JAMMU & KASHMIR

Jammu & Kashmir : is the 'Paradise on Earth', studded with a number of hill stations offering the tourists leisurely or adventurous holiday amidst breath-taking scenery. The state has a very rich history and a distinct culture. It has some of the most sacred Temples, Mosques, Monastries and Caves. Agriculture is the mainstay of the state's economy. Second important occupation is the tradition of crafting papier mache, wood carving, carpet and shawl making. Kashmir handicrafts are exported the world over.

State Government : http://jammukashmir.nic.in

Capital :	Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter)
Area :	222,236 square Kilometers
Population :	10,143,700 (2001 census)
Literacy :	55.52% (2001)
Language :	Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, Ladakhi
Roads :	13,042 Kms
Railways :	100 Kms
Airport :	Srinagar, Jammu, Leh
Seaport :	Nil
Climate :	Summer ( Jammu - 35° C, Srinagar - 30° C ), Winter ( Jammu - below 20° C, Srinagar - below 0° C ), Monsoon : June to September
Best Season :	April to October
Places of Interest :	State Tourism : http://www.jktourism.org
	Achabal : Gardens, Camping, Fishing. [Kokernag (13 Kms) : Mineral springs, Spa.] Akhnur Fort. : . Amarnath : Major pilgrim centre, Emerald lake frozen till June. [Sheshnag (19 Kms) : Lake, Glaciers.] Anantnag : Sacred spring, Gardens. Athwatoo : Holiday station. Basoli : Frescoes, Temples. Bilaur : Pilgrim centre. Batoti : Hill station. Dachigam : Wildlife sanctuary. Dras : Coldest place in Asia. Ganderbal : Riverside spa. Gulmarg : The Meadow of Flowers, Holiday resort, Golf, Winter sports. [Khilanmarg (4 Kms) : Meadow of Flowers. Tangmarg (6 Kms) : Camping site.] Harwar : Excavations, Fishing. Jammu : Temples, Palaces, Art Gallery, Fort, Tombs, Museum. [Mansar Lake (40 Kms) : Picnic spot. Purmandal (39 Kms) : Hindu pilgrim centre.] Kargil : Base for Trekking, Mountaineering, orchards. [Lamayaru (80 Kms) : Oldest monastery, Frescoes. Mulbekh (40 Kms) :Sculptures.] Khajiar Glacier : Scenic beauty. Kishtwar : Muslim Tombs, Sapphires. Kud : Hill station, Summer dance festivals. [Patnitop (8 Kms) : Picnic spot, Sudh Mahadev murals in temple, Fair.] Leh : Palaces, nearby Buddhist monasteries, Mosque, highest Airport and Golf course in the world, Handicrafts, Cuisine, Trekking. [Alchi Gompa (72 Kms) : Murals. Hemis Gompa (50 Kms) : Biggest and richest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh. Spitok Gompa (5 Kms) : Monastery of the head Lama of Ladakh] Martand : Sun Temple, sacred Spring, Gardens. Pahalgam : Holiday resort, Saffron fields. [Aru (11 Kms) : Meadow, Woods. Kolhoi Glacier (36 Kms) : Scenic beauty. Lidderwat (23 Kms) : Meadows, Camping site, Trekking.] Ramnagar : Palace, Ramnagar Wildlife sanctuary. Sonamarg : 'Meadows of Gold', Flowers, Lakes, Camping site. [Gangabal (64 Kms) : Lake-side Hindu pilgrim centre.] Srinagar : Lakes, Gardens, Temples, Mosques, Handicrafts. [Anchar Lake (10 Kms) : Hazratbal Mosque. Charar-i-Sharif (28 Kms) : Muslim pilgrim centre. Chashmasahi (9 Kms) : Waterfalls with healing properties, Gardens, Picnic spot by Dal lake. Khirbhawani (23 Kms) : Hindu pilgrim centre. Manasbal Lake (35 Kms) : Bird-watching, Lotuses. Tasrar Sharif (26 Kms) : Shrine sacred to Muslims and Hindus. Wular Lake (47 Kms) : Fishing, largest fresh water lake in Asia.] Tarsar : Lake, Scenic beauty. Vernag : Spring, Gardens. Vaishnodevi : Hindu pilgrim centre. [Katra (14 Kms) : Base for Vaishnodevi, Forts, Shrines.] Watlab : Camping site by Wular Lake. Yusmarg : Camping site on beautiful meadow.
Festivals :	Shivratri Mela (February / March), Spring Festival (April / May), Hemis (June), Amarnath Yatra (July / August), Diwali (October / November).