Inside Kashmir, India | Talking With Locals in Srinagar

Part 2 of my tour of Srinagar, Kashmir, the summer capital of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in northern India near the border of Pakistan. You can watch Part 1 here: • A Tour of SRINAGAR, IN...
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Gabriel is a world traveler and travel writer who has been adventuring around the world since his first trip to Europe in the summer of 1990 when he was 18 years old. He is author of "Gabe's Guide to Budget Travel", "Following My Thumb" and several other books available on Amazon.com and elsewhere.
Thanks a lot for watching and safe journeys!

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

A few things: 1. Regarding the language, I asked a local about it who said that the closest language to the Kashmiri language is Afghani. There are more than forty distinct languages in Afghanistan, but the most common one is Dari Persian, similar to the language of Iran. So the Kashmiri language has similarities with Persian but also uses words from many other languages of the region. 2. Pardon the bad camera work while talking with the young guys in the mosque at the beginning. I had just started filming with my phone when one of them approached me, and I didn't want to be obvious about pointing the camera directly at them. 3. At 10:40 in the video I mentioned that I'd had a conversation with a woman in a hijab. However a hijab only covers a woman's head but not their face. The woman I was referring to was actually wearing a burka, which covers the entire head, face and eyes.

[@dee74raz]

Let me put it this way. Kashmiri is an Indo Aryan language like Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Sinhala, etc... If Hindi had a twin, it would be Urdu. If it had a far distance cousin, it would be Kashmiri. Kashmiri is not related to Persian in terms of being the same family. Yes Kashmiri has many Persian loanwords, but this was due to the Muslims ruling the land, who imposed Persian as the official language. Just like English has lots of French loanwords, because of the Norman invasion, but English as you may know is not part of the Romance family, which French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian are. English is part of the Germanic family.

[@samip3124]

​@@dee74razKashmiri language is mixture of Sanskrit, Persian and Arabic because of different rules.

[@dee74raz]

@@samip3124 At the end of it Kashmiri language grammar is of Indo-Aryan (Indic) origin which has loanwords from Persian and Arabic. English grammar is of Germanic origin, but it has loanwords from French, which is a Romance language. You can argue and say English is a mixture of German and French. Not necessarily correct, but in terms of loanwords, yes English has many from French and its grammar is of Germanic foundation.

[@samip3124]

@@dee74raz yes Kashmiri is Indo aryan language i think north Indians can understand Kashmiri 50% very easily by the phenotics if they know Sanskrit very well.

[@maxpayne6872]

What was the complete conversation between you and that burqa lady ??

[@JaKi052]

Very telling that the 2 guys "encouraging" Gabe to take to Islam are so young.... Interesting comparison between mosque and temple atmosphere... stern, desolate and pensive compared to throngs of people, smiles, women being themselves... interesting series Gabe.

[@parulsinha3092]

And the difference in Gabe himself was rather obvious 😄

[@destroyerofdeath8264]

Sri nagar is the land of my ancestors. My surname is "Butt" as in "Butt's boathouse". Did you you know srinagar was the centre of mahayana buddhism. Tibetans used to travel to srinagar to study sanskrit buddhism. The foundations of the Jami mosque were once the foundations of a buddhist monastery where mahasidda Naropa was the Abbott. I have never been to kashmir, my homeland.

[@kc4276]

I mean no offence, but if that’s your ‘memory’ of Srinagar (in a manner of speaking); then you’re better off never visiting. I was there last year and the general vibe of the place and the people was very off putting. Security didn’t seem like a concern, but it’s becoming less ‘Kashmiri’ and more Middle Eastern with every subsequent generation.

[@destroyerofdeath8264]

@kc4276 No offence taken, and I have no memory of srinagar because I have never been there. My family has been there without me. As far as I know, kashmir has always been a melting pot of cultures. I was born a Muslim but reverted to mahayana bddhism. I am merely reflecting on the buddhist past of kashmir, which is famous in buddhist history as the capital of the mahayana sanskrit tradition.

[@naughtypotato5243]

Bhat is different frm Butt?

[@destroyerofdeath8264]

@naughtypotato5243 Bhat is the Hindu version and Butt is the Muslim version.

[@naughtypotato5243]

@@destroyerofdeath8264 ohh actually I saw many Muslims using Bhat like DSP Humayun Bhat so had confusion.

[@dee74raz]

Shankaracharya is named after Adi Shankara, an 8th century Hindu scholar who visited that same spot you are in, in the 8th century.

[@anujay81]

Not Ali, but Adi. Must have been a spelling mistake.

[@dee74raz]

@@anujay81 Thanks, I've corrected the mistake on my comment after you mentioned it.

[@truthteller2991]

Shankaracharya was one of the greatest thing happened to Sanatan/Hindu Dharma. I cannot imaigine a person so so young havinbg profound and deep knowledge of vedas and Upanishads. He was born in Kerala and traveled by foot all over India .Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have attained moksha (liberation) in Kedarnath, India..

[@cnvramamoorthy8358]

I went to Adi Shankara birth place in kerala Thrissur.

[@deepshikhasharma4367]

I think religion should be personal and asking others to follow what you follow by money, force or even by debate should be avoided as this is a cause of a lot of suffering in the world

[@asynchronicity]

Spirituality is personal; religion is inevitably social and political.

[@deepshikhasharma4367]

@@asynchronicity I disagree both go together and are not mutually exclusive...religion is your personal connection to the supreme being (who, what, how vary with religions).. some components of religion advocate coercion, conviction, compulsion to bring more into fold..leading to major cause of conflicts acorss the world and untill we focus on keeping it personal it will continue to cause conflicts till the end of humanity...

[@asynchronicity]

@@deepshikhasharma4367 Religion is not your personal connection to God or Ultimate Reality …. That is spirituality. Religions are organized belief, moral, and ritual systems designed to strengthen cohesion and control within a community and to minimize individual thought and feeling.

[@deepshikhasharma4367]

@@asynchronicity I still don't agree...if the 2 don't marry (also one without other)then there will remain a need to convert more and impose on others one's own religious beliefs (even under noble guise of guiding the lost or foolish or unaware folks even if one doesn't go for blatant conversions through force, coercion, charity etc.)..let's agree to disagree ..

[@asynchronicity]

@@deepshikhasharma4367 If the two don’t marry? What does that mean?

[@believe8980]

"Srinagar is a Sanskrit word that means the city of 'Sri,' which many believe refers to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, signifying 'Prosperity.' Great video, by the way, GABRIEL! 🙏 Keep it up!"

[@alp_mez8598]

No it comes from sun City (surya nagar) you can see this due to sun Temple's present in kashmir.

[@believe8980]

@@alp_mez8598 yes that's also true.

[@deepblue3682]

Sri is sun in hindu kashmiri?

[@alp_mez8598]

@@deepblue3682 there isn't a Hindu kashmiri

[@deepblue3682]

@@alp_mez8598 kashmiri spoken by kashmir hindus(kashmiri pandits) where original kashmiri words are used instead of persian influenced/arabic loan words which kashmiri muslims use a lot these days in kashmiri

[@dee74raz]

Interestingly Kashmiri language has some differences amongst its Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus) who speak the language. The differences are from the words below: Friday - Muslims says Jummah, whereas the Hindus say Shukra-Var Water - Muslims say Aab, whereas the Hindus say Poyne Father - Muslims say Babar, whereas the Hindus say Moul Sun - Muslims say Akhtab, whereas the Hindus say Siri I'm sure there are others, but these are the ones I can think of.

[@ashudhar]

Thats because muslims have influence of Arabic now in their language and most of these words are Arabic in origin. However for native kashmiri Hindus, Sanskrit is a strong influence

[@dee74raz]

@@ashudhar Yes that's correct. The Muslims have more Persian and Arabic loanwords in their vocabulary.

[@madone7190]

Same can be said of Punjabi spoken in India (Sikhs+Hindus) and Pakistan(Muslims).

[@kc4276]

Similar differences exist virtually everywhere. Indian Punjabi vs Pakistani Punjabi Hindi in Delhi vs Urdu in Delhi (these are virtually the same ‘language’ with differences in vocabulary and script) To name a few.

[@VSM101]

Pundist speak and write in Kashmiri the Muslims speak an Arabic distortion of it

[@reeshavgohain]

Visit Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh for Buddhism! Tawang Monastery is the second biggest and oldest in the world! Also the North Eastern part of the country is totally different to the mainland. You will enjoy it!

[@dee74raz]

When I was in Srinagar 10 years ago, a woman with a hijab asked me for directions in the Kashmiri Language and I said to her, 'Metchu Na Patta' (I Don't Know) in the Kashmiri language and she went somewhere else. I was also surprised about that (a religious woman asking me as a man), as I was not born or brought up there (I'm from the UK), but my parents and ancestors are from there.

[@avi2125]

Having known many Kashmiris (Muslims) I can say they have their own ways and culture. But both Hindus n Muslims of Kashmir believe in their Kashmiriyat. I hope the Indian govt just lets them be.

[@shinchan-pt9rn]

​@@avi2125it's so irony

[@arjuna03]

@@avi2125 But terrorists wont "let them be". Government is trying to solve the problem & you are pointing finger at the government, what a joke.

[@parulsinha3092]

​@@arjuna03kashmiriyat itself is an evil joke...

[@kaypee4704]

Kashmir is more of Sufi Islam....different from Mid-east....

[@ashudhar]

The kashmiri language is derived from dardic family which has nuristani in Afghanistan as it's sister language. Rest all languages in India except South India and European languages have Sanskrit as it's mother language. South Indian 4 states have Dravidian script as it's origin. Most famous mosques in kashmir are built upon earlier Hindu temples like hamdani mosque is built upon earlier Kali temple.

[@dee74raz]

Let me put it this way. Kashmiri is an Indo Aryan language like Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Sinhala, etc... If Hindi had a twin, it would be Urdu. If it had a far distance cousin, it would be Kashmiri. Kashmiri is not related to Persian or Afghan languages in terms of being the same family. Yes Kashmiri has many Persian loanwords, but this was due to the Muslims ruling the land, who imposed Persian as the official language. Just like English has lots of French loanwords, because of the Norman invasion of 1066 in England, but English as you may know is not part of the Romance family, which French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian are. English is part of the Germanic family.

[@ashudhar]

@@dee74raz All the other languages you mentioned are derived from Sanskrit. But not Kashmiri. It and nuristani are derived from dardic. Which is interesting because kashmir was cut off from rest of Indian subcontinent for thousands of years due to its strategic location and hence could keep its unique identity alive for long and not intermix like rest.

[@dee74raz]

@@ashudhar There's a debate between linguists about whether Kashmiri is a Dardic language (a family that came when the family of Sanskrit and Persian were once close relatives) or not. I've read some books from various linguists arguing about this. What it comes down to are that ancient Sanskrit and Persian were once close relatives. When the relatives moved to what is now Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, they started to separate in terms of new vocabulary arising. Kashmir as a mountainous region was settled by people who came from a family where Sanskrit and Persian were once close relatives. As mountains isolate people (they didn't have cars or aeroplanes to roam around easily), they became more isolated than the other Indo-Aryan tribes, who settled in other parts of India. And this is where linguists argue about its history.

[@dee74raz]

@@vsr3777 Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Telegu are all Dravidian languages, but yes Malayalam and some other Dravidian languages do have a heavy Sanskrit influence.

[@COOLSABYA2]

"Rest all languages in India except South India and European languages have Sanskrit as it's mother language." > Not true. Most of the languages from North East India and also the tribal languages in mainland India are not related to Sanskrit.

[@michellesteinbeiss-bryan7366]

Another awesome video, I really loved the conversations with the locals, just fascinating stuff. Too bad about the haze that day, I’m sure those views would have been spectacular!!

[@wildlife0010]

4:22 Muslim - Which religion you follow? 23:56 Hindu - are you a youtuber? Sorry to hurt anyone, but the contrast

[@dee74raz]

I think because Gabriel was in a mosque and those men were curious about what religion this foreigner was. Whereas at Shankarcharya he was not in the temple. He was well outside of it.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I did go inside the Shankaracharya temple, but it wasn't allowed to film inside. It was very small, I talked a little about it in the video.

[@dee74raz]

@@GabrielTravelerVideos Yes I know you were in the temple, but what I meant was that the video at 23:56 which world1061 mentioned in the comment was where you were outside the temple talking to the guy from Varanasi, and his 4:22 video reference which he mentioned was where you were talking to two men inside a mosque.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

@@dee74raz Gotcha. 👍

[@stephennelson6116]

I think if young religious folks pursued the mystical expressions of their faith, it would go a long way to creating harmony in the world. I get the feeling many of the shrines in Kashmir are for Sufi saints, a very free and direct form of Islam, which doesn't necessarily abandon religious practice.

[@annwilliams5590]

I wish you’d carry a paper map with you, Gabriel! In the old day, hotels often had little sketched maps with “important “ places named on them, or a local tourist office map

[@parulsinha3092]

Yes, good idea 👍

[@b6hatfield]

this was such a good episode! I've been watching your videos again as I'm having the itch to travel to India again. That mosque was epic. And the journey to the temple looked fun as well. The random conversations with Indians are so reminiscent and interesting. I burst out laughing at the 'Cat Stevens' comment. Not sure you were trying to be funny but for some reason it got me, given the context of that conversation. I appreciate your respect you have for all persons, it shows!

[@kc4276]

Can’t wait for the Rajasthan videos, Gabe. Hope to see you there this time around.

[@iammaxhammer]

*Great discussion with those 2 dudes in the Mosque. Bachelor's in World Religions, what better guide to have as a travel vlogger! Once you get deep down into the symbolism it gets pretty crazy.* Guy: "There is a market on Sunday." Gabe: What's it called? Guy: "Sunday Market." 😂😂😂

[@kaypee4704]

But he still doesn't know about Religions.....lacks the meaning religion and the religious lifestyles....

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

So what day is the Sunday market? And does it happen on rainy days?

[@deepakbhana8937]

I get nostalgic when Gabe visits Kasmir. It looks completely different compared to when myself & my family visited allmost 50 years ago. Daal lake then was heaven & the hiking trails were majestic with the air clean & pristine. How times have changed. Of course deciding which season to travel & which neighbourhoods to venture influences a lot how you percieve the area.

[@parulsinha3092]

You are talking about the Kashmir of the movies... apparently I visited there during those times too, but I was a child and don't remember anything...

[@kaypee4704]

You guys should watch Phil Bland coverage of Kashmir....he did a much better coverage....‼⁉️🇺🇸

[@KabobHope]

​@@kaypee4704What did you enjoy about his coverage?

[@TrainLordJC]

So interesting to see you wander around the streets of Srinigar. It's been forty years since I was there as in international traveller and the memories have certainly become a bit foggier (after all it is almost a lifetime ago) but your wanderings over several videos that I have viewed over the past couple of days have certainly triggered many memories. Fantastic!

[@TrainLordJC]

Sorry, it is fifty years since I was wandering around there including going up to Gulmarg and staying in an old Rajah's palace but unfortunately it was raining at the time and we didn't see the magnificent mountain views of the Himalayas. How sad that was. The one thing I remember about the hike up to top of Gulmarg there were porters at the bottom of the mountain offering to carry our backpacks up the mountain. And the porter carried two of our backpacks at the same time up that slope! Amazing strength of these porters.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Awesome. 👍

[@jennyoshea1958]

Bestest journey to India so far, Gabriel. Ive thoroughly enjoyed every video. A brilliant testament to your documentary style of filming. It has opened my eyes to another world 🌟👋⭐😊

[@rohanneogi5262]

During reign of sikandar shah butshikan , most of Kashmiri converted into islam by force or fear . Even his own prime minister was a hindu bramin who was converted by fear and to avoid heavy taxation . He was exceptionally cruel towards Hindus. He was a true follower of " beautiful" islam ! .

[@dee74raz]

Before Islam the majority were Kashmiri Pandits in the Kashmir Valley.

[@madone7190]

WhatsApp universe or university

[@rohanneogi5262]

@@madone7190 cheap converted , get out of your madrasaxap education and read about shikandar shah butshikan . Read kalhana's Rajtarangini . Empty headed G- ha-di chap!

[@user-rv6hx6sd1s]

​@@madone7190your ignorance will only hurt you

[@Canada426]

Pahalgaon, is the most Picturesque in Kashmir, reminded me of Interlaken in Alps. A great video showing mix of cultures. Great stuff.

[@randomravi5694]

Never befriend any person who asks about your religion..even if it’s your own. No matter what how sweet it may sound . It’s going to be toxic

[@garyrigby21]

i hate it when people blindly follow the religion they were born into without questioning it

[@dee74raz]

Valid point Gary

[@tmisger9353]

I agree that’s why Muslims thoroughly read and research Islam and Quran and hadith and read all the tafseer before applying that in their lives . And if you see a Muslim not doing it . Not gaining any knowledge you should assume them to be ignorant . We are told to read and research and then apply .

[@kaypee4704]

Religion and worship gives comfort to many people....whether you like, agree or hate it.... it's your perogative...

[@ThomazMartinez]

these people called sheeps

[@Dr.Mzungu]

That's how most people operate. Take the Muslims in India, they are a product of conversion but they are completely cluess about how they became Muslim. Faith is something people don't question. They themselves don't know why they follow. It's just past down.

[@sauravroychow]

Srinagar looks so gloomy, hazy and in a sorry condition. What a beautiful place Kashmir is, but the man-made structures are equally ugly. No way, will it attract Intl tourists if this is the condition and infrastructure.

[@ojosazules8828]

Yeah was going to ask, is that constant smog or smoke🤔...definitely nicer places in India to see..

[@samkhan2002]

He had visited only old town areas of the city in this video.... Srinagar is quite modern barring few areas...n it aint always hazy, just few days of November itz SMOGY...

[@sauravroychow]

@@samkhan2002 oh that's good to know. Thanks.

[@barbaraj7465]

Enjoying your videos on Kashmir. Will be traveling there in March 2024. Thanks for all the information Gabriel.

[@Wing_It_Wildflower]

Hey lovely! Im finally back in range. So much has gone down. Scary stuff. I was also very sick, twice. Forests and remote wilderness are off the cards for me for now. My god. Adventures that could be a movie. 20 min in, excellent video! You always handle yourself very well and respectfully, of course. I'll write soon 🪃

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Wow, sounds crazy. Glad to hear you're okay.

[@anujay81]

06:05 It was Dawa (inviting in Islam), every Muslim don't miss when interacting with a non-Muslim.

[@deepakchaudhary306]

Muslim doing Muslim things: Trying to convert a non believer.

[@peteck007]

He was young, when you're young you don't question your beliefs. Hopefully he'll start questioning that when he will become an adult. And wouldn't invite people like that.

[@deepblue3682]

​@@peteck007not in case of muslim's..!!... they can't grow philosophically, its haram and if they question their religion or try to come out of islam, the punishment is death as per sharia

[@vikasjogi6108]

Gabriel ,they were being ideological. Kashmiri has close connections with sanskrit. It originally was written in the Sharada script ( still used by the hindus in religious texts). The muslim kings changed the script to Farsi, their court language in the 14th century . You can verify all i said by looking it up.

[@dee74raz]

Actually in ancient times, Sanskrit was the official language in Kashmir and when the Muslims took over Kashmir in the 14th century, Persian (also known as Farsi) was imposed as official language. There is no evidence as far as I know, of Kashmiri being an official language used by rulers.

[@vikasjogi6108]

@@dee74raz you are correct sir

[@kaypee4704]

Sanskrit is the mother of All languages, according to Linguistics knowledge....

[@pepper2240]

Sanskrit? 😂 kashmiri language is 80% perisan . It is so similar to Persian that even those kashmiri's who go to iran with no knowledge of persian are able to understand 50% of the persian because of kashmiri language

[@vikasjogi6108]

@@pepper2240 youre correct ,but thats because the muslim kings changed the script to Farsi and so the language has a lot of Farsi terms in it similar to hindi.

[@subidh2949]

Hinduism is opposite of religion it is spirituality. you said you do not follow in religion also you are not atheist that is called spirituality. I know in most places it is known as religion but almost everything is written about India and Indian culture either false or half truth.

[@marafarnham595]

Interesting conversation Gabriel 😊❤

[@harsharao3555]

Imagine how much pressure Hindu pandith have been under when they didn't convert to Islam. Gabe, visit Bhatta Mazar where hundred of Kashmiri Hindus gave up liferather than converting to Islam forcefully.

[@ageoflove1980]

Very nice conversation about religion with these two young guys! If only everyone would handle their differences like that!

[@thebudgetbackpackers]

Great video Gabe, and what interesting conversations you had with its people. Thanks for sharing.

[@kingjohn1974]

Imagine the size of the elephants passing under those arches carrying the big guy.Glorious times.

[@user-pg7hk5kf1j]

Look! An "Imagine" comment!

[@blackpanther0990]

I love it how they try to propagate their religion like some sort of pyramid scheme. Try to get more people join the club boys !

[@Hari-vg3gy]

they run their like religion like a company..what else do you expect..they have to please their boss..recruitment is to road to enlightenment..awesome mindset..aint it..

[@marlenemcmillan8891]

​@@Hari-vg3gy😅😅😅

[@ash9x9]

Perfect trap! Glad Gabe can see thru it and blindsight's them on his preferences or lack of it. They're English speaking & specifically planted to snare western travelers.

[@sunilchaubey4580]

Hehehe Gabe be cautious, once I was also approached by a local and South Korea citizen to embrace Islam & Christianity in Srinagar, 1 local guy also gave me some Islamic books….

[@samip3124]

It's called dawah you just listen and ignore if you're not interested because force conversion is not allowed in ethics of Islam sadly the fundamentalist uses Islam as shield to do Extrimist things

[@lastminuteprogrammer8511]

@@samip3124they should mind their own business instead of inviting random people.

[@samip3124]

@@lastminuteprogrammer8511 well its ingrained in their genes what we can do if we oppose it we will be labeled as Islamaphobe by the lefts and the Islamist 😊

[@parulsinha3092]

Many South Koreans are in India on tourist visa to spread Christianity. You can report them but obviously no one wants to get into all that while traveling. So best is to ignore.

[@ashudhar]

Sunday market is a weekly flea market where you get clothes and other items at very cheap prices. It starts from TRC, tourist reception centre and ends at polo view market.

[@harnaamkaur3020]

Another great recording of your life as it unfolds....may the sun shine upon you!

[@lesernsdoerfer7524]

I'm jealous of your lifestyle lol well done I would love to do your travelling 😊

[@SK-xw4gu]

Hi Gabe: Interesting video on Srinagar. It's a pity the weather didn't cooperate. By the way, that sign referred to the 61st Battalion of the CRPF. They were calling themselves mighty one, sixty one".

[@TheSubham8995]

Pahalgam was my favourite in kashmir. Just incredible tbh!

[@t.i.m.e2994]

Almost kashmiri belongs to Kashmir, have 1000 years history We love ❤❤❤❤❤❤ISLAM ❤❤❤❤❤❤ peace and paradise ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@spicyroads]

Interesting place for sure !

[@louisebean9428]

The veiled woman in the Temple who was speaking to you personally, was probably trying to recruit you into Islam!

[@gerry9306]

So what?

[@deborahs.9389]

I can feel elephant riding higher into the mountains changing to mules changing to camels then horses ! Higher mountain over and over endless mountains 🏔️

[@sandradowling7239]

Sounded more like an interrogation and quite intimidating, well able for them Gabriel you know your stuff

[@Ugtraveleatbhappy5]

About the heating in rooms in Darjeeling very average hotels would give you an electric heater …and of course the big hotels are all centrally heated which I’m sore is the case there too.. The Adi Shankaracharya Temple looked so interesting…I would love to visit if there What is interesting about your videos is you do the unconventional tours by yourself not the typically touristy places and the interactions thereof with the locals …! Very nice Only the weather was just so dreary because of the season …..!

[@Ugtraveleatbhappy5]

I meant sure…..

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

@@Ugtraveleatbhappy5 You can edit your comment if you make spelling mistakes, just click the three dots on the right side of the comment to edit.

[@truthteller2991]

In Sanatan/Hindu we rever Gurus too. Thats why there are temples dedicated to Adi Shanakracharya. The new ones in Kedaranath and Omkareshar are also cool BUT Adi Shankaracharya was no ordinary Guru. He was THE guru.

[@Ugtraveleatbhappy5]

@@GabrielTravelerVideos thank you 🤭🤭

[@Ugtraveleatbhappy5]

@@truthteller2991 in those days apparently he walked from southern India to where Kedarnath is now…rough terrains ..altitudes and without a navigation system … 🙏🙏

[@travismillhouse8936]

Yes! Gabe is the walking Jedi Master. Another Star Wars movie! 🍺👍🥓🇨🇦😎Thxs Gabe ur Rock!

[@reepusingh2136]

You should visited great lakes of kashmir, it's an epic journey, which takes 4-5 days n its awesome natural beauty, hope u do it some day

[@samip3124]

Jammu & Kashmir has to be most beautiful and diverse region in the subcontinent.minus the conflict. The influence of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sufism different dynastys rules be it Mughals,Afghans, Persians, Sikhs, Dogras, British amalgamated into unique culture,languages,architect in the region

[@avi2125]

Very true. Well said

[@naughtypotato5243]

Most suffered as well. Sometimes I feel diversity is a curse in itself

[@samip3124]

@@naughtypotato5243 well the suffering is due to its history of diversity i just mentioned

[@TheSwede70]

Wow, nice mosque. Like you said Jama Masjid Mosque is quite different. A bit funny that you were asked to turn off your phone and then the phone of one of the guys started to make noise 🙂

[@conniedean3787]

I like when you talk to the locals, makes me feel I am really there in Kashmir, India

[@samip3124]

Kashmiri language is mixture of Sanskrit, Persian and Arabic because of different rules.

[@azdbuk]

Your travels have made you very good at handling people and conversations.

[@Dr.Mzungu]

Definitely interesting architecture, reminds me of Eastern European, Nepal. Google Wooden Churches of Romania and you'll see what I mean. That temple Bell has the perfect ring, vibrations.

[@dee74raz]

The architecture is of Hindu-Buddhist origin. The Muslim guy on the video does not know what he is talking about. He even said the Mughals constructed the Jummah Masjid, which is false, because the Jummah Masjid was built in the 15th century before the Mughals invaded Kashmir.

[@Dr.Mzungu]

​@@dee74razMuslims misleading, never. It's simply not possible. Nothing worst then people forcing their religion on someone.

[@kuku6116]

You should visit the Martand Sun Temple and Sharda Temple (POK) in Kashmir along with Shankaracharya Temple, if you ever get a chance. These are the oldest temples of Kashmir before arrival of Islam in Valley.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

They look amazing, I'll have to check them out next time.

[@harsharao3555]

You should visit Vaishno Devi Mandir. Quite a hike, but very worth it. Nature is pretty as well.

[@indiaview9414]

A real American always like India's dirt places and love to roam in the risky places. Kashmir's most beautiful places are Laal Chowk and Daal lake boats...This GHABREEIL not went there...

[@dextardextar]

great vids man, thanks

[@vitalitihomirov5781]

During my service in the soviet army I met a soldier, born in Tadgikistan, who work as interpriter of intercepted talks of Iranian pilots. He named the language as Farci.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Correct.

[@vinay11163]

gaby i like the way you travel a lot of inspiration to me from you strong vibes always.

[@curious1264]

Interested to know what the air quality is there Gabe, it sure looks like a haze

[@parulsinha3092]

Yes, looks like a haze... Makes the whole place look very dull 😏

[@Dr.Mzungu]

You selected the perfect thumbnail for this vlog. Just look at those mugs, so welcoming. Aren't they? I do agree that one should not judge a book by its cover. In this case it's hard not too. Travelers have to activate all their senses.

[@kunchokdolma7666]

Religion means non-violence and tolerance towards other religions.

[@ErvuJukl]

​@@vsr3777nonsense

[@lastminuteprogrammer8511]

"My friend, I would like you to read quran": The biggest global scam ever🤣

[@dee74raz]

I doubt those Muslim guys in the video were that educated in their own Kashmiri history especially when one of them said the Mughals built the Jamah Masjid, which is totally false because that mosque was built in the 15th century well before the Mughal Empire invaded Kashmir. Also the mosque is built through Hindu and Buddhist Architecture. Hence why it is different from other mosques in the subcontinent.

[@parulsinha3092]

😂😂

[@Tir2002]

😂

[@elizabethcraig5825]

👍🏼🌞

[@rajotavo]

You shld have told that young Kashmiri Islamist to go to school and get an education before trying to do 'dawa' to a foreigner! Their mindsets don't seem to change! Pathetic! All their forefathers were Sanatanis, most likely Shaivites that were forced to the me faith under the sword! That is Kashmiri history! The architecture of Kashmiri mosques, mostly adapted fr Hindu / Buddhist lineage...because Kashmir itself was the biggest centre of Hindu scholarship/ civilization and Buddhism!!

[@dee74raz]

That’s correct. The Muslim guy on the video did not know what he was talking about especially when he ignorantly said the Mughals built the Jama Masjid mosque which in fact was built in the 15th century, during local Muslim rule, well before the Mughal Empire invaded Kashmir. And yes the architecture is of Hindu and Buddhist origin.

[@ImranAli-qg8gk]

Bring back 1000 year muslim rule of all of india

[@dee74raz]

@@ImranAli-qg8gk Never will happen. Keep dreaming 🛌

[@parulsinha3092]

Nopes, never mess with them in their own domain, you'll disappear without a trace, always agree with whatever bs they say.

[@rajotavo]

@@parulsinha3092 that's the problem with u pusilanimous ppl! If u have ur argument do so logically...because they don't have any LOGIC!

[@jonassamy8771]

Enjoy Kashmir

[@pankajmaliknewdelhi]

I visited Kashmir in last summer. You should take Gondola 🚠 ride there and you could go on a day trip to Pahalgam ( Aru Valley, Betab valley etc by government fixed price taxis in Pahalgam)

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Sad news about the gondola, you'll see in the next video.

[@pankajmaliknewdelhi]

@@GabrielTravelerVideos didn't book ticket in advance

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Boom.

[@pankajmaliknewdelhi]

@@GabrielTravelerVideos I should've told you earlier, it was on my mind, I thought you knew it.

[@123pavit]

@GabrielTravelerVideos Plz do Visit Martand/Sun Temple .It has Historical Importance ..

[@ArchitectsVision]

These muslims Target everyone for conversion, Gabriel also experienced it. I request all muslims bro to come back to their original religion which is mainly Hinduism in India, your ancestors were forcefully converted to islam.

[@gerry9306]

I request that you convert to Islam

[@TravelingEddie]

Good tour. Unfortunately that haze is ongoing and didn't allow tourists to have beautiful views of the mountains.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Yep, the haze was persistent the whole time I was there. It's always a gamble with the weather in the Himalayas.

[@clam371384]

The noises from all the honking will put me in a miserable mental state.

[@pasqualeabarno]

👍👍👍

[@CharlieChaplinVideos]

I'm still waiting for the deatils of of your conversation with burqa lady

[@dee74raz]

He just did

[@CharlieChaplinVideos]

@@dee74raz timestamp pls

[@dee74raz]

@@CharlieChaplinVideos Oh yes you’re right. I had thought from 16:00 of the video, he mentioned about the details, but he only said that she had a conversation with him. I guess she probably wanted to convert Gabriel into Islam just like those two other Muslim men that Gabriel spoke in the mosque.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

She didn't try to convert me to Islam or anything of the sort. She was just interested in who I was, where I was from and what I was doing in Kashmir and India. Unfortunately I don't remember the more specific details of the conversation, wish I had it on video. But her inquiry was very innocent with no agenda of trying to get me to do anything.

[@Saurabh20000]

​@@GabrielTravelerVideos I think, when a person study many religions rationally, it will difficult to bother him into specific one because at that time he know pros/cons of all's.

[@thetraveldrunk]

Kashmir giving off very dystopian vibes

[@jamesreilly7932]

Srinagar in Kashmir is where some believe jesus is buried, great video Gabriel ,your well off the beaten track.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Yes, I showed the tomb in the previous video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHybaKilZrJ1qbM

[@Lovecurvyme]

Difference between mosque and hindu temple vibe. The people in masjid was all talking about religion stuff but the guy he met in temple just asked about his journey and all

[@anthonypatterson]

Funny how here in a large European City I can go a whole day without hearing a single car horn :)

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Sounds good to me. Which city?

[@anthonypatterson]

ZRH@@GabrielTravelerVideos

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Zurich, great. Stay warm.

[@Ibs123]

​@@vsr3777did you really get offended that much from this comment lol

[@truthteller2991]

@@vsr3777 Very true,same happens here in california People from outside India dont realize that government has a hard time in collecting tax and your figure is correct. Although in recent times it has been increasing. About Honking- my view is that it is "the way" of vehicle-to-vehicle (v2v) communication [which is nextgen interconnected vehicle being developed :) ] . So you can call honking in India a precursor to v2v! In reality, a country where infrastructure is so bad, the only genuine way people have come up to avoid accidents is honking and it is used to warn not only vehicles but cows etc and Indian cows are well versed in understanding v2v technology !

[@donnsmith6482]

gabriel.....why do you show the cell phone screen while you read about a temple or etc...when we could be looking at what is being described rather than a bunch of text? Is there a reason?

[@mbhang834]

61 Bn CRPF - 61 Battalion Central Reserve Police Force. CRPF is the force that is tasked with maintaining “Peace” in Kashmir.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Got it. 👍

[@abhinaysingh8306]

not just in kashmir but all over india. they used to come in my village during elections to maintain peace.

[@bhyomkeshbakshika5938]

A week ago you believed Kullu- Manali was the ultimate in Indian tourist destinstations but now you see the best was yet to come in the shape of Kashmir- as far as India is concerned

[@peteck007]

Too bad the weather wasn't clear

[@gyaniadmi2347]

@5:30. 2 guys are teying to convert to E - zlam The mosque looks like a Buddhist pagodas.

[@tetetsworld]

Not sure if they even read Quran 9:123. One of the reasons there's always conflict in such areas.

[@dee74raz]

Valid point

[@licuta7376]

👍

[@mirzagoralija4492]

😊😊😊❤🇧🇦🇧🇦🇧🇦

[@Deadfoot-Dan]

Shame it is so overcast, I'm guessing this is the result of pollution, it certainly gives the entire place a gloomy, depressing vibe.

[@user-rv6hx6sd1s]

Thats what gives the feel of kashmir, the gloomy vibe.

[@jonassamy8771]

Or Visit Katmandu Nepal

[@spitfirered]

❤❤💯💯👍👍👏👏

[@user-pg7hk5kf1j]

"Talking with locals in India" "Hello, this is Mike from tech support. How may I not help you today?"

[@witlof5492]

What was going on behind that curtain at the mosque? It looked like a foreign currency board behind there.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Either that or a train station sign. Not sure, I guess I should have investigated. Very bizarre.

[@witlof5492]

@@GabrielTravelerVideos Enjoy your wine!

[@furrferns]

​@@GabrielTravelerVideosThat is actually a digital screen that displays the timings of the five daily prayers.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

@@furrferns I see, good to know.

[@glmofoyt909]

Visit to gulmarg, sonmarg place in kashmir❤

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Gulmarg in the next video. I visited Sonamarg the last time: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epTFioWAe6-BhZo

[@VarunVarun]

Hey Gab. 550-600 is way to much for 13 km he drove u from City to temple! Even in Mumbai we pay like 300 for 25 kms (Andheri west to Borivli). You are too generous! I suggest you use Uber where can. If not available ull get an idea of distance n the fare roughly. Uber is just a bit more expensive for ur reference. This way u wont get scammed! Love your vlogs!

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

He also waited for me while I visited the temple and then took me back down to the city.

[@vanhouten64]

Air quality looks bad...is it dust? smoke? industrial pollution?

[@rollsroyce4249]

Its fog in winter days. Not much industry there high up in the mountains

[@firoskhan4804]

For me also most hate words unknown person asking religion

[@Wing_It_Wildflower]

What is that track you chose when in transit? Love it.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Hey there, it's "Lament" by MK2. I always list all the music I use in the description. It's a free song in the youtube audio library, so you should be able to find it and use it for free as well. 😊✌️

[@aguimars]

My God, no one become depressive in India, when everyone wants to talk or just say hallo. Very different from the most part of this crazy world where people do not wants that make film.

[@user-ti6cg9js7p]

Islam in Brain out - A wise man 🙌