Where is Jammu Kashmir ?
The state of
Jammu and Kashmir
is located in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. It lies in the
vicinity of the Karakoram and the Western Himalayan mountain ranges.
What is the state famous for?
Jammu and Kashmir is famous for its exquisite Mughal-style gardens, the Dal
Lake and the Shikaras (houseboats).
Mata Vaishno Devi
shrine in Jammu attracts a huge number of devotees and worshippers form all
parts.
What are the main spoken languages?
Kashmiri, Urdu, Dogri, Ladakhi and English are the main spoken languages of
the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Which
are the important cities?
Notable cities of the state are Zangla, Zanskar, Zongkhul, Gulmarg, Kargil,
Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Patnitop, Ladakh and Srinagar.
» Zangla
Zangla is located at a distance of 35 km from Padum in the Zanskar region
of Ladakh. It is also the take-off point for the Padum-Markha Valley treks.
» Zanskar
Zanskar, lying at a distance of 235 km from Kargil, lies in the Ladakh
region as well. The place offers opportunities to see some ancient monastic
establishments. Prime attractions of the place are Panikhar, Penzella Pass
and Karsha.
» Zongkhul
Zongkhul is perched beautifully on the rock face of the 'Ating George'. It
lies in the Zanskar region of Ldakh. It is popular for the monastery which
is said to have been associated with the famous India Yogi Naropa who was
lecturer at the Nalanda and the Vikramshila universities.
» Gulmarg
Heading 56 km southwest of
Srinagar,
one arrives at Gulmarg. The city is gifted with some bewitching attractions
like the Ningli Nallah, Firozpore Nallah, shrine of Baba Reshi and Gulmarg
Biosphere Reserve.
»
Kargil
Located centrally in the Himalayan region, Ladakh has great potential for
adventure activities. It serves as a night-halt for tourists travelling
between Srinagar and Leh. The Archery Contest, held in May, is a momentous
event of the place.
» Pahalgam
Perched at an elevation of 2,130 m, Pahalgam is the most popular hill
resort in the Kashmir Valley. It is located at the confluence of the Aru and
Sheshnag rivers, with a backdrop of enchanting snow-crested peaks. Key
attractions of the place are Mamaleshwara Temple, Baisaran, Tulian Lake, Aru
and Hajan.
» Sonamarg
At a distance of 81 km from Srinagar lies Sonamarg. Sonamarg literally
means 'Meadow of Gold'. Nilagrad river, Bisansar Lake and Krishnasar Lake
are the key attractions of the place.
» Patnitop
Located at an elevation of 2,024 m, Patnitop is surrounded by dense woods
and lush greenery of pines. It is no less beautiful from the other hill
stations of the region.
» Ladakh
Ladakh is located in the northern most part of the state of Jammu and
Kashmir. It is bounded by the mighty Great Himalayas and the Karakoram
ranges. The snow on the peaks is the only source of water for the people of
Ladakh. It is the most rugged region of the state, with little greenery on
the river banks.
» Srinagar
Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is the largest city of the
state. It is known worldwide for its bewitching canals, exquisite houseboats
and breathtaking Mughal gardens. The city has also been an ancient centre of
arts and learning.
Where are the main airports located?
The state has three major civil airports located at Jammu, Srinagar and
Ladakh. The airports operate flights connecting the state to Delhi and other
parts of the country.
What does the climate say?
The Kashmir valley enjoys a pleasant climate for most part of the year.
Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter are the four distinct seasons of the
place. As May approaches towards it end, the climate of the place is
comparable with that of Switzerland. With the arrival of Spring, the whole
valley seems to be covered with an ethereal green blanket, making it a most
rejuvenating and uplifting experience for the visitors. During the summers,
snow-capped peaks, sparkling streams, beautiful lakes and the shady Chinar
groves turn the valley into a playground. And during the winters the whole
landscape wears a wonderful snowy attire.
What
are the adventures in store?
The state offers plethora of options for the adventure seekers. White water
rafting can be enjoyed at reasonable prices. Rivers like Zanskar, Indus,
Beas, Chenab, Teesta, Sutlej, Spiti and Kali Ganga are some of the finest
destinations for white water rafting. Kayaking and trekking are other
wonderful options for adventure enthusiasts. One can find amazing trekking
trails in Zanskar, Ladakh, Kargil and Jammu and Kashmir Valley.
Which are the chief pilgrimage destinations?
Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine is the most popular and the most important Hindu
place of worship. The shrine is located at a height of 5,300 feet above sea
level. Other important pilgrimage sites of the state include names like
Amarnath, Charar-e-Sharif, Hazratbal Mosque, Khanqah-e-Moulah, Kheer
Bhawani, Shankar Acharya Temple and the Gompas in Ladakh.
What can be the best buys?
The traditional handicrafts Kashmir have earned a world-wide reputation for
their lustre and texture. Kashmiri shawls are popular all around. Other
favourite items of purchase include Papie Mache, Walnut wood, Sarees, wicker
baskets, cricket bats, dry fruit etc.
