Kashmir the mystical land

2009-10-03T13:37:00.006+05:30

Places of Tourist Interest

Srinagar
Srinagar is the capital of Jammu and Kashmir and probably the most popular hill stations in India. The places to be visited in Srinagar are -
Dal Lake
Dal Lake is a scenic picnic spot surrounded by forests of pine. It is a good base for trekkers. Enjoy the royal living in the luxurious houseboats on Dal lake.
Half Mughal Gardens
Visit the Mughal Gardens, the Chashme Shahi (Royal Spring), Nishat Bagh(Pleasure Garden) and Shalimar Bagh(The Abode of Love).

Shikara Ride
Shikara is a Gondola type light rowing boat. The two hour boat ride takes tourists on a relaxing sightseeing tour of interior parts of the calm and placid waters of Dal Lake, to see the floating markets and Gardens.
Sonmarg
Sonmarg is 80 km north-east of Srinagar and at an altitude of 2743 m. Popularly known as the 'Meadow of Gold' this place is strewn with the loveliest of alpine flowers and surrounded by mountains mantled in fir and pine. Glaciers pour down from the Himalayas almost on to the site of camping at Sonamarg.
Gulmarg
Gulmarg boasts of the highest Golf Course in the world. If the weather is clear, one can have a spectacular view of the towering mountains including Nanga Parbat (26624 ft.) and other peaks and also a panoramic view of the Kashmir Valley.
Pahalgam
Pahalgam is 98 kms from Srinagar and en-route one can visit the impressive ruin of stone temple of Martund built by King Avanti Varman between AD 855 and 933 and dedicated to Vishnu, one of the gods of the Hindus. The next stop is Mattan Temple, a small Lingam (Shiva Symbol) stands in the sparkling spring. Also visit Achbal Gardens. Amarnath Yatra also starts from here.
Wular Lake
Wular Lake is the largest fresh water lake in Asia and measures 24 kms across and surrounded by towering mountains. The jade green water of the Wular Lake swirl gently around a curious bubbling spring in the middle of the lake. There is a small picturesque island that was once the pleasure resort of a great king of Kashmir, Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin.
Yusmarg
Yusmarg is a small meadow set in the heart of mountains to the south-west of Srinagar, at a distance of 47 km. It is an ideal picnic spot and the Nilnag Lake can be visited from here.
One can also see the Hari Parbat Fort, Jama Masjid, walk in the old bazaar and over one of the seven old Bridges on river Jhelum and view from outside, the shrine in honour of Shah Hamdan.
Dachigam
Dachigam was at one time the exclusive hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Kashmir. It contains the last viable hangul population, related to the red deer of Europe, with a white rump patch and impressive spread of antlers. There are some 20 other mammal species including the snow leopard and over 150 species of fauna. Game-viewing is possible through the year.

Leh
Shankar Gompa
Walk to the Shankar Gompa which has innumerable statues of pure gold and a number of interesting paintings. Later walk to the Leh Palace and on the way back visit the cottage industries emporium. Drive to the Spituk Monastery (5 miles) which contains a large collection of Tankhyas and old masks and later visit the Shankar Gompa. Proceed to visit the Phyiang Monastery before returning to the hotel.
Alchi Gompa
70 Km from Leh on banks of the Indus, is Alchi Gompa dating a thousand years back. One of its walls feature thousands of miniature-sized pictures of the Buddha. Three large sized images made of clay and painted brightly are its focal attraction.
Shey and Stok
The once residence of the royal family is famous for its 7.5 m high gilded statue of Buddha. Stok was the Palace of the banished royal family. It houses a museum which displays fabulous period costumes and jewellery of the royalty along-with exquisite Tankhyas representing the life of the Sakya Muni Buddha. Interesting historical objects like coins, seals, armour, weapons, precious jade and porcelain can also be seen here.
Hemis
40 kms from Leh, Hemis is one of the richest, biggest and most famous gompa in Ladakh. Its popularity stems from the major annual festival held during summer in honour of their Guru Padma Sambhava's birth anniversary. Built during 1630, it has numerous tankhyas, silver chortens studded with precious/semi precious stones and various images of Buddha. Of its many frescoes, the most famous is the Wheel of Life.
Lamayuru
The oldest holy site in Ladakh, Lamayuru was once a lake. It was blessed by a lama after which, as legend goes, the water of the lake receded upto the mountains leaving place for the monastery to be built. It is also the -free zone- of Ladakh since not even a criminal can be apprehended in this place. Now mostly in ruins, only the main hall exists today and houses numerous tankhyas.
Likir
Founded in the 11th century AD and re-dedicated to another monastic order in the 15th century AD, the earlier gompa was destroyed in a fire. The present gompa dates back to the 18th century. Skilled craftsman producing excellent tankhyas, earthen pots, carved folding wooden stools etc. live in the village. Majestically situated, it commands a spectacular view.
Spituk
8 kms from Leh, it stands majestically on top of a hillock overlooking the Indus valley for miles. Many icons and fine tankhyas are to be found in this 15th century monastery. It also houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, and an awe inspiring image of Mahakala. The face of the Kali image is kept covered and revealed only at the annual function in January every two years.
Thiskey
19 kms from Leh, spectacularly sited and one of the finest example of Ladakhi architecture. Thiksey is one of the largest and most impressive gompas. There are several temples in this gompa containing images, stupas and exquisite wall paintings. It also houses a two- storeyed statue of Buddha which has the main prayer hall around its shoulder.

Access :-

AIR
Srinagar Airport (14 kms from the Srinagar City) is connected by Indian Airlines to Delhi, Amritsar, Jammu, Leh, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Mumbai.

RAIL
Nearest railhead Jammu Tawi (293 km from the Srinagar city) is connected to all parts of the country will mail and express trains.

ROAD
Srinagar, on National Highway, is connected with all the major places in India and in the State, viz. Jammu 293 kms, Leh 434 kms, Kargil Chandigarh 630 kms. etc.

BUS
J&K State Road Transport Corporation's Coaches (at Tourist Reception Centre); Tourist Taxis (J&K State Tourism Development Corporation, Tourist Reception Centre); Scooter Rickshaws, Matador, Mini-Buses; City Buses and Shikaras are available. Helicopter Services is also there as Local Transport (J&K Tourist Office).

All foreigners entering Jammu and Kashmir State are required to register their arrival and departure with the Foreigners' Regional Registration Office located at the airport and in the city.

Central Reservation Wing
J&K Tourism Development Corporation Limited
Tourist Reception Centre
Vir Marg, Jammu - 180 001
Tel. : 0191-577756, 579554
Fax : 0191-546412

Central Reservation Wing
J&K Tourism Development Corporation Limited
Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar - 190 001
Tel. : 0194-474060, 475915, 476107, 472644
Fax : 0194-476107

For further information log on to http://www.jktourism.org/

It's my India!

2009-10-02T16:09:00.001+05:30

In a country as diverse and complex as India, it is not surprising to find that people here reflect the rich glories of the past, the culture, traditions and values relative to geographic locations and the numerous distinctive manners, habits and food that will always remain truly Indian. According to five thousand years of recorded history.
From the eternal snows of the Himalayas to the cultivated peninsula of far South, from the deserts of the West to the humid deltas of the East, from the dry heat and cold of the Central Plateau to the cool forest foothills, Indian lifestyles clearly glorify the geography. The food, clothing and habits of an Indian differ in accordance to the place of origin.
Indians believe in sharing happiness and sorrow. A festival or a celebration is never constrained to a family or a home. The whole community or neighborhood is involved in bringing liveliness to an occasion. A lot of festivals like Diwali, Holi, Id, Christmas, Mahaveer Jayanthi are all celebrated by sharing sweets and pleasantries with family, neighbours and friends. An Indian wedding is an occasion that calls for participation of the family and friends. Similarly, neighbours and friends always help out a family in times of need.
Ethnically Indians speak different languages, follow different religions, eat the most diverse varieties of food all of which add to the rich Indian culture. The beauty of the Indian people lies in the spirit of tolerance, give-and-take and a composition of cultures that can be compared to a garden of flowers of various colours and shades of which, while maintaining their own entity, lend harmony and beauty to the garden - India!

Explore the beauty of India

Kashmir the mystical land

It's my India!