The
Land & the People
Birth
of Kasmira (Kashmir) - Legend
According
to the Nilamata Purana, the land of Kasmira was
occupied for 6 Manvantaras since the beginning
of the Kalpa, by a vast lake, six yojanas long and
three yojanas wide, called Satisara. In the 7th
Manvantara, the water of the lake was drained
off through an outlet made with plough by Ananta at
the order of Vishnu, who along with other gods
and goddesses had come there to kill the demon
Jalodbhava - invincible in waters. The geological
observations made in recent times corroborate
the assertion made in the Nilamata. M.B.Pithawala in
his “Kashmir, Its Geology & Geography”
and G.E.L.Carter in his “Stone Age in Kashmir”
have supported this theory of the prehistoric great
lake in Kasmira.
The
name Kasmira (Kashmir)
The Nilamata Purana
gives ‘Kasmira’ as the name of the valley, which
is still known as Kashmir throughout the world
and is called by the Kashmiris in their own
language, as ‘Kashir’.
Location
Jammu & Kashmir,
the Northern-most State of India is situated between
73deg-26’ E & 80deg-30’ E Longitudes
and 32deg- 17’ N & 36deg-58’ N Latitudes.
Area
Total area of Jammu
& Kashmir State is 2,22,236 Sq. Kms. out of
which 78114 Sq. Kms. are under illegal
occupation of Pakistan, 5180 Sq. Kms. are illegally
handed over by Pakistan to China and 37555 Sq. Kms.
are under illegal occupation of China.
Other
Information
| Divisions
(Post 1947) |
1. Jammu.
2. Kashmir. 3. Ladakh. |
| Capitals |
Summer -
Srinagar. Winter - Jammu |
| Districts |
Anantnaag, Badgam, Baramulla,
Doda, Jammu, Kargil, Kathua, Kupwara, Leh,
Pulwama, Poonch, Rajauri, Srinagar, Udhampur. |
| Prominent
Mountains |
Himalayan Range
- Peer Panjal, Karakoram, Hindu Kush. |
| Main Rivers |
Sindh (Indus) - Ladakh.
Jhelum (Vitasta)
- Kashmir valley.
Kishenganga -
Kashmir valley.
Chenab - Jammu. |
| Borders of
undivided Kashmir (with foreign countries) |
640 Kms. with
Sinkiang, 720 Kms. with Tibet, 1120 Kms. with
Pakistan and 256 Kms. with Afganistan. |
| Principal
languages |
Kashmiri, Dogri, Pahari, Balti,
Ladakhi, Punjabi, Gujari,
Dardi and Urdu as official language. |
| Population
(1989) |
77,18,700 (This
excludes the population of areas under
unlawful occupation of Pakistan and China. |
| Religion-wise
breakup of population (1981 Census) |
Muslims ~ 64.19
%, Hindus ~ 32.24 % Sikhs ~ 2.23 %,
Buddhists ~ 1.16 % Christians ~ 0.14 %. |
General
description of the Valley
The Valley of
Kashmir is surrounded by mountains varied in f.mp3,
height and colour. To the East of Valley
stands H.mp3ukh at 5150 Mtr. height. To further
South is Mahadev and lofty ranges of Gwasha Brari
(Ht. 5425 M). The peak of Amarnath (Ht.
5280 M) lies in this area. On South-West is Pir
Panjal range with peaks 4500 M high. To the
North are Korakoram and the Himalayas. Nanga Parbat
(Ht.7980 M) lies here. It is the 5th highest peak in
the world. K2, the second highest peak in the
world, lies in the Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The
valley of Kashmir is approximately 134
Kms. in length and 32 to 40 Kms. in width.
Most of its length is traversed by a navigable
river called Jhelum (Vitasta). Srinagar
city is approximately 1585 Mtrs. above mean sea
level.
The entire valley
mountain slopes, smaller valleys at varying heights,
meadows, glaciers, lakes, brooks and springs
make it a paradise, unique in the world. Some
world famous spots of tourist interest are:
Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Kokar Naag, Veri
Naag, Dal Lake, Wular Lake, Anchar Lake, Gangabal,
Mughal Gardens, Pari Mahal, Dachhi Gaam Rakh
etc.
Brief
description of some prominent spots
Pahalgam:
This world famous tourist spot is situated at the
confluence of river Liddar and Sheshnag
stream, 96 kms. away from Srinagar. Its altitude is
2130 Mtrs above sea level. There are cool,
shaded meadows all around. A Shiva temple (Mamleshwar),
believed to be the oldest (8th century) is situated
at village Mamal, 8 kms. from here.
Gulmarg: A
famous tourist spot and the venue of winter sports
(skiing), Gulmarg is one of the highest green
golf courses in the world. It is 56 kms. away
from Srinagar at an altitude of 2730 mtrs.
above sea level. Gulmarg is like a cup shaped
meadow of flowers with lush green turf and
surrounded by pine trees with snow capped
peaks overlooking it. Nangaparbat can be viewed from
here on a clear day.
Sonamarg:
Situated at an altitude of 3000 mtrs., Sonamarg is
87 kms. from Srinagar. It is the last halt on
the valley side for a drive to Kargil/Leh through
Zojila pass. Sonamarg is a vast meadow and the
starting point for going to Vishnasar,
Krishnasar, Gadsar, Satsar lakes and Amar Nath Cave
via Baltal. River Sindh which abounds in Trout
and Mahaseer fish, meanders along here.
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