Introduction to Jammu&Kashmir

Introduction

Jammu and Kashmir, the northernmost state of the Indian union consists of three divisions -Jammu, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh. It has two capitals- Jammu, the winter capital and Srinagar, the summer capital. The state is picturesquely nestled in the Himalayan mountain ranges with stretches of valleys and lakes in between.

Jammu and Kashmir has been famous for its natural beauty since time immemorial and has been aptly described as ‘Heaven on Earth.’ The state has some of the best tourist spots in the entire country. Tourists from not only India but also the world over come to enjoy the scenic beauty here. The tourism industry has greatly benefited the state economy. Some of the major tourist attractions in the state are Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Leh, Patnitop and Ladakh.

The city of Jammu is popularly known as the city of temples. Srinagar is famous for its lakes, houseboats and snowy peaks while Kashmir is renowned for its scenic natural beauty, flower gardens and rich cuisine. The Dal Lake houseboats named shikaras are one of the major attractions among tourists to Kashmir. Another beauty to behold is the Mughal Gardens of Srinagar. Kashmir also has some of the best handicrafts and traditional artwork especially furniture and carpets in the entire country. Srinagar is known for its traditional crafts.

Some of the major pilgrimage centers of the nation are located in the state, the two most important being the Amarnath Caves and the Vaishnodevi Shrine.

Given below is a tourist map of J & K :