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Jammu & Kashmir
Tourism
Bordered with Himachal Pradesh to the south, Azad Kashmir to north and west, Pakistan to the southwest and People`s Republic of China to the northeast and east. It has three divisions: Jammu, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh.The state has two capitals, Srinagar being the summer capital and Jammu as it`s winter capital. In recent years Jammu and Kashmir has been the subject of international focus. Unfortunately, misunderstanding of the State`s history and its
present situation has largely flawed discussion on the issue. The state is working for the overall socio-economic development of the state. Infrastructure sectors such as, roads, irrigation and basic minimum services like education, health and water supply are the areas of major thrust in the state. Given the vast large opportunities, the sector constitutes one of the topmost priorities
of the state.
The Kashmir valley is well known for its beautiful mountainous landscapes. Jammu attracts approximately 10,000 of Hindu and Muslim pilgrims every year and Ladakh is known as "Little Tibet" for its remote mountain beauty and Buddhist culture although Muslims are a majority. Though Islam is practiced by 80% of the population, the state has significant minorities of Hindus. Also found in a considerate number are Buddhists mainly in Ladakh and Sikhs.
Origin of the Name of Jammu & Kashmir
The Nilamata Purana describes the Valley`s origin from the waters, a fact corroborated by prominent geologists, and shows how the very name of the land was derived from the process of desiccation. Ka means "water" and Shimir means "to desiccate". Hence, Kashmir stands
for "a land desiccated from water". There is also a theory which takes Kashmir to be a contraction of Kashyapmir or Kashyapmeru, the "sea or mountain of Kashyapa", the sage who is credited with having drained the waters of the primordial lake Satisar, that Kashmir was before it was reclaimed. The Nilamata Purana gives the name Kashmira to the Valley considering it to be an embodiment of Uma and it is the Kashmir that the world knows today. The Kashmiris, however, call it Kashir, which has been derived phonetically from Kashmir. The name Kashmir is derived from the Sanskrit words kasyapa that means "the sea of the sage Kashyapa".
History of Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir came into being as a single political and geographical entity following the Treaty of Amristar between the British Government and Gulab singh signed on March 16, 1846. The Treaty handed over the control of the Kashmir State to the Dogra ruler of Jammu who had earlier annexed Ladakh. Thus a new State comprising three distinct religions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh was formed with Maharaja Gulab Singh as its founder ruler. Jammu and Kashmir was one of about 565 princely States of India on which the British paramountcy lapsed at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947. While the power was transferred to the people in British
India, the rulers of the princely States were given an option to join either of the two Dominions – India or Pakistan.
Geography of Jammu & Kashmir
Strategically located Jammu and Kashmir State constitutes the northern most extremity of India. Situated between 32.17 degree and 36.58 degree north latitude and 37.26 degree and 80.30 degree east longitude, the total area of the State is 22,22,236 sq. kms including 78114 sq kms under the illegal occupation of Pakistan and 42,685 sq kms under that of China, of which Pakistan illegally handed over 5130 sq kms to China. The State is bounded by Pakistan,
Afghanistan and China from the West to the East. The State ranks 6th in area and 17th in population among the States and Union Territories of India. The State consists of 14 districts, 59
tehsils, 119 blocks, 3 municipalities, 54 towns and notified area committee, 6477 inhabited villages and 281 uninhabited villages.
Flora and Fauna of Jammu & Kashmir
Festivals of Jammu and Kashmir
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