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One of the largest states of the Indian union, Jammu and Kashmir covers an area of 2,22,236 sq km. This includes 78,114 sq km under illegal occupation of Pakistan, 5,180 sq km handed over by Pakistan to China, and 37,555 sq km under occupation of China. The state lies between 32o 17' to 36o 58' North latitude and 73o 26' to 80o 30' East longitude. From North to South, it extends over 640 km and from East to West, 480 km. It occupies the North-West niche of India, bounded on the South by Himachal Pradesh and the Punjab, on the South West and West by Pakistan, on the North by Chinese Turkistan and a little of Russian Turkistan, and on the East by Chinese Tibet - thus strategically bordering the territories of three countries - Russia, China, and Pakistan. Geographically, the Jammu and Kashmir state is divided into four zones. First, the mountainous and semi- mountainous plain commonly known as Kandi belt, the second, hills including Siwalik ranges, the third, mountains of Kashmir valley, and Pir Panjal range and the fourth is Tibetan tract of Ladakh and Kargil. ARTSDance, drama, music and fine arts date back to hoary antiquity in the state as amply evidenced in the ancient historical records. The synthesising cult of Sufism favoured dance and music, and thus the classical dance forms prevalent in Kashmir absorb the influences from the dance techniques of Persia and central Asia. In the process, Kashmiri music developed affinities with both Indian and Persian prototypes and evolved Sufiana Kalam with fifty-four maqams (modes) which have Indian as well as Persian names . As in the rest of India, classical dancing in Kashmir had a religious back ground. One of the last Hindu kings of Kashmir, Harsha (AD.1089-1101) was a lover of music and arts, patronised dance and drama. King Kalasa (AD 1063-89) introduced ballet dancing and choral music. King and commoner alike cultivated music as a fine art in ancient Kashmir. Music was played in Buddhist Viharas in the reign of Jalauka. Music was a must at religious ceremonies particularly those connected with tantric worship. It was King Kalasa who popularised light operatic songs. The instruments most in favour were the flute, the lute and the drum. The temple music accompaniments were the conch, a big drum and cymbals. There is also a hudukka which can be compared to a bagpipe. Folk music also existed in ancient Kashmir as distinct genre, not in competition with classical music. FESTIVALS IN JAMMU PROVINCE The Lohri festival, marking the culmination of the cold season, is celebrated with zest every where. Children go from door to door to collect subscriptions for the community bonfires. When the fires are lit at night, the young and old gather round the flaming fires throwing parched grain, coins and other offerings into these with gusto. Gay dancing at the venues goes on for hours. On the occasion of the Holi festival, Muslims and Sikhs join Hindus in spraying friends with pails of coloured water. This spring festival, replete with revelry, last three days in the cities and villages. During Navratri, Jammu is crowded with pilgrims on the way to or returning from the shrine. The city wears a festive look, with pilgrims carrying staves and wearing mauli (yellow and red thread) garlands and amulets. Melas are also held in the city and principal towns on Baisakhi or New year day. Bhangra and other dances rendered by troupes are enjoyed by the people. Ramnavami, festival is celebrated by the people of Jammu. Processions are taken out - the centre of attention being tableaux, presenting scenes from the Epic, Ramayana. Shivratri, is a three-day festival in Jammu and is celebrated with eclat at Purmandal, Billavar and Jhandi. The shrine of Shiv Khori is visited by pilgrims on this occasion. Diwali is a gay occasion in the Province, as in rest of India. Guru Ravi Das's birthday is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Jammu city. Public meetings follow Kirtans and Bhajans. Likewise, the Gurpurabs, Guru Nanak's birthday, Navroz and I'd are celebrated providing opportunities for the expression of good fellowship among various communities and castes. Buddha Jayanti , Mahavir Jayanti , Gandhi Jayanti and christmas are also celebrated here as in other parts of the country. Tihar is an interesting festival observed in Bhadarwah and Kishtwar in the months of Chaitra (March-April). Springs and baulis receive a spring-cleaning and this is followed on the next day by worship of nagas (serpents), to whom rice and floral offerings are made. Samkrant or the beginning of a month (in Bikrami era) is regarded as a sacred day by Hindus. Women bathe in rivers and observe a day's fast. FESTIVALS IN KASHMIR PROVINCE The New Year day falls on first Navaratra - the first day of the new moon in the month of Chaitra. In every Hindu home, it begins with an invocation to Lakshmi, the goddess of bounty. In every family, a young lady lays a large plate with paddy, sugar, curds, fruits, walnut, coins, a mirror, ink-holder and the New year scroll. Early in the morning she shows the plate to every inmate and thus seeks the blessings of the goddess for moral and material development of members of the family. The Navroz festival of the Shia Muslims comes a week after the New year day. They celebrate this nine-day festival with good eating and activities showing a spirit of gay abandon, in contrast to recitation of religious dirges that characterise most of their festivals. During the month of April they celebrate Durga Ashtami, followed by Ramnavami. It is the birthday of Lord Rama. For the Kashmiri pandits the day is also connected with goddess Durga, and they celebrate it with a feast of rice and meat viands, after the prayers. In the middle of April or on the Baisakhi day, starts the New year of the Vikrami Samvat. The day presents a grand spectacle of colour and gaiety on the Dal lake and in the gardens that flank it. The Urs (or Ziarats) is a typical Kashmiri festival. It is held annually at the shrines of Muslim saints on their death anniversaries. There is a saying " It snows when the Urs of Meesha Sahib is held, it is windy when the Urs of Batamol Sahib takes place, it rains on the occasion of the Urs of Bahauddin". These Urs are popular despite the rigours of weather. This is celebrated in different parts of Srinagar, not only by Muslims but Hindus and Sikhs also. An interesting feature of the Urs celebrations at Batamaloo (the locality in Srinagar named after the saint Batamol Sahib) and in Anantag (Rishi Mol's anniversary) is that both Muslims and Hindus abstain from taking meat during the course of the festival. The inter-communal participation is the main feature of the Urs celebrations. The anniversary of Rishi Pir, a Hindu saint, held on the fifth day of the full moon of Baisakh, at his home in Srinagar is attended by Muslims also. Muslim festivals which are celebrated nationally, include Shab-i Mairaj which is followed by Shab-i-Barat. The dates of these festivals change in accordance with the appearance of the moon and shift by 10 days each year. During the night of Shab-i-Barat, the Muslims keep vigil. Legend goes that on this night the Holy prophet visits each house and relieves the pains of suffering humanity. Then comes Jeth Ashtami, succeeded in a month by Har Ashtami. These two days are the birthday and the incarnation day, respectively, of the Ragnya goddess. Hindus fast on these days and go on a pilgrimage to Khir Bhawani, a well known spring-girt temple. After a bath in the cool stream nearby, incense and candles are burnt at the altar of the goddess. The counterpart of Khir Bhawani, is Devibal in Anantang, which is also a spring-girt temple. It is visited on these Ashtamis by Hindus living in contiguous areas. A belief connected with these ancient shrines is that their water changes colour according to the state of the society. It has been known to become black before a disaster or calamity. Another Muslim festival of this area is Ramzan. During the month of Ramzan, Muslims abstain from eating or drinking during the day. Kashmiri Dishes Kashmiri cuisine, comprising mostly of non-vegetarian dishes, is characterised by three different styles of cooking - the Kashmiri Pandit, the Muslims and the Rajput styles. Traditional Kashmiri cooking is called 'Wazhawan' and is rich and aromatic with a wonderful flavour. Rice is the staple food and lamb, goat's meat and chicken form the basis of many famous dishes. Spices and condiments play a very important role in the Kashmiri delights. Asafoetida, aniseed, dry garlic, cloves and cinnamon are added for extra flavoring. Kashmiri Hindus use fenugreek, ginger and aniseed in their food, while Muslims use garlic, Kashmiri chillies, cloves and cinnamon. One of the distinct features of Kashmiri cuisine is the generous use of curds in the gravies, giving the dishes a creamy consistency. Some known dishes of Kashmir are yakhni, tabaq naat, dum aloo, rogan josh and gaustaba. The dishes are cooked in mustard oil and water, with the addition of red and green chilies.
TOURISMThe natural beauty of the valley of Kashmir is well known widely and has deservedly won high praise from travelers, since time immemorial. The first Himalayan State of India, Jammu and Kashmir is divided into mainly three regions, the foothill plains of Jammu; the lakes and blue valleys of Kashmir rising to alpine passes, the high altitude plains and starkly beautiful mountains of Ladakh, which lies beyond those passes. The valley, practically one large health resort, is enchanting all the year round. The colourful flower season starts from the middle of March and April. May and June find fruit trees laden with many hued carpets of flowers decking the meadows and hill slopes. One of the most attractive aspects of Kashmir is its adventure prospects which includes trekking, mountaineering, fishing, rafting, heli- skiing to trans Himalayan Jeep Safari. June and July is the best time for swimming, sun-bathing, surf-riding and trekking. August and September are good for fishing trout and mahseer in ice-cold mountain streams. Big and small game are to be found aplenty in September and October; Autumn is the fruit season and also a good time for trekking. December to February is the season for winter sports in Gulmarg. The state experiences extreme climates in the summer and winter. The weather is pleasant from October onwards. However, the best time to enjoy Kashmir and the adventures of Ladakh region is between the months of May and September. Kashmiri handicrafts are known throughout the world for their exquisite craftsmanship. Srinagar is a shoppers paradise of traditional crafts. Several craft shops line the streets of Srinagar. The diverse articles range from woolen textiles of fleecy soft texture and matchless excellence in weaving, hand-woven carpets in both wool and silk with their intricate Persian design, to the exquisite designs worked on papier-mâché, wood work, silverware etc are products of unique craftsmanship. How to Get There Air : Nearest Jammu airport is 8 Kms. from the city centre. Indian Airlines operates scheduled from Jammu to Delhi- and Srinagar / Leh. Jet Airways also operates services between Jammu - Delhi and Jammu - Srinagar. Reservation : Rail : Jammu Tawi is an important railhead of the Northern Railways serving the Jammu and Kashmir state. Tourist Information Offices
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