The Ring', Nagin is generally held to be the most beautiful of the Dal lakes. Its name comes from the many trees, which encircle the small, deep blue lake, including the willows and the poplars. One can enjoy water ski, surf riding can have a memorable ride in the exquisite SHIKARAS

MANASBAL LAKE

SUPREME GEM

Manasbal Lake is tucked away in the lap of nature and flanked by villages of Gratbal, Jarokbal and Kondabal.Tourists sailing over the waters of Manasbal Lake are attracted by the magnificence and architectural wonders of ruins of a fort on its northern shores. This fort was constructed under the orders of a Mughal ruler in 17th century and overlooks serene lake waters.

Manasbal lake is considered is considered as the Supreme gem of all kashmir lakes with lotus nowhere more abundant or beautiful than on the margins of this lakes during july and august. it is the deepest lake of kashmir valley and perhaps the only one that develops stable summer satisfaction.

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Explore it live

THE OLD CITY

SRINAGAR

CITY OF LAKES

Srinagar, popularly known as 'Venice of the East’, is situated in the beautiful valley of Kashmir. Located on the banks of the River Jhelum, the city is renowned for its beautiful lakes, houseboats and numerous Mughal gardens. The word Srinagar is a combination of two Sanskrit words, ‘Sri’ meaning wealth and ‘Nagar’ meaning place. Therefore, the literal meaning of the term 'Srinagar' is 'the city of wealth'.

Your visit to Kashmir must include a visit to the world famous Dal lake.

JEWEL IN THE CROWN OF KASHMIR

The Dal Lake is the second largest lake in the valley of Kashmir and is popularly known as the ‘Jewel in the crown of Kashmir’. It is located in the backdrop of the beautiful Himalayas. Srinagar is also known for its house boats and 'shikara' or wooden boat rides, which are available on the edges of the lakes..

DACHIGAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

The Dachigam Wildlife Santuary another popular tourist attraction in Srinagar. Covering an extensive area of about 141 sq. km, the sanctuary was declared as a National Park in 1951. It is home to the endangered species of red deer known as the Hangul. Travellers can also sight leopards, the black and brown bear, musk deer, and numerous migratory birds here.

The Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden is also one of the major tourist attractions of Srinagar situated on the banks of the beautiful Dal Lake. The garden covers an area of 90 acres and contains around 70 varieties of tulip.

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