Jammu Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir are really three regions: the foothill plains of Jammu; the
lakes and blue valleys of Kashmir rising to alpine passes, the high altitude
plains and starkly beautiful mountains of Ladakh which lies beyond those
passes. It's enough to move you to poetry. Srinagar is Kashmir's summer capital
and Jammu, the winter capital.
One of Kashmir's greatest attractions are the Dal Lake houseboats. The Mughal
Gardens of Srinagar is another tourist haunt. Pahalgam, Gulmarg, near Srinagar
are picturesque towns, the first a by-route to Amarnath, the second a premier
skiing resort. The famous Shankaracharya temple is perched high on top of the
valley. Jammu is a templed town. Ladakh, the land of high passes, draws
tourists to its Hemis Gompa, Stok Palace and Museum.
The People: The majority are Muslims; culturally and ethnically, the closest
links are with peoples in the northwestern highlands of the Gilgit district in
the Pakistani sector. The Kashmiri language is influenced by Sanskrit and
belongs to the Dardic branch of Indo-Aryan languages also spoken by the hill
tribes of Gilgit. The great majority of the population resides in the lower
reaches of the Vale. Sringar, Jammu and Kashmir's largest city, is located on
the Jhelum River.
Capital: Srinagar, the capital, has a distinctly Central Asian look. It stands
on the Dal Lake ( most of the more modern houseboats are located here) and the
picturesque Jhelum River. Srinagar is also considered to be a small-sized Lake
District. The massive Dal Lake, near the city and Nagin, the 'Jewel in the
ring', a smaller lake, to the north, is dotted with water lilies. The lakes are
mobile shops of moving shikaras. The old city has a labyrinth of alleyways and
mosques.
Culture: The ancient caves and temples of Kashmir, reveal a strong link with
Indian culture at the beginning of the Christian Era. At one time the classical
dances of the south are believed to have been practised. These arts survived
only in folk forms and were performed principally at marriage ceremonies. The
popular hafiza dance performed by Kashmiri women to the accompaniment of
sufiana kalam was later replaced by the bacha nagma, performed by young boys
dressed like women. The bhand jashna ("festival of clowns"), a 300- to
400-year-old genre of Kashmiri folk theatre performed in village squares,
satirizes social situations through dance, music and clowning.
Occupation: The majority of the population is engaged in agriculture with rice,
being the staple crop. Many temperate fruits and vegetables are grown in areas
adjacent to urban markets. Kashmir is the sole producer of saffron in the
Indian subcontinent. Cultivation in Ladakh is restricted to the Indus, Shyok,
and Suru river valleys. Cattle breeding is a vital feature of the economy; the
Kashmir goat provides cashmere or pashmina for the production of fine textiles.
Handicrafts: Srinagar possesses many specialized agricultural markets, retail
shopping centres, and associated industries. The industries have developed from
rural crafts and include handloom weaving of local silk, cotton, and wool,
carpet weaving, wood carving, and leatherwork. Such industries, together with
silverwork and copperwork and jewelry, were stimulated by the presence of the
royal court and the tourist trade but also owe something to the important
position achieved by Srinagar in west Himalayan trade.
CLIMATE: The climate is one of opposites: while the heat builds upto breaking
point in the foothills, the people of Ladakh and Kashmir May to September wait
for the snow to melt.on the high passes. From October onwards, Jammu becomes
much more pleasant. However, the best time to enjoy Kashmir is during May to
September.
Population: 9 million
Festivals: Jammu celebrates Lohri and Baisakhi in February. The 3-day Jammu
Crafts Mela is organised during Baisakhi every year at the picturesque Mansar
Lake, 60 km from Jammu. Bahu Mela, a major festival is held at the Kali temple
in Bahu Fort (Jammu), twice a year during March-April and September-October. In
Srinagar, besides Id other important festivals are Urs at Khaneka in downtown
Srinagar and Urs at Chrar-e-Sharif. The annual Ladakh festival is held in
September; the Hemis Festival features chaams danced by monks in elaborate
masks.
Tourist Offices
Tourist Reception center - J&K Department of Tourism, Vir Marg, Jammu Tel. -
+(91)-0191-548172, 544527; Fax - +(91)-0191-544842.
Tourist Office - J&K Department Of Tourism, National Airport, Jammu Tel. -
+(91)-0191-531917
Tourist Office - J&K Department Of Tourism, Railway Station, Jammu, Tel. -
+(91)-0191-530078
The Director Tourism - J&K Government Tourist Reception Center, Srinagar, .
Tel. - +(91)-0194-452690 / 452691; Fax - +(91)-0194-452361