Places to Visit : The scenic beauty of Kashmir has given it the name of heaven on earth. The Shankaracharya Temple provides excellent views of the valley of Kashmir. Other places of tourist attractions are the famous Mughal Gardens of Shalimar and Gulmarg, which offers spectacular scenic beauty. It is also the place where “yatra” to the shrine of Amarnath begins. In Srinagar, one can also enjoy boating in cushioned shikaras across the Dal and Nagin Lakes.
Jammu is known as the city of temples as a number of temples wrapped in age-old myths dot the area. Also, there are quite a few forts and palaces. Some important places of interest are Ranbireshwar Temple, Raghunath Temple, Bahu Fort & Gardens, Peer Baba, Mahamaya Temple, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Amar Mahal Palace, Sudh Mahadev temple, Gauri Kund, Mansar Lake, Purmandal.
Apart from these, 48kms away from Jammu, the shrine of the Goddess Vaishnodevi is one of the most important tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir. It is considered one of the most sacred places worship among the Hindus.
The Mughals decorated the city of Srinagar with manicured waterfront gardens, now collectively known as the Mughal Gardens. The city has quite a few picturesque lakes rimmed with Shikaras (houseboats). Here also you find some old temples and mosques of exquisite architecture. Some important attractions in Kashmir valley are: Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Chashma Shahi, Pari Mahal, Hazratbal Mosque, Jama Masjid, Shankaracharya Temple, Makhdoom Sahib, Martand, Awantipur.
The mountain resort of Gulmarg lies close to Srinagar within this valley. At an altitude of 2,650mtrs, it is the highest green golf course in the world and a premier ski resort in the winter.
Another important site in the region is Pahalgam. Situated at the confluence of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the river Lidder, Pahalgam is a hill station of breathtaking beauty.
At a distance of 46 km from Pahalgam and 141 Kms from Srinagar, Amarnathji is an important pilgrimage in the region. Devout Hindus undertake the long tedious trek to reach the caves during the months of July-August, when the icon of Lord Shiva, is formed naturally of an ice-stalagmite.