J&K at GLANCE

The name JAMMU and KASHMIR itself is famous and doesn’t need any introduction. As one thinks of Jammu and Kashmir, the Images of mesmerizing beautiful places, snow clad mountains, fresh air, chilly winds, lush green forests, fresh water bodies, steep terrains comes into mind, an image of nature at its best is created, giving solace to the heart and the soul. Jammu and Kashmir is home to several valleys, such as the Kashmir Valley, Tawi Valley, Chenab Valley, Poonch Valley, Sind Valley and Lidder Valley. It is divided into three regions Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The Himalayas divide the Kashmir valley from Ladakh while the Pir Panjal range, which encloses the valley from the west and the south, separates it from the Great Plains of northern India. Along the northeastern flank of the Valley runs the main range of the Himalayas. The Jhelum River is the only major Himalayan river which flows through the Kashmir valley. The Indus, Tawi, Ravi and Chenab are the major rivers flowing through the state. Jammu and Kashmir is home to several Himalayan glaciers. With an average altitude of 5,753 metres above sea-level, the Siachen Glacier is 76 km long making it the longest Himalayan glacier.The climate of Jammu and Kashmir varies greatly from region to region owing to its rugged topography. Among these three regions Ladakh is largest in geographical area followed by Jammu and Kashmir respectively. Each of these three regions have distinct topography, climate, culture, features and tourist attractions leaving one confused which one to visit first. The State is always lavishly beautiful and a favored destination for tourists from all walks of life. Incredible beauty of nature, innate appeal, blissful ambiance and misty cool air of State satiate inner soul of every traveler and persuade them to visit this land again and again.

KASHMIR VALLEY: Kashmir (Paradise on earth) is the valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal mountain range. As one crosses the 2.5 kms long Jawahar tunnel of mighty Pir Panjal Range, kashmir valley begins. Kashmir valley is famous all over the world for it picturesque beauty, landscape and climate, besides its beauty Kashmir valley is also known for its adventure potential, it offers vast platform for adventure activities. Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg are prime attractions in Kashmir valley and are known as good as when one thinks to visit Kashmir these four places come in mind at first. But besides these four place there are many other unexplored place in Kashmir which are more beautiful than any other place, and on visiting those places one cannot doubt the famous phrase “Agar firdous baroy-e- zamin ast, hami asto, hamin asto, hamin ast.” “If there is a heaven on earth, it is here, it is here,” So “before saying there is no place like Switzerland in the world, Sooth your nerves and Calm your soul in Kashmir, the place where earth meets heaven.”

JAMMU: Jammu (The city of Temples), located on the Tawi River and in the Himalayan foothills. The winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir state, Jammu, is the second largest region of the State, Tawi river transverses through and divides Jammu city in two parts, the old town of Jammu is located on a hilltop overlooking the river Tawi while the new town is situated across the river, several kilometers away. After transversing Jammu city, the river crosses into Pakistan's Punjab and joins Chenab river. Regarding Tawi is mythological belief of the Hindus of Jammu city that the river was brought to Jammu by 'Raja Pehar Devta' to cure his father and was given the throne of Jammu City and was declared as 'Raja', i.e. King of Jammu with the blessings of 'Bawe wali Shri MATA KALI JI'. It is also known as "City of Temples or the city of ancient temples " as one can find numerous temples and shrines which have great importance in Hinduism, and got sacred place in Hindu religion, creating the ambience of a holy and peaceful city, Such as Mata Vaishno Devi, Ragunath Temple, Bave Wali Mata (Goddess Mahakali), Peer Kho Cave Temple, Peer Kho cave temple overlooking the Tawi river is another well known Shiva temple in Jammu. Jammu offers the widest diversity of terrain and beauty. The entire region is pocketed with lakes and valleys. In its adjoining area there are many beautiful tourist destinations which have their own importance on the tourist map of india, and one should not miss to visit, such as Badrewah, Mansar Lake, Doda, Kashtwar, Patnitop, Sansar.

LADAKH: Ladakh (The Land Of Passes) is a region of India in the state of Jammu and Kashmir it extends from the Karakoram mountain range in the north to the main Great Himalayas to the south, It is one of the most sparsely populated regions in Jammu and Kashmir and its culture and history are closely related to that of Tibet. Ladakh, the land of many passes, snow clad mountains and arid land is among the highest of the world's inhabited plateaus. It lies at altitudes ranging from about 2,750 meters at Kargil to 7,672 meters at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram. This region has a unique landscape and topography, that is why it has also been described as 'Moon Land', 'Magic Land', and 'Mysterious Land' for its unique landscape and exquisite culture. One sees no horizon here but only mountain peaks soaring up to 5 to 6 km. Besides these names one can it is also called “Land of Adventure”. So by all these titles given to this place one can easily imagine the importance of this place on the tourist map of India. This place is very much famous among foreigners than locals / domestic tourist and is foreigners first choice in Summer.