Eternal India Encyclopedia

ETERNAL INDIA encyclopedia

A GREAT DESTINATION

NORTH

JAMMU AND KASHMIR

1) JAMMU (Alt) 305 m/1,000 ft. Best time : Throughout the year : Winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir; a city of temples and an important trade centre; land of the sturdy Dogras with numerous forts, now mostly in ruins. It is a convenient stage on the road journey to Srinagar.

Places of interest : Bahu Fort, Museum (Maharaja Karan Singh’s Palace), Amar Mahal Palace Museum, Gumat Gate Access : Air - Daily service between Delhi/Srinagar; Rail - Jammu-Delhi; Road - Delhi-Jammu-Srinagar National High- way.

2) KUD (Alt) 1,490 m/4,900 ft. Best time : May-Oct. : Small hill resort on Jammu-Srinagar highway; a rest point for most of the mountaineers and trekkers and a summer resort. Accommoda- tion: Dak Bungalow, Tourist Bungalows, several ordinary ho- tels & restaurants. Access : Air - Srinagar; Rail & Road - Jammu. 3) PAHALGAM (Alt)2,130 m/7,000 ft. Best time : April-Oct.: Situated at the confluence of Lidder and Seshnag rivers and placed in the midst of pine and fir — covered thick mountains. The unspoilt beauty of the landscape and the snow-fed streams that abound in Pahalgam are unique. Base for the sacred cave of Amarnath. 4) SRINAGAR (Alt) 1,585 m/5,700 ft. Best time : April-Oct. : The summer capital of the State of Jammu & Kashmir; located between two hills, the Shankaracharya and the Hari Parvat, and flanked by the river Jhelum; new and exciting type of accommo- dation, the houseboat, the Dal and Nagin lakes. Places of interest : Dal and Nagin lakes; the Mughal Gar- dens, Pari Mahal, Shankaracharya Temple, Hari Parvat, Shali- mar Gardens, Chashma Shahi (The Royal Springs), Jeethyer, Hazratbal etc. Access : Air - services from Srinagar to Delhi, Bombay, Ahme dabad, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jammu and Leh; Rail - nearest rail-head is Jammu; Road - connections to Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh and Delhi. A lush green valley fringed by gigantic fir and pine forests. A charming hill resort renowned for its luxuriant golf courses, the highest in the world and for its lovely walks and bridle paths through some of the most picturesque forest scenery. Places of interest : Khilanmarg, Apharwat Lake, Ningle Nallah, Lien Marg, Ferozepur, Baba Reshi, Gagrinag & Bani- bali Nag. Access : Air - Srinagar; Rail - Srinagar; Road - connected by an all weather metalled road with Srinagar. : April- Oct.: It is situated amidst snow-bound mountains and provides pilgrims adventure and spiritual solace. The object of worship 5) GULMARG (Alt)2,653 m/8,700 ft. Best time : May-Oct. : 6) AMARNATH (Alt)4,085 m/13,400 ft. Best time Access : Air - Srinagar; Rail- nearest rail-head is Jammu; Road -linked with all weather metalled road to Srinagar.

here is a stalactite in the shape of a lingam, formed by water dripping through the limestone roof of the cave. The lingam waxes and wanes with the moon. It is believed to reach the maximum height on the Puranmashi of Sawan (July-Aug.), which is the day of pilgrimage. Places of interest : Chandanwadi, Wavajana, Sheshnag & Panchtarni. Access : Air - Srinagar; Rail - nearest rail-head Srinagar; Road - connected by road to Pahalgam. 7) LADAKH (Alt) 3,511 m/11,525 ft. Best time : May-Oct. : The Shangri-la of the adventurous travellers, situated beyond the valley of Kashmir, on top of insurmountable mountains, Ladakh is a land of barren rocks, with gompas or monasteries carved into the hillside. Magnificent statues of the Buddha, art treasures and tankhas (painted scrolls) are there in plenty for the lover of art to see and enjoy. Access : Air - Srinagar; Rail - nearest rail-head is Jammu; Road -connected to Srinagar & Jammu. 8) LEH (Alt) 3,511 m/11,525 ft. Best time : May-Oct. : An oasis surrounded by mountains in horse-shoe formation and a part of the Karakoram ranges of the Himalayas, Leh is the capital of Ladakh.