Jammu & Kashmir "Paradise on Earth"

 

Widely recognised as the "Paradise on Earth," Jammu and Kashmir are world renowned for their scenic magnificence, snow-capped mountains, rich wildlife, magnificent temples, hospitable people and local crafts. Your journey to Jammu and Kashmir will be an unforgettable one, as the state will not only cater to you with its stunning scenery and snow-covered mountain ranges, but adventure sports will take you to another country. Tucked away in the Himalayas, the Pir Panjal and Karakoram mountain ranges are known for their scenic elegance and gentleness. Jammu and Kashmir are filled with the most stunning mountain ranges, vast glaciers, majestic monasteries, blue lakes , rivers, forests, lush rolling hills and tall pine trees. Though activities such as skiing, cycling, trekking, river rafting, paragliding, camping make the journey to Jammu and Kashmir more exciting, Amarnath and Vaishno Devi draw a large numbers of visitors every year. Dal Lake, Kashmir Valley, Khardung La Pass, Gulmarg, Shalimar Bagh are some of the main attractions of the state. The unmatched elegance and elegance of the state and the sweetness of the people will remain permanently embedded in your mind. J&K is a four-season tourist spot, you can go all year round on the basis of your season choices, and you will never be disappointed. Having said that, October-March is considered a common time for the local tourism industry. The climate during this period is perfect and more appropriate for sightseeing.

Lamayuru Monastery Leh

Key places to visit in Kashmir also feature Srinagar, Vaishnodevi, Gulmarg, Amarnath, Jammu, Patnitop, Nubra Valley, Kargil, Aru Valley and Bhaderwah and many more. Well known as 'Heaven on Earth,' Srinagar is situated in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, on the banks of the River Jhelum. As bucolic as the most beautiful artwork ever to be drawn, Srinagar is renowned for its stationary houseboats and vibrant Shikarar on Dal lake. The key asset of Sringara, the gondola-type rowboats-Shikaras are used by visitors to see sights such as the Floating Vegetable Market and the Mir Bahris – a vibrant group of people who live on the lake itself. Known as the summer city of Jammu & Kashmir, Srinagar is home with some of the most beautiful Mughal gardens in India, with Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Chashm-E-Shahi Garden as the main attractions.

mata-vaishno-devi-yatra

Kashmiri cuisine is popular all over the globe, but if you try local dishes in Srinagar, which are rich in special fragrant spices, it's a must. Srinagar is also renowned for the Kashmiri shawls, the Kashmiri apples and the dried fruits (almonds and walnuts) that can be purchased from the Lal Chowk market. Heavy snow impacts the connectivity of Srinagar in the winter months of December to February. Community problems also contribute to regular curfews in some areas of the regionUntil visiting, remember to check the situation. Located on the hills of Trikuta, 13 km from Katra (in Jammu and Kashmir); Vaishno Devi is a town home to the famous Vaishno Devi Mandir. This famous shrine draws millions of worshippers from all over the world. Widely called as Mata Rani, Vaishnavi and Trikuta, Vaishno Devi is a representation of the Hindu goddess of Durga. It is assumed that during the pooja and the aarti, the goddesses would come to the Holy Cave to pay their homage to Mata Rani. Followers claim the goddess herself calls the followers to come here. Vaishno Devi is said to be Moonh Maangi Muradein Poori Karne Wali Mata (the mother who fulfils the wishes of her children). The worshippers claim that the goddess herself summons them to come here. In the holy cave, the darshan of Maa Vaishno Devi is in the shape of three naturally occuring rocks known as pindies. These pindies embody the three forms of the goddess Maha Kali, Maha Saraswati and Maha Lakshmi. Vaishno Devi is a spiritual trekking destination operated by the Holy Shrine Council, which was approved in 1986.  All the way is respectably lined with lots of shops selling sweets, vegetables and holy products. More than one crore devotee visits the Temple of Vaishno Devi every year.

Kargil_War_Memorial,_Operation_Vijay

    Located at an altitude of 2730 m above sea level, Gulmarg is a famous skiing destination located in the Pir Panjal region of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Encircled by snow-covered high-rise Himalayas, flower prairie, lush valleys, evergreen forested valleys, Gulmarg also has the world's second-highest Gondola journey. Being one of India's best honeymoon destinations, Gulmarg boasts of being a gorgeous town with no crowds like Manali and Shimla. Gulmarg has also been established as an adventure centre, as the Indian Ski and Mountaineering Institute is situated here. IISM offers a lot of trekking, mountaineering, hiking and snowboarding courses. There are several other private travel companies in Gulmarg who offer similar courses and facilities for hiking, snowboarding and trekking. Recognized for its scenic scenery, Gulmarg has also become a popular location for filming numerous Bollywood films.

Amarnath is one of the most important pilgrimages to Lord Shiva believers in India. The cave of Amarnath is the sanctuary of a holy image of ice called the naturally shaped Shivaling, which resembles Lord Shiva. Amarnath Cave is only open during the months of July-August. There are two routes available for completing the Amarnath Yatra-Baltal or Pahalgam. The Baltal road, though shorter, has a steeper hike. The Pahalgam path is longer, but is usually favoured by most devotees. Jammu is the southernmost portion of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which lies proudly on the majestic Shivalik mountain ranges. Jammu, the winter capital of Kashmir, is a sacred and prosperous city renowned for its magnificent temples, religious shrines, shimmering shrines and cultural heritage. Since it is also the starting point for the famous Vaishno Devi Temple and Amarnath Yatra, visitors from far and wide visit it. With endless meadows and amazing views of the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas, Patnitop is the ideal place to encounter nature at its most stunning scenery and widest. It's also known as Patni Peak, a popular hill station in the Udhampur district of Jammu & Kashmir. Nubra Valley is situated in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir, at a distance of around 140 Km from Leh. Situated on the ancient Silk Path, the Shyok Valley and the Nubra River snorkel through it and some lovely monasteries. Typically a stopover for people going to Leh or Padum, Kargil is a tourist hotspot that is small enough to have been visited on the way. Located near to the control line, Kargil is also a dangerous area due to terrorism from the other side of the LOCBut aside from its glorious history, endowed with stunning features and adventure, Kargil is a spot for intrepid travellers. Bhaderwah is a town situated in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. It belongs to the division of the state of Jammu. Housed in the foothills of the Himalayas, the status of a sub-district has been granted. The distribution of flora and fauna, stony hills, snow-capped mountains, valleys and vegetation provide natural visibility. It's also called Mini Kashmir. Skiing can be experienced on the snow-filled mountain slopes. To get to Kashmir, take the airport of Srinagar (15 km away), which is well linked to the major Indian cities. Jammu Tawi Railway Station, located at a distance of around 330 km, is the closest railroad to the lovely Kashmir Valley. New Delhi-Jammu Tawi Rajdhani Express, Jammu Mail and Jammu Tawi Express are some of the most popular trains running from Delhi.