JAMMU AND KASHMIR STATE INFO.

Attraction in Kashmir,shikaras,Mughal Gardens,Pahalgam,Gulmarg,Shankaracharya temple,Amarnath,Dal Lake,silk, cotton, and wool, carpet weaving, woodcarving, "Agar zameen pe jannat hai, to wo yahin hai, yahin hai, yahin hai (If there is heaven on earth, it is on this land, it is here, it is right here) These words by Jehangir are but minimal expressions of the immense beauty and richness that lies spread all around this land.

Surrounded by snow-clad peaks on all sides, Kashmir is one of the richest land in India known for the serene natural beauty that takes one away from the materialistic world into a zone of total peace and relaxation.

The greatest attraction in Kashmir are the houseboats on Dal lake. The massive Dal Lake is dotted with water lilies. The lakes are mobile shops of moving shikaras. The Mughal Gardens at Srinagar is another famous 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. Srinagar, the capital city, has a distinctly Central Asian look. It stands on the Dal Lake. Srinagar is considered to be a small-sized Lake District. The old city has a labyrinth of alleyways and mosques. The ancient caves and temples of Kashmir reveal a strong link with Indian culture at the beginning of the Christian Era.

Jammu & Kashmir is well known for rural crafts such as handloom weaving of local silk, cotton, and wool, carpet weaving, woodcarving, leatherwork together with silverwork, copper work and jewelry. Ladakh, the far-flung eastern corner of the state is a high altitude desert cradled by the Karakoram and Great Himalaya ranges and criss-crossed by line upon line of razor sharp peaks and ridges. Strings of multicolored prayer flags flutter from rooftops of houses, while bright prayer wheels and whitewashed Stupas (Monastery domes) guard the entrances to the tiniest settlements. Ladakh's medieval monasteries are repositories of ancient wisdom and living centers of worship. The ornate shrines house remarkable art treasures: giant brass Buddhas, antique Tibetan manuscripts and peculiar musical instruments. The highest concentration of monasteries is near Leh. Ladakh also provides some of the most inspiring treks in the Himalayas..

The best time to enjoy Kashmir is during May to September.

Festivals: The Hemis festival at Ladakh held in July is a must see. Lohri and Baisakhi in February. The 3-day Jammu Crafts Mela organised during Baisakhi every year at the picturesque Mansar Lake, 60 km from Jammu. Bahu Mela, a major festival held at the Kali temple in Bahu Fort (Jammu), twice a year during March-April and September-October. The Urs at Khaneka in downtown Srinagar and Urs at Chrar-e-Sharif.