Sonamarg: The Meadow of Gold

Sonamarg, which means ‘meadow of gold’, is a place of enthralling beauty. Legend has it that a well in the vale has been bestowed with water which is further bestowed by mystical qualities of turning everything into gold. Sonamarg derives its name from it. Sona means gold and marg is meadow. The blooming valley has been chiseled over the ages by the mighty River Sindh that has turned it into Nature’s masterpiece. The place is abundant with luminous forests of sycamore and alpine flowers, silver birch, fir and pine.

The Golden Meadow is at an altitude of 2740 meters and is connected by road to Srinagar, at a distance of 87 kms. The drive to Sonamarg, through the Sindh Valley, is spectacular. The snake like metallic road twists and turns through massive mountains laden with forests and firs. After a breath-taking journey of 27 kms from Srinagar, one goes over river Sindh at Wayil. Onwards, the valley opens up to a meadow. Kangan and Gund are two important halts en route. The mountain range here is Harmukh and serves as the ideal foreground to all pervasive backdrop of sapphire Himalayan sky. Before entering proper Sonamarg, the road turns into a slant.

In sharp and joyous contrast to the green meadowland, Sonamarg has a string of shimmering waterfalls and the majestic Thajiwas glacier. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier- a major attraction during the summer months. Sonamarg is known as ‘The Gateway to Ladakh’ as it is the last halt on the Kashmir side for the drive from Srinagar to Leh. It is also the starting point of major trek passing several mountain lakes- Vishensar, Kishensar, Gadsar, Satsar and Gangabal. One trek leads the way to Amarnath cave via Baltal.

With its backdrop of snowy mountains against a blue sky, Sonamarg is a sheer scenic splendor.