Why One Should Visit Kashmir

1. Jammu and Kashmir is a state in Northern India, granted autonomy under article 370 of Indian constitution.It is located mostly in the Himalayan mountains and shares a border with the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to the south. Jammu and Kashmir has an international border with China in the north and east, and the Line of Control separates it from the Pakistani controlled territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan in the west and nor .....

Ladakh

2. Ladakh is a mountainous region in the disputed northwest Jammu and Kashmir area in north India and in the area known as the Trans Himalaya, (the lands beyond the Himalaya Tibet, Xinjiang and northern Pakistan). It is slightly smaller than Scotland, the settled population live between 2700m and 4500m, and nomadic encampments even higher, and it is the largest and the least populated region of Jammu and Kashmir. The people are a mixture of Buddhis .....

Sonamarg

3. Located on the Srinagar Ladakh Highway, around two and a half hours drive northeast of Srinagar, scenic Sonamarg (Meadow of Gold) is famous for its Thajiwas Glacier. What is remarkable about this glacier is how accessible it is. From the highway, you can hike up to the glacier and back in around five hours. If you do not have so much time to spare, it is possible to ride a pony instead, or take a taxi part of the way there and walk. It is costly .....

Gulmarg

4. Gulmarg (Meadow of Flowers), India is version of a ski resort, is situated less than two hours drive east of Srinagar. The season runs from mid December to mid March. If youare not into skiing, you may still want to let the gondola whisk you more than 13,000 feet up Mount Apharwat for outstanding views. Apparently, it is the world is highest cable car. And, it is very popular, so you should buy your tickets online to avoid a long queues. Unfortun .....

Pahalgam

5. Pahalgam, the Valley of Shepherds, is around three hours drive from Srinagar and is near the departure point for pilgrims going on the Amarnath Yatra (avoid visiting during July as it will be very busy then). Visitors commonly head to Pahalgam is Betaab Valley (the Bollywood movie Betaab was shot there), with its fresh flowing Lidder River and surrounding snow capped hills. However, what you need to be aware of, is that you will only be allowed t .....

Sinthan Top

6. Sinthan Top is becoming a sought after alternative to the other, often crowded, tourist places in Kashmir. Interest in it has grown since construction of the Kokernag Sinthan Top Kishtwar Road, connecting Kashmir with Jammu, began. It is yet to be developed though, so there is an absence of facilities for tourists. Hence, it is a good idea to stop in Daksum on the way. The drive from Srinagar to Sinthan Top takes around two and a half hours. It i .....

Dal Lake

7. Dal lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in India, is the second largest lake of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Encircled by mountains on three sides, the banks of this lake are adorned by several blooming gardens and orchards. Dal Lake has rightfully become an icon of the Kashmir tourism industry. A Himalayan urban lake, it has five basins and a number of channels that are well linked with each other. There are plenty of fishes in Dal Lake and .....

Srinagar

8. The city best known for its lush gardens, serene lakes, and chameleonic landscape, Srinagar is best visited during the summer season. Relish a shikhara ride on Dal or Nagin Lake, or snap to your heart delight with the snow clad Hari parbat hill in the backdrop.Things to see and do Dal & Nageen Lakes, Mughal Gardens, Shankaracharya Hill, Old City monumnents (Dastgir Sahib, Jama Masjid, Khanqah, and Rozabal Shrine). .....

Shalimar Garden

9. Emperor Jehangir got the Shalimar Garden built for his wife Nur Jahan in 1616. A second garden Faiz Baksh, was added to it later during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1628 1658). Covering an area of approximately 539 m by 182 m, the Shalimar garden offer an amazing view over the other gardens, lakes and shallow terraces. Also known as the garden of love, the Shalimar Mughal Gardens has four terraces, rising one above the other. The fourt .....

Betab Valley

10. It is surrounded by snow covered mountain peaks and dense pine and deodar forests. Emperor Jehangir got the Shalimar Garden built for his wife Nur Jahan in 1616. A second garden Faiz Baksh, (The Bountiful) was added to it later during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1628 1658). Covering an area of approximately 539 m by 182 m, the Shalimar garden offer an amazing view over the other gardens, lakes and shallow terraces. Also known as the g .....

Nishat Garden

11. Nishat Garden, located on the banks of the beautiful Dal Lake, is one of the largest Mughal gardens. Known as the garden of bliss, this garden was designed in 1633 AD by the brother of Nur Jahan, Asaf Khan. Nishat Bagh as laid out now is a broad cascade of terraces lined with avenues of chinar and cypress trees, which starts from the lakeshore and reaches up to an artificial facade at the hill end. Rising from the edge of the Dal Lake, it has twe .....

Chashmashahi

12. Chashma Shahi has tastefully laid garden in terraces, which commands a magnificent view of the Dal Lake below and surrounding mountain ranges. The cool water of the spring is highly refreshing and digestive. The original garden was laid out by Shah Jehan in 1632 AD.By the side of Chashma Shahi Garden are huts where some of the state government officials have their official residences to enjoy the luxurious stay while serving the Jammu & Kashmir S .....

Yousmarg

13. Yusmarg has a great scope for adventure tourism. Doodganga a river flows through this meadow. In its vicinity lies the alpine meadow of Tosa Maidan. A trek of 4 km leads to a small Lake named as Nilnag surrounded by pine trees. Another 10 km trek leads to the most interesting lake the frozen lake in Sang e Safed valley, most portion of this lake is covered by ice even during the summer. A number of tourist huts, restaurants and hotels are availab .....

Chemrey Monastery

14. Chemrey Monastery Ladakh was founded during 17th century and it is just 40km from Ladakh. Chemrey Gompa belongs to the Drugpa monastic order and was found by the Lama Tagsang Raschen and dedicated to King Sengge Namgyal. There are only 20 monks of Drugpa community residing in this monastery. Drugpa monastery was made in memory of king Sengge Namgyal. There are numerous shrines that are located in this monastery.The major attraction of Chemrey Gom .....

Nagin Lake

15. Known as the Jewel In The Ring, Nagin is generally held to be the most beautiful of the Dal lakes. Its name comes from the many trees, which encircle the small, deep blue lake. Nagin is only separated from the Larer Dal lakes by a narrow causeway and it also has a number of houseboats moored around its perimeter.If one wants to really get away from the chaotic city life all then Nagin is a good place to find a house boat and do it the surroundin .....

Shankaracharya Temple

16. The Shankaracharya Temple, also known as the Jyesteshwara temple or Pas Pahar by Buddhists, is situated in the Zabarwan Mountain in Srinagar, Kashmir. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is on the summit of the same name at a height of 1,000 feet (300 m) above the plain and overlooks the city of Srinagar.The Jyoteshware temple rests on a solid rock. A 20 foot tall octagonal base supports a square building on top. The terrace around the squa .....

Shankaracharya Hill

17. Thickly forested Shankaracharya Hill is topped by a small Shiva temple built from hefty blocks of visibly ancient grey stone. Previously known as Takht i Sulaiman (Throne of Solomon), it now named for a sage who reached enlightenment here in AD 750, but signs date the octagonal structure as 5th century and the site is even older. Some claim, controversially, that a previous temple here was once renovated by Jesus and St Thomas. Access is by a win .....

Shiv Khori

18. Shivkhori is a famous cave shrine of Hindus devoted to lord Shiva, situated in district Udhampur of Jammu and Kashmir state in India. In Udhampur district, there are many shrines such as Mata Vaishno Devi, Sudhmahadev, Pingla Mata, Mahamaya Chountra Mata, Merhada Mata, Baba Dhandar, Siad Baba. Shiv Khori is one of them located in village Ransoo of Pouni block in tehsil Reasi of the Udhampur district, which attracts lakhs of devotees in a year. Sh .....

Mosque Jama Masjid

19. Jamia Masjid is a mosque in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India. The Jamia Masjid of Srinagar is situated at Nowhatta, in the middle of the old city. An important mosque was built by Sultan Sikandar in 1400 AD.under the order by mir mohmmad hamadani son of Shah hamdan ,shah hamdan already prays namaz in side and stay there Later, the son of Sultan Sikandar, Zain ul Abidin got the mosque extended. The attractions of the Jamia Masjid of Srinagar, Kash .....

Drass

20. The town of Dras is located in a relatively flat and open space. It has extensive willow groves along the river. Insummer this town presents a pleasant look while in winter it discovered under a thick blanket of snow. Dras experiences the lowest temperatures in the valley and with its altitude of 3,300 m, this town is said to be the second coldest inhabited place in Asia. The mercury may drop to as low as 40 degrees Celcius below freezing point. .....

Kheer Bhavani Temple

21. The temple of Kheer Bhawani is situated at a distance of 14 miles east of Srinagar against the background of natural sight near the village of Tula Mula. This temple, is located in the middle of a spring, around which there is a vast area whose floor has been covered with smooth and beautiful stones. In it exist large and old chinar trees beneath which the pilgrims sit or sleep on mats of grass. The colour of the spring goes on changing. While mo .....

Martand Sun Temple

22. Martand Sun Temple, constructed in the medieval era during the period from the 7th to the 8th century AD, is dedicated to the Hindu sun god, Surya. Lalitaditya, one of the kings of the Surya dynasty, built this temple at the top of a plateau in proximity to a small town named Anantnag. It is considered to be one of the finest works of King Lalitaditya with its 84 columns placed at regular intervals. Square lime stone bricks were used in the const .....

Charar I Sharief

23. Charar i Sharif, located at a distance of about 28 km from Srinagar is popularly known as Hazrat Sheikh Noor ud Din Wali. It was built in honour of the Muslim Sufi Saint Hazrat Sheikh Noor ud Din Wali, more than 600 years ago. Hazrat Sheikh Noor ud Din Wali was born in 1377 to a woman called Salar Sanz and was known in the earlier part of his life as Nund Reshi or Sahazanand. It is said that just three days after his birth, Hazrat Sheikh refused .....

Hazratbal Mosque

24. This is Dargah Hazratbal Mosque.The holy hair of beloved Prophet(SAW) is housed here.It was brought from Madina Tayyibah,by Sayyid Abdullah,to India,in the reign of mughal emperor shah jahan.Later on, during the reign of Aurangzeb Alamgir,Sayyid Abdullah,gifted it to his Kashmiri disciple and friend,Hazrat Isawari,who was in delhi,in connection with his business.Before Ishawari could bring the holy relic to Kashmir,He died on his trip and the rel .....

Dachigam National Park

25. Located very close to Srinagar (22 km), Dachigam National Park with its splendid forests and magnificent scenery is easily accessible. Of all the many sanctuaries in the state, the one at Dachigam is the best known. At one time the exclusive hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Kashmir, it was declared a national park in 1951, and owing to a strictly enforced conservation programme, the Hangul population, once 150, now stands at over 400 animals. .....

Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Gardens

26. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden was set up in 1969 and it was fully established in 1987. This garden has a dense temperate forest of Oak trees. This garden has a collection of well nursed and well maintained temperature trees and plants. It has a variety of different trees species of more than 50 breeds along with a wide range of plants and flowers. A greenhouse lies in the middle of the garden where you will be able to spot different .....

Gulmarg Gondola

27. The Cable Car ride, popularly known as the Gondola Lift or Ride is the special attraction of Gulmarg. It is located at a distance of 1km in the west of the Gulmarg bus stand. The managing authority of the Gulmarg cable Car ride is the Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporations.There are two divisions of the ride one is from Gulmarg to Kongdoori and the second one is from Kongdoori to Apherwat. It starts from an elevation of 2690 m above sea .....

Xuelian Feng

28. Xuelian Feng, Xuelian Peak or Snow Lotus Peak, is one of the major mountains of the Tian Shan mountain range. It lies in Xinjiang province, China, about 50 kilometres (30 mi) east northeast of Jengish Chokusu, the highest peak in the range. It is notable for its large, steep relief above the nearby valleys, and for its large topographic prominence. (It is ranked 84th in the world by this measure). The peak has two summits, with the main being the .....

Tulip garden

29. Tulip Garden in Kashmir is Asia is largest tulips garden and there is a likely hood that it can become the worlds second largest largest too.The tulip garden which is in Srinagar is commonly known as Siraj Bagh and is located no the banks of the famous Dal Lake. When viewing the garden you are able to see the large variety of colors of the flowers, and there are over 60 varieties of early, mid and late blooming tulips.The tourism authorities in t .....

Rangdum Monastery

30. The 200 year old Rangdum Monastery is situated in the most isolated part of the Suru Valley in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. A prominent centre of Tibetan Budhism, the monastery is part of the Gelugpa or yellow hat order.The monastery falls in Suru Valley but culturally it is part of Zanskar. Situated at an elevation of 11,998 ft, it is amongst the most important landmarks of the Ladakh region. The monastery is 130 km south east of Kargil a .....

When Should One Visit Kashmir

31. The best seasons for visit to Kashmir are also categorized according to the climatic conditions, as each part differs greatly in topography. For visiting Jammu the best season is October to February and for Ladakh it is mid June to September. During this period the weather conditions in Kashmir are at their best. This period covers three seasons in Kashmir i.e., spring March to early May, for enjoying spring visit Kashmir in early May. Summer ear .....