Mostly visited for – Srinagar (Delightful Houseboats on Dal Lake), Mughal Gardens (Shalimar and Nishat Bagh), Khardungla (the highest motorable road), Cheshmeshahi (Paradisiacal Mughal Gardens), Gulmarg (‘Meadow of Flowers’ famous for winter ski resort and golf course), Pahalgam (The hilly village of shepherds) Sonmarg (the meadow of gold), Amarnath (Hindu Shrine and Pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Shiva), Leh (Kingdom of Royal Palace famous for Gompas), Nubra Valley, Zanskar (white water rafting), Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri Lake, Jammu-Amar Mahal, Patnitop.
Weather - Summer: mid April to June, Monsoon: July to September, Winter: October to January, Severe Winters: January to March.
Due to heavy variation in elevation levels, the climatic conditions varies from hot and sub tropical to cold, alpine and glacial weather.
Connectivity
By Air – International Airport at Srinagar. Domestic Airport at Jammu and Leh.
By Rail - Jammu Tawi is an important railhead of Northern India. Malwa Express, Super Fast, Jammu Mail, Jammu Express, Jammu – Udampur Train and Shalimar Express are some important trains you can catch.
By Road – National Highway, 1-A, connects Srinagar with Jammu (300 km). Rest of the state too has motorable roads.
History, Geography and Culture of Jammu and Kashmir
A muse for many poets, shayars and kings alike, Jammu and Kashmir, famously known as Kashmir is a dream destination with shared cultural essence. Divvied in three main regions, the state of Jammu and Kashmir is the pride and crown of India, literally. Located in the upper Himalayan range, this mountain retreat is undoubtedly the Alps of India. This hilly state has equally interesting share of history. Referred by Jahangir, the fourth Mughal emperor as a ‘Paradise on Earth, this incredible destination is a melting pot of various cultures, heritage and customs. The surreal natural beauty of this destination is equally charming, adding on to the richness of this heaven on earth. The massive lakes, rivers and meadows laden with rare flowers like tulips, fruits and herbs, chinar trees and Mughal Gardens is surely a destination beyond breathtaking beauty.
Geographically, the state is a home to several valleys thanks to the Himalayan division, demarcating Kashmir Valley from Ladakh. Towards the south west of Srinagar, the lower Himalayas in the form of Pir Panjal range separate the region from the Great Plains of northern India. There are lush gardens, cold deserts, some of the world’s highest mountains and rugged landscape quenching the panoramic state through rivers Ravi, Tawi and Chenab. During a tour to this pristine paradise, tourists abide by the nature’s trail through boating in the Dal Lake, visit the famous Mughal Gardens, Tulip and Saffron Gardens and walk through the rose meadow in Gulmarg to enjoy the golfing on the highest greens in the world.
Culturally, the state is influenced by its demography and geography. Extreme north territory is a barren cold desert with some of the world’s highest mountains and lakes, Ladakh. It is known as the land of Buddhist for its monasteries. Jammu is Hindu prominent area with many temples, predominated by Vaishno Devi temple. Kashmir in the extreme east is populated only by Islam followers, adding on to this melting pot of civilizations.
Religion – Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam
Wildlife Sanctuaries of Jammu and Kashmir
Dachigam National Park
Hemis High Altitude National Park
Nandni Wildlife Sanctuary
Festivals
Losar (Dec/Jan, Ladakh)
Snow festivals (Dec/Jan, Gulmarg)
Spituk (Jan)
Dosmosche (Feb; Leh, Likir, Diskit)
Matho Nagrang, (Feb/Mar, Stok)
Guru Tse-Chu (Feb/Mar, Stok)
Jammu Festival (Apr, Jammu)
Tulip festival (April)
Karsha (Jul)
Kargil festival (June/July)
Thiksey (Oct/Nov)
Tse-Chu (June/July, Hemis)
Yuru Kabgyat (Jul, Lamayuru)
Phyang Tsedup (Jul/Aug, Phyang)
Sri Amarnathji Yatra (June/Aug, Pahalgam/ Baltal)
Vaishno Devi Yatra (All year round)
Ramadan
Ladakh Festival (Sep; Leh, Nubra)
Eid-ul-Azha (Subject to appearance of moon)
Eat – A traditional KashmiriWazwan is known for dozens of courses based on mutton, fried lamb ribs, Roghan Josh, Zafrani Pulao, etc. Other relishing dishes of the state are Kashmiri Dum Aloo, Haak, Kashmiri Pulao, Zafrani Pulao, Phirni, Roghan Josh, Gustaba (Lamb Koftas), Kashmiri Qabargah, Kashmiri Qeema Pullao, Yakhni, Rista, Daniwal Korma, Shami Kabab and Tabak Maaz.
Buy – Carpets, Namdas, Papier Mache, Chain Stitch and Crewel Furnishings, Saffron, Walnuts, Almonds & Honey Silks, Tweeds, Pherans, Shawls, Basketry. Walnut Wood – Copper and Silverware
Hotels – There are a number of hotels in Jammu and Kashmir catering to all kinds of tourists and offer a soothing holiday experience in the state to the tourists
