Kashmir, the northernmost part of India, is considered the crown of the nation. Nestled in the lap of the mighty Himalayan ranges, Kashmir is most rapturous and beautiful with lovely vales, waterfalls, gardens and snow clad peaks. Kashmir is the essence of everything that is Indian--its culture, history, tradition, people, and natural splendor. The state has a long history encompassing around 4,000 years and there are many prehistoric sites, which give indication of human settlement in this region in those times.

Places to see:

• Srinagar: This capital city of the state is the most famous tourist destination. An ancient city, there are many attractions that can attract even the most unwilling tourists to this magical land. Dal Lake, Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Chashme Shahi are some of the best-known tourist spots here.
• Jammu: The winter capital of the state, the city stands next in importance after Srinagar. Most of the tourists who come to the Jammu region have the close by Mata Vaishno Devi shrine as their destination. However, the spirit of holiness permeates through the entire city, so much so that Jammu is also known as the 'City of Temples'.
• Temples: The Raghunath Temple Complex is the largest temple in North India devoted to Lord Rama. The temple of Maha Kali (better known as Bahu or Bawey Wali Mata), located in the Bahu Fort, is considered second only to Mata Vaishno Devi in terms of mystical power. Other temples in the city include the Gauri Kund Temple, Shudh Mahadev Temple, Shiva Temple, Peer Khoh Cave Temple, Ranbireshwar Temple, and the Parmandal Temple Complex.
• Leh and Ladakh: Home to the minority Buddhist community in the state, Ladakh preserves their unique culture for the past hundreds of years. Leh is the headquarters of this region. The major points of attraction are the Leh Palace, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, Sankar Gompa, Shanti Stupa, and Soma Gompa.