Jammu Kashmir Tourism

Mughal Gardens

Champa — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:16:45 +0000

The Mughal rulers used Kashmir as their retreat and recreational spot from the imperial forts and palaces of Agra and Delhi. It was their getaway destination. Kashmir is still India’s heaven on earth. The beautiful Mughal Garden is located in Srinagar. It was founded by the Mughal Rulers. The picturesque beauty of the hillsides, water bodies and endless array of trees and flowering shrubs makes Mughal Garden one of the most beautiful and most visited gardens in Kashmir. It is one of the well designed gardens in India. The creative use of the landscape with perfect mix of colours and texture, choosing the perfect spot for colorful flowery shrubs and fountains make Mugal Garden one of a kind.

Srinagar airport is close to the Mughal Garden and Jammu Tawi is the nearest railway station to the destination. The presence of several hotels and resorts in the close environs helps tourists to stay and enjoy the beauty of Kashmir.

Hemis Monastery

Champa — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:43:28 +0000

Hemis monastery is one of most important and beautiful monasteries in India. It is located 45 km south of Ladakh. It was built on 1630 after the king of Ladakh, Sengye Namgyal invited Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso the head priest of Drupka order. The king also accepted him as his principal guru. There are hundreds of lamas in the monastery along with the monks of Ka-gyu-pa or the Red Hat sect. the monastery is huge and beautiful with courtyard and hall. The Rimpoche’s throne is placed in the main assembly hall. The walls are filled with beautiful Buddhist paintings. Of all the monasteries in Leh, Hemis stands high. The hemis festival is one of the main attractions in the monastery. It is celebrated annually on the tenth and eleventh day of the fifth month of Tibetan calendar. The beautiful masked dance is the specialty that attracts tourists during the festival.

Leh has an airport which has flights from Delhi, Chandigarh and Srinagar. Leh is just 45 km away from Hemis monastery and can be accessible by cabs and buses can take tourists to the monastery. There are several hotels and resorts in Leh for tourists to stay.

Dal Lake – Visit of a lifetime

Champa — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:31:51 +0000

The first thing that comes in the mind of the tourists who thinks of Kashmir is the silent Dal Lake and Kashmir’s own romantic houseboats known as Shikaras floating on the backdrop of sunset. Dal Lake is situated in Srinagar the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir. The entire Lake covers an area of around 18 squire kilometres. Most of the shores of this beautiful Lake are filled with Mughal gardens, Parks and hotels. Dal Lake is one of the most beautiful and romantic lakes in the country. From the time of Mughal rule, passing the British rule and even now in the present time, the charms of this Lake have not reduced even a bit. The lotus and water lilies in the Lake makes it more stunning. Dal Lake is one of the main attractions that bring thousands of tourists to the Kashmir valley annually.

Srinagar airport is the close to Dal Lake and the closest railway station is in Jammu. The roadways are perfectly maintained with a good network system connecting different parts of the country through Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu, Gulmarg etc. the capital city also have plenty of accommodation options.

Trekking in Kashmir valley

Champa — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:43:14 +0000

Kashmir valley is one of the most beautiful places in the world. There is no match for its beauty anywhere in the world. The mesmerizing hill ranges are not only worth watching but worth trekking. Adventure lovers consider Kashmir valley as their Mecca. There are several mountain ranges which offer trekking facilities. Amarnath Yatra is considered more pilgrimage than adventure trekking; still have all the zest of a normal trekking.

The other major trekking areas are, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Thajiwas trekking. Trekking from Sonamarg to the valley via Gangabal Lake is also a very popular and excellent trekking route. People from distant places visit Kashmir to experience Himalayan mountain ranges.

Srinagar is the nearest airport to reach Kashmir and Jammu Tawi is the nearest railway station. There are immense options to stay in hotels, resorts etc. to enjoy adventure filled vacation in Kashmir

Leh: beauty in silence

Champa — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 10:24:16 +0000

Leh is one unique tourist destination entirely different from any place in India. It is filled with endless mountains and high altitude cold deserts. A destination perfectly suited for adventure enthusiasts. Trekking, rafting in Indus River, rock climbing, camel safari you name it and Leh is there to increase your adrenalin. It is said that Leh is the only place in the entire world which can cause a person sunstroke and frostbite at the same time. It is not easy for normal people to survive in such a condition, and that makes Leh the most sought out destination for the adventure tourists.

The Tibetan and Buddhist influence can be noticed the moment you step into this mountain town. Pictures taken of Buddhist monks in maroon attire, shepherds with sheep, and the violent and silent face of Indus River, high rocky mountain with tiny desert flowers are moments never traced from any parts of the world.

By air it takes only one hour to reach Leh from Delhi and the nearest railway station is in Kalka. There are regular buses which take of from Kalka to Manali, from Manali you can take a cab to Leh. There are several Heritage hotels and home stays for tourists.

Want to see a car move alone without a driver?

Champa — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:09:34 +0000

One of the lesser known attractions of Leh is the Magnetic Hill. There is a point on the Leh – Kargil -Batalik highway, where you will experience a weird phenomenon. Any car placed on that particular spot will move uphill without any help! For example, you can simply drive over the spot. Stop your car. Turn off the ignition and voila! The car will slowly move upwards. The maximum speed it gains is 10 km/h. Average human being walks at around 4-6 km/h. So, the speed is more than your walking speed. The Indian Government has also marked the place for tourists.

However, if you are a regular backpacker, then there are several adventure and sightseeing spots in Ladakh – Leh. Situated in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Leh, located in the Leh district, is not your run-off-the-mill destination. If you intend to visit Leh, then check out some good staying places. Book in advance, pack your bag, and let go.

Climate, Agriculture & Economy

Champa — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:32:32 +0000

Kashmir‘s climate is mild. The soil is usually wet due to seasonal rains. The rivers freeze during winter and locals actually do river crossings. The state contains number of hill stations, which are refreshingly cool during summers.

The climate of Kashmir is ideal for walnut and almond trees which grow here in abundance. The Kashmir valley is known for its sericulture and cold water fisheries.

Kashmir Willow, wood from Kashmir, is used to make high-quality cricket bats. Kashmiri saffron is also very famous and brings the state a handsome amount of foreign exchange.

Agricultural exports from Jammu and Kashmir include apples, barley, cherries, corn, millet, oranges, rice, peaches, pears, saffron, sorghum, vegetables, and wheat. The manufactured exports include handicrafts, rugs, and shawls. Willow rushes that grow plentifully in marshes and lakes in Kashmir are used to make charmingly quaint objects, ranging from shopping baskets and lampshades to tables and chairs, all generally too expensive.

Tourism, A heaven on earth experience

Champa — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:26:07 +0000

Jammu and Kashmir is home to several valleys such as the Kashmir Valley, Tawi Valley, Chenab Valley, Poonch Valley, Sind Valley and Lidder Valley.

Shikaras, traditional small wooden boats, and houseboats are a common feature in various lakes and rivers across the Valley. Srinagar is famous for its lakes and houseboats while Kashmir, known for its scenic natural beauty and rich cuisine is quite popular among tourists. The Dal Lake houseboats are one of the major attractions of Kashmir.

The state is noted for its fine arts for centuries, including poetry and handicrafts.

Wildlife of Jammu & Kashmir

Champa — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:19:00 +0000

The largest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas, is one of the richest havens for animal life. The eco-system here is well balanced with animals and people coexisting peacefully.

Jammu and Kashmir maintains several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks around the state. These sanctuaries keep and breed many endangered animals. The Hangul or the Kashmiri Stag is one example of such animals, & has snow-covered mountains, rocky forests and vast stretch of woodlands, which provide home to some of the animals like snow leopards and snow foxes.

In the hilly regions of Doda, Udhampur, Poonch and Rajouri there is large and varied fauna including leopard, cheetah and deer, wild sheep, bear, brown musk shrew and musk rat. Varieties of snakes, bats, lizards and frogs are also found in the region as are birds like chakor, snow partridge, pheasants and peacock.

Ladakh, The Little Tibet

Champa — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:25:50 +0000

Ladakh is also called the “Little Tibet” which lies in the Himalayas at the Tibetan Plateau. Leh is the capital of ladakh. Leh and Kargil are the two main districts which comprises Ladakh. Leh can be subdivided into Indus Valley, Nubra Valley, Shyok Valley and Markha Valley. The two mountain ranges, the Karakoram and the Great Himalayas make Ladakh an adventurous tourist place. The culture of Ladakh is influenced by Buddhists, with once close cultural and trading links with Tibet.

In winter season many of the people are relatively idle. So, many of the festivals are celebrated in this season only. Monasteries in Ladakh may be Mahayana or the Hinayana sect of Buddhism. The monasteries of Ladakh give the region unique flavor and beauty. Many gompas and mountains attract the tourists.