Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir, India's fascinating northernmost state-consists of three regions differing in topography and culture. Jammu was the stronghold of Hindu Dogra kings and abounds with popular temples and secluded forest retreats. Jammu the whole city of is sprinkled with temples, so much so it is often called the city of temples. Kashmir is an emerald valley, cradled in the Himalayas, under crystalline blue skies, and against the backdrop of snow capped mountains. Kashmir's capital city, Srinagar offers delightful holidays on the lakes with their shikaras and houseboats.

Ladakh is the northern most province of the state, with a highland desert lying between the Karakoram and the Himalayan ranges. It is now organized in to two districts: Leh and Kargil. Hilltop monasteries and a colorful way of life, completely at one with the surroundings, make Ladakh one of the best living traditions of Tibetan Buddhism in the world today.

Jammu & Kashmir

Amongst the three regions of Jammu & Kashmir State, Jammu, perhaps, offers the widest diversity of terrain and beauty. The entire region is pocketed with lakes and valleys, some still little explored. The foundation of the settlement of Jammu is attributed to King Jambulochan of the 9th century BC. In 1730 AD, it came under the Dogra rule of Raja Dhruv Deva and Jammu became an important centre for arts and culture, now renowned as the Pahari School. The city also has some picturesque spots, in which Mansar is a beautiful lake fringed by the forest covered hills. Religion plays an important part as the whole city is sprinkled with temples.

Area: 20.36 sq. km.
Altitude: 305 meters
Climate: (deg C)-Summer Max.39.9, Min.23.4; Winter Max.20.2, Min.4.5
Rainfall: 107 cms (June to September)
Clothing: Summer: Light cottons, Winter: Heavy Woollens
Languages Spoken: Dogri, Kashmiri, Hindi, English
Best Season: Throughout the year.

Places Of Interest:
Ranbireshwar Temple; Raghunath Temple, Ranbir Canal, Bahu Fort, Bage Bahu, Amar Mahal Palace Museum, Dogra Art Gallery.

Excursions:
Akhnoor- 32 kms, Batote-113 kms, Kud-106 kms, Mansar Lake- 80 kms, Purmandal (Chhota Kashi)- 39 kms, Patnitop- 112 kms, Ramban-148 kms, Ramnagar- 102 kms, Sanasar-129 kms, Sudhmahadev- 120 kms, Surinsar Lake- 42 kms, Kishtwar High Altitude National Park- 248 kms.

Reach -
By Air: Well connected with Delhi, Leh and Srinagar.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is Jammu Tawi.
By Road: Amritsar- 243 kms, Chandigarh- 436 kms, Delhi- 586 kms, Katra- 48 kms, Srinagar- 305 kms, Manali- 428 kms.

Vaishno Devi

The holy cave shrine of Vaishno devi is situated in a beautiful racess of the Trikuta Mountains forming a part of the lower Himalayas as in the state of Jammu & Kashmir at an altitude of over 5000 feet. In the cave there are images of three deities viz. the Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. For the devotees it is a journey to peace and solace. For nature lovers it is an excursion amidst breathtaking scenic beauty. The shrine can be visited throughout the year, but during the winter season the route is often blocked by snowfall.

Places Of Interest:
Bhumika Temple, Darshani Darwaza, Ban Ganga Temple, Charan Paduka, Adhkunwari Temple, Kalika Temple, Ram Mandir, Shiva Goompha.

Reach -
By Air: Jammu- 62 kms is the nearest airport.
By Rail: Jammu Tawi is the nearest railhead.
By Road: Jammu-Katra- 48 kms and Katra-Vaishno Devi-14 kms Route from Katra to Vaishno Devi: Katra - Ban Ganga Ban Ganga - Charan Paduka ,Charan Paduka - Adhkunwari ,Adhkunwari - Bhavan- 8 kms.

Leh (Ladakh)

A distinctive region in the Jammu & Kashmir state, Ladakh is a vast highland desert lying between the Karakoram and the Himalayan ranges. The region is now organized into two districts: Leh and Kargil. Situated at the apex of a triangular plateau formed by the Indus, at an altitude of 3500meters above sea level is Leh – the biggest oasis of the mountain region and the heart of Ladakh. The city is a great tourist attraction for the foreign tourists especially during the Hemis Festival – the birthday of Guru Padmasambava, founder of the red sect of Buddhism in Ladakh.Ladakh is the abode of rare Kiang & highland Yak. Leh its capital city lies at the Tri junction of the historic silk route from Sinkiang to West Asia and to the plains of India.

Altitude: 3500 meters
Climate: (deg C)-Summer – Max, Min, winter – Max, min
Best Season: May to November.

Places Of Interest:
At Leh: Leh Khar Palace, Leh Monastery, Leh Mosque, Tsamo Gompa.
At Kargil: Kargil has beautiful Imambaras at Trespone and Sankho representing Turkish architecture. Attached to these Imambaras there are famous Arabic and Persian speaking Muslim divines known as ghas.

Excursions:
Mulbak Monastary- 190 kms, Lamayura- 125 kms, Alehi Gompa- 135 kms, Likir Gompa- 140 kms, Phiyang Gompa- 20 kms, Spitak Monastary- 8 kms, Snaker Gompa- 3 kms, Shey Palace Monastary- 15 kms, Thiksey Monastary-19 kms, Hemis- 49 kms.

Reach -
By Air: The nearest airport is Leh.
By Rail: Nearest railhead Jammu - 690 kms.
By Road: Leh to Srinagar- 434 kms, Kargil- 230 kms. Manali- 497 kms, Keylong- 380 kms.

Srinagar

Srinagar is at the North of Delhi via Pathankot and Jammu. It is on both the sides of River Jhelum and is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, which includes Jammu. The God has graced this city with such a beauty, which is often compared to Venice. Walk down Sonwar or Residency Road and you will see half – timbered houses and brick churches surrounded by magnolia trees in the garden. Enter a houseboat and you are instantly transported to another world.

Area: 103.3 sq. km.
Altitude: 1,730 meters
Climate: (deg C)-Summer- Max.29.5, Min.10.6; Winter- Max.7.3, Min.-1.9
Rainfall: 529 mms (Mid June to Mid September)
Clothing: Summer- Cottons/Tropical; Winter- Heavy woolens
Best Season: Throughout the year, though winter months are quite cold
Languages Spoken: Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, English.

Places Of Interest:
Pather Masjid, Shah Hamdan Mosque ,Jamia Masjid, Hari Parbat Fort, Nagin Lake, Hazratbal, Shalimar Bagh, Harwan, Nishat Bagh, Cheshma Shahi, Pari Mahal, Shankracharya Temple, Daal Lake and Shri Pratap Singh Museum at Lal Mandi.

Excursions:
Pampore-13 kms. (The only place in the world, where saffron is grown), Mattan- 61 kms, Martand- 64 kms, Achabal- 58 kms via Anantnag, Kokernag- 70 kms, Verinag- 80 kms, Daksum- 85 kms, Yusmarg- 40 kms, Acharbal- 51 kms, Kounsernag Lake- 11 kms, Manasbal- 32 kms, Burzahon- 24 kms, Ganderbal- 19 kms, Wular Lake- 60 kms, Charari-Sharif- 30 kms, Dachigam National Park- 21 kms.

Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport is Srinagar- 14 kms.
By Rail: Nearest railhead Jammu Tawi.
By Road: Srinagar-Jammu 293kms, Leh- 434 kms, Kargil- 204 kms, Gulmarg- 52 kms, Pahalgam- 96 kms, Delhi- 876 kms, Chandigarh- 630 kms.

Amarnath Yatra / Trek

What is there in Amarnath Cave? It's a Shiva linga. Shiva is one of the holy Trinity of the Indian mythology. And linga? Well, that is the phallic symbol of Shiva. Shiva lingas are a common sight everywhere and worshipped in every nook and corner of India. Then what is so special about the one in Amarnath?

Here it is a natural formation of snow seen only during July-August every year. And it waxes and wanes with the moon. There is not just one. There are two more ice stalagmite, close to the main one. These represent Parvati, Shiva's consort, and their son, Ganesha.

Altitude: 3880-4218 meters
Best Season: Mid-June to Mid-October
Grade: Moderate.

Reach -
By Air: Nearest airport is Jammu.
By Rail: Jammu Tawi is the nearest railhead.

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