powered by www.netbluesindia.com powered by www.netbluesindia.com powered by www.netbluesindia.com powered by www.netbluesindia.com
 

JAMMU & KASHMIR

Undoubtedly the center stage of the Indian Himalayas is formed by Garhwal. Garhwal, the land of many garhs, or forts, has been closely connected to the people of India since time immemorial. The Garhwal Himalayas seem to embody a mystical truth beyond the common precepts of man, a quality that has attracted sages and pilgrims alike for countless centuries.

Destinations in Jammu & Kashmir

Srinagar  
Sonamarg  
Pari Mahal  
Shalimar Bagh

 
Amarnathji Yatra  
Patnitop  
   

General Information:-

Area: 38863square kilometers.

Capital: Hyderabad

Population: 7,61,11,243

Language: Telegu & Urdu

Srinagar - Places of Interest

Srinagar is located in the heart of the Kashmir valley at an altitude of 1,730 m above sea level, spread on both sides of the river Jhelum. The Dal and Nagin lakes enhance its picturesque setting, while the changing play of the seasons and the salubrious climate ensures that the city is equally attractive to visitors around the year.

Sonamarg - Places of Interest

The drive to Sonamarg is through the Sindh Valley which presents yet another spectacular facet of countryside in Kashmir. The Sindh River that meanders through the valley abounds with trout and mahaseer. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier, which is a major local attraction during the summer months.
Sonamarg is the base of a major trek that passes along several mountain lakes –Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Gangabal. Sonamarg is also the take off station for the drive to Ladakh across the Zojila, a major pass in the Great Himalayan Range, through which the Srinagar-Leh Road passes.

Pari Mahal - Places of Interest

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.

Shalimar Bagh

Built by Emperor Jehangir for his wife Nur Jehan, Shalimar, 15 kms from the TRC, is a beautiful garden with sweeping vistas over gardens and lakes, and shallow terraces. The garden is 539 m by 182 m and has four terraces, rising one above the other. A canal lined with polished stones and supplied with water from Harwan runs through the middle of the garden. The fourth terrace, by far the best, was once reserved for royal ladies.

Amarnathji Yatra

Legend has it that Shiva recounted to Parvati the secret of creation in the Amarnathji cave. Unknown to them, a pair of mating pigeons eavesdropped on this conversation and having learned the secret, are reborn again and again, and have made the cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims report seeing the pigeons-pair when they trek the arduous route to pay obeisance before the ice-lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva).The trek to Amarnathji, in the month of Shravan (July - August) has the devout flock to this incredible shrine, where the image of Shiva, in the form of a lingam, is formed naturally of an ice - stalagmite, and which waxes and wanes with the moon. According to an ancient tale, there was once a Muslim shepherd named Buta Malik who was given a sack of coal by a sadhu. Whatever the legends and the history of Amarnathji's discovery, it is today a very important centre of pilgrimage and though the route is as difficult to negotiate as it is exciting, every year, thousands of devotees come to pay homage before Shiva in one of his famous Himalayan abodes.

Patnitop

Patnitop is perched on a beautiful plateau, at an altitude of 2024 m, across which the Jammu-Srinagar highway passes. Enveloped by thickly wooded forests, Patnitop offers beautiful picnic spots, peaceful walks and breathtaking views of the valley of the Chenab basin and the Pir Panjal range beyond. In winter (mid Dec. to mid Feb.), the resort is generally covered with snow, thus providing opportunities for arious winter sports including amateur skiing.

Picture Courtesy on this page : http://www.aptourism.in   Content Courtesy: http://www.aptdc.in

© HIMAL CHURA TRAVELS & TOURS. 2007. All rights reserved. Designed by www.netbluesindia.com