Jammu & Kashmir

The state of Jammu & Kashmir is a region of widely varying people and geography. In the south, Jammu is a transition zone from the Indian plains to the Himalaya. Nature has lavishly endowed Kashmir with certain distinctive favours which hardly find a parallel in any alpine land of the world. Correctly, the rest of the state is Kashmir but in practice this title is reserved for the beautiful valley of Kashmir, a large Himalayan valley in the north of the state. A spell on a houseboat on Dal Lake has always been one of India's real treats and Kashmir also offers some delightful trekking opportunities and unsurpassed scenery.
Set in the womb of the Himalayas and gifted with beautiful and inspiring natural scenery, it emerged as a highly advanced seat of learning from very early times, taking its place along with the famous Universities of Taxila and Nalanda. Ramparts of high mountains and seclusion of the land helped her top reserve the life and conditions of early times which is rather difficult to resuscitate in regard to other such mountainous regions. The cultural heritage of Kashmir is, therefore, very rich and derives its inspiration and strength both from her natural environs and the rich literature and literary traditions alike.

JAMMU AND KASHMIR(INDIA)

» JAMMU Discovered by Raja Jambu Lochan in the 9th century B.C. located on the foothills of Himalayas with the picturesque River Tawi flowing alongside, it is the winter capital city of the state. Jammu is popularly known as the "City of Temples" due to the innumerable Temples and shrines with glittering 'shikars' soaring the sky.
» LADAKH - LEH Beyond the Kashmir valley lies Ladakh, the land of unsurmountable mountains, and fascinating monastries. Viewed from high above its surface, Ladakh appears a vast monotony of trees colors: the brown of the earth, the white of the snow and the black shadows in the valleys. On descending to the surface level, the picture transforms into one of vibrant vitality, of effervescent streams, flower-decked meadows, gaily dressed Ladakhis, serene lamas, high-flying eagles & fleet-footed mountain sheep.
» SRINAGAR Srinagar is a city of lakes and rivers, lush wild gardens of lotus and water lilies, Mughal Gardens spreading along the lake side in a patterned beauty. No destination is quite so romantic, no setting as enchanting as Srinagar. More or less in the center of Kashmir, at an altitude of 1,730 m, Srinagar's allure changes with the passing of each season.
» AMAR NATH Situated at a height of 3,888 m and 45 kms from Pahalgam, Amarnath is a difficult trek but an extremely crucial centre of pilgrimage. The image of Lord Shiva which is in form of a Lingam is formed naturally of ice. The Amarnath yatra is undertaken in July-August (Shravan) and thousands of devotees from the subcontinent come to pay homage before Shiva in one of his Himalayan abodes.
» VAISHNO DEVI Nestled in the folds of the mighty Trikuta mountain 61 kilometres North of Jammu at a height of 5,200 feet from the sea level, the cave shrine of Trikuta Bhagwati has been a beacon of faith and fulfilment for millions of devotees since time immemorial.
» DACHIGAM Dachigam was at one time the exclusive hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Kashmir. It contains the last viable hangul population, related to the red deer of Europe, with a white rump patch and impressive spread of antlers. There are some 20 other mammal species including the snow leopard and over 150 species of fauna. Game-viewing is possible through the year