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JAMMU & KASHMIR |
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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.
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Destinations in Jammu & Kashmir |
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Srinagar |
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Sonamarg |
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Pari Mahal |
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Shalimar Bagh |
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Amarnathji Yatra |
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Patnitop |
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General Information:-
Area: 38863square
kilometers.
Capital: Hyderabad
Population: 7,61,11,243
Language: Telegu & Urdu |
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Srinagar - Places of
Interest |
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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.
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Sonamarg - Places of Interest |
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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.
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Pari Mahal - Places of Interest |
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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.
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Shalimar Bagh |
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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. |

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Amarnathji Yatra |
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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. |
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Patnitop |
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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.
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