Jammu And Kashmir Tourism

Jammu

   Jammu, named after the city of the same name, is on the Pakistan-India border in the middle of the massive Shivalik Range, and it is intersected by the Tawi River and the lower elevation and iconic Trikuta hills.  The capital city Jammu is known nation-wide for its famous temples and unique skyline.  It's the economic hub of the state as well as a very popular pilgrimage destination. The city of Jammu is the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir and is on the banks of the Tawi River and is called "The City of Temples" because off the many religious sites in the town and the spires popping up all over its skyline, and the city is also surrounded by many relics of its troubled, martial past.

Raghunath Mandir

  The most famous of Jammu's many temples is the Raghunath Mandir in the middle of town, the largest such complex in northern India and full of massive idols to deities.  Almost every deity is worshipped within its walls, a rarity among Hindu temple complexes.  Many pilgrims from all over India come thousands of kilometers just to worship at this site.

Amar Mahal

    The Amar Mahal is a beautiful palace overlooking the Tawi river and now a museum for the centuries of art produced in the city.  Built of pink sandstone was modeled after castles in France.

Bahu Fort

   Bahu Fort, built to defend the city from its frequent invaders, is the site of the holy Bawei Wali Mata, a popular site for pilgrims, and is also adjacent to a temple for Mahamaya, a Dogri saint venerated for her defense of Jammu hundreds of years ago.  The fort itself is the oldest building in all of Jammu and was the home of the royal family in times past.

Ranbireshwar Temple

   The pink Ranbireshwar Temple is dedicated to Shiva and has twelve 'lingams', or large tablets, facilitating his worship.  The temple is also nerby the large Lakshimi Narayan, Duda Dari and Panj Mandir temples.

Peer Mitha and Peer Baba shrines

   These shrines are popular among Muslim visitors to Jammu, although many Hindus and Sikhs visit these as well to pay their respects to the two holy men, and on some days Hindus outnumber the Muslims by wide margins.  

Katra and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi



    The town of Katra is the main departure point for trips to the magnificent Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, a temple complex that millions of pilgrims visit each year to worship Shakti.  It is a truly massive structure on the slopes of equally massive mountains, and the place is worth a visit even for those who aren't on pilgrimage.  

Shahdra Sharief

    This shrine, about two hours from Jammu, is a famous Muslim site of worship and respect for a deceased saint.  An interesting fact about the shrine, built for a Muslim holy man, is that it was a Hindu rule who commissioned its construction.  Today, it is venerated by both Hindus and Muslims as a site of peace and thousands of pilgrims visit it every day.

Kishtawar Valley

    The valley of Kishtawar, in the highlands of northern Jammu, is hidden among the Great Himalayas and is one of the remotest and most pristine areas in India.  It is famous among Muslims for its tradition of Sufism, as the area was home to two saints who still attract adherents to this day.  Most people who visit the valley, however, come to climb its glaciers and massive mountains, including the mighty  Cerro Kishtwar and Hagshu.  However, the area is closed many times of the year because of its famously inhospitable weather.

Kashmir

    Although marred by a recent history of violence, Kashmir was known for centuries as "Paradise on Earth" and was frequented by the powerful Mughal emperors.  Peace may have finally returned to the area, however, and once again tourists are enjoying its many pleasures.

Srinagar

    The capital of Kashmir as well as the state during the summer months, Srinagar is on the beautiful Dal and Nagen lakes.  It is peculiar among cities in India for its massive houseboat community, a consequence of a law prohibiting people who are not from Jammu and Kashmir from owning land - people just bought houseboats on the cities beautiful lakes!  

Old Town

   Srinagar has one of the most unique old towns in India as well as one of the best preserved.  It is dotted with mosques and shrines and the row houses along the river Jhelum are particularly charming.  The old town of the city is a warren of narrow streets between old brick buildings, and is a great place to go shopping for jewelry as well in its busy bazaars.

Shah Hamadan Khankah

   This pagoda-looking mosque is a popular attraction because of how unique its appearance is.  Painstakingly carved from wood, the building is on the riverbanks of the Jhelum and is instantly recognizable.

Shankaracharya Temple

    Built thousands of years ago, the Shankaracharya Temple is visited by thousands of people every day on pilgrims.  I is dedicated to the philosopher of the same name.  

Dal Lake



    Smack dab in the middle of Srinagar, Dal Lake is well known for the hundreds of wood house boats floating on it.  Many people come to relax on its shores and use canoes, kayaks, and fish on it.

Mughal Gardens

    The Mughal Gardens of Srinagar are some of the most beautiful in all India and were favorites of the Mughals, former rulers of India and at one time among the most powerful people in the world.  These are a very popular site for picnics by locals and visitors alike.
    
Hari Parbat Fort

   This massive Mughal castle looks over the city of Srinagar and, while in disrepair, still manages to impress with its still glorious walls intact.  Moreover, many Hindus consider the mountain sacred because of the Sharika temple on the same grounds, dedicated to the goddess Shakti.

Pahalgam Valley

    The breathtaking Pahalgam Valley is known for the vast emerald pasture running down the middle of this glacier-cut vale.  It is a extremely popular trekking and hiking resort, and many Delhites make the trip out here to get away from the summer heat.

Amarnath Yatra

    Only the hardiest of pilgrims attempt this trek, but Amarnath Yatra is truly the experience of a lifetime.  It is said that Shiva unveiled the mysteries of creation on a cave here, and hundreds of pilgrims come here to show their respect to Shiva in his mountain home.  

Ladakh

    Ladakh is on the roof of the world.  It once stode astride a lucrative trade route from Samarkand to the Punjab, and the town of Leh is full of relics of its former glory.  What distinguishes Ladakh most, though, are its enormous mountains.  Ladakh is not easy to get to, but for those that make it here, it is truly a sight to behold.

Leh

    Leh was, centuries ago, a power in northern India and was a very rich entrepot.  Nowadays, it is pretty quiet, but there is the impressive Leh Palace left to speak to its former glory.  As the largest town in the area, Leh is the best place to find a hotel.

Likir

   Likir Monastery, a monastery built on top of a peak, is a popular trekking destination and is visible from kilometers away.  One of the largest monasteries in India, this massive structure is a testament to Ladakh's heavy Tibetan influence.

Stongdey

   The monastery of Stongdey is in a remote valley overlooking the small village of the same name.  About 60 monks live here, much as they always have, and it is accessible like road, unlike many parts of Ladakh.\

Phugthal Monastery

   One of those sites that makes you wonder how they did it, Phughtal is high on a mountain peak built out of stone and crawling out of a cave.  Getting here requires a 5 day trek from Padum, a nearby small town. 

History and Culture

   According to Hindu scripture, the valley of Kashmir was under lake Satisar before the sage Kashiapa drained it by removing part of a nearby mountain.  Whether that happened or not is anyone's guess, but the area is certainly mythical in its proportions.  It was the epicenter of Sanskrit scholarship for hundreds of years and was an early example of republican government under its Kamboja rulers.  
    The area was invaded by the Turks in the 12th century and Islam was brought to the region, and the Turks ruled the area until the Mughals under Akbar the Great conquered them.  The city of Jammu was founded by Ramchandra I during this period, who was appointed governor of the region by Akbar.  Jammu quickly became a religious center.
    As Mughal power waned and eventually collapsed, the area was ruled by the sikhs in Punjab until the British defeated them and absorbed the area along with the rest of the Sikh empire.  
    Kashmir was fairly quiet during the Indian Independence movement and was given the choice of joining Pakistan or India, or even have independence.  Before the maharaja of Kashmir could make a decision, Pakistan invaded it, spurring a war with India and a dispute that has lasted to this day.  Furthermore, the eastern part of the state has been disputed by China, which had occupied the area in the past century.  However, because Kashmir is a very mountainous state and much of it is entirely cut off from federal governments, there is little presence of even the Indian government in its borders.  Violence in the area has flared up before between the Indian Army and local Muslim militants, although recently there has been a relative peace in the area.
    Jammu and Kashmir is divided into three areas: Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, each with its distinctive culture.  Jammu is renowned for its martial traditions, with a long history of warfare in its borders and is among the most popular pilgrimage sites in India among Hindus.  Kashmir was known as "Paradise on Earth" by the Mughals, who built many of their famous gardens in the area's capital Srinagar, and Ladakh, high in the Himalayas, is culturally leaning toward Tibet and is one of the hardest places to to travel to on Earth.
    The state is the only one in India to have a Muslim majority, with most Muslims living in Kashmir, and most Hindus in Jammu, while sparsely populated Ladakh is Buddhist.  Kashmiri, Dogri, and Urdu are the most popularly spoken languages, but the tourist industry in the state usually has a good command of English.
    Although Kashmir is one of the most disputed chunks of land on the planet, it has seen a period of peace recently after the recent Pakistan-India detente.  With some of the most amazing landscapes in the world, it is not to be missed out on.