Jammu & Kashmir

Area : 2,22,236 sq km
Capital : Srinagar
Districts : 14
Languages : Urdu , Kashmiri, Dogri, Paharim, Balti, Ladakhi, Punjabi , Gujari and Dadri
Population :
Literacy Rate : 26.17% as per previous census

The land of snow clad mountains that shares a common boundary with Afghanistan, China and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of the Indian Union. Known for its extravagant natural beauty this land formed a major caravan route in the ancient times. Trade relations through these routes between China and Central Asia made it a land in-habited by various religious and cultural groups. Kashyapa is said to have laid the foundation of Kashmir, which was referred to as 'Kashyapamar'. Jammu and Kashmir covers an area of 2,22,236 sq km. This includes 78,114 sq km under illegal occupation of Pakistan, 5,180 sq km handed over by Pakistan to China, and 37,555 sq km under occupation of China.

Geographically, the Jammu and Kashmir state is divided into four zones. First, the mountainous and semi- mountainous plain commonly known as Kandi belt, the second, hills including Siwalik ranges, the third, mountains of Kashmir valley, and Pir Panjal range and the fourth is Tibetan tract of Ladakh and Kargil.

PEOPLE

Jammu province is inhabited by diverse castes and sects.
The Dogras inhabiting the hilly tract bounding the mountains of the Kashmir valley on the south and extending to the plains of the Punjab, are descended from Aryan stock. They speak the Dogri language - a mixture of Sanskrit, Punjabi and Persian - whose origin goes back to the Indo-Aryan branch of Sanskrit. Their dress is simple, a short coat or a flowing shirt with pyjamas at the knees and tight-fitting at the ankles. The men's turban on the head is generally complemented by a kamarband at the waist. With a shawl or dupatta thrown over the head, women put on tight-fitting bodice or jumpers over pyjamas which resemble those of the men folk.

The Dogra Rajputs, who have traditionally made the Army their profession are not big build, their average height being 5'4" (160 cm). The men's complexion is light brown, the women's lighter still.

Distinct and remarkable, Dogra cuisine complements the people's achievements as soldiers, painters and builders of temples and forts. Through the Basohli school and other paintings, Dogras have made a notable contribution to the development of painting in India. Basohli emerged as a great centre of painting early in the 18th century. Outstanding paintings of this school depict Krishna's frolics, scenes from the Ramayana, the Mahabharata etc. Basohli paintings have been characterised as ' poems in colour ' for their extraordinary lyrical quality. The Dogras are deeply attached to their land. Much of their folklore - myths and legends - relates to their shrines. Religion also contribute to the mass entertainment of the people in the form of Ras dances.

The Brahmins of the Jammu province are mainly engaged in agriculture. A minority among them comprise the priest class. The Chibbalis and the Sudans - the chief sects among the Muslim Rajputs - are also a martial race.

Khatris and Mahajans are of Punjab stock. They generally follow sedentary occupation like trade and commerce. Harijans constitute another large segment of population. They are agriculturists and pursue semi-skilled professions, including those of cobblers and scavengers.

Strong muscled, virile, simple and truthful, the Paharis inhabit the hilly tracts of the 'middle mountains'. Theirs is a hard life, rearing sheep and cultivating the sparse available tracts of land on hilly, sloppy terraces for barley, wheat and maize. Many people of this area recruits to the Army. Their hospitality is exemplary. Their diet is simple and sparse - wheat bread with whey and lentils. Their language is a mixture of Dogri, Punjabi and Hindi. Generally dressed in grey woolens and loose pyjamas, they also flaunt a kamarband. Women wear long, loose tunics, close-fitting chudidars and dupatta or cap to complete their charming ensemble. The Kashmiris who have immigrated into this region have adopted the same dress and speak a mixture of Pahari and Kashmiri dialects.

The physical features of a Kishtwari are unmistakably those of an Indian-dark complexion , thick protruding lips and broad noses, akin to Dravidians. They are of short stature, simple and unsophisticated but are very hardy. They are sure-footed mountaineers. Guileless and credulous, they are superstitious. Witchcraft prevails among some of them. The people speak the Kishtwari dialect, which is a mixture of Dogri and Kashmiri.

FESTIVALS IN JAMMU PROVINCE

The Lohri festival, marking the culmination of the cold season, is celebrated with zest every where. Children go from door to door to collect subscriptions for the community bonfires. When the fires are lit at night, the young and old gather round the flaming fires throwing parched grain, coins and other offerings into these with gusto. Gay dancing at the venues goes on for hours.

On the occasion of the Holi festival, Muslims and Sikhs join Hindus in spraying friends with pails of coloured water. This spring festival, replete with revelry, last three days in the cities and villages.

During Navratri, Jammu is crowded with pilgrims on the way to or returning from the shrine. The city wears a festive look, with pilgrims carrying staves and wearing mauli (yellow and red thread) garlands and amulets.

Melas (FATE) are also held in the city and principal towns on Baisakhi or New year day. Bhangra and other dances rendered by troupes are enjoyed by the people.

Ramnavami, festival is celebrated by the people of Jammu. Processions are taken out - the centre of attention being tableaux, presenting scenes from the Epic, Ramayana.

Shivratri, is a three-day festival in Jammu and is celebrated with eclat at Purmandal, Billavar and Jhandi. The shrine of Shiv Khori is visited by pilgrims on this occasion.

Diwali is a gay occasion in the Province, as in rest of India.

Guru Ravi Das's birthday is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Jammu city. Public meetings follow Kirtans and Bhajans. Likewise, the Gurpurabs, Guru Nanak's birthday, Navroz and I'd are celebrated providing opportunities for the expression of good fellowship among various communities and castes. Buddha Jayanti , Mahavir Jayanti , Gandhi Jayanti and christmas are also celebrated here as in other parts of the country.

Tihar is an interesting festival observed in Bhadarwah and Kishtwar in the months of Chaitra (March-April). Springs and baulis receive a spring-cleaning and this is followed on the next day by worship of nagas (serpents), to whom rice and floral offerings are made. Samkrant or the beginning of a month (in Bikrami era) is regarded as a sacred day by Hindus. Women bathe in rivers and observe a day's fast.

FESTIVALS IN KASHMIR PROVINCE

The New Year day falls on first Navaratra - the first day of the new moon in the month of Chaitra. In every Hindu home, it begins with an invocation to Lakshmi, the goddess of bounty. In every family, a young lady lays a large plate with paddy, sugar, curds, fruits, walnut, coins, a mirror, ink-holder and the New year scroll. Early in the morning she shows the plate to every inmate and thus seeks the blessings of the goddess for moral and material development of members of the family.

The Navroz festival of the Shia Muslims comes a week after the New year day. They celebrate this nine-day festival with good eating and activities showing a spirit of gay abandon, in contrast to recitation of religious dirges that characterise most of their festivals.

During the month of April they celebrate Durga Ashtami, followed by Ramnavami. It is the birthday of Lord Rama. For the Kashmiri pandits the day is also connected with goddess Durga, and they celebrate it with a feast of rice and meat viands, after the prayers.

In the middle of April or on the Baisakhi day, starts the New year of the Vikrami Samvat. The day presents a grand spectacle of colour and gaiety on the Dal lake and in the gardens that flank it.

The Urs (or Ziarats) is a typical Kashmiri festival. It is held annually at the shrines of Muslim saints on their death anniversaries. There is a saying " It snows when the Urs of Meesha Sahib is held, it is windy when the Urs of Batamol Sahib takes place, it rains on the occasion of the Urs of Bahauddin". These Urs are popular despite the rigours of weather. This is celebrated in different parts of Srinagar, not only by Muslims but Hindus and Sikhs also. An interesting feature of the Urs celebrations at Batamaloo (the locality in Srinagar named after the saint Batamol Sahib) and in Anantag (Rishi Mol's anniversary) is that both Muslims and Hindus abstain from taking meat during the course of the festival.

The inter-communal participation is the main feature of the Urs celebrations. The anniversary of Rishi Pir, a Hindu saint, held on the fifth day of the full moon of Baisakh, at his home in Srinagar is attended by Muslims also.

Muslim festivals which are celebrated nationally, include Shab-i Mairaj which is followed by Shab-i-Barat. The dates of these festivals change in accordance with the appearance of the moon and shift by 10 days each year. During the night of Shab-i-Barat, the Muslims keep vigil. Legend goes that on this night the Holy prophet visits each house and relieves the pains of suffering humanity.

Then comes Jeth Ashtami, succeeded in a month by Har Ashtami. These two days are the birthday and the incarnation day, respectively, of the Ragnya goddess. Hindus fast on these days and go on a pilgrimage to Khir Bhawani, a well known spring-girt temple. After a bath in the cool stream nearby, incense and candles are burnt at the altar of the goddess.

The counterpart of Khir Bhawani, is Devibal in Anantang, which is also a spring-girt temple. It is visited on these Ashtamis by Hindus living in contiguous areas. A belief connected with these ancient shrines is that their water changes colour according to the state of the society. It has been known to become black before a disaster or calamity.

Another Muslim festival of this area is Ramzan. During the month of Ramzan, Muslims abstain from eating or drinking during the day.

TOURISM

The natural beauty of the valley of Kashmir is well known widely and has deservedly won high praise from travelers, since time immemorial. The first Himalayan State of India, Jammu and Kashmir is divided into mainly three regions, the foothill plains of Jammu; the lakes and blue valleys of Kashmir rising to alpine passes, the high altitude plains and starkly beautiful mountains of Ladakh, which lies beyond those passes.

The valley, practically one large health resort, is enchanting all the year round. The colourful flower season starts from the middle of March and April. May and June find fruit trees laden with many hued carpets of flowers decking the meadows and hill slopes. One of the most attractive aspects of Kashmir is its adventure prospects which includes trekking, mountaineering, fishing, rafting, heli- skiing to trans Himalayan Jeep Safari. June and July is the best time for swimming, sun-bathing, surf-riding and trekking. August and September are good for fishing trout and mahseer in ice-cold mountain streams. Big and small game are to be found aplenty in September and October; Autumn is the fruit season and also a good time for trekking. December to February is the season for winter sports in Gulmarg.

The state experiences extreme climates in the summer and winter. The weather is pleasant from October onwards. However, the best time to enjoy Kashmir and the adventures of Ladakh region is between the months of May and September.

Kashmiri handicrafts are known throughout the world for their exquisite craftsmanship. Srinagar is a shoppers paradise of traditional crafts. Several craft shops line the streets of Srinagar. The diverse articles range from woolen textiles of fleecy soft texture and matchless excellence in weaving, hand-woven carpets in both wool and silk with their intricate Persian design, to the exquisite designs worked on papier-mâché, wood work, silverware etc are products of unique craftsmanship.

How to Get There:

Air : Nearest Jammu airport is 8 Kms. from the city centre. Indian Airlines operates scheduled from Jammu to Delhi- and Srinagar / Leh. Jet Airways also operates services between Jammu - Delhi and Jammu - Srinagar.

CUISINES
Kashmiri cuisine, comprising mostly of non-vegetarian dishes, is characterised by three different styles of cooking - the Kashmiri Pandit, the Muslims and the Rajput styles. Traditional Kashmiri cooking is called 'Wazhawan' and is rich and aromatic with a wonderful flavour. Rice is the staple food and lamb, goat's meat and chicken form the basis of many famous dishes. Spices and condiments play a very important role in the Kashmiri delights. Asafoetida, aniseed, dry garlic, cloves and cinnamon are added for extra flavoring. Kashmiri Hindus use fenugreek, ginger and aniseed in their food, while Muslims use garlic, Kashmiri chillies, cloves and cinnamon. One of the distinct features of Kashmiri cuisine is the generous use of curds in the gravies, giving the dishes a creamy consistency. Some known dishes of Kashmir are yakhni, tabaq naat, dum aloo, rogan josh and gaustaba. The dishes are cooked in mustard oil and water, with the addition of red and green chilies.

Recipes Found:
» Dum Aloo » Dum Aloo (Baked Potatoes in Rich Gravy)
» Gushtaba (Pounded Meat Balls in Yogurt) » Haak (Kashmiri Spinach)
» Kabarga (Fried Mutton Chops) » Pulao
» Ranith Gada (Fish Curry) » Roath (Kashmiri dry fruit Cake)
» Rogan Josh » Rogan Josh
» Tabak Maaz (Fried Lamb Ribs) » Yakhni (Kashmiri Mutton Curry).