Srinagar Picnic Places Information,Jammu
Martand: 64kms on a plateau, Martand has the most impressive ancient ruins in Kashmir. the temple of Martand was built by Lalitaditya Mukhtapida, a warrior king of Kashmir. The temple is devoted to the Sun God - Surya.
Achabal: 58 kms via Anantnag, altitude 1677 mts. Once the pleasure retreat of Empress Noor Jahan, it has fine garden in the Mughla Style ans a trout hatchery.
Avantipur: 29kms, this place is famopus for the ruins on ancient temples. It is believed to have been built in the honour of Mahadev by Avanti Verma in the 9th century.
Kokernag: 70kms. altitude 2020 mts. It is famous for the curative properties its springs. It has a botanical garden with a variety of roses.
Verinag: 80kms.,altitude 1876 mts. The spring here is reported to be the chief source of river Jhelum. Further to the east lies the remians of the pavilion and baths built during the Mughal period.
Daksum: 85kms.,altitude 2513 mts. It is a forest retreat girdled by mountains.It is possible to cross to Kishtwar in Jammu from Daksum over the Simthan pass, this being a popular trek.
Yusmarg: 47kms., altitude 2377 mts. It is located in a small open valley in the Pir Panjal range, surrounded by gaint pines and firs.
Charari-Sharif: 30km., altitude 2400 mts. It is famous for an impressive waterfall formed by river Veshav falling from a height of 24.4 mts. Kungwattan, a chamrming woodland meadow just is 8kms. Ponies can be hired to Kungwattan there is no motorable road.
Wular Lake: 60kms., altitude 1580 mts. This great fresh water lake, the largest in India, is an important feature of the hydrographic system of Kashmir. Acting as a fllod reservior, its dimensions vary at the different times of the year. Normally it is 19 kms by 10 kms and is spread over an area of about 125 sq.kms. Wular has a picturesque setting and is surrounded by mountains.
Burzahom: 24kms. The excavations at Burzahom reveal settlements dating back to about 2500 BC.
Dachigam National Park: 21kms., altitude 2400 mts. Originally a royal game preserve, this sanctuary is now protected and provides shelter to the Himalayan black bear, brown bear, musk deer and the hangul for Kashmir stag. Permits to enter the sanctuary can be obtained from chief Wildlife Warden, TRC
Ganderbal: 19kms., situated on the banks of river Sindhu (Indus), the turf banks and shady chinars afford excellent camping and mooring sites.
Manasbal: 32 kms., altitude 1560 mts. Manasbal is apanromic lake laden with flowering lotus plants during the summer months and is a bird watcher's paradise.
