Jammu and Kashmir is the most priced possession of India. This valuable asset displays the real beauty of India. Her elegance and grace is best witnessed on this soil.
Jammu and Kashmir is the northern most state of India. This state is like the pie in the sky, which is jelled like a baguetted tiara on the attic of India. It is like an ambidextrous solitaire, which keeps changing its shades with the seasons. The Himalayan and the Pir Panjal ranges stand as a royal custodian, surrounding this magnificent Arcadia, thus saving the most treasured assets of India. These Alps are fathers to the holiest rivers of the nation.
Geography
Jammu and Kashmir lies in the vicinity of the Karakoram range having Pakistan, China and Tibet as its neighbouring countries. The Uygur region of Xinjiang lies to the north-eastern part of this princely state while Himachal Pradesh and Punjab lies to its southern side. This masterly piece of virtuosity, immersed in prismatic hues fondles the nadir of the snow-capped Himalayas and has become the best form of art delivered by nature. The fuzzy dawns, the ebullient valleys, the bosky and livid prairies, which are dispersed on the jaded foothills, the berries splattering out of the brimful bushels etc. has led this Zion to become the asylum of many monks and priests.
History of Jammu and Kashmir
The history of Jammu and Kashmir is not so primitive and dates back to the Mughal era, when Akbar, the Mughal emperor invaded this region in 1586, with the help of Bhagwant Das and Ramchandra I. Ramchandra I had founded Jammu and had named it after the name of the Deity Jamwa Mata. After the death of Ramchandra, his great grand successor Gulab Singh became the Governor of this region. It was his effort that the Ladakh region was also included in the state. The throne was then subsequently handed over to his successors, Ranbir Singh and Hari Singh. After the independence and partition of India, Kashmir became a major political issue between India and Pakistan, which eventually led to three major wars during 1965, 1971 and 1999. This issue has not yet resolved and cold war still exists between the two countries.
Culture and Tourism
Jammu and Kashmir's culture and tradition is diverse and versatile. It stands in the merit list for bestowing skillful and variegated culture, immersed in moth-eaten history which speaks the legacy of unity and diversity. This ballpark serves the most relishing cuisines to all its visitors. The cuisine starts from a simple meal to the luxurious banquet known as Wazawan, thus delivering contentment and satisfaction to every food lover who visits here. Besides food, the state also boasts a line of fine arts and handicrafts which lure customers from all over the globe. The Kashmiri carpets, the Namdas, the Papier Mache, Shawls, Pherans, furnitures made up of Walnut wood etc. exhibit the par excellence of its culture and artistry. Some of the major tourist attractions include the Mughal gardens, the Dal lake, Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Chashma Shahi, Pari Mahal, Hazratbal Mosque, Jama Masjid, Shankracharya Temple, Makhdoom Sahib, Martand, Awantipur, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonammarg, Amarnath, Vaishnodevi, Amar Mahal and last but not the least Ladakh. Ladakh is situated on the gigantic and prodigious environment. Two most prominent places of this terrain which are Leh and Kargil are situated at an altitude of 3505 and 2750 metres. This region is also known as little Tibet, due to the Buddhism influence on this landscape. Among all the tourist spots, Shrinagar, which is the capital of the state is the major attraction for these meddlesome visitors. It is known as the city of lakes. The Dal lake, Walur lake and the Nagin lake beautify this city. The great Mughal emperor, Jahangir once had referred this land to be the paradise on the earth.
