Kashmir
"Kailasa is the best place in three worlds, Himalaya the best part of Kailasa, and Kashmir the best place in Himalaya.” ( Rajtarangni 12th Century A.D.)
Kashmir Guideline is dedicated to provide tourism- related information on
Jammu & Kashmir only in ‘Tourism’ perspective. But we feel that the most
essential ingredient of this information must also carry some brief insight
into the historical and geographical background as well, coupled with
cultural and social dimensions of a particular place or places so that a
traveler should have some basic knowledge of the land he is visiting. Since
Kashmir is among the most visited places on earth since time immemorial a
visitor must ,therefore, have an idea where he or she is going to. Kashmir
or Cashmere is immortalized for its beauty by Sir Thomas Moore in his
celebrated Oriental Romance 'Lalla Rookh'. The total estimated area
of the state of Jammu & Kashmir is 80,900 miles. It is more conveniently
divided into three regions which are (1) The outer hills and the central
mountains of Jammu district (2) The valley of Kashmir and (3) The far side
of the great central range, including Ladakh, Baltistan and Gilgit. The
Valley is situated between 32 degrees 30’ and 37 degrees 15’ N.lat, 72
degrees 30’ and 80 degrees 30’ E. longitude. The Vale of Kashmir, its beauty
and charm of its climate extends for about 120 miles from NW to SE, with a
mean breadth of 75 miles . However, the flat part of the valley is not more
than 80 miles long by 20 -24 miles broad with a variable elevation above
sea- level of from 5000 to 7000 fee. The landscape unfolds mysteries after
mysteries when one travels from west to east or from south to north.. As
regards the formation of the vale itself, fan like projections known as karewa or ‘wudur’ in local dialect suggest that the valley was once
submerged under a mighty inland sea which dried up when nature afforded a
chance near the present town of Baramulla in the west of Kashmir.
Nothing can well exceed the fertile beauty of the Kashmir valley. The
mountains which surround Kashmir are never monotonous. Infinitely varied in
form and colour, they are such as an artist might picture in his dreams. In
short, the great poet Pundit Kalhan in his introduction to his immortal
Rajtarangini written in 7th Century A.D. says of the valley: ‘ It is a
country where the sun shines mildly , being the place created by Kashayapa
as if for his glory. High school-houses, saffron, iced water and grapes,
which are rare even in heaven, are common here.
Fact Files :
Full Name : Jammu and Kashmir
Capital : Summer (May-October) - Srinagar / Winters (November-April)-
Jammu
Best Season :
Jammu - October To February
Kashmir - May To October & November To February
Ladakh - Mid June To September
Climate : The valley of Kashmir, sheltered from the south-west monsoon by the Panjal range, has not the periodical rains of India. Its rainfall is irregular, greatest in the spring months. Snow falls on the surrounding mountains from October to March. In the valley the first snow generally falls about the end of the month of December or by the second week of January. The coldest months are January and February (mean temperature 0 degree to- -6 degrees Celsius). July, August and the greater part of September are the hottest (27 - 35 degrees Celsius) However, it is impossible to speak of Kashmir as possessing any one climate. Every hundred feet of elevation brings some new phase of climate and of vegetation, and in a short ride of thirty miles one can pass from overpowering heat to a climate delightfully cool.
Summer : Max.39.9, Min.23.4;
Winter: Max.20.2, Min.4.5.
The annual rainfall also varies from region to region with 92.6 mm in Leh, 650.5 mm in Srinagar and 1115.9 mm in Jammu.
Clothing : Light cottons, Winter: Heavy Woolens
People:
The great majority of the inhabitants of Kashmir profess Mohammedanism which
was introduced here in 16 Century by the celebrated preacher Syed Ali
Hamadani, who lies buried in Khutan in Central Asia. His pagoda type
monastery, which is among the most revered places of Kashmir, built on the
western shore of the river Jhelum , can be seen during a visit to the Old
City .Hindus are predominant in greater part of Jammu region whereas Ladakh
has Buddhist majority.
Languages : Kashmiri, Urdu (Official Language), Hindi, Dogri, Pahari,
Ladakhi
According to The Encyclopedia Britannica Kashmiri language has its origin in
Dard group of Pisaca languages to which belong Shina, spoken in the north,
around Gilgit, and Kohistani, spoken on the both sides of river Indus. The
Pisaca languages also include Khowar of Chitral and Bashgali of Kafiristan.
Of all these forms of speech Kashmiri is the only one which possesses a
literature and an alphabet. The author of the article in the encyclopedia
further writes that Pisaca languages are purely Aryan or represent the
speech of an independent Aryan migration over the Hindu Kush into their
present settlements where they have developed a phonetic system of their
own, and have retained unchanged forms of extreme antiquity. Unfortunately,
the fusion of immigrants which converged on the fertile plains of Kashmir in
search of fresh pastures or adventure, the Kashmiri language lost most of
its Pisaca character (though many of the dialects are still in use in south
of Kashmir) and is now a mixed one. In short Kashmiri is a language of great
philological interest which strikes the student of ancient languages.
Geology:
Geologists have discovered some rich rock formations and beds which belong
to Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras. In Baltistan and the Ladakh range there is a
broad zone composed chiefly of gneiss and schist of ancient date. The oldest
fossils found belong either to Ordovician or Silurian systems. The Mesozoic
deposits belong chiefly to the Trias and Jurassic periods..
History at a glance
Kashmir offers most alluring landscape in the world. It is a treasure hidden
away within mighty mountain ranges and guarded by insurmountable passes. It
transcends imagination. But unlike its restiveness and calm, its history is
an endless story of turbulence and of occupation by invaders from foreign
lands. It has been a playground for conquerors and men of valour. Kashmir’s
history can be traced from Rajtarangini (chronicle of kings) written by
great Kalahan in Sanskrit more than eight hundred years ago. A copy of this
immortal work, described by Professor Wilson, a distinguished Orientalist to be
'the only Sanskrit composition yet discovered to which the title of
history can with any authority be applied' a copy of this work was presented to Emperor Akbar
when the Mughal army invaded Kashmir in 1588. Rajtarangini contains a
trustworthy record from the seventh century onwards which has well stood
test of historical criticism .However, history of Kashmir can be divided
into seven periods: (1) the early period of Hindu kings (2) the period of
Kashmiri Mohammedans, known as the Salatini Kashmir (3) the period of the
Mughals, known as the Padshahi-i- Chagatai (4) the period of the Pathanns
(5) the period of Sikhs and (6) post 1947 period which can be subdivided
into (a) pre-1953 and (b) post 1953 periods which mainly consist of the
recent political histories. Kalhana’s work was continued by Pundit Jonaraja
from the end of the Hindu rule through to the ascension of Sultan
Zain-ul-Abiddin (1417 A.D.) whom Kashmiris call Budshah, the great king, out
of love and respect for his secular character. The third book in
Rajtarangini series , written by Srivara takes up from the rule of Budshah
and ends at l the accession of Fatteh Shah ( A.D.1486) The last and final
book of the series is written by Pundit Prajyabhatta who picks up where
Sirivara leaves and ends with the fall of Chak dynasti at the hands of the
Mughals in 1586 A.D. The defeat and imprisonment of Yousaf Shah, the last
monarch of that dynasty, sealed the fate of Kashmiris as free and
independent nation.
Archeology:
The architectural remains of Kashmir are perhaps the most remarkable found on subcontinent which exhibit clear traces of the profound influence of Grecian art. Ruins at Avantipora and at Martand in south of Kashmir, popularly known as Pandau Lari or settlements of Pandavas whom Ptolemy considered ‘having their kingdome upon the Betasta or Vitasta (river Jehlum) present striking examples of Greco-kashmiri blend. It is noteworthy that one of the names by which kashmiris are know is Shastra-Shilpina, or "architects" on account of their well-known skill in building . Even now the Kashmiris are the most expert handicraftsmen of the east. Sir Walter Lawrence has rightly defined Kashmirian architecture with its ‘noble fluted pillars, its vast colonnades, its lofty pediments and its elegant trefoiled arches’ as of completely distant style. One of the most famous pieces of architecture is the massive temple of Martand found on the highest part of a karewas , on the way to the famous resort of Pahalgam. Dedicated to Sun-god and built by the great king Laltaditya, who reigned from A.D.693 to 729 is the most.
Flora & Fauna
Kashmir abounds in rich flora. The most magnificent of the Kashmir trees is the Chinar found throughout the valley. Mountain ranges in the Valley have dense deodar, pine and fir. Walnut, willow, almond and cider also add to the rich flora of Kashmir. The dense forests of Kashmir are a delight to the sport-lovers and adventures for whom there are Ibex, Snow Leopard, Musk deer, wolf, Markhor, Red bear, Black bear and Leopard. The winged game include ducks, goose, partridge, chakor, pheasant, wagtails, herons, water pigeons, warblers, and doves. Kashmir Guideline offers conducted tours of Wildlife sanctuaries located in different parts of the Valley.
Flora :
The main flora of Kashmir include Cannabis indica , Artemisia, Rheum,
Polygonum Polystachyum and Polygonum rumicifolium, Rumex, Dipsacus inermis
and Campanula. Of of indigenous plants which grow wild are
Rsspberry, Blackberry, Bramble, strawberry , Gooseberry, Red currant and Black
currant are most common. Kashmir is rich in the growth of many varieties of
herbs which have great medicinal value. Among these are: Aconitum
heterophyllum , Hyoscyamus niger , Macrotomia Benthami , Viola serpens ,
Berberis Lycium and Pichorhiza Kurrooa.
Fauna:
The forests of Kashmir house some of the rare animals on the planet which include the 12- horned stage, the woolly Himalayan black bear and the illusive snow leopard. Some other wild animals are: Innuus rhesus, Macacus rhesus, the Himalayan Langur, Semnopitheceus Schistaceus, Felis pardus (Leopard), Felis torquata (jungle cat), Canis Lupus, Canis laniger (common in Ladakh and Tibet), Canis aureus (Jackal) and Vulpes Montana or common fox. Of Mustelidae family the most common are the pine marten, the Beech Marten (widely distributed and found in Ladakh) , the White- noosed Weasel. striking in size and situation of all the existing remains of Kashmir grandeur. Jamia Msjid at Srinagar and the monastery of Shah Hamden on the western bank of river Jehlum are the best specimen of Buddhist –Saracen architecture with lofty pyramidal spires and pagoda type roofs.
“Kashmir – only Kashmir!” were the last words of Emperor Jehangir before he
died while returning from his third visit to the “Vale of Cashmere”. the
greatest of the Sanskrit poets Kalidas has described Kashmir as "more beautiful than the
heaven and is the benefactor of supreme bliss and happiness." Kashmir's
greatest historian Kalhana called it the "best place in the Himalayas" - "a
country where the sun shines mildly…" The 19th century British historian Sir
Walter Lawrence writes about Kashmir: "The valley is an emerald set in pearls; a
land of lakes, clear streams, green turf, magnificent trees and mighty
mountains where the air is cool, and the water sweet, where men are strong,
and women vie with the soil in fruitfulness."
Such is Kashmir - loved and adored by kings and admired by the lovers of
Nature from all over the world for her pristine beauty and for her
ethno-cultural diversity that has its roots deep in antiquity. Kashmir
offers much to a visitor who is in search of a calm and peaceful solitude.
Kashmir abounds in blue, shimmering lakes, picturesque resorts, wild,
roaring mountain streams, majestic peaks and taverns. So, come and discover
this land of eternal bliss and solitude.
Srinagar
Srinagar City is centered around Dal Lake and this huge lake attracts
millions of tourists, both domestic and foreign. A drive along the Boulevard
(the road along the banks of the lake) has been a favourite with locals and
tourists alike mainly because of the scenic beauty of the boulevard
.Srinagar City also has a lot of gardens along the banks of Dal Lake. Nishat,
Cheshma-i-Shahi, Shalimar and Harven gardens all were built by the Moghuls
and are absolutely breathtaking in view all through the year.
What To See
Kashmir has some of the world’s best hill resorts, namely, Pahalgam,
Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Yusmarg. Besides these well known places, there are
other resorts which though not much popular with the tourists yet equally
spectacular and fabulous in natural beauty and grandeur.
Historic Places and Monuments
The Kashmir region abounds in places of historical and archaeological significance, important among which are:
Khanqah-e-Moulla
The shrine of Shah-e-Hamdan or Khanqah-e-Moulla is one of the oldest Muslim shrines in Kashmir situated on the bank of the river Jhelum in the old city.
Jamia Masjid
It is one of the oldest and the most spacious of all the mosques in Kashmir, situated in the heart of the city.The foundation of the mosque, an architectural wonder was laid by Sultan Sikander in 1398 A.D.The area of the mosque is 384ftX381ft. Spacious enough for over thirty thousand people to offer prayers at a time.
Budshah’s Tomb
The tomb of the mother of Sultan Zain-Ul-Abideen(1420-70) popularly known as Badshah is a splendid representative piece of the Shahmiri architecture. The monument, situated on the right bank of the river Jehlum near Zaina Kadal is the only one of its kind in and around kashmir which, compared to the wooden structures of the shahmiri period, is a wholly brick structure.
Hari Parbat Fort
Another historical monument of Srinagar is the Hari Parbat Fort constructed by the Afghan Governor, Atta Mohammad Khan(1808-10),on the top of the Hari Parbat or Koh-e-Maraan hill. The architecture of the Fort is similar to that of the forts in Central Asia.
Martand
This is a significant Archaeological site. Its impressive Architecture reveals the glorious past of the area. This marvelous temple, dedicated to Sun god was built by the great king Lalitadatiya in 8th Century A.D. All that remains of the temple is a central rectangular building surrounded by a court and rectangular colonnade.
Lakes
Dal Lake:
In Srinagar’s Aquatic Plaza around the lake. Villages and Orchids and the Famous gardens built by the Moghul Emperors famous for Shikra ride. Most of the House Boats around in Dal Lake. From the Lake one can see the Historic Shankara Charya Hill in the east and the west Hari Parbat.
Nigeen Lake:
Popular for water sports like water skiing, swimming, diving and sailing.
Manasbal Lake:
This Lake is famous for Lotus flowers during summer and Paradise for Bird Watchers,. Between the river and foot of the Mountains spurs lower end of the Sind valley famous for Picnic spot.
Wular Lake:
The Largest fresh water Lake in India 26 Kms long and 8 Kms wide. Surrounded by the mountains. The river Jehlum pases right through the Lake the deepest part is near the Hill Called BABA SHUKR-UD-DIN on the north west side.
Kashmir Wildlife
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Dachigam National Park
Dachigam National Park
Located very close to Srinagar (22km), Dachigam National park with its splendid forests and magnificent scenery is easily accessible. The two sectors of the park -Upper and Lower Dachigam are spread over an area of 141 sq. km. And altitudes vary between 1700 and 4300 meters. Two steep ridges enclose the Park with its great topographical variety - deep ravines, rocky outcrops, steep wooded slopes and rolling alpine pastures. The Park is the habitat of the magnificent endangered hangul or the Kashmir stag and the rare and burly Himalayan black bear. Other animals include the musk deer and the Himalayan marmot.
