The Special Season Of Winter Begins In The Cold Of India, Kashmir Has A Special Name: The grip of winter has also started in the northern part of India. It is very cold. “Chili Kalan” or 70 days of terrible winter began in Kashmir. This period is divided into three parts
1) Chilai Kalalan: 21 December to 30 January.
2) Khurd Chilai : 31 January to 20 February
3) Bach Chilai or Sweet Chilai : 21 February to 30 March.
The most snowfall occurs at this time, and the day and night temperatures never get plus until January 30th, and the sun’s face is almost never seen. Interestingly, this time means that the snow that falls by January 30th is the snow that you will see in April and May. Drink or get because this snow does not melt easily which means the snow that falls on it in February lasts for a very short time, so the beginning of Chilai is celebrated like a festival in the Kashmir Valley because the water from this snow that falls now supplies the valley with water throughout the year. The supply comes from the rivers, which at this time of the year when the snow is low, there is a water shortage in the valley.
Jammu is the Gateway of Kashmir. But almost all the travelers touched Jammu and fled to Srinagar. What is there? Dal Lake! stay that Jammu is no less. In the afternoon, you can explore the characteristic places of the city only if you have four hours in hand.
And if one whole day can be spared, for Jammu, then one can visit the Bahu fort made of sand on the banks of the Tawai river, four-five kilometers from the city. The fort is three thousand years old. This fort was renovated by Jammulochan in the 9th century. Many people say that the city is named after him. Again, to religious people, Jammu is named after the hero Jambuban. He helped Ramachandra with ten crore soldiers to rescue Brahma’s son, Sita. In his name, a temple of the Gorakhnath sect and a huge Dharamshala has been built on top of a cave in the Pir-Kho region.
Whatever the name of this city, you are a traveler. But if you know the source of the information, the journey becomes a pleasure. After Bahu Fort, Ramnagar Fort, Dogra Art Museum and Amarmahal Palace. After that is Madhyamani Raghunathji temple in the city near tourist bungalows in Jammu. Time should be given to these according to one’s choice and liking.
One can go to the ‘Gurjar Center for Culture and Heritage’ established in 1992. If you spend some time here, the taste of the tour will change. There are job opportunities for research scholars on this huge campus. A wealth of information is available on this ancient Gurjar community of Jammu. Like other ancient peoples of the world, the traditions of this group are going to disappear.
Along with Raghunath Temple, Bawe Mata Temple, Mahamaya Temple, Rani Vireshwar Temple, and Pir Baba Sthal can be visited. Not for religion, I have traveled myself to know the diversity. People here love foreigners and travelers very much. I think the reason is not just for income!
A slightly different taste after that. Leaving the temple-like Jammu, this time Jammu is in ‘Bagh-e-Bahu’. From the lush greenery, you can see the river Tawai, along with an edge of the city and city life. Among the trees and greenery of Bagh-e-Bahu are the beauties of Jammu, in pairs, much like our Victorias of Calcutta. This place near Bahu Fort is beautiful at all times. Forts, gardens, and giant fish roost in one journey, i.e. the Underground Aquarium.
The time of ‘Lahri’ fair is mid-January. Then the local residents can be seen dancing ‘Chadha’. This fair is held once a year. Another popular fair is ‘Bahu Mela’, held twice a year. March-April and September-October at the Kali Mandir premises of Bahu Fort. The fair in February-March is very colorful. The name is ‘Purnmandal Mela’. The three-day fair is regionally known as Har-Parbati’s marriage. The period of the ‘Jhari’ fair is October-November. This fair is held in Jhari village. It is also known as Jitu Baba’s Mela. Father Jitu was a farmer himself and organized a peasant revolt against the landlords. This fair commemorates the martyrs of the peasant movement in Jhari village, fourteen kilometers away from Jammu city. Navratri (Navratri) fair is held in Jammu all over India. This autumn fair is the official fair of Jammu and Kashmir.
There are several other famous places to visit from Jammu. Judging by the distance they are definitely some distance apart. Eighty-seven kilometers from Jammu or Katra is the famous ‘Gil Resort’ Patnitop in Jammu, a beautiful town at an altitude of about two thousand feet. Nearby is the spectacular Naga Temple. Apart from government hotels, there are private hotels/resorts in Patna. Patnitop is actually a tourist’s dream place. However, many attractions in Jammu and Kashmir are closed on Mondays or Fridays. It is better to know this closing day before going anywhere.
Udhampur is the last railway station in India on the way to Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the Ministry of Railways is constructing a rail link of about 343 km from Jammu to Srinagar. After the completion of this railway, the inaccessibility of this region will be greatly reduced. The valley in which this railway station is located is called Banihal. If you stand here, you will see Pirpanjal hills and snow all around. Fortunately, I got the help of these Banihal railway workers in my journey to Jammu and Kashmir. India’s Heaven – The fear and anxiety of traveling will disappear by touching the snow of Srinagar. Distance from Jammu to Srinagar is more or less 300 km. It will take time to get over the illusion of Srinagar. Numerous attractions. Even a temporary family of one night on a floating boat in Dal Lake leaves. Many people call Srinagar the’ City of Wealth and Beauty! The beautiful Vihara of that era was built by Emperor Ashoka’s daughter Charumati Abdar. Surrounded by the Jhelum River and Dal Lake, Srinagar is called the ‘Venice of the East’!
What is there to see in Srinagar? Shalimar Bagh, a memorial garden built for Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s Begum Nur Jahan. This beautiful garden is decorated with a shower of flowers in the spring and constant fountains. The Temple of Shankaracharya in the eastern corner of the city, on top of Ekkebar Hill. Adi Guru Shankaracharya came here on his famous pilgrimage tour. The small cave where he practiced penance still exists next to the main temple.
The Famous Jami Masjid in Kashmir’s ‘Old City’ and Hazratbal Masjid west of Dal Lake are scenic spots. Haryana will fall some distance from Srinagar. Earlier there was a Buddhist monastery here. Harwan Garden is on the way.
Begum Nurjahan’s brother Asaf Khan built Nishat Bagh in 1633 AD. The word ‘Chashma Shahi’ or ‘Chashma Pani’ suddenly caught the driver Omar Bhai’s words. The Sirajbagh site is near the Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden. And Chashma Shahi was made by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632. The water in the garden fountain is crystal clear. This water is helpful in digestion. That is why drinking water used to go to Jawaharlal. I heard the same gossip about ‘kud’ on my way back to Jammu. The sweets here are famous. Also, the water in the shower is as abundant as the story of that glass of water. But Sirajbagh is famous for another reason. Millions of tulips bloom here in spring. ‘Tulip Festival’ is held at that time. Jammu and Kashmir’s Deputy Director (Tourism) Arvind Kotwal said, “Come for the tulip festival in the spring, it’s great.” Kashmir’s Jewish-style Old City has a small mausoleum called Rozabal.
Amarnath Yatra can be taken along if possible on the J&K tour. But in that journey, there is much labor and more virtue.
