|
|
Well off the Jammu Srinagar road, Kishtwar is connected to Srinagar by a trekking route, which goes through Banderkot, Dadhpeth, Mughal Maidan, Chhatru, Sinthan and Daksum; crossing the 3,797 metres Sinthan pass. One can also trek from Kishtwar into Zanskar. The town is noted for its natural beauty, history and art.
Kishtwar is sited on a plateau above the Chenab River and
below the Nagin Sheer glacier. It is noted for the fine saffron grown in
the area and for the many waterfalls close by.
A fall only 3-km from the town drops over 700m in a series of cascades.
The Falls are a marvelous sight, visible even from the town. Saffron, a
very colourful sight in spring and summer, grows only in a limited area
and the cultivation and harvesting is accompanied by merry festivals and
ceremonies.
Sarthal Devi
The pilgrimage site of Sarthal Devi, with its 18-armed goddess statue, is
19 km from the town. Kishtwar also has the tombs of two important Muslim
saints.
Sapphire Mines Of Paddar
Situated 115-km beyond Kishtwar at an altitude of over 4,000 metres, are
the blue sapphire mines of Paddar. There is a road leading up to this area
from Kishtwar. Sapphire mines were only discovered in the 1880s and have
been worked only intermittently since this time because of the difficult
terrain and unscientific mining techniques. Now the mines are open
regularly and are more productive.
Air: The nearest airport is situated in
Jammu (250-km).
Rail: The nearest railhead is situated in Jammu (248-km).
Road: The road is constructed upto Ikhala, but bus services are
only operated up to Plamer, which is 20-km away, in the north of Kishtwar.