Capital
: Srinagar (Summer),
Jammu (Winter)
Area : 222,236 sq km
Clothings : Summer- Light cottons, Winter- Heavy woollens
Languages : Kashmiri, Hindi, Dogri, Pahari, Ladakhi
Best Season : Throughout the year
Population : 9,535,000 (1998)
Religion : Islam
Best time to visit : April to June (Kashmir Valley), October to
March (Jammu Region)
Jammu and
Kashmir, Indias fascinating northernmost state consists of three
regions differing in topography and culture. Jammu is abounds with popular
temples and secluded forest retreats. Kashmirs capital city, Srinagar
offers fulfilling holidays on the lakes with their shikaras and houseboats.
Ladakh is the northern most province of the state, with a bleak terrain of
barren mountains. Hilltop monasteries and a colourful way of life,
completely at one with the surroundings, make Ladakh one of the best living
traditions of Tibetan Buddhism in the world today.
Arriving at Jammu & Kashmir
By
Flights - The state has three major civil airports at
Srinagar,
Jammu, and
Ladakh connected to
Delhi and other places in the country. Indian Airlines and its subsidiary
Alliance Air operate in the Delhi-Chandigarh-Ladakh and Delhi-Jammu-Srinagar
routes.
By Trackways - Jammu Tawi is the main railhead of Jammu &
Kashmir. It is connected to most of the important towns and cities of the
country. Moreover, the longest rail route that stretches from Jammu Tawi to
Kanyakumari and touches almost all the main cities and towns of the country
originates from here.
By Roadways - One can easily reach Jammu by the National
Highway 1A that goes from Punjab and runs through this city, connecting it
to the rest of the state, including the capital Srinagar. The state
transport corporation runs several buses to most of the big towns and cities
in north India.
Ladakh is connected to Srinagar and Manali by some of the most difficult
road networks in the world. The Manali-Leh road is considered as the highest
motorable road in the world.
By Bus : J & K State Road Transport Corporation as
well as some other State Road Transport Corporations (Delhi, Haryana,
Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh) service Jammu to and from various
major places in North India providing deluxe & ordinary buses.
Local Transport : Coaches, Tourist Taxis, Other Taxis,
Scooter Rickshawas, Tongas, Matador Mini Buses and City Bus Services
available.
Note: All foreigners entreing Jammu and Kashmir State are required
to register their arrival and departure with the Foreigners' Regional
Registration Office located at the airport and in the city.