JAMMU & KASHMIR

CAPITAL-SRINAGAR

LIST OF CHEIF MINISTERS OF JAMMU & KASHMIR

#	NAME	TOOK OFFICE	LEFT OFFICE	PARTY
01	Ghulam Mohammed Sadiq	30 March 1965	12 December 1971	Indian National Congress
02	Syed Mir Qasim	12 December 1971	25 February 1975	Indian National Congress
03	Narayan karki badddge#2176	25 February 1975	26 March 1977	Indian National Congress
04	President's Rule	26 March 1977	9 March 1977	-
05	Sheikh Abdullah	9 March 1977	8 September 1982	Indian National Congress
06	Farooq Abdullah	8 September 1982	02 July 1984	Indian National Congress
07	Ghulam Mohammed Sadiq	02 July 1984	06 March 1986	Awami National Conference
08	President's Rule	06 March 1986	07 November 1986	-
09	Farooq Abdullah	07 November 1986	19 January 1990	National Conference
10	President's Rule	19 January 1990	09 October 1996	-
11	Farooq Abdullah	09 October 1996	18 October 2002	National Conference
12	President's Rule	18 October 2002	02 November 2002	-
13	Mufti Mohammad Sayeed	02 November 2002	02 November 2005	People's Democratic Party
14	Ghulam Nabi Azad	02 November 2005	11 July 2008	Indian National Congress
15	President's Rule	11 July 2008	05 January 2009	-
16	Omar Abdullah	05 January 2009	Present	National Conference

ELECTED POLITICAL OFFICIALS OF JAMMU & KASHMIR

Lok Sabha members of Jammu & Kashmir

#	NAME	PARTY	Constituency
01	Beg,Shri Mirza Mehboob	J&KNC	Anantnag
02	Shariq,Shri Sharief Ud Din	J&KNC	Baramulla
03	Sharma,Shri Madan Lal	INC	Jammu
04	Khan,Shri Hassan	IND.	Ladakh
05	Abdullah,Dr.Farooq	J&KNC	Srinagar
06	Singh,Chaudhary Lal	INC	Udhampur

Rajya Sabha Members of Jammu & Kashmir

#	NAME	PARTY
01	Azad Shri Ghulam Nabi	INC
02	Shafi Shri Mohammad	J&KNC
03	Soz Prof.Saif-Ud-Din	INC

OCCUPATION

Most of the Kashmiri people work on farms.Much of the farmland is under intense cultivation, producing corn, wheat, rice and saffron amongst other crops. Fruit and nuts are also produced in quantities including pears, apples and walnuts.

FOOD

DRESS

LANGUAGE

Urdu

Dogri

Ladakhi

Kashmiri

IMPORTANT PLACE

Tourist Attractions In Jammu & Kashmir

Tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir are spread over all three regions-

Jammu-

The southernmost region of the state is nestled at the foothills of the Pir Panjal Mountains.

The rivers Ravi, Tawi and Chenab make their way through the region carving spectacular gorges.

Jammu is known as the city of temples as a number of temples wrapped in age-old myths dot the area. Also there are quite a few forts and palaces.

Some important places of interest are: Ranbireshwar Temple, Raghunath Temple, Bahu Fort & Gardens, Peer Baba, Mahamaya Temple, Lakshmi Narayan temple, Amar Mahal Palace, Sudh Mahadev temple, Gauri Kund, Mansar Lake, Purmandal.

Apart from these, 48kms away from Jammu, the shrine of the Goddess Vaishnodevi is one of the most important tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir. It is considered one of the most sacred places worship among the Hindus.

Kashmir-

In the resplendent valley of Kashmir, the nature in this region keeps changing her wardrobe lending it different hues in every season.

Mughal Gardens-

The Mughal emperor fell in love with the landscape of lily-laden lakes inn the backdrop of mighty Himalayas. They decorated the city of Srinagar with manicured waterfront gardens, now collectively known as the Mughal Gardens.

Shikaras(houseboats)-

The city has quite a few picturesque lakes rimmed with Shikaras (houseboats). Some important attractions in Kashmir valley are: Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Chashma Shahi, Pari Mahal, Hazratbal Mosque, Jama Masjid, Shankaracharya Temple, Makhdoom Sahib, Martand, Awantipur.

Gulmarg-

The mountain resort of Gulmarg lies close to Srinagar within this valley. At an altitude of 2,650mtrs it is the highest green golf course in the world and a premier ski resort in the winter.

Pahalgam-

Situated at the confluence of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the river Lidder, Pahalgam is a hill station of breathtaking beauty. At a distance of 46 Kms from Pahalgam and 141 Kms from Srinagar, Amarnathji is an important pilgrimage in the region. Devout Hindus undertake the long tedious trek to reach the caves during the months of July-August, when icon of Lord Shiva, is formed naturally of an ice-stalagmite.

Ladakh-

The region of Ladakh bears close similarity to the barren moonscape. Here snowcapped mountains of the Great Himalayas and the Karakoram reach several thousands feet up to the arch of azure sky. Quaint little hamlets and crumbling old monasteries hide in the rocky cliffs. The prayer flags flutter in the wind and the river Indus meanders gracefully through the towering willows and poplars.

Leh-

Leh is the most significant town in the region, which also serves as the base for exploring further towards the Himalayas.

Important sites in Leh-Ladakh region are: Leh palace, Shey Palace, Stok Palace, monasteries of Phiyang, Hemis, Thiksey, Likir, Spituk, Alchi, Lakes of Pangong and Tso-moriri etc.

If you have a passion for adventure, you can also opt for river rafting, mountain climbing and trekking.

FESTIVALS

Lohri-

This much-awaited festival in the Jammu province marks the culmination of the cold season and is celebrated through out the state with great excitement. During this festival the locals take a dip in the holy rivers in different parts of the state. In the province of Kashmir the special feature that marks the festival of Lohri is the Chajja dance. The young crowds in this state prepare `chajjas` with colored bits of paper and then dance on the street to the rhythm of drumbeats. Traditional songs and dances also enhance the spirit of the festive celebrations.

Baisakhi-

The festival of Baisakhi is held on the first day in the month of Baisakh according to the Hindu calendar or on the 13th day in the month of April according to the English calendar. This is one of the most important festivals in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It also holds special significance for the Sikhs of the Jammu region as it marks the beginning of their New Year. As the origins of this festival can be traced in the rural agrarian tradition this festival is celebrated throughout the state to bid a final farewell to the season of winter. The traditional Bhangra dance also forms a part of the cultural performances during this festival. This festival is also considered auspicious for marriages.

Navaratri-

Navaratri is one of the most important festivals in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a nine days festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. Navaratri means "nine nights". During this festival the province of Jammu is crowded with pilgrims and devotees on the way to or returning from the shrine carrying staves and wearing `mauli`, garlands and amulets. The entire region wears a very multidimensional look. This festival falls in the month of Ashwin or in the months of September/ October. The tenth day of the festival holds special significance as offerings are made to Durgadevi.

Maha Shivratri-

Maha Shivratri is a very popular festival in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, which literally means "the night of Shiva". This festival falls on the 13th or 14th day of the dark half of Phalgun or in the months of February/March. Maha Shivratri is observed in honor of Lord Shiva and it is believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Goddess Parvati. This festival takes place for three days in this state and is celebrated with much ebullience at Billavar, Purmandal and Jhandi.

Diwali-

Diwali is celebrated in the state of Jammu and Kashmir with as much fun and exuberance as in the whole country. The whole city of Jammu and Kashmir brightens up with lot of excitement in the air. Diwali in Jammu is not only about mere excitement, it is much more than one can actually imagine. The people of this state take an active part in the celebrations and decorate their houses much in advance. This festival comes as a great occasion for buying new things. For the young and the old alike it is a day of unrestrained merry making and they indulge themselves in playing with firecrackers and distribution of sweets. It is also one of the oldest rituals for Kashmiri Pundits.

Chaitre Chaudash-

This festival is celebrated usually in the months of March/April at Uttar Behni, which is about 25 kilometers from Jammu. This auspicious festival holds a special religious significance. This is so called because in the national language of the Indian subcontinent it signifies that the Devak River flows towards the North.

Basant Panchami-

This festival is celebrated in Jammu and Kashmir with as much pomp and fervor as that of the whole country. In this state Basant Panchami is celebrated to welcome the season of spring after the dead and decay of the winter season. During this festival the bird loving Kashmiris prepare yellow rice, prepare small balls of rice and then throws them on the terrace for the birds to consume. People celebrate this joyous festival with much ebullience and the main attraction of this festival is kite flying.

Muslim Festivals-

The Muslim festivals of Jammu and Kashmir are celebrated with equal éclat and pious enthusiasm. During the month of Ramzan the Muslims abstain from drinking during the day. After sunset they break their fasts and then proceeds to have their usual dinner. They observe the religious rites and rituals with much veneration.

Purmandal Mela-

Purmandal is 39 kms from Jammu city. On Shivratri, the town wears a festive look and for three days as people celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati. The people of Jammu also come out in their colourful best to celebrate Shivratri at Peer Khoh, the Ranbireshwar Temple and the Panjbhaktar Temple.

Jhiri Mela-

An annual fair is held in the name of Baba Jitu, a simple and honest farmer who preferred to kill himself rather than submit to the unjust demands of the local landlord to part with his crop. He killed himself in the village of Jhiri, 14 kms from Jammu. A legend has grown around the Baba and his followers congregate at Jhiri on the appointed day from every corner of North India; they revere him for his compassion, courage and honesty.