Jammu And Kashmir - Princely State

 

ATTRACTIONS OF JAMMU & KASHMIR

Jammu & Kashmir tourism has been described as a paradise so many times that one feels it is the ultimate homage you could pay to it. But somehow, there is a vagueness in it that does not do justice to this part of the country.

The state is a myriad of popular hill stations as well as quaint little-known ones tucked away in corners. All in all, Jammu and Kashmir is the perfect destination for a vacation with the family, a romantic honeymoon, or a solo adventure-seeking trekking expedition.

1. Srinagar

Srinagar is the capital of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. It is the hub of all tourists looking for a vacation away from their city lives. Quite often because of this, Srinagar has become crowded and a little too touristy but it remains the go-to destination for anyone who wants to explore the state.

The presence of many Mughal Gardens, religious & historical sites as well as Dal & Nageen Lakes has led Srinagar to be called the “Land of Gardens and Lakes.” Among the other things that will surprise you, one is the floating vegetable market on Dal Lake. The largest Tulip gardens in Asia are also in Srinagar.

The iconic Dal lake where one can hire shikaras and buy souvenirs from floating markets or the Old City charm of the bridges over the river Jhelum, Srinagar has a spot for everyone and anyone. An expedition or vacation that involves touring the state of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be complete without the requisite buying of Pashmina shawls from the city. Srinagar is the commercial hub of the state and remains the heart of Jammu and Kashmir.

2. Leh

Leh is the joint capital and largest town of the union territory of Ladakh in India. Leh, located in the Leh district, was also the historical capital of the Kingdom of Ladakh, the seat of which was in the Leh Palace, the former residence of the royal family of Ladakh, built in the same style and about the same time as the Potala Palace in Tibet. Leh is at an altitude of 3,524 m (11,562 ft) and is connected via National Highway 1 to Srinagar.

Leh has recently witnessed a splurge of tourists after few movies were filmed here. It is a picturesque place with clear water lakes and tough terrains but the views are absolutely breathtaking. A lot of trekking trails originate from Leh but the major attractions of the place are still the historical monuments like the Shanti Stupa and the Leh Palace. With beautiful scenery and loads of monasteries and lakes to discover, grab your DSLR and head to Leh!

3. Jammu

Jammu is the winter capital of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the headquarters and the largest city in the Jammu district of the union territory. Lying on the banks of the river Tawi, the city of Jammu, with an area of 240 km² (93 sq mi), is surrounded by the Himalayas in the north and the northern plains in the south. Jammu is the second most populous city of the union territory.

Known as the City of Temples for its ancient temples and Hindu shrines, Jammu is the most visited place in the union territory. Jammu city shares its borders with the neighboring Samba district.

The city has a lot of attractions that range from palaces to parks and temples.

There are also forts like the Bahu Fort that is also a temple and is located about 5 km away from Jammu on the banks of the river Tawi. Peer Kho caves are another interesting place to visit as it is located next to the river Tawi and has 12 Shiva Lingams. Jammu city is the perfect combination of a hill station and a city and is a must-visit when you’re visiting Jammu and Kashmir.

4. Gulmarg

Gulmarg, known as Gulmarag in Kashmiri, is a town, a hill station, a popular skiing destination, and a notified area committee in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It was originally known as ‘Gaurimarg’ in the honor of Goddess Parvati. The Distance is 31 Km from Baramulla and 49 Km from Srinagar. The town is situated in the Pir Panjal Range in the Western Himalayas and lies within the boundaries of the Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary.

The snowfall here makes it the best place for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. Gulmarg is like heaven on earth when snow falls and thus, is a must-see while on vacation.

Gulmarg has everything going for it: snow-dressed mountains, greenery, lakes, pine & fir forests, and different types of flowers. It is snug in a valley in the Pir Panjal Range. Its name means, the meadows of flowers, and you will come across a lot of meadows decorated with daisies. Most of all though, Gulmarg is the best skiing destination in Asia, has the highest green golf course in the world as well as the highest cable car project.

5. Pahalgam

Pahalgam is a hill station in the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Mountain trails run northeast to Amarnath Cave Temple, a Hindu shrine and site of the annual Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage. Overa Aru Wildlife Sanctuary is home to animals including brown bears and musk deer. Northeast, the Lidder River runs through scenic Betaab Valley. Southeast, Tullian Lake is flanked by mountain peaks and often frozen.

Pahalgam is associated with the annual pilgrimage to the shrine Amarnath Yatra. Chandanwari, located 16 kilometers (9.9 mi) from Pahalgam. The town is the starting point of the yatra that takes place every year in the months of July–August, receiving hundreds of thousands of tourists. Because of its religious significance and role as a base camp, the town attracts 70% of visitors to the valley. This flood of tourists overwhelms some of the local infrastructure, especially waste management in the town.