| State
of India - Jammu and Kashmir |
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 QUICK
FACTS Climate
(Degree C.): Summer
Max: 35. Min: 28.
Winter Max: 20 Min:
| Best Season: April
to October | Languages
Spoken: Pahari, Hindi
and English | Winter
Capital: Jammu | Summer
Capital: Srinagar
Overview:
The Mughal king Jehangir,
moved to such an ecstasy
by the beauty of Kashmir
that he exclaimed,
"If there is a Paradise
on earth, it is here,
it is here, it is
here". Unlike the
other Himalayan regions,
Kashmir has been a
tourist's paradise
and holiday resort
for a long time, probably
one of the oldest
on the earth. They
say a visit to Kashmir
can divide your life
into two halves- before
and after Kashmir.
Indeed, after a trip
to this unforgettable
land, you are never
quite the same again.
Geography
of Jammu and Kashmir:
Jammu and Kashmir
is the northern-most
state of India, lying
mostly in the Himalayan
Mountains. Jammu and
Kashmir shares a border
with Himachal Pradesh
to the south, Pakistan
to the west and People's
Republic of China
to the north and the
east. Jammu and Kashmir
consists of three
divisions: Jammu,
the Vale of Kashmir
and Ladakh.
 History
of Jammu and Kashmir:
In the ancient times
a large part of trade
between China and
Central Asia, was
routed from Kashmir.
Kashmir was also one
of the major centres
of Sanskrit scholars.
According to Mahabharata,
the Kambojas ruled
Kashmir during the
epic period following
a Republican system
of government. The
Mughal had a deep
influence on this
land and introduced
various reforms during
their reign. The two
areas of Kashmir and
Jammu were integrated
into a single political
unit during the reign
of Maharaja Gulab
Singh of the Dogra
dynasty. The capital
of the present day
Kashmir can be easily
attributed to King
Ashoka. Buddhism spread
during his time with
monks settling in
the valleys of Kashmir.
The religion eventually
spread to the North
i.e. Ladakh, Tibet,
Central Asia and China.
Kashmir became home
to varied religious
and cultural groups.
Religions like Buddhists,
Hindus and Muslims
co existed in Kashmir.
 Tourist
Places of Jammu and
Kashmir:
Jammu and Kashmir
offers tourists wonderful
locations and destinations
that can be explored.
The state has been
typically divided
into 3 parts as per
its topography, geography
and places of attractions.
Jammu is the Duggar
land with grand ancient
temples, and beautiful
palaces nestling in
the foothills of the
Himalayas. Jammu attracts
tens of thousands
of Hindu and Muslim
pilgrims every year.
Set like a jewelled
crown on the map of
India, Kashmir valley
is like a many faceted
diamond, changing
character with the
seasons - always extravagantly
beautiful. Three Himalayan
ranges, Karakoram,
Zanaskar and Pir Panjal
- snow capped, majestic,
frame the landscape
from northwest to
northeast. Ladakh
also known as "Little
Tibet" is renowned
for its remote mountain
beauty and Buddhist
culture which was
established as early
as the 2nd century.
For centuries it has
been nicknamed the
'land of passes' (La-pass;
Dakh-land).
 Fairs
and Festivals of Kashmir:
Major festivals of
India like Holi, Diwali
and Id are celebrated
with great enthusiasm
and fanfare in Kashmir
as well. The main
regions of the state,
Kashmir Valley, Jammu
Valley and Ladakh
add their own local
flavour while celebrating
these festivals. But
the idea behind each
festival is always
the same; to spread
joy and love amongst
the people. Lohri
celebrated on the
13th January and Baisakhi
celebrated on 13th
April are also very
popular festivals
of Kashmir. Some of
the fairs that one
can attend during
their tour to Kashmir
are Jhiri Mela, Jammu
Crafts Mela (April),
Bahu Mela. In the
Ladakh region, Losar,
Ladakah Festival and
Hemis Festival are
quite famous and attract
number of tourists
from all over the
world.
Cuisine
in Kashmir:
Traditional Kashmiri
form of cooking is
known as Wazhawan.
This royal cuisine
dates back to the
last years of the
14th Century and has
been significantly
influenced by Iranian,
Afghan and Central
Asian styles of cooking.
What sets Kashmir
Cuisine apart is the
detailing involved
in the meal preparation
and presentation as
well as the use of
special ingredients.
This cuisine generally
consists of non-vegetarian
dishes with a rich
and creamy texture
of the curry. This
is due to the considerable
amount of curd and
dry fruits like Walnuts,
almonds and raisins
used in the dish.
Asafoetida (Hing),
Saunf (aniseed), dry
ginger, and the local
saffron are other
basic ingredients
that signify a Kashimiri
dish. Some of the
dishes worth trying
out are Vakhni, Tabaq
Naat, Dum Aloo, Rogan
Josh, Gaustaba, Haleem.
Shopping
in Jammu and Kashmir:
Kashmir can be truly
termed as a shopper's
paradise. Jammu and
Kashmir is particularly
rich in traditional
handicrafts items
made by the locals
here. Kashmiri handicrafts
are known for their
uniqueness and intricate
work. Some of the
speciality items of
Kashmir are the handmade
carpets, Papier-mâché
items, Shawls, Silk
and Tweeds, Crewel
Furnishings, Woodwork,
Pherans, Brass, Copper
and Silverware, Wicker
baskets, Naqqashi
work, Chain Stitch
Embroidery, Saris
Cricket Bats, Namdas
etc. The shopping
places in Kashmir
consist of privately
owned as well as the
government emporium.
The prices at the
private shops are
generally quite high,
where as the government
emporium is a safe
choice. Most of the
shops are located
in the big cities
of Jammu, Srinagar
and Leh. Lal Chowk,
Badshah Chowk etc.
in Srinagar and Vir
Marg, Raghunath Bazaar,
Hari Market in Jammu
are preferred shopping
markets areas. |
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