Kashmir
the paradise on Earth
Jammu and Kashmir is southernmost state of India
and situated mostly in the Himalayan Mountains.
Jammu and Kashmir shares its borders with, states of Himachal Pradesh
and Punjab of India to the south, China and Afghanistan to the Northeast and
Pakistan administered territories to the West and Northwest respectively. Jammu and Kashmir consists of three regions
namely Jammu, Kashmir Valley and the Ladakh.
Jammu & Kashmir - a distinct land has enriched both travelers and
people by multifaceted culture, geography and history blend with the
unsurpassed natural beauty in all the three regions. Srinagar is the summer
capital of the state and Jammu is the winter capital. This shifting of
capital’s during winter was started with the Maharaja's of Dogra Rule and
continues till now, and so both the cities are quite developed and have many
tourist attractions. Once considered as the center of Hinduism and Buddhism
many Sufi saints and sages have Kashmir as their birth place. While the Kashmir
valley is known for its beautiful mountainous landscape, the lakes and blue
valleys rising to alpine passes, the Jammu’s region is abode of gods and
goddesses for which it bears the name, 'city of temples'. The region has
broadened the spheres of pilgrimage tourism for entire State. At the same time
Ladakh, a living centre of Buddhism, possesses mystique landscape and rugged
pinnacles lit up by the colorful traditions of the people, it is a dream of
adventurers and explorers.
Jammu and Kashmir is home to several valleys
such as the Kashmir Valley, Tawi Valley, Chenab Valley, Poonch Valley, Sind
Valley and Lidder Valley. The main Kashmir valley is 100 km (62 mi)
wide and 15,520.3 km2 (5,992.4 sq mi) in area. This densely
settled and beautiful valley has an average height of 1,850 metres
(6,070 ft) above sea-level but the surrounding Pir Panjal range has an
average elevation of 5,000 metres (16,000 ft).
Because of Jammu and Kashmir's wide range of
elevations, its biogeography is diverse. Northwestern thorn scrub forests
and Himalayan subtropical pine are found in the low elevations of the far
southwest. These give way to a broad band of western Himalayan broadleaf
forests running from northwest-southeast across the Kashmir Valley. Rising into
the mountains, the broadleaf forests grade into western Himalayan subalpine
conifer forests. Above treeline are found northwestern Himalayan alpine shrub
and meadows. Much of the northeast of the state is covered by the Karakoram-
West Tibet Plateau alpine steppe. Around the highest elevations, there is no
vegetation, simply rock and ice. In general Jammu & Kashmir's forests
include a wide variety of species including maple (the famous
"chinar" tree of the Kashmir valley), evergreens, rose chestnut, alder,
pine, laurel, sal, oak, magnolia, cedar, birch, hazel, spruce, juniper,
rhododendron. These forests provide a perfect habitat for the wildlife of Jammu
& Kashmir and are a vital component of Jammu & Kashmir's Eco-system and
for tourism of varying nature equally.
The Jhelum River is the only major
Himalayan River which flows through the Kashmir valley. The Indus, Ravi and
Chenab are the major rivers flowing through the state. Srinagar, the capital of
the state of Jammu and Kashmir, stands by the river Jhelum that forms the
lifeline of the Kashmir Valley. Jammu and Kashmir is home to several Himalayan
glaciers. With an average altitude of 5,753 metres (18,875 ft) above
sea-level, the Siachen Glacier is 70 km (43 mi) long making it
the longest Himalayan glacier.
Jammu and Kashmir is a state every tourists
dreams to visit. An inspiration for art, music and poetry, Kashmir is also a
honeymooners' paradise, a nature lover's wonderland and a shopper's dream come
true. The valley of Kashmir is unique in its surroundings, which offers
breathtaking view of its varying topography. Nature has endowed Kashmir with
exotic beauty, which is reflected in its picturesque landscapes, lush green
forests of Chinar, Deodar and Pine trees, beautiful rivers and waterfalls, snow
covered mountains and a range of flora and fauna. In fact, it abounds in many
varieties of wildlife, which includes Bears, Leopards and Himalayan Chamois
etc. The countless species of luxuriant vegetation too, attract lot of
enthusiastic botanists. Kashmir also has a lot to offer to the artists,
archaeologists, rock and mountain climbers and big game hunters who throng this
place in large numbers. Besides this, it is an ideal place for holidaymakers as
well as for people who seek tranquility and peace amidst natural surroundings.
No wonder that, Kashmir is referred to as the 'Switzerland of India.'
Due to the abundance of natural beauty many
places are unkempt and remain unexplored but their wilderness in itself is an
attraction. Anantnag is famous for ladder river, Baramulla has Wullar lake,
Jammu has perennial rivers and beautiful gardens and Leh has pengong rivers and
where ever one goes he finds small hills or huge mountains around. It is worth
also visiting Nishat garden, Shalimar garden, Cheshmaishahi, and Pari Mahal
collectively called Mughal gardens at Srinagar.
Jammu
and Kashmir Seasons
The climate of Jammu and Kashmir varies greatly
owing to its rugged topography. In the south around Jammu, the climate is
typically monsoonal. In the hot season, Jammu city is very hot and can reach up
to 40 °C (104 °F) whilst in July and August, very heavy though erratic rainfall
occurs. In higher altitudes night temperature drops slightly. The Srinagar with
its lakes and waterways is a heaven after the scorching heat of the Indian
plains. In September, rainfall declines, and by October conditions are hot but
extremely dry, with minimal rainfall and temperatures of around 29 °C (84 °F),
perhaps this the Jammu and Kashmir loveliest season. From December to the
beginning of March, the temperature drops sharply and time for snowfalls starts
in higher altitudes, bringing sometime entire Jammu & Kashmir under blanket
of snow.
Places
of visit in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu
Jammu, nestling in the foothills of the
Himalaya, with the river Tawi flowing alongside, stands the land that Raja
Jambu Lochan discovered one day when he was hunting. Jammu is second largest
city after Srinagar, popularly known as the "City of Temples".
Innumerable temples and shrines with glittering "Shikhars" soar into
the sky, like caretakers of the city, creating the ambience of a truly holy
city. From the point of view of art, culture and history, jammu has special
importance. This city is the main centre of attraction for trade.
Amongst the temples in Jammu, the Raghunath Mandir takes pride of place being situated right in the heart of the city. It consists of a cluster of temples and is the largest temple complex in northern India. Its inner sanctums contain gigantic statues of deities and numerous ‘lingams’. It contains representatives of almost the entire Hindu pantheon, which make it a rare site to behold.
The other
famous temple of Bawey Wali Mata is inside the Bahu Fort where, every Tuesday
and Sunday, pilgrims throng to worship the goddess. A little further away, on a
spur opposite the Bahu Fort, overlooking the river Tawi, stands a temple
dedicated to Mahamaya, a Dogra heroine who lost her life fourteen centuries ago
fighting foreign invaders. The Peer Kho cave temple overlooking the Tawi river,
the Panchbakhtar temple and the Ranbireshwar temple are the other well known
Shiva temples in Jammu. Other important temples in Jammu are the Lakshmi
Narayan temple, Duda Dhari temple and the Panj Mandir in Gandhi Nagar. the
‘durgah’ of Peer Budhan Ali Shah or Peer Baba as it is known, is the shrine
that protects the people of this city from mishaps and evil spirits.
Situated 5 kms away from the city centre, is the
Bahu Fort standing on a rock face on the left bank of the river Tawi. Perhaps
the oldest fort and edifice in the city, it was constructed originally by Raja
Bahulochan over 3,000 years ago.
The existing fort was more recently improved
upon and extended by the Dogra rulers. Inside, there is a temple dedicated to
the Hindu goddess Kali. An extensive terraced garden, known as Bagh-e-Bahu, has
been developed around the fort. The subcontinent's largest underground aquarium
in Jammu's Bagh-I-Bahu area is drawing a large number of tourists ever since it
was opened to the public, The aquarium-cum-awareness centre comprises of 24
aquarium caves including 13 small caves for holding freshwater fishes. A small
garden along the Ranbir Canal, which runs through the city outskirts, provides
a cool picnic spot during the summer. The canal branches off from the river
Chenab at Akhnoor, 32 kms away. Its water remains icy-cold throughout the year
and its banks serve as good viewpoints and walkways
Katra
– Mata Vaishnodevi Temple
The small town Katra is 50 kms from Jammu and
serves as base camp for those visiting the holy shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi in
the Trijuta Hills. Ma Vaishno Devi Shrine, which is 13 Km uphill from Katra, is
covered by majority of pilgrims by trekking. But there are other options
available as well. You can hire a Palki or take a pony ride. Every year
millions of pilgrims pass through Katra on the way to Shrine. A trip to the
cave shrine is by far the most important activity in Katra for Hindu devotees.
Patnitop
Patnitrop is 112 kms from Jammu and located on
Jammu Srinagar Highway passes. This famous hill resort is perched on a
beautiful plateau, at an altitude of 2,024 meters across which the Jammu –
Srinagar Highway passes. It is offers beautiful picnic spots, peaceful walks
and breathtaking views of the mountainscape of the Chenab basin. It is
generally covered with a thick layer of snow and in winter thus provides
opportunities for various adventure sports like skiing.
Srinagar
– City of Lakes
Srinagar is the largest city and capital of
Jammu and Kashmir state. It is situated in Kashmir valley and lies on the bank
of Jhelum River. Srinagar is famous for his beautiful lakes and houseboats. it
is also know for traditional kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits.
The natural beauty of the hill resort of
Srinagar is spellbound and sweeps off one’s of his feet. Jahangir, the Mughal
emperor was left spell bound by the beauty of Srinagar. He exclaimed "Gar
firdaus, ruhe zamin ast, hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin asto" i.e. If there
is a heaven on earth, it's here, it's here, it's here in Srinagar.
There are several spectacular sites that must be
visited in Srinagar. The hill resort has often been referred to as Paradise on
earth. The hill resort is also referred to as the land of lakes and gardens
owing to the abundance of both.
One of the major landmarks of Srinagar is the
Dal Lake. There are several lakes that comprise the Dal Lake in the eastern
side of Srinagar. The Nagin Lake is the most renowned of the lakes. The
tourists at Dal Lake enjoy the wondrous vistas offered by the spectacular
surrounding of Srinagar. You must take a ride in the traditional Kashmiri boats
that is often referred to as "Shikaras" to explore the intricate maze
of waterways of the Dal Lake. The shikara ride at the sunset on the Dal Lake is
an unforgettable experience.
In the city of lakes and gardens there are the
well laid out Mughal styled gardens of Chashme Shahi, Shalimar Bagh and the
Nishat Bagh. Chashme Shahi means the royal spring, Shalimar Bagh implies the
abode of love and the Nishat Bagh denotes the pleasure garden. These gardens
lay far eastern side of the Dal Lake. Tourists are often seen strolling in the
gorgeous green gardens. The waterworks in the gardens add to their
beauty.
Gulmarg
– City of Flowers
Present Gulmarg was originally called
‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds; its present name was given in the 16th Century by
King Ysuf Shah. Sultan was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes inscribed
with wild flowers. It is located in the Baramulla district of Kashmir at an
altitude of 2,730 m. Gulmarg is 56 km southwest from the capital city of
Srinagar and is close to the Indo-Pakistan border. Gulmarg's legendary beauty,
prime location and proximity to Srinagar make it one of the premier hill
resorts in the country. While Gulmarg is an all-weather resort with refreshing
summer season and the main reason to come here is the off-piste, deep-powder,
long-run skiing and snowboarding. The Himalayan resort of Gulmarg is one of the
newest and increasingly popular ski destinations. Today Gulmarg is not merely a
mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf
course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country's premier
ski resort in the winter.
Depending on the season, nature's colours could
be the translucent green of spring, summer's rich emerald, or autumn's golden
hues, when scarlet chillies festoon windows of village homes. After Tangmarg,
the climb to Gulmarg begins through fir-covered hillsides. At one point, known
simply as View Point, travelers generally stop their vehicles for a few minutes
and look out a spectacle of snow-covered mountains, almost within touching
distance
Pahalgam
- The Valley of Shepherds.
Pahalgam is about 45 Kms from district
headquarter Anantnag and about 96 Kms from Srinagar. Situated at the confluence
of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidderriver,
Pahalgam (2,130 m) was once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking
views. Now it is Kashmir's premier resort, cool even during the height of
summer when the maximum temperature does not exceed 25 degree Celsius. A number
of hotels and lodges cater to all preferences and budgets, from luxurious
hotels to unpretentious trekkers' lodges, including J&K Tourist Development
Corporation’s huts.
Once a great tourist puller and favourite place
for shooting of Bollywood films is perhaps the best health resort in the
country. Pahalgam also serves as base camp for the famous Amarnath Ji Yatra
Around Pahalgam there are many places of tourist
attractions, the most beautiful of these is the huge, undulating meadow
of Baisaran, surrounded by thickly wooded forests of
pine. Hajan, on the way to Chandanwari, is an idyllic spot
for a picnic.
Sonamarg
- The Meadow of Gold.
Sonamarg is a very beautiful tourist spot in
Srinagar District on the Srinagar Leh Highway. The drive to Sonamarg is
through the Sindh Valley which presents yet another spectacular facet
of countryside in Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of 2730 m, Sonamarg (‘The
meadow of gold’) has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a cerulean sky.
The Sindh River that meanders through the valley abounds
withtrout and mahaseer. Ponies can be hired for the trip up
to Thajiwas glacier, which is a major local attraction during
the summer months.
Sonamarg is the base of a major trek that passes
along several mountain lakes –Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and
Gangabal. Sonamarg is also the take off station for the drive to Ladakh
across the Zojila, a major pass in the Great Himalayan Range, through
which the Srinagar-Leh Road passes.
Amarnathji
Yatra - a journey into faith
Amarnath is around 145 kms east of Srinagar in
Kashmir and has one of the holiest place in Hindu’s Pilgrimages places. One of
the holy trinity, Shiva is a living god. There is an ice Siva-linga here that
changes size with the seasons, and also as the moon waxes and wanes it becomes
bigger and smaller. On the full moon day the linga is about 6 ft high. Each
year on the full moon day of July-August (Sravana) when the Siva-linga attains
its maximum height there is a festival at this cave temple. It is said that
Lord Siva first appeared on this day.
Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati
the secret of creation in the Amarnathji cave. Unknown to them, a pair of
mating pigeons eavesdropped on this conversation and having learned the secret,
are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode. Many
pilgrims report seeing the pigeons-pair when they trek the arduous route to pay
obeisance before the ice-lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva).
Besides the above main tourist places there are
numerous other places which tourist frequent regularly.
Train link from New Delhi/ Delhi are very
convenient to reach Jammu Tawi, the nearest railway station for tour to Jammu
and Kashmir. A list of prominent trains is given hereunder for ready reference.
Train from New Delhi/
Delhi to Jammu Tawi
Train No.
|
Train Name
|
Origin
|
Dep. Time
|
Dstn.
|
Arr. Time
|
Class (Fare Rs)
|
Days of run
|
16317
|
HIMSAGAR EXP
|
New Delhi
|
00:10
|
Jammu Tawi
|
13:10
|
3A (665), SL (246)
|
Monday
|
16787
|
TEN JAMMU EXP
|
New Delhi
|
00:10
|
Jammu Tawi
|
13:10
|
2A (910), SL (246)
|
Monday, Thursday
|
12471
|
SWARAJ EXP
|
New Delhi
|
04:50
|
Jammu Tawi
|
14:45
|
2A (921), 3A (680), SL (261)
|
Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday
|
12919
|
MALWA EXP
|
New Delhi
|
05:20
|
Jammu Tawi
|
15:55
|
2A (921), 3A (680), SL (261)
|
All days
|
14645
|
SHALIMAR EXP
|
Delhi
|
15:50
|
Jammu Tawi
|
05:15
|
1AC (1586),
2A (949), 3A (693), SL (257)
|
All days
|
14033
|
JAMMU MAIL
|
Delhi
|
20:20
|
Jammu Tawi
|
09:55
|
1AC (1502),
2A (900), 3A (658),
SL (244)
|
All days
|
12425
|
JAMMU RAJDHANI
|
New Delhi
|
20:40
|
Jammu Tawi
|
05:40
|
1AC (1915),
2A (1115), 3A (875)
|
All days
|
12445
|
UTTAR S KRANI
|
New Delhi
|
20:50
|
Jammu Tawi
|
06:35
|
1AC (1534),
2A (921), 3A (680), SL (261)
|
Superfast, All days
|
11077
|
JHELUM EXP
|
New Delhi
|
21:05
|
Jammu Tawi
|
09:20
|
2A (900), 3A (658), SL (244)
|
All days
|
12413
|
ALL JAT EXP
|
Delhi Cantt
|
21:15
|
Jammu Tawi
|
08:05
|
1AC (1552),
2A (930), 3A (688), SL (264),
2S (146)
|
Superfast, All days
|
18101
|
TATA JAT EXP
|
Delhi
|
22:00
|
Jammu Tawi
|
13:40
|
2A (969), 3A (707), SL (262),
|
All days
|
12265
|
DEE JAT DURONTO
|
Delhi S Rohilla
|
22:15
|
Jammu Tawi
|
07:10
|
1A (1670), 2A (1040), 3A (765),
SL(295)
|
Tuesday, Friday,
Sunday
|
04033
|
DEE UHP SPECIAL
|
Delhi S Rohilla
|
22:15
|
Jammu Tawi
|
07:10
|
2A (891), 3A (650), SL (241),
|
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
|
16031
|
ANDAMAN EXP
|
H. NZM
|
23:00
|
Jammu Tawi
|
13:10
|
3A (665), SL (246),
|
Monday, Thursday, Friday
|
16031
|
ANDAMAN EXP
|
New Delhi
|
00:10
|
Jammu Tawi
|
13:10
|
3A (665), SL (246),
|
Tuesday, Friday, Saturday
|
Train from Jammu Tawi to
New Delhi/ Delhi
Train No.
|
Train Name
|
Origin
|
Dep. Time
|
Dstn.
|
Arr. Time
|
Class (Fare Rs)
|
Days of run
|
16318
|
HIMSAGAR EXP
|
New Delhi
|
23:45
|
Jammu Tawi
|
13:15
|
2A (910), 3A (665), SL (246)
|
Monday
|
12472
|
SWARAJ EXP
|
Jammu Tawi
|
11:15
|
New Delhi
|
21:30
|
2A (921), 3A (680), SL (261)
|
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday,
Saturday
|
12474/ 12476
|
SARVODAYA EXP
|
Jammu Tawi
|
11:15
|
New Delhi
|
21:30
|
2A (921), 3A (680), SL (261)
|
Monday, Thursday
|
12920
|
MALWA EXP
|
Jammu Tawi
|
09:00
|
New Delhi
|
19:00
|
2A (921), 3A (680), SL (261)
|
All days
|
14646
|
SHALIMAR EXP
|
Jammu Tawi
|
21:00
|
Delhi
|
10:55
|
1AC (1586),
2A (949), 3A (693), SL (257)
|
All days
|
14034
|
JAMMU MAIL
|
Jammu Tawi
|
16:15
|
Delhi
|
05:45
|
1AC (1502),
2A (900), 3A (658), SL (244)
|
All days
|
12426
|
JAMMU RAJDHANI
|
Jammu Tawi
|
19:45
|
New Delhi
|
05:00
|
1AC (1915),
2A (1155), 3A (875)
|
All days
|
12446
|
UTTAR S KRANI
|
Jammu Tawi
|
20:40
|
New Delhi
|
06:10
|
1AC (1534),
2A (921), 3A (680)
|
Superfast,
All days
|
11078
|
JHELUM EXP
|
Jammu Tawi
|
21:45
|
New Delhi
|
10:00
|
2A (891), 3A (650), SL (241)
|
All days
|
12414
|
JAMMU ALL EXP
|
Jammu Tawi
|
18:15
|
Delhi Cantt
|
04:59
|
1AC (1552),
2A (930), 3A (688), SL (264),
2S (146)
|
Superfast,
All days
|
12266
|
DURONTO EXP
|
Jammu Tawi
|
19:25
|
Delhi Cantt
|
04:00
|
1A (1670),
2A (1040), 3A (765), SL (295)
|
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
|
18102
|
MURI EXP
|
Jammu Tawi
|
14:30
|
Delhi
|
04:30
|
2A (969), 3A (707), SL (262),
|
All days
|
04034
|
UHP DEE SPECIAL
|
Jammu Tawi
|
19:25
|
Delhi S Rohilla
|
04:10
|
2A (891), 3A (650), SL (241),
|
Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday
|
For latest train schedules, timings and fare,
visit Indian Railways official's website
