The Paradise on Earth-Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is a state situated in the north most state of India. If you have to search for heaven on earth, you will find it in Jammu and Kashmir. This place was considered as an important destination for tourism before militant activities in 1989. However with the decrease in violence in these past years, tourism has been revived in this valley of picturesque scenery and once tourism has boosted the economy of the state. Jammu is a perfect place for tourist destinations and some of the most famed destinations of this area have been listed below- Gulmarg- It is a hill station and also one of the most popular skiing destinations in the world. It is the best place for learning skiing as it has some of the best slopes for the beginners and ones who have just learned the art of skiing. This place also offers many other snow sports during the winters. Amarnath Temple- Amarnath cave holds a very significant place in the spiritual believes in Hinduism. This holy place is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The place is visited by thousands of devotees every year to get a sight of the pious lingam of Shiva. The place is also known for its scenic views enroute to the holy cave. Leh- It was once the capital of Ladakh. Leh’s major tourist attractions is the rich cultural inheritance of this place, eye-catching activities like the traditional Polo match and Village archery and other traditional activities like folk dance and songs. Srinagar- Also known as ‘Venice of the East’, it is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The city is famed among tourists for its variety of flora and fauna, lakes such as Dal Lake and Nagin Lake, apart from the natural splendor; these lakes are also noted for houseboats. The city also consists some of the eminent hallowed places which gives us a clear picture of the historical culture and diversity of this place. Mansar Lake- Mansar Lake is a gorgeous lake surrounded by wooden hills. Apart from being a famous tourist site, it is also a holy destination. In the complex of this lake, there are a number of pious temples like a temple of a snake god, Sheshnag, another temple of Durga and two other ancient temples of Narasimha and Parvathi Shiva. Amar Mahal Palace- This palace was built in 19th century by a French architect for Raja Amar Singh. This palace has now been transformed into a museum. It has been structured out of red sandstone and is an attractive place located between the two rivers, Shivaliks and Tawi. One of the main attractions of this palace is an outstanding golden throne, located in one of the rooms of the palace, made out of 120 kg of gold and bears the design of golden lions in it. Bahu Fort- The fort was originally built by Raja Bahulochan which was again renovated by the Dogra rulers in the 19th century. The fort is a religious place as there is a temple within the compound of the fort, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. The temple is known as "Bave Wali Mata temple" among the local people.