Jammu
and Kashmir, India’s fascinating northernmost state
consists of three regions differing in topography and
culture. Jammu was the stronghold of Hindu Dogra
kings and abounds with popular temples and secluded forest
retreats. Kashmir’s capital city, Srinagar offers
delightful holidays on the lakes with their shikaras and
houseboats.
Ladakh is the northern most province of the state,
with a bleak terrain of barren mountains. Hilltop
monasteries and a colourful way of life, completely at one
with the surroundings, make Ladakh one of the best living
traditions of Tibetan Buddhism in the world today.
Jammu
& Kashmir
Amongst
the three regions of Jammu & Kashmir State, Jammu,
perhaps, offers the widest diversity of terrain and
beauty. The entire region is pocketed with lakes and
valleys, some still little explored. The foundation of the
settlement of Jammu is attributed to King Jambulochan of
the 9th century BC. In 1730 AD, it came under the Dogra
rule of Raja Dhruv Deva and Jammu became an important
centre for arts and culture, now renwned as the Pahari
School. Religion, too, played an important part in its
development, so beautifully evidenced in its various
shrines and temples spread throughout the region.
Area
: 20.36 sq.km.
Altitude : 305 metres.
Temperature (deg C): Summer-
Max.39.9, Min.23.4; Winter- Max.20.2, Min.4.5.
Rainfall : 107 cms (June to
September).
Clothings : Summer- Light
cottons, Winter- Heavy woollens.
Languages Spoken : Dogri,
Kashmiri, Hindi, English.
Best Season : Throughout the
year. |
HOW
TO GET THERE
- Air
: Indian Airlines connect Jammu with Delhi, Leh and
Shrinagar.
Fare: Calcutta-Delhi Rs.4797 (J), Rs.3445 (Y).
Delhi-Jammu Rs.2865 (J), Rs.2065 (Y).
- Rail:
Jammu Tawi, the railway station to reach Jammu, is
connected by rail to Calcutta, Delhi, Bombay, Madras
and other main cities in India.
Fare: (Approx) Calcutta- Jammu Tawi Rs.2900 (AC-I),
Rs.1300 (I), Rs.350 (II).
- Road:
Jammu, on N.H.no 1A, is connected by good all-weather
roads to all parts of India. Some of the road
distances are:- Amritshar 243 kms, Chandigarh 436 kms,
Delhi 586 kms, Katra 48 kms, Shrinagar 305 kms, Manali
428 kms.
- Bus
: J & K State Road Transport Corporation as well
as some other State Road Transport Corporations
(Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal
Pradesh) service Jammu to and from various major
places in North India providing deluxe & ordinary
buses.
- Local
Transport: Coaches, Tourist Taxis, Other
Taxis, Scooter Rickshawas, Tongas, Matador Mini Buses
and City Bus Services available.
WHAT
TO SEE
Ranbireshwar
Temple; Raghunath Temple (Raghunath Bazar); Raghunath
Temple (Purani Mandi); Ranbir Canal (3.5 kms); Bahu
Fort (5 kms); Bage Bahu (5 kms); Amar Mahal Palace Museum
(Ramnagar, Tel.45676, Timming: 1000-1200 & 1500-1700
hrs for six days and 1000-1200 hrs only for Sundays,
Closed on State holidays, Entrance Fee: Rs.5); Dogra Art
Gallery (Gandhi Bhawan, Opp. New Secretariat, Timmings:
1100-1700 in winter & 0730-1300 hrs in summer, Closed
on Mondays).
EXCURSIONS
Akhnoor:
32 kms. Regular bus-services available from Jammu. Batote:
113 kms, 1560 metres. Health Resort on the Jammu-Shrinagar
highway. Accommodation is available in huts (Rs.200 for
double) and Tourist Bungalow (Rs.175 for double &
Rs.25 per bed in dormitory). Kud: 106 kms, 1738 metres.
Resort on Jammu-Shrinagar highway. Accommodation available
at Tourist Bungalow (Rs.175 for double, Rs.250 for
suites). Mansar Lake: 80 kms. Regular bus-services
available from Jammu. Accommodation is available in huts
(Rs.325 for double) and in Tourist Bungalow (Rs.175 for
double, Rs.325 for suites). Purmandal (Chhota Kashi): 39
kms. Religious place connected by bus with Jammu.
Accommodation is available in pilgrim shelters. Patnitop:
112 kms, 2024 metres. A resort & picnic spot on the
Jammu-Shrinagar highway. Accommodation available in huts
(Rs.475 for double, Rs.300 for single), Tourist Bungalow
(Rs.250 for double, Rs.325 for suites) and Youth Hostel
(Rs.40 per bed in dormitory). Ramban: 148 kms.
Accommodation available in Tourist Bungalow (double
Rs.150). Ramnagar: 102 kms. Regular bus-services available
from Jammu. Sanasar: 129 kms, 2079 metres. 19 kms from
Patnitop, slightly away from the National Highway.
Accommodation available in huts (Rs.250), Tourist Bungalow
(Double Rs.150, Rs.15 / head in dormitory without
bedding). Sudhmahadev: 120 km, 1225 metres. Accommodation
available at pilgrim shelters. Surinsar Lake: 42 kms.
Picturesque spot. Accommodation available in huts.
Kishtwar High Altitude National Park: 248 kms.
VAISHNO
DEVI
The holy
cave shrine of Vaishno devi is situated in a beautiful
racess of the Trikuta Mountains forming a part of the
lower Himalayas as in the state of Jammu & Kashmir at
an altitude of over 5000 feet. In the cave there are
images of three dieties viz. the Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and
Mahasaraswati. The shrine can be visited throughout the
year, but during the winter season the route is often
blocked by snow-fall.
How
To Reach:
- Air:
Jammu (62 kms) is the nearest airport as well as the
nearest railway station.
- Road:
Jammu-Katra 48 kms (by road) and Katra-Vaishno Devi 14
kms (on foot). Route from Katra to Vaishno Devi: Katra
- Ban Ganga (1.5 kms) Ban Ganga - Charan Paduka (1.5
kms) Charan Paduka - Adhkunwari (3 kms) Adhkunwari -
Bhavan (8 kms) The 14 kms track from Katra to the
shrine has been relaid and tiled. Railings have also
been installed for protection. The 100 feet cave is
very narrow with an average height of 5.5 feet only
and has ankle deep water. The pilgrims are allowed in
batches through the cave. A newly constructed exit
makes the process of going out of the shrine easier.
Buses leave for Katra from the General Bus Stand
(Jammu), throughout the day. During peak season buses
are also available from Jammu-Tawi railway station.
Journey time 2 hours. Taxis are also available from
Jammu.
What
To See
Bhumika
Temple, Darshani Darwaza, Ban Ganga Temple, Charan Paduka,
Adhkunwari Temple, Kalika Temple, Ram Mandir, Shiva
Goompha.Note: All pilgrims/tourists require a pass to
enable them entre to the shrine. The pass is to be
collected at Katra as it will be required at Ban Ganga and
later at the shrine itself.
Tourist
Information: Manager, Dharmasth Trust Durbar, Vaishno
Devi, Tel: 23.
FESTIVALS
AT JAMMU
Lohri
(January), Baishakhi (April), Bahu Mela (March-April and
September-October), Chaitre Chaudash (March-April. At
Purmandal Mela (February-March. 39 km from Jammu), Chaitre
Chaudash (March-April. At Uttar Baihni, 25 km from Jammu),
Jhiri Mela (October-November. At Jhiri 14 kms from Jammu).
TOURIST
INFORMATION AT JAMMU
1)
Tourist Reception Centre (Dept. of Tourism), Government of
Jammu & Kashmir, Jammu-Tawi Railway Station, Tel:
(0191) 43803.
2)
Tourist Reception Centre (Jammu & Kashmir Tourism
Development Corporation), Vir Marg, Jammu- 180 001, Tel:
(0191) 49554, 47757.
3) J
& K Information Centre, 12 J.L.Nehru Road,
Calcutta-700013, Tel: 248-5791
Leh
(Ladakh)
Beyond
the Kashmir valley lies Ladakh, the land of unsurmountable
mountains, and fascinating monastries. Ladakh is the abode
of rare Kiang & highland Yak. Leh its capital city
lies at the Tri junction of the historic silkroute from
Sinkiang to West Asia and to the plains of India.
Altitude
: 3500 metres.
Temperature (deg C) : Summer -
Max , Min ,; Winter - Max , Min
Best Season : May to November. |
TRANSPORT
AND COMMUNICATION
- Air
: The nearest airport is Leh, which is connected by
Indian Airlines to Delhi, Shrinagar and Jammu.
Fare: Delhi - Leh Rs.2787 (J), Rs.2002 (Y).
- Rail:
Nearest railhead Jammu (690 kms) is connected to all
parts of India.
Fare (approx) : Calcutta-Jammu Rs.1271 (AC-2A),
Rs.1057 (I), Rs.324 (II)
- Road:
Leh-Shrinagar National Highway officialy opens from
15th May to 15th November every year (depending on
weather condition). By road Leh to Shrinagar 434 kms,
Kargil 230 kms, Manali 497 kms, Keylong 380 kms.
- Bus
: Jammu Kashmir Road Transport Corp. operates buses
between Srinagar & Leh
Fare (approx) : Super Deluxe- Rs.225, A Class- Rs.125,
B Class- Rs.100.
PLACES
OF INTEREST
At
Leh
Leh Khar Palace, Leh Monastery, Leh Mosque, Tsamo
Gompa.
At
Kargil
Kargil has beautiful Imambaras at Trespone and Sankho
representing Turkish architecture. Attached to these
Imambaras there are famous Arabic and Persian
speaking Muslim divines known as ghas.
EXCURSIONS
Mulbak
Monastary 190 kms, Lamayura 125 kms, Alehi Gompa 135 kms,
Likir Gompa 140 kms, Phiyang Gompa 20 kms, Spitak
Monastary 8 kms, Snaker Gompa 3 kms, Shey Palace Monastary
15 kms, Thiksey Monastary 19 kms, Hemis 49 kms.
SPORTS
ACTIVITIES
Ladakh is
a virtual paradise for Adventure sports-Mountaineering,
trekking White water rafting / canoeing etc. For
mountaineering the Zanskar Range, the Ladakh range
and recently opened Karakoram range offer some of the
finest challenges and schedule for reservation is
available with Indian Mountaineering Foundation, Banito
Juaraz marg, New Delhi, Tel: 671211.For Trekkers, Ladakh
has immense possibilities.
Some well
known treks around Leh are :
1. Leh-Lamayuru-Wanla-Ursi-Tar La-Mangyur-Saspol-Leh (7
days)
2. Leh-Stok-Zachan-Runbagh
Pass-Shingo-Skiu-Shaluk-Markha-Nimaling-Longmaru-La-Churkirmo-Shang-Hemis-Leh
(14 days)
3. Padam-Tongde-Zangla-Sher Sher La-Chup Cha-Shang Kong
Ma-Kurna Sumdo-Nari Narsa-Lang Tan-Hankar-Nima
Ling-Shakdo-Hemis (14 days) Trekking equipment can be
hired from Leh Tourist Office, on nominal charges and its
recommended that they should be consulted for information
& guidance. Indus and its tributaries provide exciting
opportunities for rafting/caneoing.
POLO
: Ladakh has its own version of polo which is played
during the summer months in Leh.
MISCELLANEOUS
1)
Tourist Information Centre Jammu & Kashmir Department
of Tourism, Leh, Tel: 95/97.
2) Jammu
& Kashmir Tourist office, 12 Jawahar Lal Nehru Road,
Calcutta, Tel: 248-5791.
Srinagar
The
Mughals aptly called Kashmir, Paradise, and they journeyed
acroos the tortuously hot plains of India,to summer in the
cool environs of srinagar. And here they laid, with great
love and care, Srinagar's many formal, water-front
gardens, now collectively known as the Mughal Gardens.
Today's Srinagar is a pleasure resort for the tourist who
can experience, at first hand, the peculiar beauty of the
valley that has attracted the Chinese, the Mughals and the
British to it.
Area
: 103.3 sq km.
Altitude : 1,730 metres
(approx).
Temperature (deg C): Summer-
Max.29.5, Min.10.6; Winter- Max.7.3, Min.-1.9.
Rainfall : 529 mms (Mid June to
Mid September).
Clothings : Summer-
Cottons/Tropical; Winter- Heavy woollens.
Languages spoken : Kashmiri,
Urdu, Hindi, English.
Best Season : Throughout the
year, though winter months are quite cold. |
HOW
TO GET THERE
Note:
All foreigners entreing Jammu and Kashmir State are
required to register their arrival and departure with the
Foreigners' Regional Registration Office located at the
airport and in the city.
- Air
: Srinagar Airport (14 kms from the Srinagar city) is
connected by Indian Airlines to Delhi, Amritsar,
Jammu, Leh, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Bombay.
Fare: Calcutta-Delhi Rs.4797 (J), Rs.3445 (Y).
Delhi-Srinagar Rs.3106 (J), Rs.2238 (Y).
- Rail:
Nearest railhead Jammu Tawi (293 km from the Srinagar
city) is connected to all parts of the country with
mail and express trains.
Fare (Approx): Calcutta-Jammu Tawi Rs.2900 (AC-I),
Rs.1300 (I), Rs.350 (II).
- Road:
Srinagar, on National Highway, is connected with all
the major places in India and in the State, viz. Jammu
293 kms, Leh 434 kms, Kargil 204 kms, Gulmarg 52 kms,
Pahalgam 96 kms, Delhi 876 kms, Chandigarh 630 kms
etc.
- Bus
: J.& K. State Road Transport Corporation and
other State Road Transport Corporation and other
private bus connects Jammu & Srinagar as well as
all the major places in State and in the country.
- Local
Transport: J.& K. State Road Transport
Corporation's Coaches (at Tourist Reception Centre);
Tourist Taxis (J.& K. State Tourism Deve. Corpn.,
Tourist Reception Centre); Scooter Rickshaws, Matador
Mini-Buses; City Buses and Shikaras are available.
Helicopter Service is also there as Local Transport
(J&K Tourist Office)
PLACES
OF INTEREST
(Distances are from The Tourist Reception Centre)
Pather
Masjid 6kms, Shah Hamdan Mosque 5 kms, Jamia Masjid 5 kms,
Hari Parbat Fort 5 kms, Nagin Lake 8 kms, Hazratbal 9 kms,
Shalimar Bagh 15 kms, Harwan 19 kms, Nishat Bagh 11 kms,
Cheshma Shahi 9 kms, Pari Mahal 11 kms, Shankaracharya
Temple 5 kms, Daal Lake 0.5 km and Shri Pratap Singh
Museum at Lal Mandi (1000 to 1700 hours, Closed on
Wednesdays & Govt. holidays).
EXCURSIONS
- Pampore:
13 kms. The only place in the world, where saffron is
grown.
- Mattan
: 61 kms on Pahalgam road. Accommodation available at
a Tourist Sarai.
- Martand:
64 kms on a plateau,has the most impressive ancient
ruines in Kashmir
- Achabal:
58 kms via Anantnag, altitude 1677 metres.
Accommodation available at Tourist Huts (Rs.100 per
hut) and in a Cafteria.
- Kokernag:
70 kms, altitude 2020 metres. Accommodation available
at Tourist Hut (Rs.225 per hut), Tourist Bungalow
(Rs.125 Double) and in Cafteria.
- Verinag
: 80 kms, altitude 1876 metres. Accommodation
available at Tourist
- Bungalow
(Rs.100 Double) and in Cafteria `Qahwa-Khana'.
- Daksum
: 85 kms, altitude 2513 metres. Accommodation
available at Tourist Bungalow (Rs.100 Double) and in a
Cafteria.
- Yusmarg
: 40 kms, altitude 2377 metres. Accommodation
available at Tourist Bungalow (Rs.100 Double) and Rest
House (Rs.75 per room).
- Acharbal:
51 kms, altitude 2400 metres. Famous for Waterfall
falling from a hight of 24.4 metres. Accommodation
available at Tourist Bungalow (Rs.100 Double) and PWD
Rest House. Kounsernag Lake,11 kms away from Acharbal,
remains frozen and covered with icebergs till late
June.
- Manasbal:
32 kms, altitude 1560 metres. Lake with flowering
lotus plants and is a bird-watchers paradise.
Accommodation available at Tourist Huts (Rs.225 per
hut) and Rest House (Rs.75 per room).
- Burzahon:
24 kms. Excavations reveal settlements dating back to
about 2500 BC.
- Ganderbal
: 19 kms. Situated on the bank of the River Sindh
(Indus).
- Wular
Lake: 60 kms, altitude 1580 metres, area 125 sq.km.
Lagest in India.
- Charari-Sharif:
30 kms. On the road to Yusmarg.
- Dachigam
National Park: 21 kms, altitude 2400 metres.
Accommodation available at Tourist Huts (Rs.125
Double, Rs.40/bed dormitory).
Permits and Reservations from Chief Wildlife Warden,
Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar, Tel: 75411.
TOURIST
INFORMATION CENTRE
J & K
GovernmentTourist Reception Centre, Shervani Road, Tel:
77303/05, 73468.
J & K Government Tourist Reception Counter, New
Airport, Tel: 31521-29.
J & K Tourist Development Corporation, Tourist
Reception Centre, Tel: 76107.
Amarnath
Trek
Altitude:
3880-4218 metres.
Season : Mid-June to
Mid-October.
Grade : Modarate. |
HOW
TO REACH
- Air
: The nearest airport Jammu is connected with Delhi,
Shrinagar and Leh.
Fare: Calcutta-Delhi-Jammu Rs.5510 (Y).
- Rail:
The Nearest railway station Jammu is connected with
all the main cities in India.
|