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The
state of Jammu & Kashmir is a region of widely varying people and
geography. In the south, Jammu is a transition zone from the Indian plains
to the Himalaya. Nature has lavishly endowed Kashmir with certain
distinctive favours which hardly find a parallel in any alpine land of the
world. Correctly, the rest of the state is Kashmir but in practice this
title is reserved for the beautiful valley of Kashmir, a large Himalayan
valley in the north of the state. A spell on a houseboat on Dal Lake has
always been one of India's real treats and Kashmir also offers some
delightful trekking opportunities and unsurpassed scenery. Set in the womb
of the Himalayas and gifted with beautiful and inspiring natural scenery, it
emerged as a highly advanced seat of learning from very early times, taking
its place along with the famous Universities of Taxila and Nalanda. Ramparts
of high mountains and seclusion of the land helped her top reserve the life
and conditions of early times which is rather difficult to resuscitate in
regard to other such mountainous regions. The cultural heritage of Kashmir
is, therefore, very rich and derives its inspiration and strength both from
her natural environs and the rich literature and literary traditions alike.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Altitude : 305 meters
Area : 20.36 sq.km
Temperature : Between 20 to 40 deg in summer and between 4 to 20 deg in
winters
Languages : Dogri, Hindi, Kashmiri, English
Clothing : Light clothes in summer, heavy woollens in winter
Best Season : September to March
PLACES TO VISIT
- Raghunath Temple
- Ranbireshwar Temple
- Peer Khoh
- Bahu Fort
- BAGH-E-BAHAR
- Ranbir Canal
- Amar Mahal Palace Museum
- Dogra Art Gallery
EXCURSIONS
- Akhnoor: 32 kms. Regular bus-services
available from Jammu.
- Batote: 113 kms, 1560 metres. Health Resort on
the Jammu-Shrinagar highway.
- Kud: 106 kms, 1738 metres. Resort on Jammu-Shrinagar
highway.
- Mansar Lake: 80 kms. Regular bus-services
available from Jammu.
- Purmandal (Chhota Kashi): 39 kms. Religious
place connected by bus with Jammu. Accommodation is available in pilgrim
shelters.
- Patnitop: 112 kms, 2024 metres. A resort &
picnic spot on the Jammu-Shrinagar highway.
- Ramban: 148 kms.
- Ramnagar: 102 kms. Regular bus-services
available from Jammu.
- Sanasar: 129 kms, 2079 metres. 19 kms from
Patnitop, slightly away from the National Highway.
- Sudhmahadev: 120 km, 1225 metres.
- Surinsar Lake: 42 kms. Picturesque spot.
Accommodation available in huts.
- Kishtwar High Altitude National Park: 248 kms.
HOW TO GET THERE?
By Air
Jammu is on Indian Airlines and also on private airlines network. However the
latter needs re-confirmation constantly. Indian Airlines connects it with
Delhi on a flight that also touches Chandigarh and Amritsar, and continues on
to Srinagar. Jammu airport is 7 km from the city.
By Rail
Jammu is a major railhead in Northern India, and the terminus on this route.
It is linked to Delhi through convenient overnighters. The city is connected
to many North Indian towns, and to Bombay, Pune, Kanyakumari, Madras and
Calcutta on direct services.
By Road
Jammu is on the National Highway and is linked beyond Jalandhar to Delhi and
further to all parts of the country. As winter capital of the state of Jammu
and Kashmir, it is connected to destinations in those two regions by all
weather roads and to Ladakh via Srinagar from May to October. |