Hello, dear friends! I hope you’re all doing well and enjoying every moment of your day. May you be blessed with good health, abundant wealth, and continued prosperity. Today, I’d like to revisit a beautiful memory from last year—a cricket match we played in Ganderbal, one of the most stunning districts in the Kashmir Valley.
It all started with a pre-planned trip where I had arranged with my friends to pick me up from Srinagar after attending an important session at my training institute. The class was essential as it covered crucial financial rules applicable to our state. Although I was caught up in a busy training schedule, I managed to get a day’s leave, which allowed me to be part of this wonderful journey.
Our destination, Ganderbal, lies to the northeast of Srinagar city. As my friends set off from our hometown and neared Srinagar, they picked me up in a tightly packed car—there was barely any space left, but leaving any teammate behind was out of the question. We played old Bollywood melodies during the ride, and the scenic surroundings perfectly complemented the soulful tunes. The combination of music and nature made the journey memorable.
This was my first visit to Ganderbal, and I must admit, it transformed my earlier rankings of the most beautiful districts in the valley. Until that moment, I considered Anantnag to be the most captivating, followed by places like Shopian and Kupwara. However, entering Ganderbal for the first time changed that perception entirely. The district’s landscape, with expansive flat plains nestled amidst towering mountains, left me completely awestruck.
One of the most enchanting features was the topographically uniform paddy fields spread like a golden carpet. The whole environment was so calming and vivid that I forgot everything else and simply soaked in the beauty. Ganderbal is also home to major tourist attractions, most notably Sonmarg—popularly known as the Valley of Gold—which draws visitors not just from across India but from different parts of the world. It also serves as a gateway to Ladakh, as the national highway leading to the region passes through this very district.
The tournament we had come for was hosted in Kangan, a part of Ganderbal situated along the famous Sindh River. The event had been organized by the owners of Snow Land Hotel, and we were fortunate to be included, thanks to friends working with the hotel group. When we arrived at the ground, my attention drifted away from the pitch toward the stunning natural surroundings. The flowing milky waters of the Sindh River, the towering pine-covered hills, and the lush green outfield made me feel like I had walked into a painting.
Although I wasn’t part of the playing eleven, I took the opportunity to explore the riverside along with some teammates. We captured photos, shared laughter, and enjoyed moments we knew we would look back on fondly. The serenity of that place had a profound impact on me. Even now, I feel drawn to return—perhaps when we head out to Sonmarg again in the coming months, we’ll stop by this very spot to relive those memories.
Spending time in untouched natural settings has always been close to my heart, and this visit was one of those rare occasions when I truly felt at peace. The absence of human noise, the soothing sound of rushing water, and the undisturbed environment made it my most cherished outing of the year. I’ve always been an advocate for preserving nature, and places like this only deepen my commitment.
Unfortunately, our team lost the match by a narrow margin of 10 runs. Since I wasn’t playing, I didn’t feel the sting of defeat too deeply. Instead, I was content just being there, soaking in the landscape and enjoying the time with my friends. After the match, we returned via Srinagar city and stopped for dinner at Sanat Nagar—a perfect ending to an eventful day.
Spending time with friends and fellow cricket lovers in such a breathtaking place was a gift I’ll always treasure. Thanks for reading along. Wishing you all a joyful and peaceful day ahead!