Gulmarg has been a resort for the kings like Yousuf Shah Chak and Jahangir who used to visit frequently. The old name of Gulmarg was “Gaurimarg”, the name of Lord Shiva’s wife. Yousuf Shah Chak changed its name to Gulmarg, meaning the place of roses. During the early part of the 20th century the famous Central Asian explorer Sir Marc Aurel Stein (1862 – 1943), made his home here in a tent between his expeditions. It was a favourite summer holiday destination for the British stationed in India.

The surrounding areas were politically restive during the 1990s uprising in Kashmir, but since a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in 2003, the town has enjoyed a period of relative peace and quiet. The town is nestled within the imposing Himalayan peaks, and lies within miles of the Line of Control. It receives heavy snowfall during the winter season and is a popular ski resort.[3].

With the abatement of militancy in the area, Gulmarg has quickly become one of the state’s most visited destinations. The slopes of the Afarwat Hills of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalaya Chain boast one of the longest and highest ski slopes in Asia. The total distance covered by ski lifts is five kilometres and the resort peaks at an altitude of 3,950 m (12,959 ft), accessed by an aerial gondola (telecabine). The skiing project was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on 25 December, 2004. The entire hill is guarded by the army at all times. The army, which is seen everywhere in the cities of Kashmir, is not in the town or the actual hilltop. Frisking is only done midway on the access road at 3 places: Tangmarg, near an army camp on the road from Tangmarg, and 5 km before entering Gulmarg. Gulmarg does not have any permanent residents. All living in Gulmarg are hotel employees and guests. Everyone else is required to leave the village by sunset, due to a curfew imposed by the army in 1990.
www.kashmirtravels.com

The High Altitude Research Laboratory was established at Gulmarg, Kashmir in 1963, on the initiative of Dr. H. J. Bhabha, to provide the scientific community of the country a self contained high altitude / high latitude laboratory for scientific research. Over the years a range of scientific investigations in the field of ionospheric studies, cosmic ray astrophysics, radio astronomy, geomagnetism, atmospheric neutron monitoring, high altitude flora and fauna etc. have been conducted from this laboratory.

The Bhabha Atomic Research Center’s Astrophysical Sciences Division operates three outstation facilities at Mt. Abu, Srinagar and Gulmarg. The activities at the Mumbai and Mt. Abu laboratories are centred around high-energy Gamma Ray Astronomy, Theoretical Astrophysics and Instrumentation Development, while a low energy Neutron Monitor is operated at the High Altitude Research Laboratory, Gulmarg. Locally relevant Radiation Application studies and Instrumentation Development activities are being pursued in the Srinagar laboratory.

Amongst the work that has been undertaken at Gulmarg HARL is:

Gamma-ray astronomy activities -> SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nearby airports:

Nearby Cities and Towns
West North East South
Odur (6.9 nm)
Krar (8.1 nm) Tangmarg (2.7 nm) Alpathar (4.6 nm)
Pahal Gagman (3.5 nm)
Mohandaor (3.8 nm)

Latitude    34.0500    Longitude    74.3833    Altitude (feet)    8825  ¼br> Lat (DMS)    34° 2′ 60N    Long (DMS)    74° 22′ 60E    Altitude (meters)    2689
Time zone (est)    UTC+5:30
Approximate population for 7 km radius from this point: 12213

The journey to Gulmarg is half the enchantment of reaching there– roads bordered by rigid avenues of poplar give over to flat expanses of rice fields interspersed with picturesque villages. Depending on the season, nature’s colours could be the translucent green of spring, summer’s rich emerald, or autumn’s golden hues, when scarlet chillies festoon windows of village homes. After Tangmarg, the climb to Gulmarg begins through fir-covered hillsides. At one point, known simply as View Point, travellers generally stop their vehicles for a few minutes and look out a spectacle of snow-covered mountains, almost within touching distance.

The Meadow Of Flowers
A huge cup shaped meadow, lush and green with slopes where the silence is broken only by the tinkle of cowbells, Gulmarg looks like a fantasy set in a film and not surprisingly have been the venue of several films.

The valley of Gulmarg, a large meadow about 3-sq-kms in area, stands at 2,730 metres, 56-km south west of Srinagar . The name means ‘Meadow Of Flowers’ and in the spring it’s just that, a rolling meadow dotted with countless colourful Bluebells, Daisies, Forget Me Not’s and Buttercups. The valley itself is about 3-km long and up to a km wide.

Take a Hike!
All around are snow-capped mountains, and on a clear day one can see all the way to Nanga Parbat is one direction and Srinagar is another. It’s a popular day trip from Srinagar to Gulmarg, although many people extend their stay or use it as a base for trekking. The road from Srinagar rises gently towards the lower slopes of the range, passing through rice and maize fields.