Anantnag Gateway to Kashmir Valley

According to a saying if the heaven exists on earth it is here at Kashmir and this city Anantnag, situated just, 55 k.m. away, from the capital Shrinagar of this northern Indian state is said to be Gateway of this heavenly valley. If you wish to have a real feel of the natural beauty of the state it is advisable that instead of shrinagar use this city as your base camp. The area of the district is about 3984sq.km. And population is in the vicinity of 15 Lakhs with the sharing of boundaries with Shrinagar, Pulwama, Doda, Kishtwar, Kargil, Ramban, Budhal [Rajouri District] almost all the places of tourist attraction in the valley. In the west direction of the district presence of mighty Pir Panchal range of mountains increase the beauty of the district. Anantnag is the city where you can visit at any time of the year as here every season has its own charms and offer some thing for the tourists for India holidays.It is fact that the most tourist friendly time here is from the May to September but even if you can adjust with the low temperatures even below 00 C you can visit in the December and can enjoy the ice games. If you wish to see the fantastic beauty of the valley in the shadows of long Chinars, October and November months are the most suitable for that. The nearest Air port to the city is the Shrinagar almost at the distance of just 65 km. so a road journey say of two hours will be sufficient to reach here. Nearest railway station is Jamu from where you can take taxi or bus to reach here by national highway NA-1A.When you are here remember to taste Nun Chai – A type of tea with milk and salt and Kahawa – another type of tea without milk, ingredients used to make this are of the nature of supplying heat to body. Kashmiri Mutton Pulaav is another dish which will keep you eager to visit this place again, use of dry fruits makes this dish such delicious that even the fragrance of this is sufficient to work as catalytic power for your appetite. Among the places of tourist attraction ruins of Martand Temple – A temple dedicated to sun is one and are situated about 10 km away from the heart of Anantnag city. There are many stories regarding the construction of this temple but the central idea suggest that the temple was constructed some where around between A.D. 300 to 500. Shrine of Hajarat Azinuddin wali is another place to visit this is on the Pahalgam Anantnag road and is situated at a hill almost 100 meters of height from the road level a view of surrounding from here will remain alive in your memories for the rest of life. Pahalagam, Khilanmarg and Golf course are some other places. If you can able to locate a local resident to guide you in your tourism it will make your travel not only more comfortable but will also help you to see some of the unexplored attractions.