Introducing
Kashmir
Jammu
and Kashmir constitutes the northern most state of India. The state,
especially Kashmir province has long been a dream destination for the
tourists. The natural beauty of Kashmir is undescribable - it is a valley
full of joy and happiness with tenderly mountains rising far to protect the
lands, meadows with the fragrance and the gentle sun, the drooping snow and
the chilly winters, apple orchards and the beautiful lakes; it's cozy, it's
warm and always smiling. Mesmerized by her beauty, many poets have termed
Kashmir as a jannat or paradise on earth.
Kashmir is a major tourist destination and people come for more than one
reason. This heaven of poets brought on to the earth consists of lush green
valleys, snow-capped mountains, vivacious rivers, clear blue water lakes,
beautiful waterfalls and alpine meadows. Also dotting the picturesque
landscape are famous temples like Vaishnoo Devi and Amarnath, attractive
mosques and monasteries. Kashmir is also credited for her rich composite
culture. The Kashmir valley has largely Muslim population, Hindus are spread
in the plains of Jammu while Leh and Ladakh are primarily Buddhist
destinations. Kashmir has also emerged as an extremely popular destination
for adventure sports.
Kashmir was a princely state in the pre-independence period. After India's
independence, the Maharaja of Kashmir signed a treaty of accession making
Kashmir an integral part of India.
Jammu &
Kashmir - Tourist Destinations
Srinagar : The
capital of the state is its most famous tourist destination. Srinagar is an
ancient city that stores a myriad of attractions for tourists. It is said
that Srinagar has the capacity to pull the most unwilling of tourists. Most
of the attractions are pure delights of nature like lakes and gardens. The
attractions include the Dal Lake, Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Chashme
Shahi. The exotic boat houses on the lakes of Srinagar also attract tourists
in large numbers.
Jammu : Jammu is the
winter capital of the state and comes after Kashmir in the list of tourist
attractions. Most tourists to Jammu come to pay obeisance at the famous Mata
Vaishno Devi shrine which is located on a hill. Other places of religious
importance are the shrine of Peer Budhan Ali Shah and Raghunath Temple. The
Raghunath temple dedicated to Lord Ram is the largest temple in North India.
The Sheesh Mahal of Jammu is regarded the most stunning site of the place.
Once the residence of Dogra kings, the Mahal also houses a museum. From the
place, a commanding view is available of river Tawi on one side and the city
on the other.
Akhnoor : Located 32 kms southwest of Jammu, Akhnoor is a
beautiful little town standing on the banks of the mighty Chenab river.
Along the banks of the river, the majestic ruins of the Indus Valley
Civilization could also be seen. The place is regarded as a paradise for
photographers and painters.
Leh -
Ladakh : Leh is known as one of the
popular Buddhist destinations in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Beautiful
Leh is lapped in the snow-covered fringes of the Himalayas. The place has
been a centre of Tibeto-Buddhist culture since ages. Located at altitudes
over 3,505 metres above sea level, the prime attractions in Leh are Leh
Palace, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, Sankar Gompa, Shanti Stupa and Soma Gompa.
Gulmarg : Gulmarg,
located at a distance of 56 kms from Srinagar is one of the most frequented
hill resorts in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Gulmarg is a popular
destination for skiing and heliskiing. Many competitions are also held in
Gulmarg in winters. Other attractions of the place are green golf courses,
biosphere reserves and the Alpather Lake. The place receives good snowfall
in winters.
Pahalgam : Thousands
of devotees from all over India and abroad visit Pahalgam during the annual
Amarnath yatra. Picturesque Pahalgam is situated at the confluence of
Seshnag Lake and Lidder river. Apart from religious celebrations, the region
is also very popular among tourists for outdoor activities like fishing,
horse riding, golf and trekking. activities.
Kargil : Kargil may have come into prominence after the
famous Kargil war, but the mountainous region has always been a favourite of
trekkers and mountaineers. A place that experiences extreme cold during
winters, Kargil is also famous as a destination for challenging car
rallies.Tourists who come to the place should not miss the opportunity to
pay tribute at the newly constructed Kargil war memorial.
Zanskar : The Zanskar region of the state is held in high
reverence by Buddhists. There are nine monasteries in Zanskar whose
architecture is very impressive. The largest of the monasteries is called
Karsha. The people of Zanskar are also very religious and known for their
hospitality. It is said that Zanskar is one place of the state that gives a
glimpse of its rich cultural heritage.
Kashmir - Gardens
Nature seems to be more than generous to Kahmir. The state is bestowed with
numerous meadows and several well maintained gardens. The gardens built by
the Mughal kings are simply superb. Dotted with Chinar trees (maple trees),
flower beds and fountains they look beautiful. The very face of these
gardens change with seasons - it is lush green in the springs, golden red in
the fall and black and white in the winters. The famous three - Nishat,
Shalimar and Harwan are located on the banks of the picturesque Dal Lake.
There are meadows, and much beautiful, on the hill tops.
Lakes
Kashmir is further beautified with natural lakes that lay spread across the
cities. The Dal Lake in the capital city Srinagar is a great leisure spot.
Stay at thsi fresh water lake is a wonderful experience. Within this lake
are floating houses called House Boats. Exquiste wood works and equipped
with the luxuries of a five star hotel, the house boats boast of an
incredible accommodation in the city. Wular lake, one more, and the largest
in the sub continent is popular excursion place. There are more including
the Hokarsar Lake and Manasbal Lake.
Kashmir - Adventure
The terrains and slopes of Kashmir are popular sites for adventure sports.
Various such sites have won international accreditations. It is a key
destination for
Winter Sports.
Skiing, Ice Hockey, white water rafting are some exciting events that happen
in the vacations calender of Kashmir. Gulmarg, basically a hill station,
features some of the best slopes for skiing. Foreign tourists could be seen
flocking with their bag packs in winters here. Pahalgam, some 90 kms from
Srinagar is a great challenge to rafters. The state also has some wonderful
trails that makes trekking a splendid exercise.
Kashmir
- Handicrafts
Handicrafts industry is one flourishing enterprise, other than tourism, in
the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Carpets, Shawls, Paper Machie works and wood
works are irresistable. Every year thousands of tourists take more than just
souvenirs from Kashmir. Some of these articles are very expensive and almost
symbolic of great wealth and luxury. You get a lot to pick for decorating
your home.
Climate
Though there are variations in the climate of Kashmir valley and plains of
Jammu, the state of Kashmir is basically a cold place. In the Kashmir
valley, summers are mild with temperatures in the range of 10-25 degrees.
However, winters in the valley are very cold with temperatures routinely
dropping below 0 degrees. Heavy snowfall may also occur during the latter
part of winter. The plains of Jammu are relatively hot and temperatures may
rise to a high of 35 degrees in summer. The winter temperature hovers around
5-10 degrees mark.
Best Time to Visit
April-September
How To Reach
By Air : There are three domestic airports in the
state-Kashmir, Jammu and Leh. Flights are available to the places from most
major destinations of India.
By Rail : The total number of railway stations in the
state are seven. 72 kms of track length have been laid in the state. Express
train services operate between many destinations of India and Jammu-the main
station of the state.
By Road : A good road network connects the state of
Kashmir with the rest of India. Bus services are available from national
capital Delhi and many destinations of north India. However, as the terrain
of the Kashmir valley is hilly and there are problems of frequent landslide
and snowfall, there may be a few problems with road transportation.
Places Where You Can Stay
Accommodation facilities are not uniform in the whole of Kashmir. In the
main tourist places like Jammu, Kashmir, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, good
accommodation facilities are available in all categories. The best and the
most leisurely ones are provided by the house boats in the Dal Lake.
Shopping in Kashmir
Kashmiri handicrafts have gained popularity all over for their exquisite
craftsmanship. The carpets of Kashmir, made both in wool and silk with
Persian designs are among the best buys of the state. The pure woolen
products of Kashmir, mainly the Kashmiri shawl would also be a good
investment. Then, there are items like jewellery boxes, mirror frames, a
range of intricately carved walnut wood furniture and accessories and stone
jewellery boxes that also figure prominently in the list of best buys.
Kashmir also has a thriving industry of agro products.
