St. Mary’s Church is an amazing must-see site in the beautiful hill-town of Gulmarg. It is a church that was built over 100 years ago in the Victorian style of architecture. The tilted roof and wooden walls of this intriguing church make it appear as a chapel. The surrounding of St. Mary’s Church is awe-inspiring and never fails to attract visitors.
It Is Known For:-
1) St. Mary’s Church is known for its ancient existence. It is a Victorian architected church that stands in the valley of Gulmarg.
2) It was built in the twentieth century and is a famous landmark in the hill town.
3) It has a backdrop of the snow-white Himalayas that enhance the beauty of the church.
4) Since this church is constructed in the ancient style of architecture, there are fewer frescoes inside it.
5) The frescoes depict the scenes from the Holy Bible and its verses.
6) The altar has an idol of Christ on the cross. On both sides of the idol, an idol of Mother Mary and an angel can be seen.
7) The festivals like Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, The feast of Our Lady, and the birth anniversary of St. Mary etc. are celebrated here with a great zeal.
Best Time To Visit:-
St. Mary’s Church is visited on a huge scale by locals and tourists alike. Since it is a holy spot, any day is considered as auspicious for visiting it. If a visitor is planning to start a journey during winters, he/she can only reach the church via trekking.
Watch Out!
Make sure that you plan a visit during the celebrations of the festivals like Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, The feast of Our Lady, and the birth anniversary of St. Mary. It is the time when the entire church is festooned exquisitely. Special prayers are organized on these days and alms are distributed among the needy.
Reaching There:-
Gulmarg is situated in Baramulla district. This district can be reached easily by the express trains, flights, and state-run buses from anywhere in Kashmir. Traveling within Baramulla can be done via local transit like the bus, taxi, and horse-carts that are available on a frequent basis.
Nearest Railway Station:- Baramulla Railway Station
Nearest Airport:- Srinagar Airport