Ladakh
Tourism --» Jammu & Kashmir Tourism
Jammu & Kashmir Tourism
Adventure Tourism
Trekking: A range of trekking options is available in the Jammu area. Ask for
a free copy of our trekking brochure for a detailed description of the many
short and long treks you can take. Summer is the season when all the routes
are open but some trekking routes are open in winter. There are excellent camping
sites in the wilderness where you can camp when you are trekking for 2-3 days.
The Sudarani-Jungal Gali- Jasar Kote-Sanasar route in the jungal gali area lets
you choose from any of the three exciting treks.
Fairs & Festivals
Lohri: This festival is also known as Makar Sankranti. It heralds the onset
of spring. The whole of Jammu region wears a festive look on this day. Thousands
take a dip in the holy rivers. 'Havan Yagnas' light up nearly every house and
temple in Jammu. In the rural areas, custom requires boys to go around asking
for gifts from newly-weds and new parents. A special dance called the 'Chajja'
dance is held on the occasion of Lohri. It makes a striking picture to see boys
along with their 'Chajjas' elaborately decorated with coloured paper and flowers
move on the street in a dancing procession. The whole atmosphere comes alive
with the pulsating drum beats.
Pilgrim Places
To the west of the city is the much lower hill of Hari Parbat, which is surrounded
by a fort. On this hill is the temple of Sharika Devi, believed to be a form
of Durga Mata or Shakti. 25 kms from Srinagar, past Ganderbal, is the most important
pilgrim place in Kashmir, the only exception being Amarnath cave. This is the
temple and spring of Tulla Mulla, the local name of the Goddess Raginia, believed
to be another form of Durga Mata.
Shopping
Shawls: There are pure wool shawls called raffal which have different counts
of wool - 40, 60, 80 etc., and the shawl is progressively more expensive as
the count increases. Shawls mixed with other fibers like cotton and cotton derivatives
are far cheaper. On the other and, woolen shawls mixed with pashmina will be
far more expensive. Then too, there are shawls that look and feel like pashmina
and which are priced between wool and pashmina.
Wildlife
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.
Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Reservation
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