When Fog Meets Forest: Winter Photography from Kashmir

I live in a village in the Kashmir Valley, and at every nook and corner we have health resorts, which is what makes our valley so special. It is often called the Switzerland of Asia, and no doubt it is even more beautiful than Switzerland itself. Whenever we get some time off from our routine work, we usually head towards these places to relax and detox.

My friends and I rarely get time together because we are all busy with our respective jobs. That is what makes our get-togethers so special—they are quite sporadic and we do not meet very often. Today, however, it was an off day from the office for all of us. Some of us are in government jobs, some in private jobs, and one of our friends runs a shop in the village market. Whenever we meet, we plan trips to the health resorts around our village.

Very close to our village are Nilnag, the Blue Water Lake, and Yousmarg, the Meadows of Jesus. It usually depends on how early we plan the trip. If it is early in the day, we move towards Yousmarg, and if it is late, we usually go to Nilnag, which is located about 7 km from our village. Today, we followed the same pattern. We met at the congregational prayers and then decided to leave. I went back home, took my car, picked up my friends from the market, and we headed towards the place.

We bought all the necessary items for the visit because snacks are very important and special for us whenever we go out. I knew it was going to be a fantastic time together, as we all love long drives and music. The music I play in my car is something special, and being together again made the moment even more meaningful, especially since we have been together since childhood.

When we reached the place, it was time to take photographs so that I could share them later. The atmosphere was not very clear, but the fog made the place extremely attractive. I love this vibe because I enjoy the winter season. The persistent fog mixed with the forest gives a very different look, which attracts me even more. The view is not only beautiful but also a bit scary, as it reminds us of horror scenes from movies we have watched over time. Still, now that we are grown-ups, we do not care much about such fears and instead enjoy being in such surroundings.

Personally, I was not there just for my friends or the snacks we prepared, but also with the intention of capturing photographs that would become part of my journey. I am fond of photography, and although I do not have a high-resolution camera, I still try to capture moments, scenes, and landscapes through my mobile phone. I hope to buy a camera someday and make full use of it—not only because I love photography, but also because we live in a picturesque valley with so much serenity all around. These places not only offer a perfect escape but also provide beauty that deserves to be captured and shared with people around the world through different platforms.

Here, I have tried a little to show you how my surroundings look during the winter season.
Thank you