Travel Piece

By Vishwa Parmar / Matthew staff | Edited by Sofia Espinosa

Kashmir is the place where heaven meets earth.                                                             

made of snowclad mountains and floral valleys                                                                   

“Ka” means water, and “shimeera” means desiccated from its formation.                                       

Legend says the land was desiccated because of the rage of the old sage Kashyap. 

The first thing you notice is that the houses are all on stilts.                                                          

And the wood is full of gingerbread, beautifully carved.                                                                         

In the shapes of flowers, birds, and Persian tombs                                                                   

situated in the unspoiled and untamed gorges of Kashmir  

Srinagar: Kashmir’s capital is also called the jewel in the crown of India.                                           

You can brush the snow off your shoulders after you visit Sonmarg.                               

And watch the sun-kissed snow-capped hills from the ropeways.                                              

Later, visit streets filled with Pashmina shawls, silk carpets, kurtas, and pottery.  

The long boats: Shikara crowd Dal Lake and are navigated by two boatmen in phiran.              

They carry kangris and have cushioned seats and backrests.                                                        

They are used for longer trips around Dal Lake and for commuting between the houseboats. 

Because Dal Lake is central to Srinagar, many places are built in its vicinity. 

The lake of flowers, Dal Lake, is an eye that looks straight at God.                                

Nothing feels more soothing than gliding your fingers through the waters of Dal Lake             

when your ears are lulled by the sound of waves lapping against your shikara                              

you can soak your memories in a warm cup of kahwa tea.  

What was once paradise on earth is now distanced from its people.                                            

It seems like God has given up on his children and left them barren.                                        

The land of beauty is no longer welcoming but is wounded and bloodied.                                         

Years of war, turmoil, and disaster have embittered the once-splendid land.  

My father does not recognize this Kashmir anymore, mutilated beyond repair.                                  

I wonder if there is still hope for people, Hindu-Muslim doesn’t matter.                                             

if we can still go back to being brothers of one nation                                                                    

who fought side by side against the British oppression  

The sun rises every morning in the valley of Kashmir.                                                  

Bringing the light and sheer joy of the new dawn, the young generation wakes up from their slumber.                                                                     

Don’t disturb them! They are busy bringing heaven back to earth.