Places to Visit in Kashmir

SRINAGAR

Some of the main educational institutes are also established here. The main university of the valley KU is located in Hazratbal Srinagar, on the left banks of Dal Lake. Besides this, Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences is also located in Srinagar. Many other academic and technical colleges, higher secondary schools are located here. The Government Medical College is located in the Safa-Kadal area of the old city, around 3kms from city centre. Another Medical college, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) also is located in Srinagar. Valley’s top hospitals, Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital and SKIMS are located in Srinagar. Many other hospitals and nursing hospitals also are dotted here and there.

The district has two main bus stands Batamaloo in the North and Pantha Chowk in the South-from here buses can be boarded to all the major routes of the Valley. Transport for Jammu is also available for Jammu. A government bus for Delhi also leaves from TRC.

ANANTNAG

The town has a high literacy rate. Many Colleges and Higher secondary schools are present. A campus of University of Kashmir, named South Campus is also located here. In Awantipura, around 30 kms from the main town, Islamic University of Science and Technology has been established. A few Army Goodwill schools are also run in the area. The famous saffron fields of Pampore fall on the way to Anantnag from Srinagar. However the saffron grows for a short period between October and November; and the area does not come under the administration of Anantnag.

BARAMULLA

One of the important towns of Kashmir, Sopore, is located in the Baramulla district. Situated about 35kms from Srinagar, this town is popularly known as “Apple Town” for the town produces a vast variety of tasty apples that are exported throughout the world. The soil of town is fertile and hence rich in agriculture. The town is situated in close proximity of Wullar Lake, the largest fresh water lake of Asia, and thus a good amount of fish are also exported from here.

Like elsewhere in Kashmir, Baramulla too has a number of ancient historic shrines and mosques. The most important Shrine in the area is the Shrine of Baba Shukur-ud-Din in Watlab area. Baramujja is also famous for its Match factory.

Many educational institutes are established in the district, including the North campus of University of Kashmir. Hospitals and Nursing homes also function in the area.

SHOPIAN

Many educational institutes are functioning in the district including separate colleges for boys and girls. District and sub district hospitals with sound infrastructure have also been set up throughout the district. Transport to all parts of the district is readily available. Vehicles to Shopian can be boarded from Srinagar’s two bus stands-Batamaloo and Panthachowk. Alternatively buses can be boarded for Pulwama, from where buses for Shopian are available. Light motor luxury vehicles are available from all major centres in Srinagar, including Lal-chowk.

Bandipora was the connecting link between North India and Central Asia via the Silk Road. At Pazalpora village there was a custom and immigration department which is presently there as a forest check post. There are strong links between skardugurez and Bandipora.

Bandipore is divided into three tehsils

• Gurez
• Sumbal Sonawari
• Bandipura

Demographics

As of 2001 Indian census,Bandipura had a population of 25,714. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Bandipore has an average literacy rate of 57.82%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with 65% of the males and 35% of females literate. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

It has a Muslim majority though there are a few villages where Pandits also lived before their migration to the other parts of the country. The Panditpopulation was in large numbers at Ajar, Kalusa, Kharapora, Mantrigam etc. The Pandit families at Ajar did not migrate. They are living happily next to their Muslim neighbors. The temple at Kalusa on the banks of Madhumati, known as ShardaMandirdates back to olden times. It has a very big and old tree which is a few hundred years old and is a rare tree of its type. This is popularly known as Bran, a revered tree. There are many villages in this newly formed district named after Hindu gods and goddesses such as Chittarnar, named after Chakerishwar. The forest training school of Kashir is located in Bandipura. It was established in 1905. This institute is a premier body in the conservation process of the forest department.

The majority of the population speaks Kashmiri. Tehsil Gurez is Shina-speaking and has a Shina majority. There are few Pashtun villages on the Line of Control. The famous Kishan Ganga Hydro Electric Project is also located in the Gurez Tehsil of Bandipore. Project is worth Rs. 2700 Cr (INR 27 billion).It will generate electricity of 330 MW, which will be distributed from Kashir.

Education

The literacy rate in the main town of Bandipore and adjoining areas is quite high. The Pandit population had nearly 100 percent literacy.

Towns and villages

The important villages of Bandipura:

Lowdara	Dachigam	Nusoo	Ajar	Aloosa	Aragam	Arin	Ashtangoo
Barazullah	Bonakoot	Binleepora	Doban	Gamroo	Garoora	Gundpora	Gurez
Kalusa	Nadihal	Panar	Papachan	Patushai	Lawaypora	Pathkoot	Qazipora
Quil	Sonarwani	Sumlar	Tangath	Turkpora	Wanagam	Watapora	Waven

One of the sacred places of Hindus is Danishwar, locally also called as ChotaAmarnath. It is a cave in dense forests of Erin.Pilgrim has to crawl about 60 meters to reach a cave where there are engraved features of Lord Shiva. People used to go there on the SharvanPurnima, the date on which Amarnath-Yatra is being performed.

Attractions

Bandipura plays host to one of the famous Forest Training and Research Institute in Jammu and Kashmir. It’s3km distance from the main town. Apart from being beautiful, the Darul-Ullom-RehamiaSchool for Philosophers] is the largest religious Institution in Jammu and Kashmir.

Bandipura is known for tracking, mountaineering and fishing. The famous ArinNallah is home to one the most exotic Trout [Rainbow Trout, Silver Trout and Gray Trout]

ArinNallah Trout Heaven and Mount Harmukh.

Local Trout Hunter

For Mountaineers Harmukh remains the main attraction, It is located in the eastern side of the town. Commercial Cabs ply on that route till Kodara that is the farthest point where the cabs stop, and there onwards the terrain becomes hilly and one has to track [17km] till the higher reaches of Mount Harmukh, Sheera Sir [Lake of Spirits] acts as a base camp for all the mountaineering expeditions for Mt Harmukh. In the north Lies Guraze, One of the most beautiful places in Jammu and Kashmir is 86 km from Bandipora. Commercial Cabs ply on this route during summers, however in winters the route remains closed due to heavy snowfall.

The place is surrounded by areas of scenic beauty and ranges such as Sarendar, Kudara, Vewan, Mowa and Tresangam, all of which are inhabited by the Gujjars ("Bakarwals"). Although being a scenic place where peace and tranquility is in the environment, Bandipora has never been considered a tourist place and does not figure anywhere on the tourist map of Jammu and Kashmir.

Budgam is home of some of the stunning locations in Kashmir. These include Doodpathri, Yusmarg, Tosamaidan. World’s biggest Chinar tree is also located in Chattergam area. Many historical and important shrines are located in the vicinity of the district. One of the most important shrines of Valley, Chrar-i-Shareef falls under Budgam district. The shrine witnesses a huge rush of devotees round the year, particularly on Thursdays and Fridays. The road to the shrine is hilly and labyrinthine.

Budgam is famous for its historic Kani Shawl, which is manufactured at various places of the district. Kani shawl is an artistic hand-made stole usually made of hand woven silk. It has a historical significance as it adorned Caesar's court. For Mughals and later Nawabs, it was a part of nobility. Napoleon presented a Kani shawl to his wife, beginning a new fashion in Europe.

The district comprises mostly of the rural areas. The educational and medical set up is comparatively lesser than the other districts. However the district is developing rapidly with many colleges for higher education being set up. The district has produced a number of distinguished poets and writers of Kashmiri language. The most famous are Shamas Fakir, Samad Mir, Abdul Ahad Azad and many more.

BARAMULLA

Baramulla or Varmul is historically very important for Kashmir. It is believed that valley was originally a vast lake, Satisar, which got drained by deepening of the Baramulla gorge. It is located in north Kashir, on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Highway. It was earlier called the Gateway of Kashir. It was founded by Raja Bhimsina in 2306 BC. It is situated in North Kashir on Jhelum after its emergence from the Wullar, 55 km from Srinagar. It covers an area of 4,588 sq. km. The Old town of Baramulla is located on the right bank of the river and the new town is located on the left.

Many travellers including Chinese Hieun Tsang have travelled to this historic town. Mughal rulers and Emperor Akbar also visited this town. As this was the Gateway of Kashmir, it used to be their halting station. The Region is mentioned in many ancient texts and legends.

Baramulla is a beautiful district comprising of some famous tourist places in Kashir including the world famous Gulmarg. Gulmarg is the top tourist destination in J&K. It has been rated as one of the top 5 skiing destinations in the world. Some other tourist places include Khilanmarg, Apharwat, Tangmarg, Drang.

Many educational institutes are established in the district, including the North campus of University of Kashmir. Hospitals and Nursing homes also function in the area.

One of the important towns of Kashir, Sopore, is located in the Baramulla district. Situated about 35kms from Srinagar, this town is popularly known as “Apple Town” for the town produces a vast variety of tasty apples that are exported throughout the world. The soil of town is fertile and hence rich in agriculture. The town is situated in close proximity of Wullar Lake, the largest fresh water lake of Asia, and thus a good amount of fish are also exported from here.

Like elsewhere in the valley, Baramulla too has a number of ancient historic shrines and mosques. The most important Shrine in the area is the Shrine of Baba Shukur-ud-Din in Watlab area. The region is also famous for its Match factory.

KUPWARA

The district, like most of the other districts of Kashmir, is a place of exquisite beauty. The district is blessed with some stunning natural beauty. The forests of the district are lush green, dense and rich in wildlife. The area receives a number of tourists every year despite its odd location. The main river that flows through the area is Kishan Ganga. It separates Pakistan Occupied Kashir from Jammu Kashmir.

Among the beautiful areas are Bangus Valley, ChuruNad, AinchBehak, Tilpatra, Sogam and the most beautiful Lolab Valley.Some of the more beautiful places like Karnah are located closed to the border between India and Pakistan. As the district is located close to the Line of Control, it is one of the lesser frequented areas of the valley.

Kupwara is one of the most backward areas of Kashmir. However, the educational set up is getting sounder. The district has 22 higher secondary schools. Government Degree College Kupwara is the biggest college of the district.