District Headquarters and main places
1. Srinagar City: The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir State lies in the center of the Kashmir valley at 34.50 North longitude and 74.50 East longitude. It is 1524 meters above sea level. The most beautiful spot is the temple of Shankarcharya on a hill over looking the city. The other is the Hariparbat hill with a fort on its top. The city is spread on both the banks of the river Jhelum for about 6.5 kms. The city is now expanding towards new settlements of Jawahar Nagar and Burzala on the elevated road towards the aerodrome-Damodar Karewa. The aerodrome is situated on the Damodar Karewa. Srinagar is the focus of tourist attraction. It is well known for handicrafts like shawl carpets, woollen and silk cloth, wood carving, silver wares, papier-mache and willow work. There are many Degree Colleges, a Medical College and an Engineering College in this city. The University of Kashmir, situated in Srinagar, provides instruction in multiple postgraduate courses.
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2. Anantnag is 45 Kms from Srinagar towards Banihal. Khannabal is only 2.5 Kms. from Anantnag and after passing through Khannabal one reaches Anantnag. It lies at 33.40 North altitude and 75.10 East longitude. It is District Headquarter. There are many holy springs in this area. Besides wooden toys, embroidered namdas and gabbas are made here. There is one Govt. Degree College in this town.
3. Achhabal is located at a distance of 10 Kms. from Anantnag. The water of the spring there is cold and helps digestion. Trout fish is found in abundance and the visitors from far and wide come here to spend hot summer days. It is a famous health resort
4. Kokarnag is also a health resort situated at a distance of 27 Kms. from Anantnag and 13 Kms. from Verinag. There are beautiful camping grounds in Kokarnag for the visitors to spend their summer days.
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5. Mattan is located on the Srinagar-Pahalgam road about 10 Kms. from Anantnag. The Hindus consider the spring at Mattan holy. The spring is full of fish. Its water irrigates agricultural land near Mattan.
6. Verinag lies at the foot of the Pirpanjal on the side of Kashmir valley. There is a beautiful spring at Verinag, which is the source of the river Jhelum. The town is 34 Kms. from Anantnag. The Tourist Department of the State has constructed some beautiful huts here for the tourists to the valley. It is also a famous health resort.
7. Pahalgam is a township 2651 metres above sea level. It is a very famous health resort in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. It is 96.5 Kms from Srinagar in Liddar Valley. There are beautiful camping grounds on the banks of the river Liddar. Hindu pilgrims going to Shri Amarnath Cave situated at a height of 600 metres above sea level have to pass through Pahalgam. They first go to Pahalgam and then to Amarnath either on foot or on ponies.
More about Pahalgam with Pictures
Another three pictures of Pahalgam
Some more Pictures of Pahalgam
8. Kulgam is a township to the west of Anantnag. The area of the town is 5.54 Sq. Kms. It is on the way between Shopian and Anantnag.
9. Shopian is a foot-hill town. It has an area of 5.44 Sq. Km and is 55. Kms. south of Srinagar. Some beautiful places like Aharbal fall; Kaunsarnag and Kungwattan surround this area. Icebergs flow in these lakes till June. Aharbal fall is 13 Kms. from Shopian. The town is well known for hand-woven Lois (woollen blankets). Apple orchards are in abundance here. The Mughal Kings used to come to Kashmir via Rajouri - Aliabad-Shopian route.
10. Gandarbal is known for its clean, cold water and fresh air and tasty fish. It lies on the banks of the Nullah Sind. The alluvial plain is sandy. It is also known for its camping ground. It is 21 Kms. from Srinagar. Khirbhawani temple is at a distance of 5 Kms. from this place. The Sind Valley HydroElectric Project is located at Gandarbal.
11. Pampore is a small township on Srinagar-Jammu road. The Government has established very big factories for the manufacture of furniture, plywood, bricks and tiles. The town is famous throughout the world for the best quality of saffron grown here.
12. Sopore is 13 Kms. from Baramulla towards Srinagar. It is 6 Kms. by water through the river Jhelum and is close to the Wullar Lake. Cool breezes blowing from the lake towards Sopore make evenings windy. Fish and fruit from this town are exported outside the State. From Sopore a road leads to Lolab Valley, Handwara and Tetwal. There is one Agricultural University at Sopore. This town is well known for woollen patus. There is also one Degree College here.
13. Baramulla is 55 Kms. to the north of Srinagar. It lies at 34.1 de. North Latitude and 72.2 de East Longitude. It is located at a height of 1600 metres above sea level. The river Jhelum is navigable only upto Baramulla. The area of the town is 6.22 Sq. Kms. It is known for its fruit orchards There is one Govt. Match Factory and one Half-wrought rifle Factory located here The importance of B as a trade center has declined considerably since the Jhelum-Valley cart-road was blocked in 1947. There is also one Degree College in this town.
14. Handwara is at a distance of 26 Kms. from Sopore. It is the Tehsil Headquarter. In this area is situated Nichahom where lignite is mined. The mountains begin to rise and road leads to mountain passes, which are guarded by the army.
15. Bandipora is a township on the eastern bank of the Wullar Lake. It is 4.97 Sq. Kms. in area. From here the road rises up the mountains leading to Gurez and Gilgit. The town is known for the export of hand-woven Lois (woolen blankets).
16. Uri is a township in the north of Baramulla. It lies in the narrow gorge of the Jhelum. Beyond Uri is the cease-fire-line making it militarily important.
17. Teetwal is situated on the left bank of the river Kishanganga. A road leads to Sharda and Keran from Teetwal. It is surrounded by mountains and is an important town located at the cease-fire line.
18. Liddarwat is at a distance of 21 Kms. from Pahalgam. It is located at a height of 3390 metres above sea, 1evel and is a health resort. There are many camping grounds in this area for the visitors to stay during summer.
19. Chandanwari is situated at a distance of l9 Kms. from Pahalgam towards Amarnath Cave. It is at a height of 3288 metres above sea level. It is also a very good health resort.
20. Aru is at a distance of 3.03 Kms. from Pahalgam. This is a beautiful mountainous meadow or grassy land. Tourists enjoy camping here during summer days.
21. Sonamarg is located at a distance of 84Kms. from Srinagar towards Zojila pass. It is covered with thick forests and situated at a height of 2438.4 metres above sea level. Climate of this place is better than that of Gulmarg and Pahalgam. A road leads to Kargil and Leh from Sonamarg.
22. Gulmarg, a beautiful health-resort, is 52 Kms. to the southwest of Srinagar. It is located at a height of 2650 metres above sea level. There is a beautiful camping ground at Gulmarg where thousands of visitors come and enjoy themselves. A bridal path leads to Khilanmarg and Alpather from this place. Grassy lands at Gulmarg are best for playing golf. Pine forests surround the area.
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23. Sheshnag is 24 Kms. from Pahalgam. It is situated at a height of 3600 metres above sea level. The water of the lake is cold and clear. During summer visitors come and enjoy camping at the lake-side.
24. Yusmarg is at a distance of 47 Kms. from Srinagar. It is also a good health resort where the visitors go and enjoy themselves during summer days. It is 18 Kms. from Charar-e-Sharif.
25. Wular Lake is larger in size than the Dal Lake. It is more deeper too. Another lovely place to visit in Kashmir
More about Wular with Pictures
Monday May 10, 2004
