JAMMU & KASHMIR

Widely known as the Switzerland of Asia, in recent years this state's status as the foremost tourist destination in India has been tarnished by terrorism and violence.

KASHMIR STATS:

TOTAL AREA: 222,236 Sq. Km (85,806 Sq. Mi) Rank: 5th
POPULATION (2011): 12,548,926 Rank: 19th
CAPITAL CITY: Jammu (summer); Srinagar (winter)  
LARGEST CITY: Srinagar  
LITERACY RATE: 66.7% Rank: 26th
HDI: 0.601 Rank: 17th
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: English, Urdu  
Official Website: www.jammukashmir.nic.in  

 

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CENTRAL:

SRINAGAR: Capital City. This city has a long history, first , as "Srinagri", founded by Emperor Ashoka. The Mughuls and the British have also been under the spell of this enchanted city and the state.

 House Boats on Dal Lake  House Boats on Dal Lake
House Boats on Dal Lake

 

Shalimar Gardens

 

Shalimar Gardens

Shalimar Gardens, Srinagar; one of the many remnants of Mughal Rule in Kashmir. These gardens evoke the images of Persian gardens at their best.

 

Floating Gardens on Gulmurg

 

Floating Gardens on Gulmurg

Floating Gardens on Gulmurg

 

Srinagar
Srinagar

Jamia Mosque, Jammu
Jamia Mosque, Jammu
Rajarani Temple
Rajarani Temple

 

Mukteswar Temple
Mukteswar Temple
Gurudwara Singh Sabha
Gurudwara Singh Sabha

 

EAST:

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Some Temples of Jammu
Some Temples of Jammu
Jammu, Amar Mahal
Jammu, Amar Mahal

 

Jammu, St, Mary’s Garrison Church
Jammu, St, Mary's Garrison Church

 

 

JAMMU: LADAKH REGION

Hemis Monastery Hemis Monastery
Hemis Monastery

 

Leh Palace, LEH
Leh Palace, LEH (Ladakh Region)

 

FESTIVALS

Bahu Mela:

Bahu Mela is one of the best Hindu festivals of Jammu; it is an astounding celebration held in the Bahu Fort of the region. The mela is stacked with fun, skip, and jubilance, with lights embellishing the whole place, illuminating the entire atmosphere. One can witness the marvellous traditions of the community of Jammu, from the way they dress up, to partaking in the tasty food present all through this celebration. This mela is a great opportunity to witness the vitality with which festivities are welcomed in Jammu. All participants wear their most splendid gatherings, and occupants exchange favors as a sign of worship and warmth towards one another.

 

Urs:

(February) Eid Ul Fitr is celebrated on the last day of a month-long fasting in Ramzan or Ramadan. Namaz is offered six times on this day and fast is broken with feasting. Exchange of sweets and wearing new clothes, meeting relatives, and sharing wishes complete this peaceful festival. Eid ul Azha or Bakra Eid is celebrated in the second half of the year when a goat, camel, or sheep is sacrificed in every Muslim Household. It takes its origin from their principle of Kurbani or Sacrifice. The Urs or Ziarats is an important festival in Kashmir which witnesses participation from Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs. It is a huge inter-communal celebration and is celebrated many times in a year.

This festival is celebrated on the death anniversaries of eminent Muslim saints like Meesha Sahib, Batamol Sahib, and Bahauddin. Often bad weather is faced on the day of Urs celebrations, despite which a huge celebration is marked by people from all religions.

 

Tulip Festival:

(May)

With hundreds of Tulip Gardens in all of Kashmir, the state flourishes with Tulips during the spring season. With the largest Tulip Garden in Asia in its bounty, Srinagar plays host to the great Tulip Festival every year. The festival boasts of the variety of Tulips garnered here. During the springs, the sight of the tulips in any of these gardens is a sight to behold, undoubtedly a mesmerizing and breath-taking sight, especially for a non-Kashmiri.

Tulip Festival takes place at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar, Kashmir. The festival features a showcase of local handicrafts, luscious cuisine, cultural programs, and of course, Tulips!

 

 

STATE SYMBOLS: (COURTESY WIKIPEDIA)

State animal Hangul (Cervus elaphus hanglu) hangul
State bird Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) crane
State flower Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) rhododendron
State tree Chinar tree (Platanus oreintalis) chinar
State seal   seal
State flag   flag

 

TOURIST INFORMATION:

CONTACT: Directorate of Information, Jammu & Kashmir Govt.
Tel: (Nov-Apr): 0191-2544076, 2540088, 2578835 Fax: 0191-2544643
(May-Oct): 0194-2452294, 2452437 0194-2452227

email: dipjk@jk.nic.in or jmt_info@sanchamet.in

 

JAMMU & KASHMIR CUISINE

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                                                             SIGNATURE DISHES OF JAMMU & KASHMIR

                                                                               DUM ALOO KASHMIRI

food

 

The following are six must try dishes from Kashmir courtesy of www.dnaindia.com

ROGAN GOSHT

 

                                        Tabak Maaz
                                        Lamb ribs with turmeric, cinnamon and saffron
The front ribs of a fatty goat poached in moval essence, spices and fennel and then seared in ghee makes tabak maas, the Kashmiri lamb chops worth a try.

                                        

 

Rista 
Small lamb dumplings in an onion, chilli and saffron gravy
This traditional recipe consists of lamb meatballs made with minced meat and poached in turmeric water to cook in a stock.

 

Kashmiri haakh
A traditional Kashmiri collard green preparation  
Made with Kashmiri collard green that is grown in lake water and known for its bitter sharp taste, haakh is collard green cooked with
fennel.

                                                

 

Kong Phirni
Saffron flavoured rice pudding with pistachio and cashew nuts

 

Khubani ka halwa 
Fresh apricot pudding with dry fruits

                                                             

The photos were taken at Maya Restaurant, The Trident, BKC. Special thanks to Chef Jeewan Singh, head chef at Maya and Chef Rehman Mujeebur of Kitchenette-e-Awadh