Jammu & Kashmir :

A destination for Tourists of all ages throughout the year, is situated at the extreme north of India. Kashmir is known all over the world as “ The Paradise On Earth”.

Kashmir Facts:

 • Capital: summer (may-October)- Srinagar
   Winters (November - April)- Jammu
 • Languages : Urdu, Kashmiri, Hindi, Dogri, Pahari, Ladakhi,
 • Population: 77,18,700
 • Population growth rate 29 %
 • Sex ratio :923 (females per 1000 males)
 • Area : 2,22,236 sq kms.
 • Population density : 34 (persons per sq. Km)
 • Population below poverty line: 13.9%
 • Urbanization ratio 23.83(all India average: 25.7)
 • Percentage of work force in population : 44.3 %
 • Main workers to total population :30.37 %
   (all India average 33.45 %)
 • Agriculture workers/total population :49 %
   (all India average 24.94 %)
 • Total reported area 24.16 lakh hectares
 • Net sown area 30%
 • Average size of land holding 0.83 hectares
 • Net irrigated area/ net sown area 42%
 • Irrigation intensity 144%
 • Gross cropped area 10.73 lakh hectares
 • Cropping intensity 146%
 • Area under high yielding varieties : 9.19 lakh hectares
 • Food grain production 14.55 lakh mts



Kashmir (Jammu & Kashmir ) consists of three regions:

• Srinagar

• Jammu

• Ladakh
   

Places of interest:

Pahalgam: 95 km. east of Srinagar, 2400 mts above sea level. Popular holiday resort. It is called “Shepherds village” at the head of the Lidder valley. Best place for trout fishing. Apart from angling , Pahalgam is also known as the starting point for trekking. Pilgrims route to Amarnath Cave.

Gulmarg: 56 kms from Srinagar, one and a half hour journey, 2690 mts above sea level. .It is called “Meadow of flowers”. In summer best for trekking, golfing and pony rides . One can have beautiful walk around and can see in good weather the high mountains like Naga Parbat (In Gilgit) 7650mts high, Kolohi and Harmukh which are 5425 and 5124 mts high.Gulmarg has the world’s highest green golf course in the world. There are cable cons that ferry the tourists up to the height of 3095 mts. (Gondola).

Yusmarg: 50 kms southeast of Srinagar, one and half hour journey through pine and fir forests. On the way to Yusmarg is the shrine of famous Kashmiri Sufi saint : Sheikh Noor-ud-din, popularly known as Nunda Rishi. One can go up to Nilnag Lake either by foot or on a pony back.  Tourist huts are also available here.

Sonmarg: 87 km. from Srinagar, 3 hours journey, 2800mts above sea level. It is called Golden meadow” at the head of the river Sind with beautiful mountains and glaciers. Base for the treks to Harmukh range via Nichnai, Vishensar Lake, Gangabal and to Nara Nag . Also the Pilgrim route to Amarnath Cave , which can be done in one day from here. Famous for Trout fishing.

Mughal Gardens

Nishat : The Garden of bliss laid down by Asif Khan father of Empress Noorjahan in 1633AD on the bank of Dal Lake with Zabarvan Massif at the back. In Nishat commands magnificent view of the Lake and the Snow capped Pir Panchal Range to the west of the valley.

Shalimar : The Abode Of Love’ is said to have been a village, built by Paravarassna II. He used to stay here when on a visit to Sukhswami a saint living near Harwan. In 1619 Jehangir ordered a garden to be laid out this spot, calling it, Ferrah Bakkash (Delightful). In 1727 A.D Zaffar-Khan. A governor during the reign of Shah Jahan made an extension of it and called it ‘Faiz Baksh’ (Bountiful). The garden is laid down in four terraces, rising one above the other. A canal runs through the garden lined with polished stones and supplies with water from Harwan.Chasma – Shahi : East of Srinagar. Built in 1634 A.D by Shah- Jahan. It commands a superb view of the Dal Lake it has the advantage of having a natural spring of Pure, Cool and Sparking water known as Chasma- Shahi (Royal Spring).

Harwan : Harwan Garden is a beautiful garden, situated at Harwan, about 18 km from Srinagar, in Jammu and Kashmir. This huge garden lined with flower beds and Chinar trees, is an ideal spot for picnickers. The picturesque Harwan Lake is behind the garden. The canal flowing through the middle of the garden is fed by the lake.

Cheshma Shahi: Cheshma Shahi is one of the three major Mughal Gardens in Srinagar. It is located 9km from Srinagar city centre, and is the first Mughal garden that you would visit as you pass the Nehru Park. The name Cheshma Shahi means Royal Spring (Shahi means royal and Chashma means spring).

Pari Mahal: Once the royal observatory, Pari Mahal has a charmingly laid out garden and is a five-minute drive from Cheshmashahi. A Buddhist monastery at one time, it was converted into a school of astrology by Dara Shikoh, Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan's eldest son. Situated on the spur of a mountain overlooking the Dal, the ancient monument, with a well-laid spacious garden in front, is connected to Cheshmashahi by road. It is illuminated at night.

Historical Places:


Hari Parbat: The Hill of Hari Parbat crowned by the pathan fort who his visible from every part of the city. 400 feet above the plain, Legend says the hill grew from a pebble dropped by the goddess Paravati to crush a demon, in the form of Sharika bird (Maina). This is called now Hari Parbat.

Shankaracharya Temple: This Temple is situated at the height of 1000ft above the plain. The earliest of all the Temples built in 200 BC,. By Jalaka the son of the Great Buddhist convert Ashoka. The temple was subsequently rebuilt and dedicated by Raja Gopadittya in 6th Century. It is said to be that “ the Takhut-I-Sulaiman (throne one of the Solomon).

Hazratbal: It is the most important Muslim Religious place, situated on the western shore of Dal Lake.

Jamia Masjid: The largest Masque built by Sultan Sikandar Constructed in 1400 A.D. Enlarged by his son Zain-Ul- Abdin.

Tomb of Zain-Ul-Abidin: The most attractive chapter of Muslim rule in Kashmir (1421-1472) in the reign of Zain- Ul-Abdin.

Pather Masjid: Pather Masjid of the Mughal Mosque built by emperor Noor Jahan in 1620 A.D. wife of Jahangir. Muslims did not however use it for prayers.

Shah Hamdan: Originally built in 1953 AD. To commemorate the visit of Mir Syed Ali Hamdan destroyed by fire in 1479 and 1731 AD. It was rebuilt in 1732 by Abdul Barket Khan and since then stand as a land mark in the City. Built of timber, not a nail or Screw was used in the construction.


Lakes Of Kashmir:

Dal Lake: Dal lake of Kashmir is one of the most beautiful and picturesque lakes in India. It has been and continues to be a part of the poetry by some renowned poets. This is second largest lake of Jammu and Kashmir state after Wular Lake. The lake is surrounded by majestic mountains from three sides and a large number of gardens and orchards have been laid along the shores. The University of Kashmir also stands along the shores of the Dal Lake. The hundreds of uniquely decorated houseboats which floats on the Dal lake afford an opportunity to tourists to reside on the lake in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

Nagin Lake: Popular for water sports like water skiing, swimming, diving and sailing.

Manasbal Lake: This Lake is famous for Lotus flowers during summer and Paradise for Bird Watchers,. Between the river and foot of the Mountains spurs lower end of the Sind valley famous for Picnic spot.

Wular Lake: The Largest fresh water Lake in India 26 Km long and 8 Km wide. Surrounded by the mountains. The river Jehlum passes right through the Lake the deepest part is near the Hill Called Baba Shakur-ud-Din on the north west side.

Anchar Lake : The Anchar Lake is a swampy area. The Sind Nullah enters this lake from one side and flows out from the other. It is about 8 Kms long and 3 Kms. wide. Gandarbal is a famous township on its north-west bank.. Anchar Lake is a bird water's paradise where you will be able to watch and identify many species of birds, some of them on their way to extinction.

On the banks of this lake is situated Soura with SKIMS, Buchpora, Ahmad Nagar, Pandach, Nagbal and finally Ganderbal. Toulmul and the Mansbal lake is farther north, infact northeast near the bottom of the mountains

There are many other lakes besides these like Harvan Lake, Konsarnag or Vishno Pad Lake. Gangabal Lake, Sheshnag Lake, Neelang Lake, Tarsar and Marsar lakes, Sokh and Dokh lakes.

Kashmir Wildlife

Kashmir is rich in the diversity of flora and fauna in the forest areas, and domesticated species outside the forest. It is a home to number of species that are listed as endangered like the Kashmiri stag called 'Hangul' and snow leopard that has survived here from times unknown. You can see many more fascinating and exquisite forms of life in the many national parks and sanctuaries that are here in the state.

Dachigam National Park:

The park is without a doubt the most scenic of all the parks in the state. The animal for which the park is most famous is the endangered species Hangul, the Kashmiri stag. Other animal species that you will see in the park are Musk deer, Brown Bear, Leopards, Jungle Cats and many more.

Kashmir Seasons:

Kashmir has four distinct seasons, each with its own peculiar character and distinctive charm. These are spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Spring, which extends roughly from March to early May, is when a million blossoms carpet the ground. The weather during this time can be gloriously pleasant at 23^oC or chilly and windy at 6^o C. This is the season when Srinagar experiences rains, but the showers are brief.

Summer extends from May until the end of August. Light woolens may be required to wear out of Srinagar. In higher altitudes night temperatures drop slightly. Srinagar at this time experiences day temperatures of between 25^oC and 35^oC. At this time, the whole valley is a mosaic of varying shades of green - rice fields, meadows, trees, etc. and Srinagar with its lakes and waterways is a heaven after the scorching heat of the Indian plains.

The onset of Autumn, perhaps Kashmir's loveliest season, is towards September, when green turns to gold and then to russet and red. The highest day temperatures in September are around 23^oC and night temperatures dip to 10^oC by October, and further drop by November, when heavy woolens are essential.

Through December, to the beginning of March is Winter time, which presents Srinagar in yet another mood. Bare, snow-covered landscapes being watched from beside the warmth of a fire is a joy that cannot be described to anyone who has not experienced it. Some houseboats and hotels remain open in winter-these are either centrally heated or heated with ‘bukharis’, a typically Kashmiri stove kept alight with embers of wood, quite effective in the winter.