It is a golden autumn in the 'paradise on earth'. With tourists coming back to the valley since early spring, Kashmir and its people are brimming with joy.
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Strife-torn Kashmir has transformed into a tourism hotspot with the highest number of tourists in 25 years.
Around 11 lakh tourists have visited the valley till September.
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For a state crippled by terrorism and militancy, the revival of tourism raises the aspirations for thousands of people. The civilian unrest had taken a toll on this tourist haven.
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Ghulam Hassan Bhat, a Shikara owner, in the world famous Dal Lake has been rowing his boat from spring to autumn, yet he shows no signs of tiredness.
His smile tells a story of satisfaction and a handsome earning after a long drought of tourist inflow.
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The civilian unrest claimed 112 lives last year, throwing the economy out of gear.
It was a debilitating blow to the valley's tourism sector though the year had begun on a good note.
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"We suffered terribly last year, but thank God, the tourists have returned to the Valley. I was like a beggar as the situation deteriorated last year. We solely depend on tourism inflow," Bhat said.
"Let bygones be bygones," he says with a spark in his eyes.
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"It is futile to ruminate the past. A great future seems to be unfolding so let us focus on that. I have had a good season after a long almost dry run and I am hoping the future will be brighter."
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The tourist destinations were abuzz with activity since early March making everyone dependent on tourism - Shikara owners, house boat owners and hoteliers – optimistic on future prospects.
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As the Chinars are turning crimson red and the sun is mellowing down with morning and evening air giving a nip, the flow of tourists is pegged at the same level as it was in spring and summer.
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"Given the current momentum, flow of tourists would remain at this level even during winter when the valley would be clad in a snow blanket. We had a great season and houseboats and hotels did brisk business," said Abdul Qayoom, a houseboat owner.
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Kashmir's winter tourism has been picking up over the past few years.
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"With Gulmarg as its hub, hopefully the numbers will go up this year pumping in more earnings into the tourism sector which is a cardinal pillar of state's economy," Qayoom hopes.
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Autumn sees the transformation of the valley into a mini-Bengal as hordes of tourists from West Bengal would descend on the valley.
Bengali tourists are all over the place as it used to be during the pre-1990 period.
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"Our efforts bore fruit and my hope is more tourists will visit the Valley in coming days. We have fully revived the industry which provides direct employment to nearly 18 percent of the Kashmir's population," Farooq Ahmad Shah, Tourism Director said.
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Shah said "Kashmir has a good tourism potential which needs to be exploited".
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