The Kargil – an enticing resort in beautiful Kargil
Parvez Ahmad Bagh, The Kargil Hotel (phote: Maeeshat)
By Danish Reyaz for Maeeshat,
Kargil is synonymous to Kashmir. If some people are discussing about Kashmir but not talking about Kargil then they are surely missing something – something big and beautiful. Most remember Kargil only for the India-Pakistan war of 1999. They just know that a war was fought between the two neighbours in the Kargil hills that distressed the entire sub-continent. Some others also remember Kargil for the Coffin Scam that took place during the then BJP-led NDA government and finished the political career of the then Defence Minister George Fernandes. But much beyond the war and scam, Kargil is known to tourists and Kashmiris for its fascinating natural beauty. And The Kargil hotel, built on the ashes of a hotel destroyed during the 1999 war, has everything to lure the tourists to stay more in the lap of the Nature.
Parvez Ahmad Bagh, Tourism Director at The Kargil Hotel (phote: Maeeshat)
There is such a splendid beauty in Kargil that sightseers who plan for a few days often stay here for longer and sometimes for months when they visit The Kargil hotel. Parvez Ahmad Bagh, a civil engineer by qualification, is owner of the hotel. While talking toMaeeshat he said, “We have recently opened this hotel. This is not a three, four or a five star hotel but we have tried to keep it naturally attractive and luxurious at par.
Parvez recalls how he and his two younger brothers visited the place and decided to set up a hotel here.
“We are three brothers — I am the eldest, younger to me is Zaheer Ahmad Bagh who is associated with India Today magazine in New Delhi and the youngest is Advocate Khalid Mohammed Bagh. Three of us decided to try our luck in hotel industry and planned to establish a beautiful hotel at a peaceful location where tourists can enjoy the five star amenities,” he said.
Looking at the majestic electric chandeliers of The Kargil hotel, he recalls: “Prior to the 1999 war, there used to be a hotel at this place but it was shut down permanently due to the war. A few years back, we found the building in very dilapidated condition. We chose this place and after 2013 we began big renovation works here and with four years of continuous hard work we were able to convert it into an incredibly beautiful hotel.”
Danish Reyaz at entrance gate of The Kargil Hotel (Photo: Maeeshat)
Parvez says, “We serve all verities of food as our chefs are trained in multiple cuisines. So, the tourists can order food of their choice, we know how to serve them the best.”
The hotel has spacious rooms, beautiful balconies, stunning dining hall and a well-decorated reception room.
The room charges vary from Rs 5,500 to Rs 11,800 Rupees. “We have set suite prices at Rs 11,800 whereas the lowest range is Rs 5,500 that includes breakfast and food. We also offer 25 to 40 per cent discounts as per the climate. And if some party gives big orders then we provide much more facilities,” Parvez told Maeeshat.
He says Kargil is more beautiful than other parts of Kashmir. “It is the best suitable place for skating and that’s why people from across the globe visit the place. Here, there is no terror attacks or arm conflicts. Here you won’t find even soldiers on the streets. Hence people choose Kargil if they want to enjoy nature’s beauty in Kashmir. However, the tragedy is that a few media outlets have defamed Kargil as a war zone and because of this, people hesitate to come here,” said Parvez.
Talking about the lesser number of visitors in the current season, Parvez says, “The tour season is closing at a fast pace but unlike earlier years, the number of tourists has marginally fell down although we have made all kinds of arrangements. Now we only wish that old days return when there used to be a huge number of tourists in Kargil.”