100+ Interesting Facts About Jammu and Kashmir

Facts About Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu and Kashmir was the northernmost state of India. The region of Kashmir is known worldwide as a paradise on earth due to its natural beauty.

On August 5, 2016, the Government of India decided to repeal Articles 70 and 8A of the Constitution, which gave privileges to Jammu and Kashmir and to divide the state into two parts. Under it came two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Jammu and Kashmir is connected to the south by Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Jammu and Kashmir is connected to the north-east by China. In addition, the Line of Control separates Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan. Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan are under Pakistan. Pakistan and China have claimed ownership of many parts of the state and many of them are under their control. But India has claimed all these territories.

Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory of India with a Muslim majority. The famous temples of Jammu attract thousands of Hindus to visit it every year.

100+ Intresting Facts About Jammu and Kashmir

Amazing Facts About Jammu and Kashmir

Chhang is one of the most popular alcohol in Ladakh.
In 1587, Akbar annexed Kashmir into his vast empire.
Zoji la is an important pass between Ladakh and Kashmir.
Wular Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia
Rangdum is the highest inhabited region in the Suru Valley.
Stok Kangri is the most popular trekking peak in the Ladakh.
Kashmir is said to have been a favorite vacation spot of the Mughals.
The seasons in Jammu and Kashmir are spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Turtuk village is the last village in India where tourism is permitted.
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is the largest tulip garden in Asia.
Hemis National Park has the highest density of snow leopards in the world.
Srinagar was founded by Emperor Ashoka and not the Mughal emperor Jahangir.
The highest white water rafting in India can be enjoyed on the Zanskar River.
Jammu and Kashmir is the only state in India with a Muslim-majority population.
However, Urdu written in the Persian script is the official language of the state.
Because of Jammu and Kashmir’s wide range of elevations, its biogeography is diverse.
Alchi and Lamayuru monastery are two of the oldest and largest monasteries in Ladakh.
Yak is not just a valuable animal in Ladakh but is also consumed with great delicacy.
The best destinations for Kashmir tourism is Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam.
The Indus and Zanskar rivers meet at Sangam near the Nimmu village, about 35 km from Leh.
The Jhelum River is the only major Himalayan river which flows through the Kashmir valley.
Chenab Bridge is a unique bridge made up of steel, and will resist temperatures upto -20°C.
Mokthuk is a combination of soup and momos, and is greatly relished by the people of Ladakh.

Cultural Facts About Jammu and Kashmir

Kashmir’s cultural heritage flourished with the contribution of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam.
The ruins of Martand Sun Temple is located in Kashmir. It was built around the 8th century CE.
The Aksai Chin region in the east, bordering Tibet, has been under Chinese control since 1962.
Kashmir is the largest producer of saffron in India and the third largest producer in the world.
The Bailey bridge in Ladakh, located at an altitude of 5,602 meters, is the highest in the world.
Houseboats first appeared in the 1800’s in Dal Lake by Pandit Naraindas to house English visitors.
The library in Raghunath Temple in Jammu houses over 6000 manuscripts in several Indian languages.
It’s the only Indian state where the citizens here have both Indian as well as Kashmir citizenship.
Ladakh, also known as “Little Tibet”, is renowned for its remote mountain beauty and Buddhist culture.
Shikara stays are a unique experience highly recommended and usually included in good Kashmir packages.
India’s first floating post office was built on a houseboat at the western edge of Dal Lake in Srinagar.
The famous pashmina shawl is derived from under the belly of domestic himalayan goat called changthangi.
Wazwan is one of the traditional dishes in Kashmir. A 36 course meal, it is an integral part of Kashmir.
The Nubra Valley in Ladakh is the only place in India where the twin humped/Bactrian camels can be found.
Srinagar, in Kashmir Valley, has served as the summer capital, while Jammu has served as the winter capital.
Chadar Trek, which provides an opportunity of walking on the frozen Zanskar River, is one of its kind in India.
The 9 km long Chenani-Nashri Tunnel is located in Chenani, Jammu and Kashmir. It is India’s longest road tunnel.
The Floating Market in Srinagar, is a major tourist attraction and its only kind in India and the third in Asia.
ITBP (Indo Tibetan Border Police) organizes the National Ice Hockey Tournament In Ladakh during the winter months.
The official ‘State Animal’ and ‘State Bird’ of Jammu & Kashmir are the Hangul and Black-necked Crane respectively.

Historical Facts About Jammu and Kashmir

According to the history of Jammu & Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state.
Kalhana, the first Indian history writer, gave a vivid account of the history of Kashmir before the 10th century AD.
Gulmarg Gondola is one of the largest and highest ropeways in India, having a total aerial distance of almost 5 kms.
From Hunderman Village in Kargil, tourists can spot a border village which was deserted by the villagers in Pakistan.
Betaab Valley, located about 15 km from Pahalgam, is named after a Bollywood film of the same name which was shot here.
Ladakh is home to several Himalayan glaciers. Siachen Glacier is the longest himalayan glacier, stretching up to 76 km.
The houseboat or Shikara stays are a unique experience highly recommended and usually included in good Kashmir packages.
One of the biggest attractions of Diskit Monastery in Nubra Valley is the 32 meters tall statue of Maitreya Buddha Jampa.
In 1819, the Sikhs under Maharaja Ranjit Singh annexed this region, but their empire remained in place only for 27 years.
Matho Nagrang, celebrated at Matho Monastery, is unique as it features two oracles, who predict the future for the locals.
There’s no distinctive rainy season due to limited rainfall in Ladakh. The seasons in Ladakh are broadly summer and winter.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the principal spoken languages are Kashmiri, Urdu, Dogri, Pahari, Balti, Ladakhi, Gojri, Shina and Pashto.
His long rule contributed extensively to the spread of art, culture, music, and every other sphere in the life of Kashmir people.
While Aurangzeb visited Kashmir only once, Jahangir topped the chart by visiting this beautiful valley 13 times during his reign.
Nubra Valley is famously known as Broken Moonland, because its landscape resembles that of the moon. Nubra is itself a cold desert.
Gulmarg is the most popular ski destination in India. It was originally called Gaurimarg by the shepherds to honour Goddess Parvati.
The greatest Muslim king of early medieval age in Kashmir was Zain-ul-Abidin, who ascended the throne in AD 1420 and ruled up to 1470.

Unknown Facts About Jammu and Kashmir

The syncretic culture of Kashmir is best encapsulated by the word Kashmiriyat, which described the cultural values of the Kashmiri people.
Marsimik La is the highest pass in Ladakh. Although accessible to tourists, they need to obtain an Inner Line Permit prior to traversing it.
Dras is the coldest inhabited place in India with temperatures reaching as low as -45°C. Dras is the second coldest inhabited place on earth.
Vaishno Devi Temple in Katra, Jammu, which is visited by over 81 lakh pilgrims every year, has been awarded the Cleanest Religious Place Award.
Hazratbal Shrine, one of Kashmir’s holiest shrines, is located in Srinagar and houses a strand of hair believed to be that of Prophet Muhammad.
Jammu and Kashmir is known for its beauty and is described variously as the Paradise on Earth, the Dream Land, the choicest creation of God etc.
A part of the erstwhile Princely State of Kashmir and Jammu, the region is the subject of a territorial conflict among China, India and Pakistan.
Ladakh is the highest settlement in India. The cultivated fields at Korzok, at 4,600 meters, are considered to be the highest fields in the world.
The Indian Astronomical Observatory, situated in the historic village of Hanle in Ladakh, boasts the second highest optical telescope in the world.
The famous Bollywood movie, 3 Idiots, was shot at Pangong Tso. Others parts of Ladakh have also been the site of shooting of several Bollywood movies.
He also created a strong army and annexed many regions nearby Kashmir. These were the time of golden rule in Kashmir when peace and harmony prevailed.
Dras, located in Kargil, is the coldest place in India, and the second coldest place in the world. During winters, temperatures can drop as low as -45°C.
The ancient Mughal garden, Chashme Shahi, was built in 1632 AD. The garden is home to a spring, whose waters are believed to possess medicinal properties.
Pangong Tso, situated at an altitude of 4350 meters, is the highest saltwater lake in the world. Almost 134 km long, 30% of it lies in India and 70% in China.

Mysterious Facts About Jammu and Kashmir

The Magnetic Hill is one of the famous tourist attractions located near Leh in Ladakh. Also known as Gravity Hill, it gives the illusion of a car drifting upwards.
Jahangir, son of Akbar and next Mughal ruler, visited Kashmir 13 times and created two beautiful gardens on the bank of Dal Lake, namely, the Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh.
The western districts of the former princely state known as Azad Kashmir and the northern territories known as Gilgit-Baltistan have been under Pakistani control since 1947.
The Pir Pinjal railway tunnel or the Banihal railway tunnel is 11,215 km or 7 miles long, 8.4m wide and 7.39m tall. It’s India’s longest and Asia’s fourth longest railway tunnel.
The name Srinagar means the “City of Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth”. It was founded by Ashoka the Great. The present city of Srinagar was built by Pravarsena II adjoining the old city.
After the death of King Zain-ul-Abidin, a period of destruction came calling to Kashmir and many raiders from outside looted the state and made the people and local rulers their captive.
Article 370 of Indian Constitution gives the state almost complete autonomy. This has caused the status of J&K to be internationally disputed. It’s the only Indian state to have its own flag.
After two centuries of peace and development, Kashmir came into the hands of the Pathans in 1752, when the Afghan ruler Abdul Shah Abdali attacked this region on the request of local noblemen.
A real charmer, the floating post-office-cum-philately museum fits itself into a largish boat and is moored right on the Boulevard. It is known to be India’s first floating post office is in Kashmir.
The Pir Panjal railway tunnel, or the Banihal railway tunnel, is India’s Longest Railway Tunnel. It is 11,215 km long, 8.4m wide and 7.39m tall. Banihal railway tunnel is India’s longest and Asia’s fourth longest railway tunnel.
Kawa, traditional green tea with spices and almond, is consumed all through the day in Kashmir. Apart from Kawa or Kehwa, Sheer Chai or Gulabi Chai is the traditional beverage of Kashmir. It is pink in colour and salty in taste.

Information About Jammu and Kashmir

The Jhelum River is the only major Himalayan river which flows through the Kashmir valley. The Indus, Tawi, Ravi and Chenab are the major rivers flowing through the state. Jammu and Kashmir is home to several Himalayan glaciers.
The traditional Kashmiri dress, Pheran, the unique copper kettles called Samovar, the earthen fire pots wrapped in woven wicker called Kangiri, handcrafted walnut furniture and souvenirs, etc. are some uncommon things to check out.
While travelling in Ladakh, you will come across a lot of quirky road signs like, “Don’t be a Gama in the land of Lama”, “Darling I like you but not so fast”, “Love the neighbour but not while driving”, “After whisky driving risky”.
Jammu and Kashmir is home to several valleys such as the Kashmir Valley, Tawi Valley, Chenab Valley, Poonch Valley, Sind Valley and Lidder Valley. Because of Jammu and Kashmir’s wide range of elevations, its biogeography is diverse.
There’s no distinctive rainy season due to limited rainfall. Hence the seasons are broadly summer and winter, or spring, summer, autumn and winter. Srinagar, in Kashmir Valley, is the summer capital while Jammu is the winter capital.
Amarnath Cave in Jammu and Kashmir has natural Shiv Lingam made of ice which is over 5000 years old and is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage destination. According to a popular legend, Amarnath cave was discovered by a Muslim shepherd, Buta Malik.
The Kashmiris of Kashmir Valley are largely Muslims, with a few Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists. Small groups of Gujjars and Bakarwals live along the mountains. Commonly spoken languages are Kashmiri and Urdu, though many speak decent English, like a second language.
Jammu and Kashmir consisting of three regions: Jammu(25.93%), the Kashmir Valley(15.73%) and Ladakh(58.33%). The Kashmir valley is famous for its beautiful mountainous landscape, and Jammu’s numerous shrines attract tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims every year.
The state’s best destinations for Kashmir tourism such as Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam, best tourist spots such as Shalimar Bagh, Chasme Shahi and Pari Mahal, important lakes such as Dal lake, Wular lake, Manasbal lake - all lie within the Kashmir Valley.
Centuries ago the Hindu religion flourished here, followed by Buddhism, and Islam with the invasion of Mughals. The state is divided into three administrations because of Article 370 - J&K under India, Azad Kashmir under Pakistan and Aksai Chin under China. Kashmir Valley, however, is completely under Indian governance.
Kashmir is the jurisdictional area of Kashmir, separate from Jammu. Parts of it are currently under rule of Pakistan and China. Kashmir Valley on the other hand is one of the several valleys of Kashmir. It is marked as the area between the Pir Pinjal range in the south-west and the Himalayas in the north-east. The Jhelum river is the only river that flows through here.

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