Patnitop or Patni Top is a summit traveller site in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir state. Patni top is situated on National Highway from Jammu on the way from Udhampur to Srinagar. The towns of Kud and Batote are located nearby to Patnitop. These are the very small towns where sweet shops make fresh Patissa, a sweet dish of Jammu and Kashmir.
Location of Patnitiop
Patnitop is situated on a plateau in the Shiwalik belt of the Himalayan Mountain Range. Patnitop exists at an altitude of 2,024 m (6,640 ft). Chenab flows very near from this location. Patnitop is situated in the Lower Himalayan Range close to the Pir Panjal Mountain range. It is about 47 kilometres from Udhampur and 112 km from Jammu. This famous hill resort is perched on a beautiful plateau, located at an altitude of 2024 m across which the Jammu-Srinagar Highway passes.
History of Patnitop
The name of this hill station, Patnitop has a distortion of the original name of the place. It was named as "Patan Da Talab" meaning "Pond of the Princess". In the ancient times, there located a pond, which existed in the meadows and a certain princess often used to bathe there. Some parts of the pond in Patnitop still exist near the hostel. It may be the case that the British Armies had difficulties recording the Indian name correctly in their revenue records. Hence, over the years the name has changed from "Patan Da Talab" to Patnitop.
Landform of Patnitop
Patnitop is enveloped by thickly wooded Cedar and Deodar forests. Patnitop offers beautiful picnic spots, peaceful walks and breathtaking views of the mountain escapade of the Chenab River basin. In winter, Patnitop is generally covered with a thick mantle of snow thus providing opportunities for various snow games including skiing. It is the closest winter resort to Jammu and to Udhampur and is second to none in its natural charm, climate, pine forests and lush green cover. Tourism Department of Jammu and Kashmir as well as the army have some holiday homes here.
Tourism in Patnitop
Patnitop offers some of the beautiful tourist spots like Billo ki powri, Dawariyai, Natha Top and Kud.
