Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh

Urvi Kadambi

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear about the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh? Restoration of statehood? Well, then you are at the wrong page. Since the past two years, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, have been making headlines regarding the political scenario in the Union Territories. But, that is not what I am going to talk about today.

Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are more than what they are known for. Commonly described as ‘ Paradise on Earth’ or ‘India’s Switzerland’, the northernmost Union Territories of India attract thousands of people across the globe, who fly here to witness the scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage.

Let us now look at some facts which makes Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh earn the name,

‘ Paradise on Earth’.

The Union Territories are known for their scenic beauty and also nicknamed, ‘ Abode of Snow’. Their snow- capped peaks can be seen from as high as an aeroplane. Home to the Himalayas, the Union Territories house some of the highest peaks in the world like Nanda Devi, Brammah, etc.

The Amarnath peak contains the Amarnath cave which is sacred to the Hindus. The cave is famous for its naturally formed, ice sculpted Shiva Lingam. The snow that falls in the cave takes the form of a Shiva Lingam and solidifies. Every year thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit this place and offer their prayers to Lord Shiva.

The next stop is the famous town of Sonmarg. Sonmarg, a town in Kashmir, is known as ‘ The Land of Golden Meadows’. It is so called as it consists of flowery meadows, snow clad peaks and glaciers. The Zero point in Sonmarg, which is approximately 80 km away from Srinagar (the summer capital of the Union Territory), is a famous tourist destination. The temperature at this place goes below freezing point. The point is surrounded by mountains on all sides, forming a perfect zero and hence its name. On crossing one mountain, you are 11 km away from Amarnath, and on crossing another, you arrive at the town of Pahalgam.

The Zoji La Pass, the highest pass in the world, connects Sonmarg to Leh in Ladakh and passes through Zero Point.Salman Khan’s hit movie, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, was shot in Sonmarg.

Let us now look at some water bodies which add to the beauty of the Union Territories; the most famous one being the Dal Lake in Srinagar. The Dal Lake is the second largest of its kind in Jammu and Kashmir. Located in Srinagar, spanning over 22km2 with a depth of 4.7 to 6 feet, the lake is also known as ‘ Srinagar’s Jewel’, as it is a major tourist attraction. The Lake contains the world’s first floating post office.

Now, coming to Pangong Tso in Ladakh. One would expect this to be the largest lake in India. However, that is not the case. The Pangong Tso, covers an area of 699.3 km2. A great majority of two thirds of this lake lies in China, while only one thirds lies in India. Hence, it is not considered as the largest lake in India. However, this lake is the highest saltwater lake in the world. This lake is known for changing its colour from blue to green to red. Other water bodies include Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sindh, Indus, Neelam, Nilagrad, etc.

Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are home to a number of religions namely:

Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism and Islam. Here are some famous temples, gurudwaras, mosques and monasteries in the Union Territories.

The Kheer Bhawani Temple, dedicated to Maa Kali, a form of Durga, is located in Srinagar. The shrine is placed on a natural spring which is known to change its colour, depending upon the situation . For example, the spring changed its colour from blue to red before the Indo-Pak war in 1971 and to black before the exodus of the Hindu Pandits. Thus, it serves as a forewarning to the people of Kashmir. Since the exodus of Hindu Pandits, the shrine has been maintained by the Muslims.

Coming to the Pandrethan Temple.The shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in a water hole to the North of Jhelum. The shrine is carved out of a single rock.

Next is the most famous temple in Jammu and Kashmir- Vaishnodevi Temple. This temple is sacred to The Hindus. Each year thousands of pilgrims visit the temple and offer their prayers to the Hindu Goddesses- Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati. The temple is considered to be one of the hundred and eight Shakti Peethas. It is believed that a part of Goddess Sati’s clothing, jewellery or body fell upon this very place when she immolated herself.

Moving on to the famous mosques, gurudwaras and monasteries in the Union Territories.

Hazratbal Mosque is the most famous mosque in Jammu and Kashmir. It is the most sacred mosque in the entire Union Territory as in it, is stored, Prophet Muhammed’s hair and accessories. It is dome shaped with minarets, resembling the Mughal architectural style.

Next, one of the most famous Gurudwaras in the Union Territory: Gurudwara Guru Nanak Sahib, Awantipura.

This famous Gurudwara is located in Awantipura, near the Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is said that Guru Nanak Sahib visited some Shaivites or Shiva followers in the Shankaracharya Temple. Hence, the temple is sacred to both- The Sikhs and The Hindus.

The Gurudwara is built to commemorate Guru Nanak Sahib’s stay.

Now travelling Northwards, we arrive at the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh.

This monastery is the largest and one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh. Surrounded by colourful flags on all sides, the monastery is adorned with sculpted figures. The monastery also contains The Wheel of Life.

Speaking about religious places and places of worship, you may have wondered about the architectural style of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

Well, the traditional architectural style of the Union Territories is not any different from what we see in the rest of the country. Ruled by the Mughals for four years, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, display monuments built by sandstone or marbles, with a dome shaped roof, minarets surrounding the main structure and spacious courtyards.

A classic example of Mughal architecture is The Shalimar Bagh in Srinagar. Neighbouring the Dal Lake, the Shalimar Bagh is the biggest Mughal Garden in Kashmir. Just like the Qutb Minar, the Bagh was altered numerous times by Mughal and non- Mughal rulers. The foundation of the Bagh was laid by King Pravarasena-II, who founded the city of Srinagar. Then came Emperor Jahangir, who reconstructed the garden to impress his wife Nur Jahan. His son, Shah Jahan made further changes to the structure and increased the dimensions of the courtyard.

The main structure is made up of black marble. Just like many Mughal structures, the bagh contains the Diwan-e-Khas-a hall traversed only by the nobles and courtiers,and the Diwan-e-Aam which is open to both-the public and the royal family. There are three gardens within the courtyard. The first garden is open to both-the public and the royal family-and ends in the Diwan-e-Aam. The second garden is open to only the nobles and the courtiers and ends in the Diwan-e-Khas. The third garden is open to the women in the royal family.

The Shalimar Bagh is known for the niches situated behind a waterfall and the natural water spring which is said to have medicinal properties. It also contains numerous water channels and fountains.

Let us now discover the cultural and traditional background of the Union Territories.

Urs Festival is one of the largest festivals in Jammu and Kashmir. It is sacred to the Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims. It is celebrated on the death anniversary of the Sufi Saint-NizamUdDin- who preached equality and brotherhood.

Other widely celebrated festivals of the state include Eid, Hemis and Rama Navami.

Moving on to the dances. Kud is one of the most popular dances of Jammu and Kashmir, performed mainly in the mountainous regions. It is performed every year, during the harvest season, to thank the Lok Devtas for taking care of their cattle and crops. The dance has interesting movements, which are in rhythm with the instruments like Chhaina, Narsingha, drums, flute,etc. People dance in groups.

Rouf is another famous folk dance of the Union Territories. It consists of intricate footwork and hand gestures. It is so popular that it was used in the Bumbro song of the bollywood movie- Mission Kashmir.

Moving on to the economy and occupations of the Union Territories.

The main occupations of the people of the Union Territories include cattle rearing and farming.

Cattle rearing is practised in the mountainous regions of Kashmir and Ladakh whereas farming is practised in the plains of Jammu. Horse riding and forest rearing are the other major occupations of people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

Tourism is the most promising industry here.

Bordered in the West, North and East by Pakistan and China, the Union Territories often face firing and terrorist attacks. Thus, a lot of young boys join the military.

In recent times, the political scenario in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh is horrifying. This is due to the constant attacks by China and Pakistan and multiple civil wars. Moreover, the loss of statehood and the exodus of the Hindu Pandits from the Union Territories has led to a cold-war like situation and subsequent economic loss.

Just like other places, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have a few unsolved mysteries.

Have you ever heard about the Magnetic Hills of Ladakh? Well, it is not exactly the Bermuda Triangle, but no aeroplanes or helicopters can fly over it. If they do, they get pulled towards the ground and may crash land. Thus, the military generally avoids this region.

Another interesting fact about these hills is that the vehicles travelling on it accelerate to a maximum of 20km/hr even when they are stationery. Thus, drivers driving vehicles carrying tourists stop at this spot so that the tourists can experience the magnificent effect.

The cause of this phenomenon is yet to be ascertained. While scientists say that there exists a magnetic force that causes this effect, villagers believe that this road led to heaven and only those who were good, would go up the road.

Another mysterious discovery is of the ancient statues at the foot of the Pir Panjal range. These artifacts have been discovered in many places across the Union Territories. No one knows when or how they came to be there. Some of the statues are of horsemen in war while some are of the ancient deities who resemble the present day Hindu deities.