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Jammu
and Kashmir are really three regions: the foothill plains of
Jammu; the lakes and blue valleys of
Kashmir rising to alpine passes, the high altitude plains and starkly
beautiful mountains of Ladakh, which lies beyond
those passes. It's enough to move one to poetry. Srinagar
is Kashmir's summer capital and Jammu, the winter capital.
One of Kashmir's greatest attractions are the Dal
Lake houseboats. The Mughal
Gardens of Srinagar is another tourist haunt. Pahalgam,
Gulmarg, near Srinagar
are picturesque towns, the first a by-route to Amarnath,
the second a premier skiing resort. The famous Shankaracharya temple
is perched high on top of the valley. Jammu is a templed town.
Ladakh, the land of high passes, draws tourists to
its Hemis Gompa, Stok Palace and Museum.
The People: The majority are Muslims living in the Kashmir valley;
culturally and ethnically, the closest links are with peoples in the
northwestern highlands of the Gilgit district in the Pakistani sector.
While Hindus dominate the Jammu region
and Ladakh is majorly influenced by the Trans-Himalayan Buddhism.The
Kashmiri language is influenced by Sanskrit and belongs to the Dardic
branch of Indo-Aryan languages also spoken by the hill tribes of Gilgit.
The great majority of the population resides in the lower reaches of the
Vale. Sringar, Jammu and Kashmir's largest city, is located on the
Jhelum River.
Capital: Srinagar, the capital, has a distinctly Central Asian
look. It stands on the Dal Lake ( most of the more modern houseboats are
located here) and the picturesque Jhelum River. Srinagar is also
considered to be a small-sized Lake District. The massive Dal Lake, near
the city and Nagin, the 'Jewel in the ring', a smaller lake, to
the north, is dotted with water lilies. The lakes are mobile shops of
moving shikaras. The old city has a labyrinth of alleyways and mosques.
Culture: The ancient caves and temples of Kashmir, reveal a strong
link with Indian culture at the beginning of the Christian Era. At one
time the classical dances of the south are believed to have been
practised. These arts survived only in folk forms and were performed
principally at marriage ceremonies. The popular hafiza dance
performed by Kashmiri women to the accompaniment of sufiana kalam was
later replaced by the bacha nagma, performed by young boys dressed
like women. The bhand jashna ("festival of clowns"), a 300- to
400-year-old genre of Kashmiri folk theatre performed in village squares,
satirizes social situations through dance, music and clowning.
Occupation: The majority of the population is engaged in
agriculture with rice, being the staple crop. Many temperate fruits and
vegetables are grown in areas adjacent to urban markets. Kashmir is the
sole producer of saffron in the Indian subcontinent. Cultivation in Ladakh
is restricted to the Indus, Shyok, and Suru river valleys. Cattle breeding
is a vital feature of the economy; the Kashmir goat provides cashmere or
pashmina for the production of fine textiles.
Handicrafts: 
Srinagar
possesses many specialized agricultural markets, retail shopping centres,
and associated industries. The industries have developed from rural crafts
and include handloom weaving of local silk, cotton, and wool, carpet
weaving, wood carving, and leatherwork. Such industries, together with
silverwork and copperwork and jewelry, were stimulated by the presence of
the royal court and the tourist trade but also owe something to the
important position achieved by Srinagar in west Himalayan trade.
CLIMATE: The climate is one of opposites: while in summer time the
heat builds upto breaking point in the foothills, people of Ladakh and
Kashmir wait for the snow to melt.on the high passes. From October
onwards, Jammu becomes a much more pleasant destination. However, the best
time to enjoy vale of Kashmir and the adventures of Ladakh region is
between the months of May and September.
Population: 9 million
Festivals: Jammu celebrates Lohri and Baisakhi in February. Every
year a 3-day Jammu Crafts Mela is also organised during Baisakhi at the
picturesque Mansar Lake, 60-km from Jammu. Bahu Mela, a major festival of
Jammu region is held at the Kali temple in Bahu Fort, twice a year during
March-April and September-October. In Srinagar, besides Id other important
muslim festivals are Urs at Khaneka in downtown Srinagar and Urs at
Chrar-e-Sharif. The annual Ladakh festival is held in September; the Hemis
Festival features chaams performed by the monks in elaborate
masks.
Tourist Offices
Tourist Reception center - J&K Department of Tourism, Vir
Marg, Jammu
Tourist Office - J&K Department Of Tourism, National Airport,
Jammu
Tourist Office - J&K Department Of Tourism, Railway Station,
Jammu.
The Director Tourism - J&K Government Tourist Reception
Center, Srinagar, .
Jammu And Kashmir Tourist Office - 201-203, Kanishka Shopping
Plaza, 19 Ashoka Road, New Delhi - 110 001
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