If you wonder what Jammu & Kashmir has to offer, it is safe to say that you will be in for a nice surprise! Hanging blue sky meeting the snow-capped mountains, lush green, alpine passes – Kashmir is a picture-perfect beauty. This beautiful place is actually divided into three distinct land masses: the foothill plains of Jammu, the Kashmir Valley and the mountains of Ladakh. Unfortunately, its geographical location has given rise to the occasional skirmishes with our neighboring country, thereby turning the ‘paradise of earth’ into a place of constant gunfire and bloodshed.
Kashmir:
The people of this valley are beautiful and hospitable. Majority of the inhabitants are Muslims and Urdu is the most spoken language. The place has always been a haunting address for the tourists. In fact, tourism industry is the main source of bread and butter for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. However, terrorism spawned by the infiltration of foreign terrorists through the porous border of India has inflicted the disastrous effects on the tourism sector. But fortunately, terrorism in this region in on wane and this has helped this place to get back its past glory. Tourism is again picking up though at a slower pace.
Places to visit – Jammu & Kashmir has ample to offer and one-time visit is not enough to drink to the dollops of these divine offerings. You may stay here for months and yet to discover the sublime splendor of the neighboring and far-flung spots. Every place has an appeal of its own and turns out to be as mesmerizing as you can expect. Major tourist draws are Mughal gardens, Hamrathbal Mosque and Gulmarg and Pehelgam. Though the scenic beauty is what keeps the backpackers engaged most of the time, they also love the sinful indulgence of a wide variety of spicy Kashmiri delights.
Jammu:
The main tourist attractions of Jammu are Raghunath Temple and Vaishno Devi Temple. Pilgrims from every nook and cranny of India throng here to breathe in divine bliss. The climate of Jammu is same as that in plains and so turns quite hot in the summer season.
Ladakh – The Thiksey Monastery, raising its head up a hillock, is in sharp contrast to the damaged Leh Palace overlooking the town. The rare relics of the last royal family of Ladakh are preserved with care in Stock Palace and Museum houses.
Ideal time to visit – Early winter (September to October)
Places to visit:
Raghunath Temple – Seated in the center of Jammu, this temple was started by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1835 and finished by his son, Maharaja Ranbir Singh, in 1860. The temple, dedicated to Lord Rama, has three of its inner walls covered with gold sheet. Lakhs of ‘Saligrams’ cover the galleries. The surrounding temples have been built in the names of other god and goddesses mentioned in the Ramayana.
Jammu Bahu Fort – Built originally by Raja Bahulochan, this fort was significantly modified during the Dogra regime. This fort is believed to be the oldest structure in Jammu. The fort is a brief 5 km away from the city. The rocks which the fort rests on are facing the river. It also houses a temple dedicated to goddess Kali and is surrounded by a beautifully laid-out garden.
Mubarak Mandi Palace – The structure represents a unique confluence of Gothic, Rajasthani and Gothic architectural styles. The palace was constructed in 1824 AD. The most famous part of the palace is Sheesh Mahal. The pink hall of the palace is now known to be Dogra Art Musuem. It houses the treasured miniature paintings from various art schools in the hilly region.
Patnitop – It is situated on the Jammu-Kashmir highway and 112 km away from the Jammu city. It is a favorite picnic spot for the Jammu residents. Later, the JKTDC took the possession of the place and converted it into a beautiful tourist spot. The place is buried under a thick cover of snow during winter and a good place to enjoy the winter sports.
Peer Baba – This dargah was built to commemorate Peer Budhan Ali Shah, a great Muslim saint. On Thursday, the place is thronged by people of other faiths apart from the Muslims.
Katra – It is a base camp for the tourists going on a pilgrimage to the Vaishnodevi temple. Being 50km away from valley, this spot is easily accessible by a road that meanders through a stretch of the valley.
Dal Lake – A labyrinth of waterways has made this lake – located to the east of Srinagar city – an inviting spot for the itinerants. It comprises of a series of lakes. The famous Mughal gardens are in full vicinity from the lake. Staying in the luxurious houseboats is another attraction for the tourists. This lake has always been a favorite shooting spot for the Bollywood movies.
Pahalgam – It is 95 km east of Srinagar city and located at a junction of the East and West Lidder rivers. The place serves as a popular trekking base. Thousands of Hindu devotees start on their journey to the Amarnath cave from Pahelgam.
Hemis Gompa - It is situated 45 km south of Leh. Due to its location, it is easily accessible to the tourists and the most visited gompa in this region. It houses an excellent library having a good collection of some Kashmiri frescos and Buddha Statues.
Namgyal Tsemo Gompa - It was erected in 1430. The gompa contains a towering three-storey-high Buddha statue, ancient manuscripts and frescoes. This place offers an amazing view of Leh. A steep lane from here takes the travelers to the Leh Palace.
Shanti Stupa – This impressive statue looks its best at night. It was originally built with the financial help from the Japanese government and inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 1985. The stupa is situated at the end of the road the passes through Changspa. Great views from the top of the Stupa have made it a must-visit for the visitors.