Visit to Jammu & Kashmir
Romantic green meadows, majestic mountains, bewitching lakes, and valleys - Jammu has the uncanny ability to surprise you at every turn. Tucked snugly between 'glittering shikhars' on ancient temples and holy shrines perched atop hillsides, lies the most picturesque scenes one can ever imagine. But these fascinating places are supposed to be discovered - quitely, gently and patiently. For when they do reveal their inherent beauty, you will be indeed swept off your feet. Infact you wont believe your eyes. Jammu & Kashmir comprises of three distinct regions. Jammu shares a border with Punjab and lies in the transitional zone between the plains and mountians. The river Chenab flows through this area and is a vital lifeline. To the north, lies the Shivalik ranges that merge into the mid - Himalayan ranges of Pir Panjal Mountians. Kashmir, the contested jewel of South Asia' northernmost region, has seen its astonishingly beautiful valleys and mountians repeatedly scarred by political dispute. The valley of Kashmir is a fertile verdant region enclosed by the high snow - capped ridges of Pir Panjal and the high Himalays, at an average altitude of 1580 mts. to the east. It is the only Indian state with a Muslim majority and its rich Islamic history can be traced back to the 14th century. Kashmir is the principal region in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the other two supplementary units being Jammu and Ladakh.
Apart from the beauty of the valley of Kashmir the state has other fascianting and accessible regions, set in some of the world's beautiful scenery. The spectacular high altitude deserts of Ladakh and Zanskar provide the setting for hardy Buddhist culture, whose villages and monastries retain strong links with tibet. It lies at an average altitude of over 500 mts. The capital is Leh. Alchi, Hemis and Thikse are just three of the many monastires clinging to the mountain sides, and some of the highest altitude passes in the world allow entry to oone of India's least known regions. The political voilence in Kashmir valley since the late 1980s has discouraged most travellers from visiting the region.Until 1989, a stay on the famous houseboats of Dal Lake close to the city centre of Srinagar was considered a must for anyone visiting northern India while the treks out of Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam were among some of the most popular in the Himalaya. Before the outbreak of voilence, more than 6,00,000 Indian tourists and 60,000 foreign tourists visited Kashmir throughout the summer season, from early June until mid - October.
Srinagar, the state capital, is situated at an altitude of 1730 mts. above sea level, while the city of Jammu, further south on the plains, is the winter capital. It is the second largest city of Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar is connected by an all weather road to Jammu, which in turn is connected to many parts of India. Indan Airlines and Jet Airways flies directly to Jammu and New delhi and hence to every part of the national network. Srinagar's nearest railhead is Jammu, which in turn connects all parts of the country, including Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Mumbai and Kanyakumari.
Go to Jammu & Kashmir Tourist Places
