Gulmarg

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Ski-resort Hill Station in Jammu and Kashmir, India

title: "Gulmarg" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["ski-areas-and-resorts-in-india", "hill-stations-in-jammu-and-kashmir", "tourism-in-jammu-and-kashmir", "cities-and-towns-in-baramulla-district"] description: "Ski-resort Hill Station in Jammu and Kashmir, India" topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulmarg" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Ski-resort Hill Station in Jammu and Kashmir, India ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
nameGulmarg
settlement_typeHill Station
image_skyline{{multiple image
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total_width260
perrow2/2/2
image1Flora of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary.jpg
image2Ancient_Temple,_Gulmarg.jpg
image3Gulmarg gondola.JPG
image4Gulmarg-Gondala.JPG
image5Gulmarg - Kashmir 2.jpg
image6Apharwat Peak Gulmarg.jpg
image_captionFrom top left to right: Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharani Temple, Gulmarg Gondola, Gondola station, Gulmarg with Pir Panjal in the background, Apharwat Peak,
pushpin_mapIndia Jammu and Kashmir#India
pushpin_label_positionright
pushpin_map_captionLocation in Jammu & Kashmir, India
coordinates
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameIndia
subdivision_type1Union Territory
subdivision_type2District
subdivision_name1Jammu and Kashmir
subdivision_name2Baramulla
established_title
unit_prefMetric
elevation_m2650
population_total1965
population_as_of2011
demographics_type1Languages
demographics1_title1Official
demographics1_info1Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English
population_density_km2auto
timezone1IST
utc_offset1+5:30
postal_code_typePIN
postal_code193403
website
native_name_langks
::

| name = Gulmarg | settlement_type = Hill Station | image_skyline = {{multiple image | border = infobox | total_width = 260 | image_style = | perrow = 2/2/2 | image1=Flora of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary.jpg | image2=Ancient_Temple,_Gulmarg.jpg | image3= Gulmarg gondola.JPG | image4= Gulmarg-Gondala.JPG | image5= Gulmarg - Kashmir 2.jpg | image6= Apharwat Peak Gulmarg.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = From top left to right: Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharani Temple, Gulmarg Gondola, Gondola station, Gulmarg with Pir Panjal in the background, Apharwat Peak, | nickname = | image_map = | map_alt = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = India Jammu and Kashmir#India | pushpin_label_position = right | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Jammu & Kashmir, India | coordinates = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = India | subdivision_type1 = Union Territory | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name1 = Jammu and Kashmir | subdivision_name2 = Baramulla | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | named_for = | government_type = | governing_body = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = | area_rank = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 2650 | population_total = 1965 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_footnotes = | demographics_type1 = Languages | demographics1_title1 = Official | demographics1_info1 = Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English | population_density_km2 = auto | population_rank = | population_demonym = | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = PIN | postal_code = 193403 | registration_plate = | website = | footnotes = | official_name = | native_name = | native_name_lang = ks Gulmarg (also known as Gulmarag, in Kashmiri) is a hill station and a notified area committee in Baramulla district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located in the Indian administered Kashmir, close to the Line of Control that serves as the de facto border between India and Pakistan. It is in the Pir Panjal Range in the Western Himalayas within the boundaries of the Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary. Gulmarg is situated at an altitude of 2650 m, and is a popular tourist and skiing destination in the Kashmir Valley.

Known as Gaurimarg (meaning "path of goddess Gauri") to the locals, it was renamed as Gulmarg by Yousuf Shah Chak, who ruled Kashmir from 1579 to 1586. The place served as a summer and recreational retreat during the Mughal rule in the 17th century, and British Raj in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Gulmarg ski club was established in 1927. After the end of the British rule in the Indian subcontinent, it became part of the princely state of Kashmir and Jammu, which later acceded to India in October 1947. It was briefly captured by Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948, before being retaken by the Indian Army.

In 1948, the Indian Army established the High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg. In the 1960s, the Indian government promoted it as a tourist and winter sports destination. In the 1990s, the area was affected by insurgency, which impacted tourism, before its recovery in the 21st century. Gulmarg Gondola, which was constructed in multiple phases since the late 1990s, is a multi-stage ropeway that ferries people between Gulmarg and a shoulder of the nearby Apharwat Peak. Gulmarg has hosted the National Winter Games three times.

History

Historically, the place was known to locals as Gaurimarg ("path of goddess Gauri"). Yousuf Shah Chak, who ruled Kashmir from 1579 to 1586, renamed it Gulmarg ("meadow of flowers"). During the Mughal rule, emperor Jahangir used to visit the place, and collected different varieties of wild flowering plants for his gardens. In the 19th century, during the British Raj, civil servants used the place as a summer and recreational retreat. They indulged in hunting wildlife and golfing, and three golf courses were established in Gulmarg. In 1927, the British established a ski club in Gulmarg and hosted two annual skiing events, during Christmas and Easter. Archeologist Marc Aurel Stein explored Gulmarg during the late 19th century.

After the end of British rule in the Indian subcontinent, Gulmarg became part of the independent princely state of Kashmir and Jammu, ruled by the Dogra king Hari Singh. Singh signed the instrument of accession and acceded to India in October 1947. Gulmarg was briefly captured by Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948, as a part of Operation Gulmarg. The invading militia, consisting of Pathan tribesmen supported by the Pakistani army, passed through the Haji Pir pass towards Gulmarg and Srinagar. The Indian Army, led by the 1st Sikh Regiment, defended the outskirts of Srinagar. The Indian counterattacks led to the re-capture of Gulmarg and the surrounding areas. In 1948, the Indian Army established the High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg. On 1 January 1949, the Indo-Pakistan war ended under the supervision of the United Nations, and the Line of Control (named as per the Shimla Agreement of 1972), which became the de facto boundary between India and Pakistan, was established closer to the region.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Gulmarg_in_1969.jpg" caption="Gulmarg in 1969"] ::

After Indian Independence, the Government of India sought to develop Gulmarg as a winter sports and tourist destination. In 1960, alpine skier Rudolph Matt, who came at the invitation of the government, determined that Gulmarg was a suitable location for winter sports. In 1968, the Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering was established in Gulmarg to train skiers. The government invested in developing skiing facilities in Gulmarg. In the mid-1980s, heli-skiing was introduced in Gulmarg. In the 1990s, the rise of insurgency in Kashmir affected tourism in Gulmarg. The industry started to recover in late 1990s, and early 2000s. The Gulmarg Gondola was opened in various stages from 1998 to 2011. In 2014, Government of Jammu and Kashmir drafted a master plan, to be implemented by 2032, for sustainable development in Gumarg.

Geography and geology

Gulmarg lies in a cup-shaped valley in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, at an altitude of, 2650 m. It is located about 56 km from Srinagar, in Baramulla district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The soil in Gulmarg comprises glacial deposits, lacustrine deposits, and moraines from Pleistocene epoch covering shales, limestones, sandstones, schists and other varieties of rocks. The natural meadows of Gulmarg, which are covered with snow in winter, allow the growth of wild flowers such as daisies, forget-me-nots and buttercups during the spring and summer. The meadows are interspersed by parks and small lakes, and are surrounded by forests of pine and fir trees. Apharwat Peak, rising to 4267 m, overlooks Gulmarg, and offers a view of Nanga Parbat and Harmukh peaks.

Climate

Due to its high elevation, Gulmarg has a warm-summer humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb) and a wet winter season with heavy snowfall. Summers are moderate in temperature and length, with relatively cool shoulder seasons.

| location = Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir (1991–2020, extremes 1907–2020) | single line = Y | metric first = Y | Jan high C =0.7 | Feb high C =1.8 | Mar high C =5.4 | Apr high C =10.4 | May high C =15.6 | Jun high C =19.3 | Jul high C =21.1 | Aug high C =20.5 | Sep high C =18.5 | Oct high C =14.2 | Nov high C = 9.0 | Dec high C = 4.6 | year high C =11.9 | Jan low C =-7.7 | Feb low C =-6.4 | Mar low C =-2.7 | Apr low C =1.9 | May low C =6.1 | Jun low C =9.4 | Jul low C =12.0 | Aug low C =11.7 | Sep low C =8.6 | Oct low C =3.8 | Nov low C =-0.6 | Dec low C =-4.8 | year low C =2.8 | Jan mean C =-3.5 | Feb mean C =-2.3 | Mar mean C =1.4 | Apr mean C =6.2 | May mean C =10.9 | Jun mean C =14.4 | Jul mean C =16.6 | Aug mean C =16.1 | Sep mean C =13.6 | Oct mean C =9.0 | Nov mean C =4.2 | Dec mean C =-0.1 | year mean C =7.4 | Jan avg record high C = 6.1 | Feb avg record high C = 7.1 | Mar avg record high C = 11.8 | Apr avg record high C = 18.0 | May avg record high C = 21.3 | Jun avg record high C = 24.7 | Jul avg record high C = 25.5 | Aug avg record high C = 24.2 | Sep avg record high C = 22.5 | Oct avg record high C = 19.4 | Nov avg record high C = 14.5 | Dec avg record high C = 9.8 | year avg record high C = 26.3 | Jan avg record low C = -12.4 | Feb avg record low C = -11.1 | Mar avg record low C = -8.4 | Apr avg record low C = -3.4 | May avg record low C = 1.2 | Jun avg record low C = 4.8 | Jul avg record low C = 7.9 | Aug avg record low C = 7.8 | Sep avg record low C = 4.7 | Oct avg record low C = -0.4 | Nov avg record low C = -5.0 | Dec avg record low C = -8.7 | year avg record low C = -12.8 |rain colour = green | Jan rain mm =161.3 | Feb rain mm =207.5 | Mar rain mm =215.6 | Apr rain mm =166.2 | May rain mm =139.3 | Jun rain mm =101.6 | Jul rain mm =101.7 | Aug rain mm =101.0 | Sep rain mm =75.9 | Oct rain mm =47.7 | Nov rain mm =57.2 | Dec rain mm =74.1 | year rain mm = 1449.2 | unit rain days = | Jan rain days = 8.6 | Feb rain days = 10.2 | Mar rain days = 11.5 | Apr rain days = 11.4 | May rain days = 10.1 | Jun rain days = 8.9 | Jul rain days = 8.3 | Aug rain days = 8.2 | Sep rain days = 5.8 | Oct rain days = 3.7 | Nov rain days = 3.7 | Dec rain days = 4.7 | year rain days = 95.3 | Jan record high C =11.5 | Feb record high C =11.4 | Mar record high C =18.0 | Apr record high C =23.6 | May record high C =28.0 | Jun record high C =29.4 | Jul record high C =31.2 | Aug record high C =27.0 | Sep record high C =26.0 | Oct record high C =23.4 | Nov record high C = 20.0 | Dec record high C = 15.8 | year record high C =31.2 | Jan record low C =-27.2 | Feb record low C =-31.6 | Mar record low C =-14.8 | Apr record low C =-8.7 | May record low C =-3.2 | Jun record low C = -3.9 | Jul record low C =2.8 | Aug record low C =2.7 | Sep record low C =-2.8 | Oct record low C =-6.5 | Nov record low C = -13.4 | Dec record low C = -24.3 | year record low C =-31.6 |time day = 17:30 IST | Jan humidity = 76 | Feb humidity = 77 | Mar humidity = 72 | Apr humidity = 66 | May humidity = 65 | Jun humidity = 64 | Jul humidity = 73 | Aug humidity = 74 | Sep humidity = 66 | Oct humidity = 59 | Nov humidity = 60 | Dec humidity = 67 | year humidity = 68 |source 1 = India Meteorological Department{{cite web | url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf | title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020 | work = India Meteorological Department | access-date = 7 April 2024 | archive-date = 10 November 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241110020508/https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf | url-status = live | url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf | title = Extremes of Temperature and Rainfall for Indian Stations (up to 2012) | work = India Meteorological Department | access-date = 7 April 2024 | archive-date = 5 February 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf | url-status = live

Demographics

|title=Religions in Gulmarg (2011) |titlebar=#Fcd116 |left1=Religion |right1=Percent |float=right |bars=

As per the 2011 census, Gulmarg had a population of 1,965 across 77 households. There were 1,957 males and eight females with no children below the age of six years. The average literacy rate was 99.24%. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes constituted 0.61% and 0.15% of the population respectively. The town has few permanent residents with most residents being tourists and those associated with the seasonal tourism industry.

Culture and religion

Hinduism was the major religion with 86.6% adherents, followed by Islam with 12.4% adherents. Minor population of Christians and Sikhs are also present in the town.

| align = right | total_width = 300 | image1 = Ancient Temple Gulmarg.jpg | caption1 = Maharani Temple | image2 = St. Mary's Church, Gulmarg.jpg | caption2 = St Mary's Church |}}

Maharani Temple (also known as Shiv Temple) was built by Maharaja Hari Singh for his wife Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodia in 1915. The temple is dedicated to Hindu god Shiva and his consort Parvati. St Mary's Church is located in the valley of shepherds in Gulmarg. It was built in 1902, with outer walls made of grey bricks, a green roof and decorated wooden interior walls. In 1920, the church served as the location of the wedding of the brother of British cartoonist Bruce Bairnsfather. It was closed for years before being renovated and reopened in 2003, holding its first Christmas service there after 14 years.

An annual three-day Gulmarg Winter Festival is held in March. Artists from the fields of music, film and photography showcase their work during the festival.

Transportation

Gulmarg is accessible from Srinagar by road via Tangmarg. The road includes a 12 km uphill segment that passes through forests of pine and fir. The nearest railhead is at Baramulla, about 53 km from Gulmarg. The nearest major airport is the Srinagar International Airport at Srinagar, about 53 km from the town.

Sports and recreation

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Gulmarg_Gondola,_Cable_Car.JPG" caption="Downhill view from [[Gulmarg Gondola"] ::

Gulmarg is one of the popular destinations for winter games in India. It hosted the National Winter Games in 1998, 2004 and 2008. The first-ever Khelo India Winter Games was held in March 2020 at Gulmarg. CNN mentioned Gulmarg as the "heartland of winter sports in India" and rated it amongst the top ten ski destinations in Asia.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/K-Line_Adventures_Gulmarg_Terrain_Map_Alpine_Zone_v2.png" caption="Ski resort terrain map"] ::

Skiing, tobogganing, snowboarding and heli-skiing take place on the slopes of Mount Apharwat, which is reachable by a Gondola lift. Built by the French company Pomagalski, the Gulmarg Gondola is the second-highest in the world. The two-stage, five-kilometer ropeway project between Gulmarg and Apharwat was commissioned by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in 1987. Construction was halted in 1990 due to security concerns, then resumed in 1998. The first phase connects Gulmarg with Kongdori at 8530 ft and began operations in May 1998. In May 2005, the second phase connecting Kongdori with a shoulder on Apharwat peak at 13500 ft was completed in 2011. A 3.2 km-long chair lift system connects Kongdoori with Mary's shoulder, which is used for taking skiers to higher altitudes in the winter.

In February 2022, the world's largest igloo cafe, measuring 37.5 ft high and 44.5 ft in diameter, opened in Gulmarg. In February 2023, a glass igloo restaurant was built in Gulmarg.

In popular culture

Gulmarg is a popular location for film shooting, and various Bollywood films have been shot here.

Notes

References

References

  1. (27 September 2020). "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020". [[The Gazette of India]].
  2. (23 September 2020). "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020". [[Rising Kashmir]].
  3. (1968–1980). "Kashir Dictionary". Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Arts Culture and Languages.
  4. Plumbe, Wilfred John. (1990). "The Golden Pagoda Tree: Adventures in Southeast Asia". Grey Seal.
  5. (14 January 2019). "A Family Ski Adventure in the Himalayas". [[The New York Times]].
  6. Gopal, Madan. (1990). "through the ages". Publication Division, [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India).
  7. "Compliance report of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary: A Biodiversity Hotspot". [[Government of Jammu and Kashmir]].
  8. Chaturvedi, B.K.. (2002). "Tourist Centers Of India". Diamond Pocket Books.
  9. "About Gulmarg". [[Government of Jammu and Kashmir]].
  10. (1 July 2014). "Kashmir: Jammu. Kashmir Valley. Ladakh. Zanskar". Bradt Travel Guides.
  11. Mitra, Swati. (2013). "Jammu & Kashmir: Travel Guide". Eicher Goodearth Limited.
  12. "Gulmarg - Kashmir - India". Canadian Ski Year Book 1934.
  13. "Gulmarg". Jammu and Kashmir Tourism.
  14. Anand, Adarsh Sein. (2007). "The Constitution of Jammu & Kashmir: Its Development & Comments". Universal Law Publishing Company.
  15. Krishna, Ashok. (1998). "India's Armed Forces: Fifty Years of War and Peace". Lancer Publishers.
  16. Sarkar, Bhaskar. (1 November 2014). "Defence of Srinagar 1947".
  17. Prasad, Shankar. (2005). "The Gallant Dogras: An Illustrated History of the Dogra Regiment". Lancer Publishers.
  18. Pandit, Rajat. (1 May 2004). "High-altitude warfare school takes global aim". [[The Times of India]].
  19. Karim, Afsir. (1991). "Counter Terrorism, the Pakistan Factor". Lancer Publishers.
  20. Rafiq, Zahid. (26 February 2009). "Ski respite for war weary Kashmiris". [[BBC News]].
  21. Seth, Pran Nath. (1 January 2006). "Successful Tourism: Volume I: Fundamentals of Tourism". Sterling Publishers.
  22. (17 March 2025). "At ₹100 crore, Gulmarg Gondola's revenue collections soar to a new high". [[The Hindustan Times]].
  23. Wally Koval. (20 October 2020). "[[Accidentally Wes Anderson]]". Voracious.
  24. (30 May 2014). "SAC approves Phase-I of Gulmarg Master Plan-2032".
  25. Vaidya, Balkrishna C.. (1 January 2003). "Geography of Transport Development in India". Concept Publishing Company.
  26. "Gulmarg population". Census India 2011.
  27. "Gulmarg Population Census 2011". Census Commission of India.
  28. (6 June 2024). "Fire destroys Gulmarg Shiva temple with Kashmir's royal links". [[The Times of India]].
  29. (6 June 2024). "Fire damages Gulmarg's century-old Shiv temple". [[The Indian Express]].
  30. (November 2025). "Maharani Temple Gulmarg Kashmir". Discover India.
  31. (6 June 2024). "Fire destroys 109-yr-old Shiva temple in Kashmir Valley". [[The Times of India]].
  32. (5 June 2024). "Gulmarg's 'Jai Jai Shiv Shankar' song famed temple destroyed in fire".
  33. "St. Mary's Church". Buzzntravel.
  34. "St Mary Church - Gulmarg". Kashmir Hills.
  35. (17 September 1920). "Wedding at Gulmarg - Bruce Bairnsfather's Brother". The Pioneer Mail.
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  38. (29 February 2012). "Music, adventure at Gulmarg Winter Festival". [[Deccan Herald]].
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  42. (25 November 2010). "Gulmarg among 7 top ski resorts in Asia: CNN Int'l". Greater Kashmir.
  43. (3 April 2025). "J&K Cable car corporation launched joy ride at Gulmarg resort". United News India.
  44. (7 February 2022). "'World's largest' Igloo Cafe in Gulmarg can seat 40 guests. Details here". [[India Today]].
  45. (6 February 2022). "'Largest' igloo café comes up in Gulmarg, can seat 40 guests". [[The Indian Express]].
  46. "India's first glass igloo restaurant in J-K's Gulmarg". [[The Economic Times]].
  47. (February 2023). "In Pics: India's first glass igloo restaurant in Kashmir's Gulmarg". Live Mint.
  48. (26 December 2013). "Holiday, the Bollywood way". [[The Hindu]].
  49. (6 June 2013). "This is cheating! The Manali in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is actually Gulmarg, fumes Omar". [[India Today]].
  50. "Shah Rukh ek kamre mein band in Kashmir". [[NDTV]].
  51. "Movies Filmed in Kashmir". Jammu and Kashmir Tourism.

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ski-areas-and-resorts-in-indiahill-stations-in-jammu-and-kashmirtourism-in-jammu-and-kashmircities-and-towns-in-baramulla-district