Day 54 - Srinagar

Located in the heart of the Kashmir Valley, which is called 'Paradise on Earth', Srinagar’s landscape is interspersed with greenery, lakes and hillocks. Srinagar, arguably a city that embodies romance & beauty, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir; perfectly placed in the center of the Kashmir Valley is aptly called the Venice of the East. Srinagar literally meaning 'the city of wealth & abundance' in Sanskrit, was founded around 150 AD by King Pravarasen II. Situated on the banks of the river Jhelum, Srinagar is surrounded by beautiful lakes like Dal, Nagin and Anchar, whose glittering waters reflecting the rays of the sun is a sight to behold. Its vividly vibrant & beautiful houseboats sailing along the scenic Dal Lake against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayan snow clad mountains makes Srinagar a dream destination for every traveler. Not only known for its beauty, Srinagar also has a special place in the history of ancient India. Excavations carried out here have identified many valued evidences of ancient settlements dating back to 5,000 years.


How to reach here:

By Air: Srinagar domestic airport is connected with many airports of the major cities in India. Regular flights are operated between Srinagar and Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Shimla.

By Rail: Jammu is the nearest railway station to Srinagar, which is at a distance of 290 km. Jammu railway station is well connected to all major cities in India by rail.Taxi services are available from Jammu to Srinagar.


Best time to visit: April to October.


Languages spoken: Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, English.


Must eat: Rogan Josh (lamb cooked in spicy red gravy), Yakhni (lamb cooked in curd based gravy),Syoon Pulaav (Meat Pulao), must try -Wazwan (a multi-course meal), Kahwah


Famous Restaurants: Ahdoos, Stream, Shamyana, Lhasa , Mughal darbar.


Places you must visit: 

Popularly known as 'Srinagar's jewel' the Dal Lake, spread over a straggling 26 sq.km, is the most popular tourist attraction in Srinagar. Renowned for its house boats and Shikara boat rides, set against the slow clad glorious Himalayas, the Dal Lake continues to be on the canvas & subject of several poets & artists. Its unparalleled beauty & scenic environs makes it ideal to stay aboard the luxury houseboats & enjoy the gleaming evening sun shimmering on the lake as it goes down. The lake is partitioned in to four areas by four causeways, with the Western part of the lake dotted with many Islands attracting tourists with its serenity and solitude.



Mughal Gardens, as the name suggests, built in the Mughal period is a marvel.These gardens are a fine example of the Mughal style of architecture & design. The Mughal Gardens is combination of three renowned gardens namely the Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Gardens and Chashm-e-shahi. These gardens are every travelers delight with beautifully laid out manicured gardens, with vibrant flowerbeds, terraced lawns and well long stretches of cascading fountains.


Nishat Bagh, meaning the 'The garden of joy' located on the eastern side of the Dal Lake is a marvelous garden designed by Asaf Khan, Nur Jahan's brother. Laid out in 1633 it is among the largest of the Mughal Gardens. The garden with rare species of flowering plants and long avenues of chinar & cypress trees, has 12 terraces out of which the second terrace is considered the most impressive with 23 niches provided in its arched recess, just behind the cascade.This garden placed on the banks of the beautiful Dal Lake in the backdrop of the amazing the Zabarwan hills, is complete with fountains, flower beds and impressive lawns.


Shalimar Gardens was constructed by the great Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1616 for his beloved wife Nurjahan, the sprawling garden with four terraces, imposing fountains, well laid out manicured gardens, tall trees & fresh mountain air is one of the must visit places while in Srinagar.The Mughal Gardens layout taken from the Persian gardens has three terraces with fountains & lined with Chinar trees. Each of the 3 terraces carried distinct importance, the first one being the public terrace; called the Diwan-e-Aam. The second terrace called the Diwan-e-Khas was accessible only to nobles or guests of the court. And the third & the highest terrace called as “Abode of Love" was reserved for the king and the royal ladies.



Chashme Shahi Garden, founded in 1632 with a length of 108 meters and breadth of 38 meters, is a small beautiful garden, the smallest among the famous Mughal gardens. This garden, also known as Royal Spring, is located near the Nehru Memorial Park in Srinagar. The garden is established in three sections with an aqueduct with fountains and waterfalls located along the middle. Different varieties of beautiful fragrant flowers and manicured lawns are the main attractions in this garden.It is believed that the fresh water spring in the garden has medicinal value. The garden provides splendid views of verdant greens, majestic mountain ranges and views of the Dal Lake. Pari Mahal and Char Chinar are few nearby attractions that are worth visiting.



Nagin Lake got its name from the trees surrounding the lake. Popularly known as the 'Jewel in the Ring’, it is one of the impressive lakes in east Srinagar.The lake with its deep blue waters is separated from the Dal Lake by a thin causeway and is an exciting tourist spot with number of houseboats dwindling in the calm waters.Nagin Lake is a perfect place to go for swimming as it is less crowded and deeper. Water Skiing & sailing on fiberglass boats can also be enjoyed here.



Wular Lake, the largest fresh-water lake in India, serves as a natural reservoir by drawing the excess water from the River Jhelum. Remains of a wonderful island built by King Zain-ul-abidin can be seen in the midst of the lake. Situated between the towns of Bandipore and Sopore, this unexplored and untouched lake is home to several species of birds. Many streams namely - Pohru, Harbuji, Erin and the Aarah, flow into the vast Wullar Lake.

Pari Mahal (House of Fairies) also known as Quntilon, is a historic monument placed above the beautiful Chashma Shahi Gardens near Srinagar. The ancient monument brings out the architectural brilliance of the fore gone age. A well-laid spacious garden surrounds this structure, which was once a Buddhist monastery and later served as a school of astrology promoted by the eldest son of Shah Jahan, Dara Shikoh. The garden, in the lawn of Pari Mahal with a small spring in the middle, with blooming flowers and fruits overlooks the picturesque Dal Lake.

Pratap Singh Museum, erstwhile summer palace of Kashmir Kings, is a historically important museum in Srinagar established in 1898. Located in Lal Mandi, on the left bank of the river Jhelum, the museum has valuable ancient terracotta heads of the 3rd century found at the Buddhist site at Ushkur and molded terracotta plaques of 4th & 5th century from Harwan.An ancient brass model of Lokeshvara, copper image of Lord Buddha in 5th century Gandhara-style and the green stone structures of Lord Vishnu sitting on Garuda are added attractions here.Other items on display include shawls, arms & armory, paintings, ancient coins and Ladakhi handicrafts.




Shankaracharya Temple, known to be built by Jaluka, the son of Emperor Ashoka around 200 BC, is an ancient shrine located on the Shankaracharya Hill (Takht-e-Suleiman) in Srinagar. This sacred site, situated at a height of about 1100 feet on the south-east of the city, offers splendid views of the valley and the snow clad mountains of the Pir Panjal range. Local folks tell a story that saint Shankaracharya spent some of his time at this site during his visit to Kashmir to revitalize Sanatan Dharma. Shankaracharya Temple, constructed on an elevated octagonal plane, can be reached through a flight of steps bounded by side-walls. The inner sanctum adorns a modern ceiling & several Persian inscriptions.

Jyeshtheswara Temple in Srinagar has several myths and beliefs associated with it. According to a popular belief, this temple was constructed by the Pandavas, important figures of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata, in 5th century. Others believe that it was built by the Emperor Gopaditya during the 6th century. Some researchers, however, are of the opinion that Jaluka, the son of Emperor Ashoka had the temple constructed. The temple has undergone renovations numerous times and was last revamped during 8th century by the King Lalitaditya Muktapida.

A relatively calm & peaceful mosque, the Dastgir Sahib dargah is situated in old part of Srinagar city. Communal harmony and syncretism have been the features of this mosque for many centuries. The delicate white & green exteriors & glorious interiors covered with 'Papier-Mache' scroll work, Arabic scriptures & floral motifs make this mosque a beautiful place to visit. The intricately carved panels & the Aytal Kursi which hang at the door are the highlights of this mosque.

Hazratbal Mosque also known as Dargah Sharif, Assar-e-Sharif and Madinat-Us-Sani is situated on the western banks of the majestic Dal Lake. With the impressive Nishat Bagh in the vicinity, this enchanting white marble mosque offers great views of the Lake in the back drop of the majestic Himalayas.The Mosque is a combination of Kashmiri and Mughal styles of architecture, with historical significance dating back to the 17th century. The distinctiveness of the Hazratbal Mosque is that it enshrines the 'Moi-e-Muqaddas' (the sacred hair) of the prophet Mohammed, which is shown to public only on special occasions.

Jamia Masjid,an ancient mosque, which was destroyed and restored several times over the centuries is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture.The present mosque, an impressive building without an opped dome, was built in 1674. Situated at Nowhatta, in the middle of the old city, the mosque’s main attraction is the prayer hall, which contains 370 wooden pillars; each one made with a single piece of deodar trunk. The compound is constructed in the style of a Mughal Garden, with two wide paths. This spacious mosque can accommodate 30,000 people at one time during prayers. 

Khanqah-e-Moulla, also called the shrine of Shah-e-Hamdan and Shah-i-Hamdan Mosque, is popular as it was the first ever mosque constructed in Kashmir. Built on the beautiful sandy banks of the Jhelum river in Srinagar, Sultan Sikander built this around 1400 AD in honor of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, the Muslim saint who popularized Islam in Kashmir.Devotees throng to this shrine on the sixth day of Dul-Haj (the last month of the Islamic Lunar calendar Dul-Haj), on the death anniversary of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani. The shrine bears a wooden structure with marvelously carved roofs, & rich interiors carved with ancient religious sermons and historical inscriptions.

Burzahom holds archaeological importance and is situated to the north-west of Shalimar Gardens. It is the first Neolithic site that was exposed in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The word Burzahom means 'place of birth' in the local language and is known to have ancient artefacts dating back to more than 5,000 years. The main archaeological materials collected from this site are animal skeletons, tools, pots, tools, arrowheads and implements of Neolithic age.It was excavated for about six seasons from 1961 to 1968, which yielded 10 human skeletons. These human skeletons were of several cultural stages including Neolithic, Neolithic-Megalithic and some other early historic cultures. 

RozaBal Shrine is being claimed by both Muslims and Christians. Muslims believe that this shrine is a tomb of a saint named Yuz Asaf, whereas several researchers believe that this Shrine has the holy body of Jesus Christ. This shrine is also known as Ziarati Hazrati Youza Asouph, which is still under controversy between Muslims and Christians.Recent claims state that this tomb belongs to Jesus Christ, who survived the crucifixion wounds and came to this place. His body has been buried as per the Jewish traditions and not according to the Islamic tradition. Natives also believe that this building has a burial tomb of a local Muslim saint, named Mir Sayyid Naseeruddin, who was buried according to the Islamic traditions. This tomb is currently maintained by a Board of Directors including Sunni Muslims.

Harwan Gardens is a large picnic spot, which houses a canal, flowerbeds and chinar trees. There are big grassy lawns at this garden, where tourists can enjoy nature walk. This garden is considered to be the starting point of Mahadev Mountain trek and is an ideal gateway to Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary.This garden does not have any central canal fountains or terraces and is known for its natural beauty. The canal inside this garden is called as Sarband, which is one of the old drinking water reservoirs that get water from the Dachigam Nallah.  

Nasim Bagh or the Garden of Breezes is situated to the west of the Dal Lake. This bagh is one of the popular Mughal Gardens in the region, which has huge lawns and camping facilities for the visitors. The bagh is located on the banks of Jhelum River and is known for lakes and houseboats. Travellers can also find dry fruits and traditional Kashmiri handicrafts at this site.In 1586, this garden was constructed by the famous Mughal Emperor Akbar and it gives a beautiful view of Dal Lake. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan planted more than 1,200 trees in the garden in 1635. 

Tomb of Madin Sahib is a unique tomb, which was built in the memory of Saint Madin Sahib. This tomb is located towards the north of Madin Sahib Mosque in Zadibal. It has the 15th century Kashmiri architectural style with the exterior walls ornamented with tiles.

Hari Parbat Fort is situated to the western side of the Dal Lake, which is an ancient Mughal Fort. This fort was built in 18th century by Atta Muhammad Khan, an Afghan governor. The surrounding walls of this fort were constructed by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1590. This place is currently maintained by the Archaeological Department of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kathi Darwaza is one of the two gates of the Hari Parbat Fort or the Mughal Fort, which is situated near the Dal Lake. The second gate is known as Sangin Darwaza and Kathi Darwaza is the main entrance to the fort. It has a domed chamber in the centre along with two recesses on either side. Visitors can also see few Persian commemorative inscriptions on the walls and ceilings of this gate.All these inscriptions are related to the Persian beliefs and culture that was practised by the Mughal rulers.  

Sangeen Darwaza is the second entrance gate of the Hari Parbat Fort and does not have any inscriptions like Kathi Darwaza. This entrance gate has been constructed using stone and brick masonry.

Makhdum Sahib Shrine is located to the south of Hari Parbat Hill, which is mainly a double storey mosque. It has been built in the name of Sufi Saint Makhdum Sahib or Hazrat Sultan. It is situated below the Hari Parbat Fort and has been constructed as per the archaeological values and ancient culture of the Mughals.

Masjid of Akhund Mullah is a mosque within a mosque that has the main sanctuary in a courtyard. It is a small mosque which was constructed by Dara Shikoh, son of Shah Jahan, for honouring his tutor Akhun Mulla Shah. This mosque is located below the Makhdum Sahib Mosque and has been built using grey limestone.It also has a stone lotus erected on the top of the podium, which has an inscription that dates back to 1649. There is a specially constructed prayer chamber inside this mosque that attracts number of devotees.  

Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden is situated at the foothills of Zabarwan Mountains, which is near the banks of Dal Lake.It is one of the spacious gardens in Srinagar and is known to have more than 70 varieties of coloured tulip flowers.The garden covers approximately 90 acres of land and houses 1.3 million tulip bulbs that overlook the Dal Lake. It is situated in vicinity of Shalimar Garden, Nishat Garden, Chashm-e-Shahi Gardens and other Mughal Gardens.

Imambara Hassanabad is one of the oldest shrines in the region, which is worshipped by over one million Shia Muslims.There is also a Mughal graveyard named, 'Baba Mazar' situated near this shrine.This graveyard was the resting place of people like Syed Mirza Shah, Baba Ali and Hab Saheb Mulla. There are around five main entry points to this shrine that are constructed specially for women followers. This shrine was constructed in 1857 in a shape of octagon. The architectural style of this shrine has been influenced by the Indo-Iranian construction skills.

Charar-i-Sharif is a holy shrine which is more than 600 years old and is commonly known as Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali. It was built for commemorating Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, who was a Sufi Muslim saint. The saint was born in 1377 and was called as Nund Rishi, who was a spiritual heir of a female saint, named Lal Ded.

Manasbal Lake is surrounded by villages like Jarokbal, Gratbal and Kondabal. It is regarded as one of the supreme gems of all Kashmir lakes, which is full of lotus. July and August is considered to be the ideal time to enjoy water skiing in the deep water of the lake.

Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions renowned for offering natural habitat to rare Kashmir stag Hangul and black and brown bears. Surrounded by mountains and beautiful flora, the sanctuary sprawls across an area of around 141 sq. km. Situated at an average altitude ranging from 5,500 to 14,000 ft above sea level, the sanctuary was declared as a National Park in 1951.Being a home to flora and fauna of the Himalayan range, the national park is divided into two sectors of Dachigam, including the lower and the upper Dachigam. A wide variety of vegetation is present in the sanctuary including grassland, rain forest, coniferous forest and broad leaved woodland. Dotted with bare rock faces and alpine pastures, the national park is a home to the most endangered species of red deer (Hangul).

Day 53 - Leh-Ladakh

Ladakh is situated in Jammu & Kashmir and is the highest inhabited region of India. Ladakh, referred by multiple names such as ‘The Last Shangri-la’, ‘Little Tibet’, ‘The Land of Numerous Passes’, ‘The Land of Mystic Lamas’, ‘The Broken Moon’ and ‘Moonscape’ (the Moon Land), is a remote yet popular tourist destination characterised by placid blue lakes, freezing winds, barren landscape and multi-hued mountains.Situated in a high altitude cold desert at about 3500 meters above sea level, Ladakh is tucked in between the world's greatest mountain ranges, Great Himalayas and the Karakoram. It is also traversed by two other parallel ranges, Zanskar and Ladakh.Historically, Ladakh had a kingdom of its own towards the 10th century and was ruled by dynasties, which were descendants of the kings of Old Tibet. The Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh reached the summit of its glory during the reign of King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century. Leh, the capital city of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh, gradually became a bustling entry point in  trade route of textiles, spices, raw silk, carpets, dyestuffs and narcotics.


How to reach here:

By Air: Different airline services provide regular services from Leh to Delhi, Jammu and Srinagar and return.

By Rail: Jammu is the nearest railway station, which is about 734 km from Leh.


Best time to visit: June to September.


Languages spoken: Ladakhi, Purig, Tibetan, Hindi and English.


Must eat: Momos ,Thukpa and Butter tea made with Yak's milk.


Famous Restaurants: La Pizzeria, Chopsticks, Summer Harvest.


Places you must visit:

Leh Palace is similar in construction to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. This palace was constructed by King Sengge Namgyal during the 17th century. By mid-19th century, this place got abandoned due to the annexation of Ladakh by Dogra forces. This annexation led the royal family living in this palace to move to the famous Stok Palace.This palace is currently ruined, and is undergoing restoration by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). There are nine storeys in this palace. The royal family lives in the upper floors, while store rooms along with stables are present in the lower floors.



Sun Temple is a very famous temple in Ladakh, which is dedicated to the Sun God, Bhaskar. It is a mediaeval temple, which was constructed by King Lalitaditya for commemorating the Sun God. There is a colonnaded courtyard at this temple along with the main shrine. Visitors can also see around 84 columns that were used for building this temple.It was also built using hard and square limestone, which acts as a reminder of the architectural style of the bygone era.




Jama Masjid is one of the historical mosques in Ladakh, which is situated in the heart of Leh, the capital of the state. It is considered to be the biggest mosques in the region and houses a memorial known as Shahi Hamdan. This memorial is dedicated to a Muslim Sufi Saint named Mir Syed Ali Hamdani. The Jama Masjid was constructed as a part of an agreement between the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and the then ruler of Ladakh, Deldan Namgyal in 1666-67.



Shey Gompa is situated on a hillock on Shey.In the past, Shey was the summer capital of Ladakh and is presently in ruins. This monastery was constructed in 1655 by King Deldan Namgyal, better known as Lhachen Palgyigon.King Deldan Namgyal constructed this monastery in memory for his father, Singay Namgyal. This monastery is also known for its giant copper and gilded gold statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. It is the second largest statue in Ladakh, which is managed by the monks of Hemis monastery.



Hemis Monastery is popularly known as Hemis Gompa, which was built during the reign of King Sengge Namgyal in 1630. Presently, this Gompa is run by Drukpa sect of Buddhism, which once flourished during the Namgyal dynasty. There are two main portions in the monastery, namely Tshongkhang and Dukhang.Visitors can see beautiful wall paintings in the veranda of this Gompa that depict the 'Kalachakra' and the 'Lords of the Four Quarters'. There is also an idol of Sakyamuni Buddha at this monastery that attracts a lot of devotees.




Dukhang was believed to have been constructed by Kal-dan Shes-rab of Tibetan descent in the later period of the 11th century. The entrance to the courtyard is accessible by elaborately carved doorways, which are covered with carvings of tiny Bodhisattvas and guardian figures. The prime attraction of this ancient shrine is image of Vairocana, the Buddha resplendent. In addition to this, the main image is beautifully surrounded by four main Buddha manifestations.The walls of beautiful Alchi's Temple are decorated with wall paintings and murals that express a rare combination of indigenous colours. Dotted with numerous attendant figures, animals and sacred symbols, the south wall above the doorway possesses images of Mahakala, great time, timelessness, deathlessness or eternity.Various colours are used to depict different qualities of the four main manifestations of Buddha. Buddha in blue represents Akshobya or unshakable and in yellow represents Ratnasambhava or Jewel Born. Moreover, Buddha in red depicts Amitabha or boundless radiance, while in green depicts Amoghasiddhi or unfailing success.



Spangmik is situated on the southern shore at distance of around 7 km from the Pangong Lake. Tourists can avail beautiful views of mountains of the Chang-Chenmo Range and snow-capped peaks of the Pangong Range from the village. Apart from this, several glaciers located on the north west of the Pangong Lake are also visible from the village.



General Zorawar’s Fort is widely called as Riasi Fort, and is situated in the Rajouri District. This fort is known to preserve the private wealth collected by the Dogra rulers in Jammu. It is presently in ruins and overlooks the famous Chenab River. It was later named after General Zorawar Singh, who is remembered for his struggle against the Chinese rulers.




Shanti Stupa refers to a peace pillar, which was established by a 'Peace Sect' of Japanese Buddhists. This pillar is located in the Leh District just above Changspa, which is famous for its gilt panels that depict the life stories of Buddha. In 1983, the construction of this stupa was begun by His Holiness Dalai Lama for spreading the ideologies and preaching of Buddha.After its completion in 1991, the pillar was inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. It is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and some of the traditional Ladakhi houses.



Stok Palace is the residential palace of the royal family and descendants of King Sengge Namgyal. Displaying a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary architectural styles, it was built by King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal in 1825. There are many beautiful gardens in this palace, from where travellers can have views of sunset and sunrise.The palace is famous for conducting an annual festival of dance-mask that sees a huge participation by the local inhabitants.



Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery is a famous Dharma centre in Leh, which is managed by the Karmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhists. This Karmapa sect mainly stands for the embodiment of all the activities of Lord Buddha. Presently, there are over 17 Karmapas in the world that play a key role in promoting the values of Tibetan Buddhism.The monastery also propagates the traditional values of Buddhism along with preserving the Tibetan Buddhism culture.

Spituk Monastery, also called as Spituk Gompa was established during the 11th century by Od-de, the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od. In 15th century, this monastery was overtaken by the Yellow Hat sect. It was essentially a Red Hat institution, which is known for its unique collection of icons, arms, Thangkas and masks.There are around 100 monks at this monastery, who conduct the annual Gustor festival. During the Spituk Gustor festival, a giant statue of Goddess Kali is unveiled at the monastery.

Stanka Monastery or Stanka Gompa is constructed on a 60 m high isolated rock, which displays the cultural and religious heritage of Buddhism. It houses a treasure of Buddhist artefacts, teachings and paintings, which is managed by Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. In 1580, this monastery was built by a scholar named Chosje Jamyang Palkar.It is prominently called 'Tiger's Nose Monastery', due to the resemblance of the rock on which it stands to a tiger leaping up to the sky. This Gompa also houses a marble statue of Avalokitesvara, which is believed to be brought from the state of Assam. There is also a museum inside the Gompa that preserves various collections of arms and armoury of the ancient Ladakh rulers.

Thiksey Monastery is a part of Gelugpa order in Buddhism and houses Thangkas, stupas, swords, wall paintings, statues and a pillar. This pillar is carved with the preaching and ideas of Buddha and is housed in the 12-storey building of the monastery. The monastery remains crowded during the Thiksey festival, which is celebrated at a grand level.

Tsemo Gompa was constructed by King Tashi Namgyal of the Namgyal dynasty, who ruled Leh during the 15th century. Completed in 1430, it is presently maintained by the monks of Sankar Gompa. Often known as Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, this gompa is situated to the north of Leh and is considered to be one of the oldest Gompas in the region.This Gompa has many ancient manuscripts, frescoes and a big golden statue of Maitreya Buddha, which is as high as a 3-storey structure. Visitors can also see 10 ft high statues of Avalokitesvara and Manjushri at the gompa. There is a fort above this structure, which is partially ruined.

 

Vajra Bhairav Shrine is mainly dedicated to a tantric guardian deity, who belongs to the Gelug-pa order. It is commonly believed that this deity has some supernatural powers and is essentially unveiled to the public only once in a year. Rest of the time, this idol is kept inside a chamber, which is present at this shrine.Tourists can also see more than 600 years old paintings on the walls of this shrine. This shrine is considered to be one of the oldest buildings in Spituk.

Alchi Choskor is a beautiful temple situated in the village with same name that lies on the banks of the Indus River.It is also known as Alchi Gompa, and is approximately 1,000 years old. This temple is an ideal study centre of Buddhism and is managed by the monks of Likir.

Stok Palace Museum is situated within the Stok Palace, which is essentially the home of the royal family of Ladakh. Visitors can see several royal artefacts, royal crowns, copper coins, precious stones, jewellery, heirlooms, prayer instruments and Thangkas dating back to the 16th century at the museum. Thangkas are known to depict the teachings and life of Lord Buddha.

Sankar Gompa  is well-known for its traditional architectural style. Inside the gompa, there is a figure of Avalokitesvara having 1,000 heads and arms. Often known as Sankar Monastery, it can be reached on foot from Leh. There are around 20 monks living at this place. The steps at this monastery lead to double doors that are the means to reach 'Dukhang' or the assembly hall. On the right of the doors, there are three green drums along with a place of the Gyeskos. The walls of this monastery are painted completely with mandalas and a Tibetan calendar. 

Ladakh Ecological Development Group was constructed in 1983 and is commonly known as the Ecological Centre of Ladakh. The main objective of this centre is to promote and spread awareness regarding the environmental issues in Ladakh. It also works effectively towards the positive aspects of alternative technology.This group is mainly an environmental NGO, which tries to promote sustainable development in Ladakh along with solar energy. It is also concerned about the economic, cultural and environmental issues that affect the disadvantaged communities in the region. There are more than hundred staff members in this centre, which is headed by Tsewang Rigzin.This NGO has also created several hydraulic ram pumps that have helped the local inhabitants to improve their water supply and irrigation needs.



Monastery Circuit houses several Buddhist Gompas like Thiksey Monastery, Pharka Monastery, Matho Monastery, Hemis Monastery and many more. Hemis Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in the region, which houses a large painting of Buddha that can be seen only once in 11 years. Another important monastery, Thiksey Gompa is a 12-storey structure that has been painted with beautiful colours.It also has prayer flags along with an ornamented entrance that houses a 15 m tall statue.



Matho Monastery is more than 500 years old and comes under the management of Sakya Monastic Establishment in Ladakh. This site is situated in the Indus River valley and was established by Lama Dugpa Dorje. There is a small museum inside the complex, which has some ancient collections of Thangkas that are showcased in the form of mandalas.It is an ideal place for understanding and studying the traditional Buddhist teachings and ideologies.





Serzang Temple was constructed during the 17th century using gold and copper.The copper gilt image of Maitreya Buddha at this temple measures around 30 ft in height. It also houses several mural paintings like Tilopa, Marpa, Mila Raspa and Naropa.The walls of this temple are painted with the figures of Buddha along with the images of people associated with Red Hat sect. This temple also preserves a Serzang manuscript copy of the Tibetan Buddhist Canon, which has been written in silver, gold and copper letters




Zanskar the Virgin Valley is well-known as the 'land of white copper'. This valley is situated in Ladakh and has an elevation ranging from around 3,500 m to 7,000 m above sea level. It is considered to be one of the remotest regions in the world and has remained in veil till 1994.It is one of the coldest regions in Ladakh, and witnesses a temperature of -400 Celsius during winter season. Local inhabitants living here stay very far from one another and take several weeks to travel to each others place.




Dras is a very small village in the district of Kargil, which is often tagged as 'The Gateway to Ladakh'. It came into limelight in 1999, during the incursions by the Pakistani army into the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This place was mainly remembered for the Kargil War of 1999, which was fought between India and Pakistan.It is also a base camp for the 3-day long trek to the famous Suru Valley. The winters in the region are very harsh with the minimum temperature dropping to -450 Celsius.
 



Suru Valley is mainly drained by the Suru River and houses the main town of Kargil. There are approximately 25,000 people in this valley, who are descendants of Dard and Tibetan communities. Large numbers of local population are followers of Shia Islam, who were converted from Tibetan Buddhism in the 16th century.



Sankoo is a very small township situated in a bowl shaped valley, which is drained by streams like Kartse River, Suru River and the Nakpochu River. This place is often called Ladakh's own Gulmarg and has a small bazaar and several small villages surrounding it.The entire valley is filled with the plantations of willows, myricarea and wild roses that attract large number of tourists.



Padum is the main administrative centre of Zanskar tehsil of Kargil District. This place is around 240 km away from Kargil and has a population of about 1,000 people. It is located in the centre of Zanskar and has an average elevation of around 3,669 m.

Day 52 - Poonch/Punch

Poonch District is sometimes referred to as mini Kashmir and is a remote district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is bound by the Actual Line of Control (ALC) on three sides. The ALC is about 103 km from Tarkundi in Balakote to Sawjian in Mandi Block. Poonch is set amidst snow-capped mountains, meandering lakes and streams, with the fertile soil supporting abundant growth of fruits, flowers, forests and other natural vegetation. Poonch is a very historical area and has been ruled by both outsiders and local rulers at different junctures till it became a part of independent India. In the 6th century AD, Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang passed through Poonch. He wrote that Poonch was famous for graphics, fine tea (Musloom) and good horses. Around 850 AD, Poonch became a sovereign state when Mr. Nar, a horse trader declared himself the Raja of Poonch. In 1596 AD, the Mughal King Jehangir nominated Siraj-ud-din of village Kahuta as the Raja of Poonch. In 1798 AD, a Gujjar leader Rooh-ullah-Sangu became the ruler of this area.


How to reach here:

By Air: The closest airport is located at Jammu, which is around 250 km from the town.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is also located at Jammu and there are trains from different parts of the country to the station.


Best time to visit: Throughout the year.


Languages spoken: Kashmiri, Urdu and Hindi.


Famous Restaurants: Kasturi Dhaba.


Places you must visit:


Noori Chamb is associated with the name of Mughal queen Noor Jahan is famous for its scenic beauty & water fall at a height of 8,600 feet.The fall of the stream gives rise to dense clouds of water vapours which engulfs the area & spread all over. The Emperor Jahangir had developed so much fancy & liking for this fall that he named it Noori Chammb after the name of his beloved queen Noor Jahan. Mughal queen used to stay here for relaxation and bath while on way to Kashmir. She had got fixed a mirror besides the fall on the mountain wall where she used to have her make- up after the bath. The remnants of the mirror are still there.

Gurudwara Nangali Sahib is located on a hill and on the banks of Drungali Nallah. It is considered as one of the oldest Sikh shrines in northern India for Sikh community. The Gurudwara was built in 1803 by Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji, who was the fourth successor of Sant Bhai Feru Singh Ji. Maharaja Ranjit Singh visited this Gurudwara in 1814. He attached four villages with the Gurudwara in the year of 1823. The gurudwara was restored by Mahant Bachitar Singh Ji.

Swami Budha Amarnath Ji Mandir is situated in between the Pir Panchal Range on the confluence of two streams, Nallah Gagri and Pulsta Nadi. The temple of Swami Buddha Amarnath Ji is made of a big stone.The temple has four doors i.e. to the North, East, West and South, which defines that the shrine is open for all four castes. The temple houses a natural Shiva Lingam made  of a white stone. Besides that, there are other idols placed by local people. The spring around the temple is considered as the holy spring, in which pilgrims take bath before entering the temple.




Poonch fort is a major attraction of Poonch city and its history dates back to 16th century A. D. The Poonch Qila was built by Raja Rustum Khan in 1713 AD. The construction of this fort took place many years with the effort of Raja Rustam Khan, who was a lover of architecture. The architecture of the fort is influenced by the Mughal architectural style. There were some changes made in the central block of the building, which were done in Sikh architectural style, during Sikh rule. The present structure of the front block of the fort was made by Raja Moti Singh, who hired a European architect.

Nandishool waterfall is located at a distance of 6 km from Sultan Pathri and 12 km from Loran. The height of this water fall is around 150 feet. The water fall originates from Pir Panchal and falls into a glacier.

Surankote Valley is situated between the mountain ranges, the Pir Panjal and Rattan Panjal, surrounded with peaks.  The place is mentioned by the name of Sawernik in Rajatarangini. There was a big fort at the Surankote village, on the banks of River Suran in 1036 A.D, which was famous by the name of Kote. Combining the names of the river and the fort, the place is called Surankote.

Mandi is a village located on the confluence of two streams namely Gagri and Pulsta. The place is situated in a valley, which is narrow and surrounded with steep hills. The village is located at a distance of 20 km from Poonch town.

Krishan Ghati is a hilly forest area, located at a distance of 24 km from Poonch.The site is famous for its landscapes and natural beauty.

Day 51 - Udhampur

Udhampur is a beautiful district located on the banks of four major rivers namely, Chenab, Ans, Tawi and Ujh, in the south-eastern part of Jammu & Kashmir. Udhampur is situated at an altitude ranging between 600 metres to 3,000 metres.Apart from being a municipal council, the district is also a Northern Command headquarters of the Indian Army.The destination has been named after the eldest son of Maharaja Gulab Singh, Raja Udham Singh. Maharaja Gulab Singh was the founder of Dogra rule in Jammu and Kashmir. It is believed that the destination has been carved out from the dense forest where Raja Udham Singh frequently visited for hunting trips.The major part of the population includes Hindus and Dogras. Udhampur is also home to various nomadic Gujjars and Bakarwals. People here speak many languages including Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri and Dogri. Pehari and Goujri are other prominent languages spoken in the district at a large scale.


How to reach here:

By Air: Nearest airport is the Srinagar airport.

By Rail: There are daily trains to Udhampur from Delhi.


Best time to visit: Throughout the year.


Languages spoken: Kashmiri, Urdu and Hindi.


Must eat: Ambal, Khatta Meat, Dal Patt.


Famous Restaurants: Mint leaf.


Places you must visit:

Bhimgarh Fort is also called as the Reasi Fort.The hillock on which the fort is located measures around 150 m in height. It was initially constructed using clay, but a successor of Maharaj Rishipal Rana, who founded Reasi town, built the fort using stones.The fort was renovated again between 1817 and 1841 by Gulab Singh of Jammu and Kashmir. There is a temple, treasury, armoury, pond and different types of rooms inside the fort.



Kalika temple is situated in the Reasi town on a hilltop, near the main Reasi Bus Stand. The temple is around 300 years old and is devoted to Mata Kali. It was built by Pandit Jagat Ram Sharma. The temple is visited during the Navratri festival.



The Babore temples are a combination of six temples that are currently in ruins. The temple architecture is similar to the temples built during the 8th century at Wangath by Lalitaditya. The Babore temples are managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).



Ramnagar Fort is believed to be built by Raja Suchet Singh, who died in 1844 and his wife performed sati near the fort. There is also a Samadhi of Maharani in this fort, at the site where the sati was performed. Tourists can reach this fort by using a narrow bridge over the moat. The fort was renovated and undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1972.



Sheesh Mahal is often called as the Palace of Mirrors and is situated in Ramnagar. Adorned with painted murals and paintings, the palace was built in 1885 by Raja Ram Singh. These murals and paintings depict the stories of Mahabharata, Ramayana and battles fought by Ram Singh and Suchet Singh.




Pap Nashni Bowli is a holy spring situated in the Udhampur District of Jammu and Kashmir. Pilgrims believe that by taking a dip in this holy spring, they will be free from all their sins.
 



Krimchi temples refer to the group of three temples that are considered to be the oldest temples in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Krimchi Village is situated 10 km north-west of Udhampur. The main Krimchi temple is 50 ft high and consists of sculptures of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Parvati. It is believed that this temple was built by the kings of Kushan Dynasty during the 9th century.






Pingla Devi Shrine is located in the Karua village, which is 20 km away from the Udhampur city. It is situated on a small hillock and is easily accessible from the Udhampur-Ramnagar road. The main deity, Pingla Mata is present here in the shape of Pindies.The cave can easily accommodate 500 pilgrims at a time and can be reached by trekking from Karua, which is 6 km away from the temple.



Sheshnag Shrine, situated on the banks of the Mansar Lake, is dedicated to Lord Shesha. There are numerous iron chains kept on a big boulder inside the temple, which are said to resemble the small serpents waiting on the tutelary deity of Lord Shesha.