Posts

Sacred Flora of Trikuta Hills

-
The three towering peaks of the Trikuta Hills are a well known, worldwide pilgrimage to Mataa Vaishno Devi’s shrine. The shrine itself is situated in a beautiful setting among pine trees, so we get many thousands of devotees from many miles away, both in and outside of India; who all pay their respects to the Goddess Vaishno Devi, asking for spiritual blessings and for peace and harmony throughout all humanity. The trek to the holy shrine starts at the Banganga river and continues through beautiful areas such as Charan Paduka, Adh Kuwari and Bhairo Ghati until you finally arrive at the sacred shrine in Vaishno Devi Bhawan. As you walk along the trek, you get to see an abundance of stunning flowers that adorn the area within the beautiful hilly landscape that you are walking through. Holy shrine is celebrated through numerous phases (i.e., Autumn, Winter, etc.) based on their characteristics as they relate to the pilgrim's journey. Autumn is characterised by hues of falling foliage ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Baba Bhed Devta Temple, Jammu

-
Image
A Sacred Dogra Heritage Shrine: The shrine of Baba Bhed Devta is a hidden gem and a significant aspect of the cultural traditions of the Dogra people who inhabit the Shivalik Hills and nearby area. Located in the southern part of the Shivalik Hills, the shrine can be found where the holy River Suryaputri (the modern stream Tawi) meets the hill. Baba Bhed Devta or "Baba Bhed Nag" is a Dogra style shrine with many stories and unverified accounts written by people who visit it. The incredible natural setting of the shrine, in addition to its distance from larger towns, gives the shrine a sense of holiness. Baba Bhed Nag became the king of the Jammu dynasty because Vasuki Nag (King of the Serpents), his father, provided him with control of the Jammu kingdom after he was able to redirect the waters of the Tawi River from the Kali Kundi Glacier located in the Kaplash Mountains in Bhaderwah, and it resulted in the many Rajput families with small kingdoms in the Jammu region viewing ...
1 comment
Read more

Bhal Padri Jammu: A New Tourist Paradise

-
Image
Background of Bhal Padri: The town of Bhal Padri or as commonly known "Mini Kashmir" has opened its doors to tourists. This beautiful location is an awe-inspiring place to be in the midst of the magnificent scenery of the beautiful Gandoh region within Doda of Jammu and Kashmir. The breathtaking scenery offers visitors many opportunities to experience the spectacular beauty of nature with its many alpine mountains and landscape, scenic hiking trails, postcard views, etc. J&K offers its visitors magnificent scenery consisting of snow-covered mountains, peaceful valleys, and beautiful meadows teeming with Flora and Fauna. Bhal Padri adds an additional added beauty to this wonderful area. Tourists will appreciate the beauty of Bhal Padri and all it has to offer and come away with lifelong memories. The opening of Bhal Padri to tourists has been made possible due to recent developments in road construction, providing better access to visit the "Valley of Flowers". U...
2 comments
Read more

Kimb: Medicinal Citrus Fruit of Jammu

-
Image
Kimb: A Traditional Citrus Treasure of Jammu Kimb is basically a citrus fruit, it is also a medicinal treasure and an important food. For many generations, Kimb has been integral to the daily lifestyles of many of Jammu's citizens. The wide range of health benefits associated with Kimb, combined with its unique taste and fragrance, give this fruit local and global significance. Citrus medica (citron) is one of the oldest citrus trees that originated in the world; it is known as Kimb in Jammu and is considered to be one of the most ancient and traditional valued oranges in the world. Kimb is known for its distinctive scent, thick rind and different historical medicinal uses. Kimb (Citrus medica) is part of the Rutaceae Family and is considered by many to be one of the root species that gave rise to other modern day varieties of citrus fruit. The tree originally grew naturally at the base of the Himalayan Mountains, where it continues to play an important role in food, cooking, relig...
1 comment
Read more

Manasbal Lake Of Kashmir

-
Image
                       (Photo Source: Internet) Manasbal Lake is a picturesque freshwater body located to North of the beautiful Sind Valley of Kashmir and is surrounded by majestic hills and scenic beauty. It is the deepest of all freshwater lakes located in Safapora village in the Ganderbal District of Jammu and Kashmir. Often referred to as the "Supreme gem of all the lakes of Kashmir", this Lake is an oasis of tranquillity for those who appreciate bird watching and have a great love for nature while visiting Manasbal Lake during the summertime when the lotuses bloom. The best time to visit Manasbal Lake is between May-October because the weather during this period is most favourable for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Manasbal Lake can be reached easily by vehicle and is approximately 30 km from Srinagar city. The road leading to Manasbal Lake - the largest freshwater lake in Kashmir - passes directly through Wular Lake...
1 comment
Read more

The legacy of Maharani Yasho Rajya Lakshmi

-
Image
A Life of Compassion, Grace, and Enduring Legacy: The legacy of Maharani Yasho Rajya Lakshmi is one of beauty, compassion, and integrity. Her personality was full of charm, a deep compassion for all people, and a desire to help those less fortunate through social service. The kindness she showed to the poor, widows, orphans, and those who were differently abled was genuine; it was not simply a charitable act, but rather a lifelong commitment on her part to assist those in need. Maharani Yasho Rajya Lakshmi left us on 24 May 2009; this date will always be one of the saddest in the minds of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Nepal. The passing of Maharani Yasho Rajya Lakshmi, who is the wife of Dr. Karan Singh, whom we honour with the title Padma Vibhushan, and a former Sadr-e Riyasat of Jammu & Kashmir, marked the end of the physical life of a person who brought great joy to many. As we remember her life and legacy today on the anniversary of her passing, we celebrate the ...
2 comments
Read more

Sacred Devika River of Udhampur

-
Image
Many scriptures describe the Devika River as either the holiest river in existence, or, as some call it, the Ganges of Duggar. Even though Devika is located and flows through Jammu (in J&K state), many scholars have provided conflicting views as to what this river really is, where it came from and where it is going to. According to the Dr. Vasudeva Sharan Agrawal, "Devika is the sacred river of 'Madra Desha' - the old name for what we now call the land of Dogras; it begins its course in the hills of Jammu at 'Sahashra-dhara', which is located near the Suddha Mahadev temple, flowing through 'Jammu' and into 'Western Punjab' (present day 'Pakistan') and eventually meeting up with the Ravi River in Pakistan." According to Dr. P. V. Kane, a winner of the Bharat Ratna award, this river should be placed next to Wullar Lake in Kashmir Valley - contrary to Dr. Agrawal's view of the river located under the earth's surface except for ...
1 comment
Read more

Sharda Mata Shrine in Udhampur: History and cultural Significance

-
History:  The district headquarters of Udhampur is located in an area that has been traditionally known as "the land of Druva."; Udhampur derives its name from Raja Udham Singh, the oldest son of Maharaja Gulab Singh, who was the founder of the Dogra dynasty and founder of the Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir. Udhampur was established on a location that was previously very thick forested and was a place that Raja Udham Singh frequented while hunting. Over time, Raja Udham Singh became fond of the area and made it the location for his new town. Udhampur District is located between 32 degrees 34 minutes to 39 degrees 30 minutes north latitude and 74 degrees 16 minutes to 75 degrees 38 minutes east longitude. Udhampur District has elevations ranging from 600 meters to 3,000 meters above sea level. Udhampur District is located in southeast Jammu and Kashmir and is bordered on the northwest by Rajouri District, northeast by Doda District, southeast by Kathua District, southwest by Jam...
Post a Comment
Read more