Jammu and Kashmir is also referred to as the heaven on earth and is known for its snow-capped mountains, attractive landscape, exceptional flora and fauna and, of course, friendly people and world-class craftwork. This northern state of the Indian subcontinent has been a subject of controversy between China, India, and Pakistan since the partition of India. Let us discuss some interesting facts about this heaven on earth.
1. Land of the highest summit in India:
Jammu and Kashmir is surrounded by Ladakh in the East, Pakistan in the southwest, Punjab and Himachal in the south, and Azad Kashmir (Pakistan-administered region of Kashmir) in the northwest. Bharanzar, the highest summit of the Himalayan range, is also situated in Jammu and Kashmir. The official languages in Kashmir are Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi, and English.
2. Tourism capital of India:
Srinagar is the capital of Jammu and Kashmir and is located along the banks of the Jhelum River. The valley is home to many temples and mosques and has thus turned out to be the tourism capital of India. Some of the famous temples in Srinagar are Vaishno Devi, Raghunath Temple, Amarnath Temple, etc. Srinagar is also home to many mills for woodcarving, leatherworking, carpet and silk mills, etc. Vaishno Devi Temple is visited by over 81 lakh pilgrims every year and has been awarded the cleanest religious place award.
3. Land of Ice Shivling:
Amarnath cave in Jammu and Kashmir has natural Shiv Lingam made of ice that is over 5000 years old and is an important and prominent Hindu pilgrimage destination. According to historical data, this temple was first discovered by a Muslim shepherd, Buta Malik.
4. The Great Himalayas Zone:
The great Himalayas lie along the Eastern border of Jammu. The geologically complex Himalayan range comprises mountain peaks that have an elevation of 20,000 feet or higher. The zone receives rain during the summer months. The Pir Panjal range is the southernmost mountain range in the Himalayas and has a crest line of 12,500 feet and individual peaks rising to 15,000 feet. The range receives heavy precipitation in the form of winter snowfall and summer rain and has extensive pasture.
5. Significance of the Jammu region:
Jammu is the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir and is the second-largest city in the Union Territory. It was also the seat of the Dogra Dynasty historically. Two-thirds of the residents here are Hindus. They live in the southeastern portion of the region and are related to the Punjabi-speaking people in Punjab. They also speak the Dogri language.
6. Kashmiri is the official language in the Vale and highlands:
The Kashmir region surrounds the Vale of Kashmir, and a majority of people here are Muslims who speak Urdu or Kashmiri. They are closely related to the northwestern highlands of the Gilgit area, culturally and ethnically. The Kashmiri language is influenced by the Sanskrit language as well and is spoken by the people of Gilgit as well. The Kashmiri language has rich folklore and literary traditions.
7. Houseboats and Shikaras in Dal Lake:
The Dal Lake in Srinagar is one of the most famous lakes in India and is known for the shikaras, houseboats, and other floating gardens. This lake is also known as the Jewel in the Crown of Kashmir.
8. Saffron production:
Kashmir is one of the very few places in the world where saffron is cultivated. The saffron that has been cultivated here is considered to be one of the best, owing to its unique aroma and flavor. It is also a chief exporter of saffron from India.
9. Indus river and historical Mughal gardens:
The Indus River is one of the longest rivers in the world, and it flows through the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the vital water source in the region. The Mughal emperors left a significant impact on Kashmir, and this is evident in the famous Mughal Gardens like Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Chashme Shahi, which are some of the popular tourist attractions in Srinagar.
10. Adventure Tourism:
Jammu and Kashmir are one of popular destinations for adventure sports like skiing, trekking, mountaineering, and river rafting. Gulmarg in this region is also particularly famous for its ski slopes and is considered to be one of the best skiing destinations in Asia. It is land for some of the longest road tunnels in India, and the Chenani-Nashir Tunnel, 9 km in length, is located in Chenani, Jammu.
11. Education and Literacy:
Jammu and Kashmir has a very high literacy rate, compared to the national average in India. The Jammu University and the University of Kashmir are prominent educational institutions of the region that have produced scholars all over the country.
