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JAMMU AND KASHMIR GUIDE

 
"Jammu & Kashmir Paradise on earth." Kashmir is an area on the northern borders of India and Pakistan, officially known as Jammu & Kashmir. Kashmir is famous for its natural beauty and has often been referred to as the 'Switzerland of the East'. The heart of the area is the fertile Vale of Kashmir (known as The Valley), which lies between the Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range. Here the climate is mild and the soil well watered. The Indus river flows through Kashmir. The river Jhelum flows through the Vale of Kashmir. The mountains have much precious forests.

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  JAMMU AND KASHMIR INFORMATION

  
Jammu - a city of temples, where glittering 'sihkars' add to the ambience of this holy city. Jammu is located along River Tawi in the foot hills of the Himalayas. Jammu is actually a combination of two towns. The older one overlooks the river from a hill top and the new town is across the river.
Kashmir - Set like a jeweled crown on the map of India, Kashmir is 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. They are the birthplace of great rivers which flow through the kashmir valley. Raj Taringini the chronology of the Kashmir Kings written by Kalhana eulogizes the beauty of Kashmir as follows: "Kasmira Parvati Paroksh; Tat Swami ch Maheswara". Meaning Kashmir is as beautiful as Goddess Parvati manifest; and its owner is Lord Shiva Himself" And the Mughal Emperor exclaimed "Gar Bar-ru-e-Zamin Ast ; Hamin Ast ,Hamin Ast Hamin Asto. Meaning if there is paradise on this earth : This is it, this is it, this is it.
 
   

  JAMMU AND KASHMIR FACTS AND FIGURES

  

Jammu & Kashmir at a Glance ...

     
 

Area:    

222,237 sq km
 

Capital:

Srinagar
 

Languages: 

Dogri, Hindi, Urdu
  Per Capita Income: 5,250
  Religion: Hindu(25%), Muslim(70%), Christian(5%)
  Main Income: Tourism , Agriculture
  Best Time to visit: September to April
 
   

  JAMMU AND KASHMIR HISTORY

  
The Muslim and Hindu peoples of Kashmir have lived in relative harmony and friendliness since the 13th century when Islam first became the majority religion in Kashmir. The Sufi-Islamic way of life that ordinary Muslims followed in Kashmir complemented the rishi tradition of Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus), leading to a syncretic culture where Hindus and Muslims revered the same local saints and prayed at the same shrines. Periodically however, there have been rulers and leaders who have had a narrow view of Islam, and have subjected Hindu minorities to great cruelties and discrimination. The current armed secessionist movement in Kashmir mostly derives its inspiration from these people.A canard is now being spread past few years by the secessionist-terrorists and their sympathizers that in 1990 Kashmiri Pandits left Kashmir willingly, having been "tricked" by then Jammu and Kashmir Governor Jagmohan. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The fact is that Kashmiri Pandits were driven from their homeland after a campaign of intimidation and harassment was launched against them by the military-wing of the secessionists. Kashmiri Pandits were forced from their hearths and homes at the point of gun. The objective of this ethnic cleansing was to create a minority free Kashmir valley where the goal of Islamization could be easily forced on the ordinary people. The books and articles below will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the genesis of the current political situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
 
   

  JAMMU AND KASHMIR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

  
Amar Mahal (Jammu) » Bahu Fort (Jammu) » Gulmarg (Srinagar) » Peer Khoh (jammu) » Raghunath Temple (Jammu) » Sanasar (Jammu) » Shiv Khori (Jammu) » Pahalgam (Srinagar) » Hazratbal (Srinagar) » Sonamarg (Srinagar) » Hari Parbat (Srinagar)
 
   

  JAMMU AND KASHMIR FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

  
Kashmir Hub offers you an opportunity to glimpse the colorful and happening festivals of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The most commonly celebrated festivals in Kashmir are Lohri, Baisakhi, Bahu mela, the Jhiri mela, the Mansar food and craft mela, Chaitre Chaudash mela and the Purmandal mela. The Navratras are celebrated with festivities all over Kashmir, but a special mela is held at the Kheer Bhawani temple in the Tulla Mulla village. Tours and travel to the state of Kashmir gives you a chance to participate in the other popular festivals such as the Hemis festival and the Sindhu Darshan festival.
 
   

  HOW TO REACH

  
Air : Jammu & Kashmir is well connected with the rest of the country by all the major means of transport. The city is accessible by air and the city has an airport. A number of flights are available to and from several of the major cities in the country.

Road : Jammu & Kashmir Tawi is the main railhead that has a number of trains for most of the important towns and cities of the country. Moreover, the longest rail route that stretches from Jammu Tawi to Kanyakumari and touches almost all the main cities and towns of the country, originates from here.

Rail : One can easily reach Jammu & Kashmir by the National Highway 1A that goes from Punjab and runs through this city, connecting it to the rest of the state including the capital Srinagar. The state transport corporation runs several buses to most of the big towns and cities in north India.
 
   

  JAMMU AND KASHMIR MAJOR CITIES

  
Srinagar » Pahalgam » Gulmarg » Sanamarg » Aeroports » Sanosor » Kishtwar » Leh & Ladakh
 
   

  JAMMU AND KASHMIR WILDLIFE AND BIRDS

  
Jammu and Kashmir is India's northernmost state. It is also a state with fascinating wildlife, which you can see on wildlife tours of Jammu and Kashmir with Kashmir Hub.The Himalayas and the sub Himalayan mountain ranges are a unique and pristine ecosystem where many rarae animals and birds can be found. On tours of Kashmir you could see the elusive and magnificent snow leopard, the burly Himalayan Black Bear, the majestic Hangul or Kashmir stag, the Chiru or Tibetan antelope, the Bharal or blue sheep, many species of mountain goats, the yak - a wild animal that has been domesticated for centuries as a best of burden - and many varieties of rare birds, including the splendid Monal pheasant and Himalayan Tragopan. Other animals you can see include Musk Deer, Ibex, Leopards, monkeys and langurs.The unique wildlife of Jammu and Kashmir is characteristic of the Himalayan ecosystem. The pleasant summers and cold winters are reflected by animal and bird migrations. Many creatures move down the slopes to better grazing areas during the harsh winter and migrate up to the mountainous slopes in the warm summer. Summer is therefore the best time to see wildlife in Jammu and Kashmir. The animals can be seen in the wildlife sanctuaries, on the grassy slopes and the birds on the trees as they feed and look after their young during the warm summer.You can enjoy seeing the unique wildlife of Kashmir on tours of Jammu and Kashmir, a natural paradise, with Kashmir Hub.
 
   

  JAMMU AND KASHMIR ARTS AND CRAFTS

  
Kashmir Hub offers you a glimpse into the culture and traditions of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The state has a rich heritage with respect to art and craft.Tours and travel to the state of Kashmir gives you a chance to explore the artistic tradition of the different tribes who make this vibrant and colorful region their home. There are several tribes living in different parts of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Each of these tribes has their own tradition and culture and it is still reflected in the day-to-day items like clothes, utensils etc.The designs and naqqashi work done on the various handcrafted items have a strong imprint of ancient tradition. Kashmiri artisans endeavor to carry on the ancient tradition of artistry, though a few changes have taken place. Tours and travel to the remote rural regions in Kashmir gives you a chance to see these artisans at work and create exquisite works of art.Kashmiri woodwork is very popular. Extensive carving is done on wooden furniture, wooden boxes and other decorative and useful items made of wood.Kashmiri Papier-mache work is also very popular Kashmiri art form. Papier-mache vases, bowls and other decorative items have exquisite traditional designs in vibrant colors on them.Hand woven willow baskets are very common in Kashmir and the locals utilize these for their everyday use. Tours and travel to Kashmir gives you a chance to see these weavers at work.