Jammu and Kashmir is a paradise for tourists. It is situated on the top most part of the country and it is set like a jewelled crown on the map of India. The majestic Himalayan Mountain Range and the Pir Panjal Range in Jammu and Kashmir, represent the awe-inspiring supremacy, beauty, and opulence of Nature.

Pilgrimage Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is a home to several sacred places of worship. There are many lofty temples, which attract a large number of Hindu pilgrims. The sacred cave shrine of Vaishno Devi, in Jammu and Kashmir, is flooded with devotees almost all throughout the year. A pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi mandir is regarded as one of the holiest pilgrimages. In the cave there are images of three deities, Mahakali, Mahasaraswati, and Mahalakshmi. The Amarnath cave, located on the mount Amarnath, is another holy place for the Hindus. In the month of Shravan, on the full moon in August, thousands of Hindu religious devotees go on a pilgrimage up to the cave. The Mahakali temple at Jammu, in Jammu and Kashmir, is considered second to the Vaishno Devi in respect to spiritual power. The Khir Bhawani temple, in Srinagar, is a very important Hindu Shrine. It is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Ragnya Devi. Khir Bhawani temple is visited by Hindus in large numbers to offer prayers to seek the blessings of the deity. Charar-e-Sharif in Jammu and Kashmir is the mausoleum of Shaikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, and is a holy place for the Muslim devotees. This shrine draws people from all division of life to seek his blessings and favour. The most important Gurudwara in Jammu and Kashmir is Chhatti Padshahi Gurudwara, situated near the Kathi Darwaza, Srinagar, which is held in great awe and reverence by devotees of all faiths especially the Sikhs.

Nature Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir
The beautiful natural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir makes it one of the most coveted destinations in India. The outstanding beauty of the Himalayan Mountain range attracts tourists from all over the world. The valleys in Jammu and Kashmir are an indispensable part of its tourism. The natural splendour of the Kashmir valley is bound to mesmerise the visitors. The Puga valley of Jammu and Kashmir is renowned for its borax and sulphur deposits and hot water springs. This valley is a major crowd pull. The Suru Valley forms the foundation of the Kargil district in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a fertile valley and a much visited destination of Jammu and Kashmir. The Nubra valley of Jammu and Kashmir, portrays some characteristics which are not seen any where else in the Himalayan valleys. The exquisite water bodies of Jammu and Kashmir enhance the beauty of the state. These water bodies are of great environmental and socio-economic implication. The most well-known of these are Dal Lake and Nagin Lake of Srinagar with their multi-faceted eco system and magnificence. National and international tourists horde to the place fascinated by the awe-inspiring beauty of the places.

Leisure Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir has a number of monuments which are of prime historical importance. The Hari Parbat fort of Jammu and Kashmir was built in the 18th century and is a much visited site of the state. The Baghe Bahu fort in Jammu is the oldest structure built almost three thousand years ago by Raja Bahulochan but restored by Dogra Kings. Beautiful gardens and waterfalls enhance the exquisiteness of this fort. Palaces in Jammu and Kashmir also have a great historical significance. Numerous palaces were built in the land of Jammu and Kashmir, but at present only a few survives. The Amar Mahal Palace in Jammu and Ram Nagar Palace in Udhampur Districtare the most well-known palaces of the state.

Adventure Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is an ideal place for adventure and sports tourism. The most popular tourist activities in Kashmir include camping, surfing, white-water rafting, backpacking, kayaking, bicycling, canoe trips, snow skiing, fishing, skiing, hunting, water skiing, rock climbing, hiking, snow boarding trans-Himalayan jeep safaris and paragliding. Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir has one of the world`s highest green golf courses, as well as a clubhouse, which is a historical building in its own right. For the would-be golfer, there are golf sets on hire, pros to coach one in the game, and provisional memberships. A range of rafting options is available on the Indus and its major tributaries.

Visiting information
Jammu and Kashmir is connected with railways, airways and roadways. Travelling to Jammu and Kashmir is quite easy and the place is accessible by air, railways and roadways. The airport of Jammu and Kashmir is located in the city of Jammu. Airlines from Jammu are well linked with most of the important cities of India, such as Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. The most vital railway station in the whole state of Jammu and Kashmir is that of Jammu and is known as Jammu Tawi station. The station is well connected with almost all the key cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. The road network system of Jammu and Kashmir is excellent and connects the state with all major cities like Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Ludhiana District, Jalandhar District and Shimla.

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