Jammu and Kashmir (India),the land of hospitality

Introduction of Jammu & Kashmir (India)

An introduction of the place which is "paradise on earth" 

is as awesome as a beautiful women dressed to attract any human soul such is  kashmir in all its faminine beauty of rivers,valleys, lakes and graceful trees.
And then another aspect of this magic beauty would come to view a musculine one, of hard mountains, precipices and snow-capped peaks,glaciers,and cruel and fierce torrents rushing down to the valleys below.

The kashmirys are celebrated for wit,and considered much more intelligent and ingenious comperatively. In poetry and science they are not inferior to the persians.They are also very active and industrious.

The people of kashmir are known for their clear complexions and fine forms.They are as well made as Europeans and their faces have neither the flat nose,nor the small pig eyes.The women specifically are handsome and dedicated.

The whole land is not only beautiful but extremely fertile too, producing abundant crops and a great variety of fruits,such as apple,grapes, pears, walnuts,peaches and apricot, plums, cherries,almonds, pistachio nuts, quinces and similar fruit.

In spring blossom many flowers such as roses,tulips,anemones, narcissii, hyacinths are a great attraction to the visitors dropping in here.For this reason kashmir is called by everyone Behest(Behisht),which means "terrestrial paradise".

Gogaldara Adjoining area to Tossa Maidan

Its artwares-shawls,paper mache,wood-work,silk and the like-have added to its fame all over the globe.
kashmir is a land with an ancient history and we can dip into that history with only a small spoon.

SAFFRON Cultivation

Saffron has always been a royal flower and a royal spice which adds a beautiful aroma and an amazing taste to the dishes.

Prior to abrogation of Constitutional abrogation of article 370 by India,the sketch of the state,its people, its customs, its problems and its hopes,the visitors or travellors does feel he has been helped to a better understanding of the living conditions of the beautiful people here who pass to and fro in the amazing landscapes of the paradise.

• J&K comprises of three regions,Jammu,Kashmir and Ladhak.Jammu dominated by hindus,kashmir dominated by muslims and Ladhak by Bhudhists,but one thing is common between all of them that is hospitality,love and toelerance for each other.

• J&K is shared by three countries, 60% India,30% Pakistan and 10% China.

• Unlike other states J&K has its own constitution.

• Unlike other states J&K has its own indigenus flag.

• People from other states of the country can not buy property here.

• people of J&K ejnjoy dual citizenship of J&K and India simultaneously.

(Although the above privelleges have been modified through abrogation of article 370 of Indian constitution recently).

• Kashmir is host to Amernath Yatra and Jammu host Vishnu Devi yatra.

• Wular Lake in J&K is the largest fresh water lake in the world.

• Drass (Kargil in Ladhak region) is the 2nd coldest place in the world.

• Along the banks of famous Dal Lake you can enjoy the beautiful mughal gardens namely,Shalimar Baag,Nishat garden,Cheshma Shahi and Parri Mahal.

  

• unlike other states J&K has two capitals summer Srinagar and winter Jammu.

• Dal lake is spread over 14 KMs and can be enjoyed via the beautiful road going along its banks.

• At its bank is situated the world famous, Asias biggest Tulip garden with hundreds of tulip varieties.

• Kashmirys are very hygenic in nature and every home essentially comprises of inbuilt toilets.

• Official Literacy rate of J&K is 70 % which is higher than usually understood.

• Kashmirys wear a long attire called "Phiran"though the design may be different for different gender.

Kangri

• When the life comes to a standstill as a result of heavy snowfall during winters,  Kashmirys use "Kangri"a earthen portable stove consisting of two parts, the inner earthenware vessel containing fire, called the Kundal ; the outer part with wooden wicker- work, a beautiful handle and a little wooden or silver spoon called Isalan. The kangri is a lifeline to keep you warm during freezing cold winter.

  

• Kashmiris skip heavy breakfast and usually includes Sheer noon(Milk & salt) tea with a home made bread (roti) or a local awesome tandoori roti from Nanwai shop.

• Some famous kashmiri festivals are Eid,Shabi Barat,Shabi Qader,Mehraj ul Alam,Shivratri (Herath)

• Some mesmerizing destinations for tourist attractions are;

• Gulmarg with lush green landscapes and Gondola hiphop which is 1400 feet above the sea level and Bota Pathri another beauty attached to Gulmarg.

     

• Pahalgam the place known for beautiful  Lidder river and other adjacent areas worth seeing such as Betab Valley,Aroo Valley,Mini Switzerland,Chandanwari.

  

• Sonmarg which falls on the way to Ladhak with Sindh river flowing down and oldest glaciers worth a look.

  

• Mughal Gardens in srinagar along Dal lake are all handsome places beating the heart.

  

• Doodh Pathri is a perfect natural place with green landscapes and a milky white water flowing through it.Mesmerizing!!!

   

• Yuus Marg towards holy shrine Sheikh Noor Uudin Wali (RA),a tourist destination which attracts any human soul.

  

Some ancient shrines, Gurudwaras and temples are a proof of our harmoney love and brotherhood among the different religions.People don't differentiate on caste here and live preferably as kashmiri.
It is my privellege to mention the names of the beautiful shrines and temples of kashmir,

• Nund Rishi RA.
• Martand/Mattan temple.
• Mata Khir Bhawani Tulmul.
• Mukhdoom Sahib Shrine.
• Shahi Hamdan Sahib Shrine.
• Dargah Shrine
• Dastgeer Sahib Shrine.
• Zain Shah Sahib Shrine.
• Baba Reshie Sahib Shrine.
• Baba Shukur Deen Sahib Shrine.

Mata Khir Bhawani at Tulmul

     

Baba Rishi Shrine(RA) near Gulmarg

Kashmir has been under the influence of sufis and spiritual peers such as;

• Lalita Dutta (Lala Ded)

• Shahi Hamdan Saheb RA

• Sheikh Noor Uddin Wali RA

• Mukhdoom Sahib RA

• Zain-ud-Din RA

• Bulbul Shah Sahib RA

• Rishi Moul RA
• 
  

• Folk dance Bandi Tamasha.

• Music Xchakkir and Rouff.

• National Bird Black necked crane.

Some famous personalities of Kashmir are;

• Pandith Moti Lal Nehru father of Jawahar Lal Nehru,Indira Gandj,Rajiv Gandhi (Ex PM)

• Ustad Allah Rakha and Ustad Zakir Hussain (Tabla)

• Rama Nand Sager (Ramayan producer director)

• Shah Rukh Khans mother,

• Jeevan(Omkar Nath Dhar),actor

• Raj Kumar,actor

• Annupam Kher,actor

• Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah,Farooq Abdullah,Omar Abdullah,Ex CM

• Vidhu Vinod Chopra,Film Director

• Nidhi Razdan,Journalist

• Raj Begum,Singer

• Soni Razdan,TV director

• Mohit Suri,Film director

• Pran Kishor,drama write

• Ghulam Hassan Sofi,Singe

• Kiran Kumar,actor

• Kunal Khemu, actor

• Manoj Kaul, film maker

• Bajan Sopori and Abhey Sopori, Santoor Players

• Suresh Raina, Cricketer

• Parvez Rasool, cricketer

• Sayeed Salahudeen, Hizb chief

• Syed Ali Shah Geelani,Hurriyat Chief

• Yasin Malik, JKLF Chief

• Afzal Guru,convict parliament attack

• Vijaya Lakshmi Pandith, politician

• Mufti Mohammad Sayed and Mehbooba Mufti, former CM'S

• Ghulam Nabi Azad, former CM

• Birbal,Maheshdas Bhat, grand vizier Emperor Akbar.

• Kalhana, historian

• Prem Nath Bazaz, Author

• Vasugupta,author

• Rasul Mir,John Keats of Kashmir,poet

• Salman Rushdie,Novelist

• Habba Khatoon,Poet

• Mahmud Gami,poet

• S.K Kaul,firmer Air Chief Marshel IAF

• Tapishwar Narain Raina,ex Chief Marshel IAF.

(It is a miniscule list of personalities,the list is actually unending.)

The language of kashmir is a blend of many rich languages influenced from time to time.

Out of one hundred kashmiri words,25 will be found to be in sanskrit,40 persian, 15 hindustani, 10 will be Arabic, some few also Tibetan.

It is impossible to convey the delicious sense of relief the travellers feels here in enjoying the hospitality. While in kashmir the traveller feels the presence of the Maker of the Universe. 

Travellers will always come to kashmir. Some will write books about it in an attempt to describe Heaven when they write off its mountains,lakes and gardens.

Races and Tribes
J&K with its area of 84,471 square miles,is the home of various races and sects,
Dogras belonging to the Aryan race divided into several castes and sects,both hindu and musalman,speaking dogri language.
Brahmans who are religious ministers and priests,peace loving people.
Khatris and Mahajans form the backbone of trade and commerse.
The Rajputs and Thakkurs, the Harijans, Paharis, the Gujjars are some other sects.
The land has been under the influence of hinduism and sufism and still has the mixed flavour present in its fabric.
Tourism
The tourism is a huge industry besides horticulture and agriculture here.
With such a great potential to lonely  shoulder the economy of the state,the people are toiling hard sincerely through their immense passion to boost the trade.

House Boats
are beautiful resting wooden houses floating on water of lakes and shikaras are small wooden boats meant for transportation.

Spending huge money on eating mouth watering Wazwan,a course meal comprising of 36 cuisines preferably meat based , served on a platter (copper majma or trammi).
Some other famous dishes are Dum Aloo, Khatta Baingan,Nadroo (Lotus Stem) Yakhni,Haak (Lettuce).

Kashmirys eat rice in both the meals at Lunch and dinner too and live their life with aristocratic style.

Sharing knowledge on Kashmir will always be a tip of an iceberg and is practically difficult to put all the beauty in words.

Thank you for reading about us.......