47-551: Gulmarg Gondola in Gulmarg , Jammu and Kashmir ,is the second longest and second highest cable car in the world. Higher lines include the Mi Teleférico in Bolivia and at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain . The two-stage gondola lift ferries about 600 people per hour to and from Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Apharwat Peak (4,260 m (13,976 ft)). The ropeway project is
94-494: A "Victorian architectural wonder". In 1920 the church saw the wedding of the brother of Bruce Bairnsfather ; Miss Eleanor Hardy Tipping married Capt. T. D. Bairnsfather, with newspapers describing the church as "very prettily decorated" and with the service conducted by Rev Canon Buckwell in the presence of both organ and a full choir. St Mary's was closed for years but was renovated and reopened in 2003, holding its first Christmas service there for 14 years. The church belongs to
141-717: A Master Plan–2032 for Gulmarg. The plan includes development of a solid-waste treatment plant on 20 acres of land close to Gulmarg. Gulmarg lies in a cup-shaped valley in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, at an altitude of, 2,650 m (8,694 ft), 56 km from Srinagar . The soil in Gulmarg comprises glacial deposits, lacustrine deposits , and moraines of Pleistocene age covering shales, limestones, sandstones, schists and other varieties of rocks. The natural meadows of Gulmarg, which are covered with snow in winter, allow
188-682: A destination for winter sports in India . In 1960, the Department of Tourism of the Government of India invited Rudolph Matt to select a suitable location for such a purpose. Matt determined Gulmarg would serve as a suitable location as a winter sports destination. In 1968, the Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering was established in Gulmarg to train ski instructors. Over the next decade, Indian planners invested ₹ 30 million (US$ 360,000) to transform Gulmarg into
235-564: A full proposal to explore, map and study the antiquities of Central Asia as per the recommendations of Hoernle, who personally petitioned both the Government of Punjab and Government of India, lobbying for a quick approval. Within weeks, Stein's proposal was informally approved. In January 1899, Stein received the formal approval and funds for his first expedition. Stein thereafter received approval and support for additional expeditions to Chinese Turkestan , other parts of Tibet and Central Asia where
282-400: A gust of wind and breaking the perspex windows on one of the gondola cabins, causing it to swing violently and its seven occupants to fall 100 ft (30 m) to the ground. In February 2022, the world's largest igloo cafe was opened in Gulmarg. It was made with a height of 37.5 feet and a diameter of 44.5 feet. Around 40 people can eat there at a time. In 2023, a glass igloo restaurant
329-520: A height of 3,950 metres (12,960 ft) on the Apharwat Peak 4,200 metres (13,800 ft). A chair lift system connects Kongdoori with Mary's shoulder for taking skiers to higher altitudes. The high inflow of tourists has had an effect on the fragile eco-system of Gulmarg and activists have demanded tighter regulation to save the environment of the area from over-tourism. An accident occurred on 15 June 2017 due to an enormous pine tree being uprooted by
376-501: A joint venture of the Jammu and Kashmir government and French firm Pomagalski . The first stage transfers from the Gulmarg resort at 2,650 m (8,694 ft) to Kongdoori Station in the bowl-shaped Kongdori valley. The second stage of the ropeway, which has 36 cabins and 18 towers, takes skiers to a height of 3,980 m (13,058 ft) on Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak (4,200 m (13,780 ft)). The second stage
423-623: A local reading the Shahnama in Turki . During 1901, Stein was responsible for exposing forgeries of Islam Akhun , as well as establishing the details and the authenticity of manuscripts that had been discovered before 1896 in northwest China. Stein's greatest discovery was made at the Mogao Caves , also known as "Caves of the Thousand Buddhas", near Dunhuang in 1907. It was there that he discovered
470-447: A panoramic view of Nanga Parbat and Harmukh mountains. Due to its high elevation, Gulmarg has a humid continental climate where the wet winter season sees heavy snowfall, especially for its latitude. Summers are moderate in temperature and length, whereas shoulder seasons are relatively cool. Religion in Gulmarg (2011) At the 2011 Indian census , Gulmarg had a total population of 1,965 over 77 households. The male population in
517-695: A printed copy of the Diamond Sutra , the world's oldest printed text, dating to AD 868, along with 40,000 other scrolls (all removed by gradually winning the confidence and bribing the Taoist caretaker). He took 24 cases of manuscripts and 4 cases of paintings and relics. He was knighted for his efforts, but Chinese nationalists dubbed him a burglar and staged protests against him, although others have seen his actions as at least advancing scholarship. His discovery inspired other French, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese treasure hunters and explorers who also took their toll on
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#1732851144669564-586: A tent in the alpine meadow called Mohand Marg which lies at the mouth atop the Sind Valley . Years earlier, working from this idyllic spot he translated Rajatarangini from Sanskrit into English, which had then been published in 1900. A memorial stone was erected in Mohand Marg on 14 September 2017 where Stein used to pitch his tent. The fourth expedition to Central Asia, however, ended in failure. Stein did not publish any account, but others have written of
611-410: A time. The price is 700 Indian Rupees (11 US$ ) for the first stage and 900 Indian Rupees (15 US$ ) for the second stage. Also offered is Chair Cars for phase-II for 300/- INR. It takes approximately 9 minutes to reach the first stage and 12 minutes for second stage. An accident occurred on 15 June 2017 due to an enormous pine tree being uprooted by a gust of wind and breaking the perspex windows on one of
658-518: A world-class ski destination. Gulmarg became a centre for skiers from Asian nations. In the mid-1980s, heli-skiing was introduced in Gulmarg. In the 1990s, the rise of insurgents in Jammu and Kashmir affected tourism in Gulmarg. However, tourism started to recover in late 1990s. Work on the cable car project between Gulmarg and Apharwat Peak , which was commissioned in 1988 by Government of Jammu and Kashmir , resumed in 1998 after being put on hold due to security concerns. In May 1998, Phase 1 of
705-454: Is a town , hill station , tourist destination , skiing destination, and a notified area committee in the Indian controlled part of the disputed territory Jammu and Kashmir of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir . It is located at a distance of 31 km (19 mi) from Baramulla and 49 km (30 mi) from Srinagar . The town
752-423: Is a popular tourist destination and shooting of some of the popular songs like “Jai Jai Shiv Shankar” from 1974 Hindi film Aap Ki Kasam was done here. St Mary's Church is located in the valley of Shepherds in Gulmarg. It was built in 1902, during the period of British rule, and was constructed in a British style. Made of grey brick with a green roof and decorated wooden interior walls, it has been described as
799-795: Is buried there in the Sherpur Cantonment . Stein, as well as his rivals Sven Hedin , Sir Francis Younghusband and Nikolai Przhevalsky , were active players in the British-Russian struggle for influence in Central Asia, the so-called Great Game . Their explorations were supported by the British and Russian Empires as they filled in the remaining "blank spots" on the maps, providing valuable information and creating " spheres of influence " for archaeological exploration as they did for political influence. The art objects he collected are divided between
846-709: Is situated in the India’s well known Pir Panjal Range in the Western Himalayas and lies within the boundaries of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary . Kashmir has many summer retreats suffixed with the word -marg : Sonamarg, Tangmarg, Gulmarg, Khilanmarg, Youmarg, and Nagmarg. Gulmarg is one of the Margs that has historical importance for Kashmiris. Gulmarg is a compound word or portmanteau of two Persian words, Gul and Marg . Gul means flowers and Marg means meadow. Yousuf Shah Chak , who ruled Kashmir from 1579 to 1586, frequented
893-426: Is the "heartland of winter sports in India" and was rated as Asia's seventh best ski destination. The town is accessible from Srinagar by road via Tangmarg . The road climbs uphill in the last 12 kilometres to Gulmarg passing through forests of pine and fir. Winter sports like skiing, tobogganing , snowboarding and heli-skiing take place on the slopes of Mount Apharwat reachable by a Gondola lift . Built by
940-601: Is the result of his travels through central Asia during the 1920s and 1930s. Stein discovered manuscripts in the previously lost Tocharian languages of the Tarim Basin at Miran and other oasis towns, and recorded numerous archaeological sites, especially in Iran and Balochistan . When Stein visited Khotan he was able to render in Persian a portion of the Shahnama after he came across
987-694: The 1910 King's Birthday Honours , he was appointed Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) for his service as Inspector-General of Education and Archaeological Surveyor in the North-West Frontier Province . Two years later, in the 1912 Birthday Honours , he was promoted to Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE) for his service as Superintendent of the Archaeological Department, North-West Frontier Circle. He
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#17328511446691034-747: The British Museum , the British Library , the Srinagar Museum, and the National Museum, New Delhi . Stein received a number of honours during his career. In 1909, he was awarded the Founder's Medal by the Royal Geographical Society 'for his extensive explorations in Central Asia, and in particular his archaeological work'. In 1909, he was awarded the first Campbell Memorial Gold Medal by
1081-662: The Diocese of Amritsar, Church Of North India . The first-ever Khelo India Winter Games were held from 7 March at Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir. Around 955 participants took part in the 5-day event. Organised by Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council in collaboration Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Games included various sports disciplines at the ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir from 7 to 11 March. In 2008, an American avalanche forecaster named Brian Newman began an NGO named Gulmarg Avalanche Center. The purpose of this organization
1128-762: The Royal Asiatic Society of Bombay . He was awarded a number of other gold medals: the Gold Medal of the Société de Géographie in 1923; the Grande Médaille d'or of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland in 1932; and the Gold Medal of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1935. In 1934, he was awarded the Huxley Memorial Medal of Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland . In
1175-555: The French company Pomagalski , the Gulmarg Gondola is one of the highest in the world reaching 3,979 metres. The two-stage ropeway ferries about 600 people per hour between Gulmarg and a shoulder of nearby Apharwat Peak (4,200 metres (13,800 ft)). The first stage transfers from Gulmarg at 2,600 metres (8,500 ft) to Kongdoori at 3,080 metres (10,100 ft). The second stage which has 36 cabins and 18 towers, takes passengers to
1222-755: The Indologist and philologist Rudolf Hoernlé in Vienna at a conference of Orientalists , learning about an ancient mathematical manuscript discovered in Bakhshali ( Peshawar ). In 1887 Stein went to India, where he joined the University of the Punjab as Registrar. Later, between 1888 and 1899, he was the Principal of Oriental College, Lahore . During this time, under his supervision Raghunath Temple Sanskrit Manuscript Library at Jammu
1269-559: The Russians and Germans were already taking interest. He made his famous expeditions with the financial support of Punjab government and the British India government. Stein made four major expeditions to Central Asia —in 1900–1901, 1906–1908, 1913–1916 and 1930. He brought to light the hidden treasure of a great civilization which by then was practically lost to the world. One of his significant finds during his first journey during 1900–1901
1316-690: The collection. Aurel Stein discovered 5 letters written in Sogdian known as the "Ancient Letters" in an abandoned watchtower near Dunhuang in 1907, dating to the end of the Western Jin dynasty. During his expedition of 1906–1908 while surveying south of the Johnson Line in the Kunlun Mountains , Stein suffered frostbite and lost several toes on his right foot. When he was resting from his extended journeys into Central Asia, he spent most of his time living in
1363-626: The festival. Gulmarg has been the shooting location many Bollywood films like Bobby , Aap Ki Kasam , Jab Tak Hai Jaan , Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani , Highway , Phantom , Haider , etc. Aurel Stein Sir Marc Aurel Stein , KCIE , FRAS , FBA ( Hungarian : Stein Márk Aurél ; 26 November 1862 – 26 October 1943) was a Hungarian-born British archaeologist , primarily known for his explorations and archaeological discoveries in Central Asia. He
1410-586: The frustrations and rivalries between British and American interests in China, between Harvard's Fogg Museum and the British Museum, and finally, between Paul J. Sachs and Langdon Warner , the two Harvard sponsors of the expedition. Stein was a lifelong bachelor, but was always accompanied by a dog named "Dash" (of which there were seven). He became a British citizen in 1904. He died in Kabul on 26 October 1943 and
1457-478: The golf courses is located at an altitude of 2,650 metres (8,690 ft) is the world's highest golf course. In 1927, British established a ski club in Gulmarg and two annual ski events were hosted, one during Christmas and Easter. Central Asian explorer Aurel Stein also visited Gulmarg during this period. After the end of British rule in India , Gulmarg became a part of the independent Dogra princely state of Kashmir and Jammu . Pakistan planned an invasion of
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1504-510: The gondola cabins. The gondola swung violently and its seven occupants fell 100 ft (30 m) to the ground; all were killed. Gulmarg Gondola grossed revenue of about ₹ 100 crore in FY 2022-2023. Gulmarg Gulmarg ( Urdu pronunciation: [gʊlməɾɡ] ), known as Gulmarag ( Kashmiri pronunciation: [ɡulmarɨɡ] ; lit. ' meadow of flowers ' )in Kashmiri ,
1551-403: The growth of wild flowers such as daisies, forget-me-nots and buttercups during spring and summer. The meadows are interspersed by enclosed parks and small lakes, and surrounded by forests of green pine and fir. Skiing and other winter sports in Gulmarg are carried out on the slopes of Apharwat peak at a height of 4,267 m (13,999 ft). Many points on Apharwat peak and Khilanmarg offer
1598-585: The place with his queen Habba Khatoon and renamed it 'Gulmarg' ("meadow of flowers"). Wild flowers of 21 different varieties were collected by the Mughal emperor Jahangir for his gardens in Gulmarg. In the 19th century, British civil servants started using Gulmarg as a retreat to escape summers in the Indo-Gangetic plains . Hunting and golfing were their favorite pastime and three golf courses were established in Gulmarg including one exclusively for women. One of
1645-399: The project, between Gulmarg and Kongdori, began its commercial operation. In May 2005, Phase 2 of the project was completed, making it one of the longest and highest ropeways of Asia. The chairlift installed as a part of Phase 3 of the project began its operations in 2011. The National Winter Games were held in Gulmarg in 1998, 2004 and 2008. In 2014, Government of Jammu and Kashmir drafted
1692-530: The state called Operation Gulmarg . One of the routes used by the invading militia of Pathan tribesmen, armed and supported by Pakistani regular troops, passed through the Haji Pir pass and Gulmarg headed towards the state capital Srinagar . Gulmarg fell to the invading army, but the Indian Army, led by the 1st Sikh Regiment , successfully defended the outskirts of Srinagar. Thereafter, Indian counterattacks pushed
1739-471: The time, had received more artefacts and manuscripts but was concerned about the circumstances of their discovery and their authenticity. He recommended that Stein prepare an expedition proposal and submit it to the Governments of Punjab and India. Stein sent a draft proposal to Hoernle within a month. Hoernle discussed it with Lt Governor of Punjab (British India), who expressed enthusiasm. Stein then submitted
1786-404: The town stood at 1,957 while there were only eight females and no children between the ages of 0 and 6 years. Gulmarg had an average literacy rate of 99.24%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes constituted 0.61% and 0.15% of the population respectively. Gulmarg has few permanent residents with most residents being tourists or those involved in the tourism industry. According to CNN , Gulmarg
1833-621: The tribesmen back - many towns, including Gulmarg, were recaptured. In 1948, Indian Army established a ski school in Gulmarg which later became the High Altitude Warfare School . On 1 January 1949, the war ended under UN supervision and a Ceasefire line (CFL), which was rechristened the Line of Control (LOC) by the Shimla Agreement of 1972, was established near Gulmarg. After Indian Independence , Indian planners sought to develop
1880-419: Was also a professor at Indian universities. Stein was also an ethnographer, geographer, linguist and surveyor. His collection of books and manuscripts bought from Dunhuang caves is important for the study of the history of Central Asia and the art and literature of Buddhism . He wrote several volumes on his expeditions and discoveries which include Ancient Khotan , Serindia and Innermost Asia . Stein
1927-829: Was born to Náthán Stein and Anna Hirschler, a Jewish couple residing in Budapest in the Kingdom of Hungary , Austrian Empire . His parents and his sister retained their Jewish faith but Stein and his brother, Ernst Eduard, were baptised as Lutherans . At home the family spoke German and Hungarian , Stein graduated from a secondary school in Budapest before going on for advanced study at Universities of Vienna , Leipzig and Tübingen . He graduated in Sanskrit and Persian and received his PhD from Tübingen in 1883. In 1884, he went to England to study oriental languages and archaeology. In 1886, Stein met
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1974-400: Was completed in a record time of about two years at a cost of 180,000,000 Indian Rupees (i.e. some US$ 4.5 million) and opened on 28 May 2005. The French company had also built the first phase of the gondola project, connecting Gulmarg to Kongdoori, in 1998. The timing of the gondola is 10 AM (IST) to 5 PM (It's highly dependent upon the weather at both stages). A gondola can carry six people at
2021-460: Was developed by Kolahoi Green Heights, a hotel in Gulmarg. Maharani Temple (commonly known as Shiv Temple of Gulmarg) was built by a Hindu ruler Maharaja Hari Singh for his wife Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodia in 1915. This temple was considered as the stately possession of the Dogra kings . The temple is dedicated to Shiva and Parvati . This temple is visible from all corners of Gulmarg. The temple
2068-499: Was established which treasures 5000 rare manuscripts. Stein was influenced by Sven Hedin 's 1898 work Through Asia . In June 1898, he sought the help of Hoernle and a collaboration to find and study Central Asian antiquities. Hoernle was enthusiastic as he had already deciphered the Bower Manuscript and Weber Manuscript by then, found these to be respectively the oldest known birch bark and paper manuscripts of ancient India at
2115-475: Was made an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) by the University of Oxford in 1909. He was made an honorary Doctor of Science (DSc) by the University of Cambridge in 1910. He was made an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) by the University of St Andrews in 1939. In 1919, Stein became a foreign member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences . In 1921, he was elected Fellow of
2162-784: Was the Taklamakan Desert oasis of Dandan Oilik where he was able to uncover a number of relics. During his third expedition in 1913–1916, he excavated at Khara-Khoto . Later he explored in the Pamirs , seeking the site of the now-lost Stone Tower which the 2nd century polymath Claudius Ptolemy had noted as the half-way mark of the Silk Road in his famous treatise Geography . The British Library 's Stein collection of Chinese, Tibetan and Tangut manuscripts, Prakrit wooden tablets, and documents in Khotanese , Uyghur , Sogdian and Eastern Turkic
2209-472: Was to dispense daily avalanche risk bulletins to visitors entering the unmanaged backcountry surrounding the Gulmarg ski area. The center provides avalanche education including a free weekly avalanche awareness talk during the winter season. An annual three-day Gulmarg Winter Festival is held in March. Budding artists in the fields of music, films and photography are given an opportunity to showcase their work during
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