Tourist Industry
Tourism
is one of the major industries of the State. This industry provides employment
to lakhs of people directly and indirectly Hotliers, house boat owners,
transporters, travel-agencies, traders, guides, porters, ponymen, boatmen,
handicrafts and small scale industry units and many others earn their livlihood
because of this industry. Private and public sector agencies provide necessary
facilities to the tourists and every year the number of tourists increases.
Places of Tourist
Interest
Monuments
The ancient history
of Kashmir is present in its beautiful historical monuments. These are Martand
temple, Ardnwan Monastery at Harwan, Shankaracharya temple, Sharika Bhagwati-temple,
and ancient ruins at Avantipora, Pattan, Baramulla, Parihaspur, Handwara and
Andarkot. History of India has left deep marks in Kashmir in its grand remains
of early civilisation. These are the remains of temples of learning and worship
which were Kashmir's glory in ancient times. Pari Mahal, Kabutar Khana, and
Hariparbat in Srinagar are also the ancient monuments in the Valley of Kashmir.
Gardens
The Mughal gardens- Nishat,
Shalamar, Bijbehara, Achhabal, Verinag, Naseem and Chashma Shahi are some of the
marks of Mediaeval history.
Fishing
It is a sport very
much liked by tourists. Mahaseer fish is found in the river Jhelum near Sumbal,
Sopore, and Baramulla bridge. Trout fish is found in Harvan Hatchery and
Achhabal Hatchery. Common carp is found in the river Jhelum and its tributaries.
The Wullar lake, the Dal lake, the Manasabal lake and the Anchar lake are other
fishing spots.
Hunting
The hills and
mountains of the state of Jammu and Kashmir are known for Big Game. Markhoor,
Brown Bear, Leopard, and Barasingha are mostly found in Kanag, Baltistan,
Pirpanjal and in the Middle and Inner Himalayas.
Hiking and Trekking
Hiking and trekking
is an attractive excursion for tourists. The places for hiking and trekking are:
Affarvat - 4420 meters,
Amarnath Cave - about 5372 meters, Dras - 3050 meters, Harmukh Mountain - 5160
meters, Kolahai - 4270 meters, Kausarnag -3965 meters. Qazinag - 4720 meters,
Leh - 3630 meters, Mahadev - 3500 meters. Nangaparbat - 8115 meters, Khilin -
3050 meters, Sheshnag - 6470 meters and Kajinag - 3700 meters above sea level.
In the high snows ...
mountaineering opportunities in the Himalayas excite even professionals.
Watersports in Kashmir
range from river rafting (top) to water trekking on the lakes and rivers of the
valley (above).
Winter Sports in
Kashmir
Skating in Gulmarg
attracts many tourists during the months of December, January and February.
Tourist-Spots and
Health Resorts
Name
of Place |
Distance
from
Srinagar |
1. Achhabal |
62 Kms. |
2. Kokarnag |
77 Kms. |
3. Verinag |
80 Kms. |
4. Pahalgam |
96 Kms. |
5. Gandarbal |
21 Kms. |
6. Gangabal |
66 Kms. |
7. Sonamarg |
82 Kms. |
8. Gulmarg |
45 Kms. |
9. Lidarwat |
117 Kms. |
10. Chandanwari |
109 Kms. |
11. Aru |
99.3 Kms. |
12. Yusmarg |
34.5 Kms. |
Places
of Pilgrimage
For Hindus important
places of Pilgrimage are: Shri Amarnath Cave, Mattan, Khirbhawani and Mahadev.
The Muslims have the
following places of Pilgrimage:
Hazratbal, BabaRishi (Gulmarg),
Charar-e-Sharif, Shrine of Makhdoom Shah Hamza and Shah Hamdan.
Botanical Interest
Valuable plants and herbs
are found in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. These vary from altitude to
altitude. Interested people visit the state in search of these plants and herbs.
Arts
and Crafts
Kashmiris are well known
for their artistic talent and craftsmanship throughout the world. Weaving
shawls, wood-carving, embroidery on silk and woollen clothes with fine, colouful
and attractive designs,making of wicker-willow artifacts, silver-ware
manufacture and carpet weaving of very superior workmanship are some of the arts
and crafts which they have inherited from their forefathers. Tourists are very
fond of these handicrafts
House-Boat Life
Houseboat life is also a
great attraction for tourists in Kashmir. In these well-furnished boats there is
every kind of indoor comfort. All the necessaties and comforts of day to day
life are available in these houseboats. These are in fact small luxury houses.
Thousands of visitors like to stay in these houseboats not only during summer
but winter days too.
Houseboats line Dal lake's
banks.
Springs
and Lakes
Wullar, Dal, Anchar, Harvan, Hukarsar, Konsarnag, Sheshnag and Neelnag lakes in the province of
Kashmir are the best picnic spots for tourists to spend their vacation.
Kashmir valley abounds in
numerous springs of which Martand, Verinag, Anantnag, Achhabal, Chashma Shahi,
Khirbhawani, Alpathar, Kicharnag, Sukhnag, Vishnosar and Harmukat Ganga are
famous. These places are fine picnic spots where tourists like to spend their
vacation in the company of nature.
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