Roots and Reflections - Exploring Ideas, Experiences and Wisdom

There are several tourists destinations in Jammu division like Patnitop, Nathatop, Sanasar, Mansar, Surinsar, Katra, Badarwah etc. Apart from these tourist destinations, now a days Udhampur is emerging as the best tourist destination offering natural Scenic beauty, culture and heritage. Nestled in the peaceful surroundings of Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir is the Dudu Valley, a place that harmonizes nature, spirituality, and adventure. With the Ramnagar–Basantgarh, Dudu–Latti, and Mantalai–Sudh Mahadev–Chenani axis, the site is a paradise ready for discovery. If you want to experience peace in nature, want to find the roots of your belief, or simply feel the excitement of a journey into the mountains, you will be able to experience Dudu Valley in a potent way where every corner of the road will present something new and certainly pure. The valley is steeped in spiritual meaning. It forms part of a sacred circuit consisting of ancient temples and shrines associated with the Naga...

Shankaracharya Temple is one of the most revered and ancient temple of Hindus. This famous Hindu temple is situated on the zabarban range in Srinagar in the Kashmir valley of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The temple is located at elevation/height of 1000 feet above surface level of the main srinagar city. Shankaracharya mandir is dedicated to lord Shiva and is considered to be the oldest shrine of worship in Kashmir valley. This ancient shrine offers a majestic panoramic view of the Srinagar city and the mesmerizing Dal Lake. From the premises of Shankaracharya Mandir, Srinagar appears like a bowl-shaped valley, beautifully cradled by high rising mountains on all four sides. Though I have visited Srinagar city many a times but due to tight schedules I didn't get chance to visit this glorious and sacred place of worship. This temple is also one of the main pilgrimage site for Kashmiri pandits and there is huge rush of devotees especially on the occasion of Maha Shivratri...

Kashmir Valley: A Cradle of Ancient Faiths and Sacred Traditions The valley of Kashmir is a prominent location for temples, shrines and other places of worship, showcasing a long and varied tradition of rich religious history and spiritual value. These religious locations vary from Hindu temples to Muslim shrines and both appeal to a number of religious pilgrims and tourists alike. The religious experiences of the Kashmir Valley have a tremendous story to tell about its own rich cultural and spiritual legacy and intriguing history for those who visited looking for both. Carrying an overwhelming presence through a magical landscape in South Kashmir, the Katyayani Temple at Kakran in the Kulgam district is an oasis of devotion, heritage and cultural memory for the Kashmiri Pandit community. Once hailed as one of the most sacred and oldest temples sacred to the native people of the valley, this holy shrine has been a part of the spiritual life for all previous generations of Kashmiri Pand...

Today one of my childhood friend Salim planned my visit to the sacred Khanbarni temple which is situated at Devsar Kulgam district of Kashmir valley. This temple is located in south Kashmir and is an important place of worship for all devotees especially Kashmiri pandit community and thank God I was fortunate enough to visit this place. The visit had particular significance as it was a personal visit to my roots, albeit one made difficult through my upbringing in Jammu, as the knowledge of contemporary Kashmir ideology limits geographical knowledge at both the local and regional narratives. I really feel proud that I had the privilege of visiting the Khanbarni Mata Temple, a place of deep spiritual significance and serenity. Accompanying me on this journey was my dear university friend, Mohd. Salim, a local Kashmiri from Tullinowpora Danow, Kulgam. Salim, with his vast geographical knowledge of the region, was the perfect guide and companion. His warm welcome and heartfelt hospitality ...

                                              Whole of Jammu and Kashmir is the land of shrines, temples and other religious places and spirituality is the main attribute of this place and so pilgrim tourism has a big scope in the overall tourism of the Jammu and Kashmir. The development of pilgrim tourism along with the overall tourism is very much the need of the hour and the development and exploring the tourist potential of the two will ultimately result in the significant development of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir. Some three, four decades ago Kashmir was infamous for militancy ,killings and violence and the people were hesitant to undertake visit to J&K.  However, those difficult times are over and history now, and the winds of optimism, normalcy, peace, and development are gathering to provide this place a good name to which it deserves. Jammu and Kashm...

In the summer, the lovely Bani and Sarthal valleys of District Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir have been having an influx of tourists, adventure enthusiasts and others seeking to escape the heat and enjoy the pristine natural surroundings of the Bani-Sarthal area for the last several years. The glaciated valley of Bani can also be accessed through Banikhet-Kheri Dam (Hut Maska) at one and a half hours from Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh. Sarthal is only 24 kms from Bani and has nice meadows in the vicinity, it also sees a similar number of tourists from Kathua, Bhaderwah, Pathankot and other areas of J&K and Himachal. Upon arrival at Bani, sightseers are enchanted by the beauty of this area. The lush green meadows of Dhagger, Roulka, Doulka, Sarthal, Chattergala, Banjal and Duggan, all located not too far from Bani are not only picturesque, but also make for refreshing locales. The eager nature tube of tourists visit these places and immerse themselves into the bounties of nature, in poll...

On a height from the holy banks of the Devika River in the Jammu region, Purmandal, an ancient place of pilgrimage, is located about 20 kilometers from Purmandal Morh on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway. The river which originates at Sudhmahadev, another well-known Tirath in Jammu, is also called Gupt-Ganga. Amidst these hallowed grounds, Mahadev, the supreme Lord among all the deities, slew Sudhi demon with his trident at this place when the latter cast an evil eye on the female deity. The trident that was partially damaged in the duel between them is affixed along with its two or three pieces within the temple premises. Jangams (Shiv Yogis), since time immemorial, have hailed and chanted hymns in praise of Lord Shiva and Parvati in commemoration of their marriage ceremonies that is performed on the auspicious day of Shivratri.  As per these hymns, Mata Parvati was born at Chenani town, belonging to the District Udhampur, Jammu Province. King Himachal, king of Chenani, was to ...

Bungas Valley is also known as paradise of Kashmir and it is a beautiful, serene and picturesque tourist destination that is famous not only in India but in abroad as well. Tourists from all over India visit this amazing and mesmerizing site during their travel to Kashmir. With its countless meadows holding a sylvan beauty, the verdant valley of Bangus bears little resemblance to any of Kashmir's well-known tourist spots, particularly as it falls before the small Kupwara district in the purple haze of late evening. Few observers see this valley as attracting tourists unless they have an inkling for the beauty of Kashmir's panoramas. Once in this valley, the sky is the starting point for other realms, free from people, modern buildings, and a sparse number of residents. This is the least discovered region of Kashmir and has thus avoided the rapacious tourist crowds. The meadows here are at an altitude of around 10,000 ft and are about 128 km from Srinagar. This valley of Kashmir...

                       (Trishul of Lord Shiva)                       (Image courtesy: Internet) This highly revered Shiva temple is situated 42 kilometers from the popular tourist destination of Patnitop and 112 kilometers from Jammu, within the Udhampur district. According to legend, after bathing in a spring known as Gouri Kund, just before reaching Sudh Mahadav, Goddess Parvati would worship the Shivling  which is often considered as 3000 years old.  Many pilgrims visit the shrine on the full moon night of Sawan to partake in the festival honoring Lord Shiva. The mystical underground stream, Devak, is considered sacred like the Ganges, as it originates at Sudh Mahadav and vanishes into the rocks a short distance downstream. Additionally, there are locally crafted wooden sculptures to admire. Accommodation is available at the Tourist Saraj, managed by the J&...