kashmir tourism office

About the Department

The Department of Tourism, J&K is the main developmental, promotional and regulatory arm of the J&K Government. Tourism sector is the prime driver of the economy of Jammu & Kashmir. As such, the Department of Tourism has a significant role to prepare and project the UT of J&K as a preferred Tourist destination in the country. The Department has two provincial directorates one each at Jammu and Srinagar and tourist Offices at all tourist resorts of the UT. In addition, there are 6 promotional offices outside the UT, one each at New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmadabad, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata.. Besides there are 20 area specific tourism development authorities in UT each headed by a chief executive officer, actively involved in harnessing the tourism potential and creation of tourist infrastructure in the areas of their operation. The department has also administrative control on two corporations, some clubs and five societies (see lists on home page). The role and objectives of tourism is as under.

• Overall planning and execution of schemes for the development, up-gradation and improvement of the tourism infrastructure in different parts of the UT.
• Support to the private sector industry in the form of incentives for setting up various tourist facilities as well as for promotion and marketing of their products and services.
• Promotion and marketing of various tourist destinations and products of the UT.
• Regulation of the travel-trade by enforcement of provisions of J&K Registration of Tourist Trade Act.
• Creation of tourism related infrastructure through public investment.
• Creation of tourism related infrastructure through Incentive regime for Private investment.
• Regulating the development of Destinations in a planned manner keeping the carrying capacity, ecological balance and environmental concerns in mind.
• Developing skills among the youth to make them employable in tourism Sector as service providers.
• Organizing various festivals and events and participating in travel marts, road shows and FAM tours at national and international level.

How It Works

• Tell us details of your holiday plan.
• After you submit the form, one of our travel experts will get back to you with customised holiday package based on your requirement, within 24 hours.
• Grab the deal and start packing your bags for an indelible holiday with Tour My India.

Call Us for details

+91-9212777225

Request a quote.

• Himachal Pradesh

Uttarakhand

• Uttarpradesh
• Andhra Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Madhya Pradesh
• Chhattisgarh
• Jammu and Kashmir
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli
• Daman and Diu
• Hill Station
• Yoga and Ayurveda
• Motor Biking
• Peak Climbing
• Mountain Biking
• River Rafting
• Horse Safari
• Camel Safari
• Jeep Safari
• Christianity
• Jammu & Kashmir
• Heritage Tours
• Ayurveda Tours
• Special Interest
• Golden Triangle Tour
• Classical India Tour
• Golden Triangle with Tiger Tour
• Sikkim Darjeeling Tour
• Frozen River Trek
• Palace on Wheels
• Heritage on Wheels
• Maharaja Express
• Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
• Buddhist Circuit Train
• Indian Wildlife Tour
• Temple Trails Tour India
• Buddhist Circuit Tours
• Himalayan Wonder
• Chadar Trek
• Chopta - Chandrashila Trek
• Snow Leopard
• Dzongri Goecha La Trek
• Agra Hotels
• Jaipur Hotels
• Udaipur Hotels
• Manali Hotels
• Ladakh Hotels
• Ranthambore National Park
• Bandhavgarh National Park
• Corbett National Park
• Kanha National Park
• Pench National Park
• Tadoba National Park
• The Park Calangute
• Neelam the Grand
• Hotel Calangute Towers
• Alor Holiday Resort
• Lazy Lagoon Sarovar Portico Suites
• Aman-i-Khas, Ranthambore
• Hyatt, Bangalore
• Hyatt Regency, Delhi
• Leela Palace, Udaipur
• ITC Grand Chola, Chennai
• Weekend Getaways Delhi
• Weekend Getaways Mumbai
• Weekend Getaways Chennai
• Weekend Getaways Bangalore
• Weekend Getaways Nagpur
• Weekend Getaways Hyderabad
• Weekend Getaways Cochin
• Weekend Getaways Chandigarh
• Weekend Getaways Ahmedabad
• Weekend Getaways Pune
• Weekend Getaways Jaipur
• Destinantion Weddings

Medical Tourism

India tours, international tours, destination wedding.

Plan Your trip

Kashmir Tourism

A Land of Unimaginable Beauty Perfect for Nature & Adventure Lovers 

• Shikara Ride

Sail on the Traditional Kashmiri Boat in Srinagar.

Gandola Ride

Enjoy Riding on Asia’s Highest Ropeway in Gulmarg

Savour the Unique Experience of Houseboat Stay in Srinagar

Enjoy the Surreal Beauty of Lakes in J&K

Get the Best of J&K Adventure on the Unmatched Trekking Trails

Hill Stations

Enjoy the beauty of Kashmir's top hill stations

• Best Time to Visit
• How to Reach
• Places to Visit
• Things to do

March - Oct

Not Required

About Kashmir Tourism

With apple orchards, saffron fields, glittering lakes & breathtaking meadows, Kashmir, in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir, draws the attention of tourists from across the globe. With tranquil settings, magnificent views, and pristine nature, Kashmir is a perfect holiday destination that should be visited once in a lifetime.

Kashmir is an ideal destination to plan a family tour and honeymoon holiday in India. The picturesque Gulmarg, Srinagar, Pahalgam or Sonmarg, make a holiday with family, or honeymoon in Kashmir a wonderful experience. Kashmir is even home to the popular Amarnath Cave which calls the ardent devotees Lord Shiva from across the world.

While the beautiful Dal and Nigeen lakes in Srinagar offer an opportunity to relish a stay at the houseboat and enjoy a Shikara Ride; the alpine lakes like Tarsar Marsar, Vishnasar, Gadsar Lakes call out the adventure lovers for the best trekking experience. For more adrenaline-pumping adventure, nothing can beat the experience of skiing in Gulmarg during the winter season.

In our Kashmir Travel Guide, we render the best information on the must-visit places, things to do, where to stay, the best time to visit, affordable Kashmir tour packages, and other aspects of Kashmir Tourism. With us, your days in Kashmir will be a memorable one.

Kashmir Packages By Cities

Best Selling Kashmir Tour Packages

4 Nights - 5 Days

Jewells of Kashmir

9 Nights - 10 Days

Kashmir Tour Package

8 Nights - 9 Days

Joyfull Kashmir

5 Nights - 6 Days

Best of Kashmir

6 Nights - 7 Days

• Kashmir Honeymoon Tour

7 Nights - 8 Days

Magical Kashmir

Romantic Kashmir Tour

Delight of Kashmir

Jammu & kashmir tour packages by theme.

Family Tours

Honeymoon Tours

Pilgrimage Tours

Houseboat Tours

Skiing Tours

Trekking Tours

Wildlife Tours

Fishing Tour

Best time to visit kashmir.

Summer Season in Kashmir (March till June, Temperature 15°C to 30°C)

Summer Season in Kashmir is the most popular season, the climate is ideal for tourist, morning and evening are pleasant. You can enjoy shikara ride at Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake. Hotel and resorts of Kashmir are usually packed during this period thus it is advisable to book your tour well in advance

Monsoon Season in Kashmir (July to September, Temperature 13°C to 17°C)

Monsoon in Kashmir begins from July to August when the region receives rainfall. During monsoon everything in Kashmir becomes beautiful and lush green. August is the perfect time to witness apple picking in Kashmir. People usually prefer this time as you usually tends to get good flight and hotel deals during this time. Amarnath yatra also happens during this period of time.

Winter Season in Kashmir (October to February, Temperature -2°C to 12°C)

Winter season from November to February is the best time to witness snowfall in Kashmir, during this period honeymooners usually prefer to come and you can also enjoy skiing in Gulmrg.

Best Places to Visit in Kashmir Valley

Home to the popular Dal and Nigeen Lake where one can enjoy Shikara ride or stay at a houseboat.

A dreamlike winter wonderland where adventure enthusiasts can get the best skiing experience in India.

Boasting scenic beauty, Pahalgam is the base for the religious trek to Amarnath- the abode of Lord Shiva.

Sonmarg is an ideal holiday destination for nature & adventure lovers.

A perfect holiday destination in Kashmir valley for all those looking for a solace and piece of mind.

The unexplored, charming & historical town of Achabal in Kashmir Valley is a great delight for photographers which gives a chance to...

Top Things to Do in Kashmir Valley

Gondola Ride

One of the world’s highest operating cable cars in Gulmarg that offers awe-inspiring views of nature.

Horse Riding

The best adventure activity to explore the breathtaking beauty of the countryside.

Shikara Riding

One of the best rides which take place on Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake in Srinagar

Skiing in Gulmarg

Gulmarg, which is home to some of the best slopes in the world, is the best place for skiing adventure lovers during the...

Mountain Biking in Kashmir

Explore the gorgeous view of exotic landscapes & breathtaking mountains of Kashmir valley with the most thrilling & adventours...

• Trekking in Kashmir

Enjoy spectacular and enchanting views of mountains, pristine lakes, lush-green meadows & get unlimited adventure with....

Golf in Kashmir

The land which has undoubtedly its own way of life; the land that showcases the scintillating part of natural beauty, majestic culture

How to Reach Kashmir?

Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar offers regular flights that connect Kashmir to other major cities of India. It is also the most preferred way to reach Kashmir by travellers.

At this moment there is no railway station in Srinagar, the railway station from Srinagar is Jammu Tawi, which is around 300 kms away from Srinagar. Work on Kashmir railways is under progress and soon we will have direct railway connectivity to Kashmir also.

NH 1 and NH 44 connect Kashmir to the major cities of India.

Popular Related Destinations

Kashmir Travel Guide by Category

Accomodation, top things to do.

• Tourist Attractions

Encompassing serenity, Kashmir has outstanding accommodation options offering commendable hospitality to the tourists. The hotels and resorts in Kashmir, ranging from budget to luxury, offer top-notch services and promise to make your stay a pleasant and memorable one. Whether you are looking for a heritage experience, mountain retreat, or rendezvous with nature, the hotels and resorts in every tourist destinations of Kashmir Valley promise to offer you complete relaxation.

There are hotels and resorts in Kashmir providing a relaxing spa service for a rejuvenating holiday in Kashmir. No matter which tourist destination one chooses to visit for vacation in Kashmir, every accommodation offers an excellent stay experience to cherish for a lifetime.

Tour My India is associated with largest chains of hotels & resorts in Kashmir and offers best deals and discounts on hotel bookings. Book hotels through us and save huge on your Kashmir holiday tourism packages.

Top Things to Do in Kashmir

The unparalleled beauty of Kashmir offers the travellers a number of things to do. From a Shikara ride in Srinagar to trekking to the alpine lakes; from skiing in Gulmarg during the winter season to river rafting in Pahalgam; Kashmir has numerous activities for tourists that makes Kashmir tour an exciting one.

The wildlife lovers can visit Dachigam National Park to catch the sight of the Himalayan animals and birds. Being home to the popular Amarnath Cave and the gleaming Hazratbal Shrine, Kashmir offers pilgrimage opportunities to the devotees.

A trip to Kashmir is incomplete without savouring the delectable food and shopping from a wide variety of handicrafts. Apart from this, there are many activities for kids too to enjoy when holidaying in Kashmir.

Cuisine of Kashmir

Kashmir is not only pleasing to the eyes but does wonders to the taste buds with lip-smacking delicacies. Although rice has been the staple food of Kashmir since ancient times, the region has a wide array of food items that are mild in taste, rich in flavour and are particularly seasoned with saffron. The cuisine of Kashmir is strongly influenced by the Mughals and so the food here is predominantly non-vegetarian, with chicken, mutton and fish, being the prime ingredients.

Tourists on a holiday to Kashmir cannot return back without trying the popular food including Yakhni Pulao, Tabakhmaaz, Matschgand, Goshtaba, Riste Meatballs, Shab Deg, Lyader Tschaman, Aab Gosht, Rogan Josh, Harissa, Wazwan (a multi-course meal in Kashmiri Tradition). Apart from these, one should also try the unique beverages of Kashmir including Kashmiri Kahwa, Noon Chai also called Shir Chai or Gulabi Chai.

Tourist Attractions in Kashmir

Dolled up with pristine nature, Kashmir has many popular tourist attractions that are perfect for those planning a family vacation, holiday with friends, pilgrimage tour, adventure, and a honeymoon. In the most popular attractions of Kashmir Tourism, Dal and Nigeen Lake in Srinagar, one can enjoy a unique stay at the houseboat or enjoy a Shikara ride. The beautiful alpine lakes like Tarsar Marsar, Gadsar, Vishnasar lakes, offer adventure lovers the best trekking experience.

Then there are other points of interest including Dachigam National Park near Srinagar; apple orchards and Lidder river in Pahalgam; skiing slopes and cable car in Gulmarg; and Thajiwas Glacier in Sonmarg.

The religious sites in Kashmir like Amarnath Cave, Shankaracharya Temple, Charar-e-Sharief, Hazratbal Shrine, and Baba Reshi Shrine, set amidst a picturesque setting, offer pilgrimage opportunities to devotees from near and far.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. what is the best time to explore kashmir valley.

The winter season, from October to February, is the best time to explore Kashmir. During this time, you can enjoy the snowfall, skiing, Gondola riding and other adventure activities. For family and honeymoon vacationers, this is the best time to plan a visit to Kashmir Valley. However, summer and monsoon seasons are also great for visiting the Kashmir Valley.

Q. What is the best way to reach Kashmir?

The best way to reach Kashmir is by air, with the major airport of Kashmir Valley being Srinagar Airport, or Sheikh-Ul-Alam International Airport. It operates flights to the major cities of India like Delhi, Goa, Mumbai, Jammu and Bangalore. Some of the flights which operate from this airport are Air India, IndiGo, GoAir and Jet Airways.

Q. What are the best places in Kashmir for tourists?

The best places for sightseeing and exploration for tourists in Kashmir Valley are Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Yusmarg, Pahalgam and Gurez Valley.

Q. What kind of activities one can do in Kashmir?

The various kinds of activities that can do in Kashmir Valley are Shikara ride on Dal Lake, Skiing in Gulmarg, Horse Riding in Gulmarg and Pahalgam, Mountain Biking in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg, Trekking and Golfing in Gulmarg.

Why Choose TMI?

Experienced

TMI is an 18-year-old tour company who specializes in offering personalized and well-designed tour packages.

We are certified by major tour and travel associations in India and world like IATA, IATO, TAAI, IMF, MOT (Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India), and TOFT.

Happy Customers

TMI has received numerous accolades from its customers for its excellent services and best tour packages.

Our Latest Informative Travel Blogs

Top 10 Best Snow Destinations to Enjoy in Kashmir

12 Top Tourist Destinations in Jammu and Kashmir

Kashmir Witnesses Fresh Snowfall in Several Areas including Sonmarg, Gulmarg and Gurez Valley

Popular pages on tour my india, jammu & kashmir travel information at a glance, about j & k.

• Jammu & Kashmir Tourism
• Best Places to Visit
• How to Reach J & K

Kashmir Destinations

• Srinagar Tourism
• Gulmarg Tourism
• Pahalgam Tourism
• Sonmarg Tourism
• Yusmarg Tourism

Jammu Destinations

• Jammu City Travel Guide
• Katra Travel Guide
• Patnitop Travel Guide
• Kishtwar Travel Guide
• Sanasar Travel Guide

J & K Tourist Attractions

• Srinagar Attractions
• Gulmarg Attractions
• Pahalgam Attractions
• Jammu Attractions
• Sonmarg Attractions

Kashmir Tourism Packages

• Srinagar Tour Packages
• Gulmarg Tour Packages
• Sonmarg Tour Packages
• Pahalgam Tour Packages
• Patnitop Tour Packages

Kashmir Tour by Interest

• Kashmir Family Tour
• Kashmir Pilgrimage Tour
• Kashmir Houseboat Tour
• Kashmir Skiing Tour
• Kashmir Fishing Tour
• Skiing in Kashmir
• Gondala Ride
• Pilgrimage Tour
• Golfing in Kashmir

Hotels in Jammu & Kashmir

• Hotels in Jammu
• Hotels in Srinagar
• Hotels in Gulmarg
• Hotels in Pahalgam
• Hotels in Katra
• Hotels in Sonmarg

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

A Surge in Tourists in Restive Kashmir, but ‘No Mental Peace’ for Residents

Visitors have flocked back to the region — proof, India says, that its imposition of control worked. But people who live there say fear and uncertainty persist.

By Hari Kumar and Mujib Mashal

Hari Kumar reported from Srinagar, Kashmir, and Mujib Mashal from New Delhi.

SRINAGAR, Kashmir — They come for the biggest tulip garden on the continent. They come for the snow-capped Himalayas. They come for the lakes. They come for the natural beauty that over time has enchanted Hindu kings, Mughal emperors, British colonialists and millions of regular people.

Tourists have returned in droves to Jammu and Kashmir, in what India calls a sign of how it has turned things around in the disputed region, where violent separatists have been active for decades. Three years ago, in a stunning move , India’s Hindu nationalist government cemented control of the Muslim-majority area, saying that would finally bring peace.

“The region was a terrorist hot spot,” Amit Shah, India’s powerful home minister and a key lieutenant of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said recently. “Now it has become a tourist hot spot.”

But what lures visitors to the area offers only a brief escape for many residents, who remain stuck in an old cycle of fear, desperation and uncertainty.

At the tulip garden in Srinagar early this summer, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, a fruit seller from the nearby town of Baramulla, was taking in the beauty of a million flowers. “I feel good in the garden. But outside the garden, there is a sense of fear — lots of checkpoints, lots of guns,” Mr. Bhat said. “There is no mental peace.”

Like much of the rest of the world, Kashmir is emerging from the pandemic. But starting in late 2019, it also had to endure a different kind of lockdown, enforced aggressively by the Indian military. A punishing embargo cut off communications to the outside world as New Delhi revoked the state’s semiautonomous status and put local political leaders — even those long friendly to India — under house arrest .

For now, there is a new normal in the Kashmir Valley, the most restive part of the region, according to opposition leaders, analysts, residents and officials, more than a dozen of whom gave interviews. They say it is predicated on a heavy military presence that is quick to jail dissenting voices. With no avenues for democratic expression, many Kashmiris find themselves in the uneasy limbo that exists between a militarized state and militant separatism.

The heavy and constant surveillance has reduced the number of terror attacks, but a wave of assassinations of minority Hindus and the continued recruitment of militants suggest that the root cause of the problem — a separatist militancy that feeds on local grievances about the heavy-handedness of the Indian state — bubbles underneath.

The attacks on the Kashmiri Pandits, the local Hindu community, have forced many families to leave the region in large numbers, a painful reminder of an earlier migration.

The Hindu exodus from Kashmir in the 1990s came during the peak of the separatist militancy. Thousands of people were killed and tourism largely dried up. But as the situation in the valley improved, tourism picked up a decade later.

To bring in more visitors, officials in Srinagar set up the tulip garden in 2007. It is laid out across 30 hectares of land between Dal Lake, which is famous for its houseboats, and the Zabarwan hills. It has flowers in more than a dozen colors, and 68 varieties of tulips — from parade to Texas Gold — that bloom for a month early in the summer.

The garden is again drawing visitors after a recent cease-fire on the nearby Pakistan border, and amid a hunger for post-pandemic travel. The number of tourists in the Kashmir Valley, the government says, has increased to more than two million this year, a threefold jump from the previous year.

“The colors are so beautiful,” said P. Venkateswaran, who was visiting the garden with his wife, Chitra, from the southern city of Bangalore. “It’s magical.”

Shopkeepers and business owners say the reduction in political strikes — a regular feature of Kashmir’s messy politics — and the decline in large-scale violence have meant less disruption to business. But they pointed to a high rate of unemployment and low demand for goods to counter the government’s claims that it had ushered billions of dollars in new investment into the valley.

For Tanveer Khan, a master’s degree in commerce hasn’t helped with job prospects. He now runs a small garment shop, and he sees a bleak future.

“Firing, crackdown, grenades, arrests, bloodshed — I spent my childhood in that,” Mr. Khan said. “I wish my children do not see that life. But I do not see any hope.”

That view was rejected by Altaf Thakur, a spokesman for Mr. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party in Jammu and Kashmir. “Fear is almost negligible. Very few militants are left who, like cowards, carry out some targeted acts,” he said, adding that it will take time for the government’s investments to show returns.

“Development is taking place in every village and every town,” he said. “Roads are being constructed, electric lines are being changed, big projects are being constructed.”

In the meantime, free speech in Kashmir has also suffered. Many journalists and activists have been jailed over the past three years, often under laws that make bail difficult to obtain. Others report frequent harassment by the authorities, to the point where some of them have left the valley or abandoned their work.

“It is difficult to work now,” said Parveena Ahanger, who leads an association of parents protesting on behalf of thousands of youths who have disappeared in recent decades. “I am fighting for the past 30 years, I will not leave this fight.”

Kashmir has been disputed between India and Pakistan since the departing British colonial rulers partitioned India into the two countries in 1947. While a part of Kashmir is controlled by Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir joined the Indian union as a state through an agreement that gave it a level of autonomy.

It was this semiautonomous status that Mr. Modi revoked in 2019, fulfilling a longtime wish of his Hindu right-wing support base. The government has divided the former state into two separate “union territories,” Jammu and Kashmir as one, and Ladakh, along the border with China, the other — each directly ruled by separate administrators appointed by New Delhi.

Democracy in the region remains suspended. A challenge to the constitutionality of Mr. Modi’s move continues to go unheard at India’s Supreme Court, which critics say increasingly favors the government. Mr. Modi’s officials say Jammu and Kashmir will get to elect members of the legislative assembly in the future, but it is unclear if and when the status of full statehood in India’s federal system will be restored. One official pointed to the state of Punjab, riven by insurgency in the 1980s, to argue that “nation building” is a slow process and takes time.

“Peace is what every Kashmiri wants, but peace with dignity,” said Mehbooba Mufti, a former chief minister of Kashmir, who formed the state’s last government in coalition with Mr. Modi’s party. “Not this kind of peace where you are scared to open your mouth.”

Ms. Mufti was among the leaders put under house arrest three years ago. She and several other politicians in Kashmir said the government continued to restrict their movement, parking security vehicles outside their homes and sometimes even putting locks on their gates.

Since New Delhi took control, there has been a significant reduction in infiltration of militants from Pakistan, government data show, and a slight drop in terror incidents. But the number of civilian deaths, about 40 a year, has remained largely unchanged.

Officials in Kashmir have put the number of active militants in the valley below 100.

Lt. Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, the leader of the Indian Army’s northern command, which includes Kashmir, said the support for militancy from across the border now consists of the smuggling of grenades, pistols, and drugs — some of which are dropped by drones that fly over from the Pakistani side.

“Whatever is happening is very little and we are trying to reduce it even further,” he said.

But for many residents, the calm is an uneasy one.

Irfan Abbas, a chartered accountant who was at the tulip garden with a group of friends, was weary of the new normal.

“So much suppression, so much depression,” Mr. Abbas said. “It is like a volcanic situation — it can explode any time.”

Hari Kumar is a reporter in the New Delhi bureau. He joined The Times in 1997. More about Hari Kumar

Mujib Mashal is The Times’s bureau chief for South Asia. Born in Kabul, he wrote for magazines including The Atlantic, Harper’s and Time before joining The Times. More about Mujib Mashal

• EMAIL : [email protected]
• TEL: 0194 - 2502274

• DOODHPATHRI
• LOLAB VALLEY
• PEER KI GALI
• WARWAN VALLEY
• SHALIMAR GARDEN
• NISHAT GARDEN
• CHASHMA SHAHI
• TULIP GARDEN
• NIGEEN LAKE
• GANGABAL LAKE
• MANASBAL LAKE
• FISHING IN KASHMIR
• GOLFING IN KASHMIR
• MOUNTAINEERING IN KASHMIR
• TREKKING IN KASHMIR
• RIVER RAFTING IN KASHMIR
• PARAGLIDING IN KASHMIR
• SKIING IN KASHMIR
• AMARNATH YATRA
• HAZRATBAL SHRINE IN KASHMIR
• Charar-E-Sharif In Kashmir
• JAMIA MASJID IN KASHMIR
• KHEER BHAWANI TEMPLE IN KASHMIR
• KHANQAH-E-MOLLA IN KASHMIR
• SHANKARACHARYA TEMPLE IN KASHMIR
• Mystic Kashmir
• VALE OF KASHMIR
• KASHMIR RETREAT
• AMAZING KASHMIR
• History of Kashmir
• CUISINES OF KASHMIR
• DANCES OF KASHMIR
• MUSIC OF KASHMIR
• RELIGIONS IN KASHMIR
• Officers Details

Corporate Office:

SRINAGAR - KASHMIR ,Tourist Reception Centre Tel/Fax: 0194 - 2502274 EPBAX: Tel: 0194 - 2502270, 2502271 Email: [email protected]

Regional Office:

Other travel offices.

Address : 2nd Floor, 36/36-A North Usma Road Tel: 044 - 28340958 Email: [email protected]

• About JKTDC
• History Of JKTDC
• Officers List & Hierarchy

INFORMATION

• Registration of Trade
• Budget Plan
• Photo Gallery
• Agent Registration
• Agent Login

STAY CONNECTED

PAYMENT OPTIONS

• Download Section
• Terms of Use
• Sponsred Scheme
• Plan Monitoring
• Project Appraisal

USEFULL LINKS

• Feedback / Complaints
• Cancellation & Refund Policy
• Privacy Policy

Login to account

• Manage Bookings
• Cancel Bookings
• Booking Statement

Create account

Department of Tourism

Government of jammu & kashmir.

General Instruction

Step-1 : Click on Document Manager.

Step-2 : Upload the Documents.

Step-3 : Click on Registration.

Step-4 : Fill the Application form, an Application number will be generated. Please note the Application Number.

Step-5 : Click on Track to know the status of the application.

Step-6 : On approval of application, application status will be shown as approved and Registration Number/License Number will be allotted.

Step-7 : Make fee payment through treasury challan (Please attach copy of treasury challan) / online.

Step-8 : Certificate/license can be printed by Clicking “Print Certificate/License” .

Orders & Circulars

View fee structure, welcome to ighalo ™.

• Hotel Checklist
• Dealer Checklist
• Taxi Shikara Checklist
• Travel Agent Checklist

INDEX   |   ABOUT US   |   HOLIDAY PACKAGES   |   HOUSEBOAT PACKAGES   |   H ONEYMOON PACKAGES   |  LTC PACKAGES   |   HOTELS   |   RESERVATION  |   CONTACT US

  INDEX   |   ABOUT US   |   HOLIDAY PACKAGES   |   HOUSEBOAT PACKAGES   |   H ONEYMOON PACKAGES   |  LTC PACKAGES   |   HOTELS   |   RESERVATION  |   CONTACT US   Lakes |  Skiing |    Trout Fishing  |  Trekking |  Water Sports | Copyright @2004-2014, Srinagar Tourism Tour & Travel Designed by Indian Designers .  

Most Searched

• Birth Certificate
• Driving Licence

Directorate of Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir

Directorate of tourism, jammu & kashmir.

The Directorate of Tourism is trying to promote tourism in such a way that pilgrim influx to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, is diverted to other places of attraction. Apart from tapping pilgrim tourists, the Directorate is endeavouring to make adventure and sports tourism attracted for targeted people.

Related Links

Website of tourism department of jammu and kashmir, jammu and kashmir lakes information.

Jammu and Kashmir state tourism department has provided information about the lakes. Dal Lake, Nagin Lake, Wular Lake, Mansbl etc. There is information about the lakes located in Jammu. User can also get information on Pangong Lake, SOMO-Riri Lake, Mansar Lake, Surinsr lake etc.

RTI/Information Cell of Directorate of Tourism of Jammu and Kashmir

Users can find the RTI/Information Cell of Directorate of Tourism of Jammu and Kashmir. The Directorates, one each for Jammu and Kashmir Divisions, are functioning in the Department of Tourism. Directorates of Tourism, Jammu/Kashmir, are headed by an officer of the rank of Special Secretary belonging to Kashmir Administrative Service Cadre and is designated as the Director Tourism.

Website of Patnitop Development Authority

Patnitop Development Authority, Udhampur is responsible for the development of Patnitop hill station in Jammu and Kashmir. Information about list of various public services are provided. Users can get information about tourism, hotel and other popular destination in the region. Downloadable forms are also provided. Links of FAQs, photo gallery, contact details, tenders etc. are also given.

Directorate of Tourism Jammu

Government of jammu & kashmir.

Connect Us Socially On

Monuments & Heritage

• Purmandel & Utterbehni
• Amar Mahal Palace
• Mubarak Mandi Palace
• Bahu Fort & Bag-e-Bahu
• Krimchi Temples
• Babor Temples
• Rangmahal, Ramnagar
• Akhnoor Fort
• Ambaran-Pamberwan
• Chingus Fort/Sarai, Rajouri
• Thanamandi Sarai
• Dhanidhar Fort, Rajouri
• Jia Pota ghat, Akhnoor
• Balidan Stambh

Where To Stay

For government accommodation.

Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation.

For private accommodation, jammu district, list of registered “a” class hotels, list of registered “b” class hotels, list of registered “c” class hotels, rajouri & poonch district, details of hotels/guest house/lodges, details of paying guest house of rajouri & poonch district, udhampur, ramban, doda and kishtwar districts, list of hotels (district/category wise), udhampur, ramban and doda districts, list of registered paying guest house/guest houses, district doda, list of paying guest houses, samba district, list of registered hotels, kathua district, travel agencies, district jammu, district kathua, district doda.

Srinagar Lok Sabha Elections 2024: NC, PDP in Close Contest as Key Kashmir Seat Leaves Behind Turbulent Past

T he Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, which will vote in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 13, has witnessed a vibrant political revival in the run-up to polling. The downtown especially, which used to be a stronghold of the banned Al Umar Mujahideen (AuM) terrorist group and where kidnappings were the order of the day in early 1990s, is a completely different place now as it is abuzz with political rallies and activity.

Not only this, the political landscape has also significantly changed since the abrogation of Article 370 with the BJP gaining ground. During campaigning, former chief minister Omar Abdullah orchestrated a bold move by hosting a rally for his National Conference candidate. So much was the enthusiasm that the security forces had a tough time managing the crowd at the NC rally hosted at a park in the Tibetan colony, just meters away from the historic Jamia Masjid, a focal point for Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s moderate Hurriyat Conference.

In Srinagar, however, the National Conference faces stiff competition from the PDP’s Waheed Para. The party has been mainly focussing on holding street meetings in the area. This upsurge in political engagement underscores the evolving dynamics of the area, moving from a turbulent past to a more engaged and politically active tomorrow.

The surge in political activities in a region once plagued by terrorism underlined a significant shift towards a more politically active future. Srinagar is presently represented by Farooq Abdullah of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference.

This time, the high-stakes contest has attracted a diverse array of candidates from various political parties and independent groups, each vying to capture the imagination of the electorate with their respective agendas and promises.

The prominent candidates are Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi of the National Conference (NC) and Waheed-ur-Rehman Para of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). J&K Apni Party’s Muhammad Ashraf Mir, Democratic Progressive Azad Party’s Amir Bhat, J&K National Panthers Party (BHIM) candidate Hakikat Singh, Loktantrik Party’s Rubina Akhter and 18 Independents are also in the fray.

Changed political landscape since abrogation of Article 370

The NC presently holds all three Lok Sabha seats. The party has been threatening to go solo and is banking on the dynasty’s leadership to win the public support.

PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti has been calling for a united front against the Centre. But, in recent talks with the NC and Congress, the party failed to land a deal in its favour. Moreover, the PDP has seen a sharp decline since 2019 as dozens of its leaders have left the party.

The BJP, meanwhile, is gaining in Srinagar. Several key NC leaders, including the Kathua district president, have joined the BJP in a jolt to the Farooq Abdullah-led party in the Jammu region. Many supporters and district office-bearers also made the switch.

The BJP has also won 75 seats in the district development council (DDC) polls. Its inclusive approach and the ground-level impact of the central government’s welfare schemes have worked in the party’s favour. But, how much of this will translate into votes in the Lok Sabha elections is yet to be seen.

Two prominent pahadi leaders – Shehnaz Ganai and Mushtaq Bukhari – joined the BJP following in the footsteps of big names such as Abdul Qayoom Mir and Iqbal Malik. The saffron party has made a significant impact with government schemes and development efforts, which has made up partially for its “anti-Muslim” image in the state.

However, despite increasing support, the question of voting for the BJP is influenced by religious leanings, which play against the party’s favour.

Here are the key issues in the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency:

• Air pollution: Srinagar’s air quality index (AQI) entered the ‘poor’ category, especially in the mornings and evenings when the temperature drops during the winter. This is due to fuel burning, including biomass.
• Poor infrastructure development: Scattered, messy construction of residential and commercial zones. This is compounded by the continuous influx of people from other districts.
• Civic issues: People are facing problems in private residential colonies, including drainage, drinking water supply, road connectivity, lack of transport facilities, healthcare, and schools.
• Power crisis during winter: The city fails to meet the high demand for power during sub-zero temperatures when electrical heating systems are used widely.
• Drinking water scarcity: In the summer, several places in Kashmir face drinking water shortage owing to dry weather conditions and heat waves.
• Smart meters: There has been a public agitation against the installation of ‘smart meters’ due to perceived unfairness and lack of action against big defaulters. Smart meters track electricity use and forward the bill to the customer, which in turn must be paid in order for the power supply to continue. The state is used to a practice of “not paying the bill” or paying it in part. The administration’s efforts to get people to pay electricity bills have not been received well. In fact, asserting that 1.30 crore people of Jammu and Kashmir were the priority of his administration, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced last year to waive off the power bills of poor people, if they are unable to pay it.
• Inadequate drainage: The drainage system leads to flooding and inconvenience during rainfall.
• Lack of basic infrastructure: There is no permanent bus stand, which causes a lot of inconvenience to passengers and students. There are parking issues in both civil lines and downtown areas affecting traffic movement and business activities.
• Solid waste management: There is a need for a new dumping site due as the existing one is overflowing and poses sufficient health risks.

Here are the key state issues:

• Drop in terror and violence: This is the main plank of the Narendra Modi-led government as it seeks to make inroads into the Valley. The ministry of home affairs has listed some achievements like 69 per cent drop in militancy-related incidents; no stone-pelting incidents in 2023; drop in civilian deaths by 81 per cent; killings of security personnel dropped by 47 per cent; zero tolerance policy towards terrorism.
• ‘Naya Kashmir’: Kashmir has transformed since the abrogation of Article 370. The state’s political landscape has significantly changed while the security situation has improved and tourism has taken off. The economy is improving with the GSDP doubled to more than Rs 2.25 lakh crore from Rs 1 lakh crore. In three years, Jammu and Kashmir got Rs 84,544 crore investment proposals, with the actual investment at Rs 2,518 crore. Moreover, government funds for infrastructure and welfare schemes are pouring in, ensuring a promising future for the Valley.
• Restoring statehood: All opposition parties have demanded that J&K’s statehood must be restored. The Centre has agreed to do so only after the assembly elections. In December 2023, union home minister Amit Shah said statehood will be restored only at an appropriate time.
• Assembly elections in 2024: The Supreme Court has set a deadline of September 2024 for the Election Commission to hold assembly polls. The government is keen on conducting elections between September and November. It initially considered conducting the polls alongside the Lok Sabha election but the 2019 experience did not favour such a proposal, with the Centre citing hurdles in arranging adequate forces for deployment. There are other electoral concerns as well. The Gujjar-Bakarwal tribes migrate in the summer and return to their base in the winter. They will be a crucial constituency, with nine assembly seats reserved for ST in J&K for the first time. These factors are likely to be applicable even in 2024. Such a scenario may mean elections will be held in J&K along with Haryana and Maharashtra in September and October.
• Power shortage: The UT faces an active power crisis due to poor infrastructure and output. This winter, Kashmir saw its worst power crisis in years. The reported daily power cuts of 12 to 16 hours have affected the lives of more than 70 lakh people. The UT has a requirement of about 2,600 MW of electricity. But, the power supply to the Kashmir division is 1,200 MW while it is 900 MW to Jammu. There is a deficit of about 500 MW.
• ST status to pahadis: The new law granting tribal status to pahadis has angered Gujjars and Bakarwals. There were widespread demonstrations by the two communities against the inclusion of four new groups in the state’s ST list. Gujjars and Bakarwals, the dominant ST groups in the UT, see this as potentially diluting their political empowerment. The Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which seeks to add four communities – Gadda Brahmin, Koli, Paddari Tribe, and Pahari Ethnic Group – to the list of STs in J&K, was passed in the Lok Sabha in January. This bill seeks to add the pahadi-speaking community to the ST list, enabling them to access a 10 per cent reservation. The community has long sought recognition as ST, with this demand originating in 1975.
• Unemployment: The rate of unemployment in the age group of 15 to 29 years is 18.3 per cent, as per the MHA. The ministry also said more than 29,000 vacancies have been filled in J&K after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The Centre has pushed government recruitment drives and a number of self-employment schemes like Mission Youth, Rural Livelihood Mission, Himayat, PMEGP, Avsar, Tejaswani are being implemented for providing employment opportunities
• Infrastructure development: Kashmir has seen a significant boost in infrastructure development over the past five years. This has been largely perceived positively and is something that the UT and Centre can bank on as an achievement. This includes the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, PM Gram Sadak Yojana, rural development through NABARD schemes, MoRTH projects, first rail line to Kashmir, expansion of Srinagar airport terminal among others.

Voter demographic

City: 12,19,516

Urban agglomeration population: 12,36,829

Female: 47%

Sex ratio: 888 females per 1,000 males (city) and 880 females per 1,000 males (urban agglomeration)

City and urban agglomeration average literacy rate: 71% (national average is 74.04%)

Muslims: 95% (11,57,044)

Hindus: 4% (42,442)

Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains: 1%

Caste-based Population

SC: 0.1% (1,068)

ST: 0.7% (8,935)