Destinations
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Jammu and Kashmir has a curious intermingling of cultures and
religions, festivals and rituals, quite diverse and different
from elsewhere in India. The state is divided into three broad
segments: Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Kashmir has the maximum
population at 53%, Jammu has 45%, while remote and difficult
to access Ladakh, is a stark, sparsely inhabited moonscape of
incredible rough-hewn beauty. With less than 1 percent of the
total population of India, Jammu and Kashmir is the only
Indian state with a two-thirds Muslim majority. Hindus make up
about 30 percent of the population, and there are smaller
minorities of Sikhs and Buddhists. Urdu is the official state
language.
The people of Jammu area have close cultural similarities with
neighbouring Punjab state. They are predominantly Muslim in
the west, speaking Hindi and Urdu, and Hindu in the east where
Hindi, Punjabi and Dogri are commonly spoken. In the
northwest, Muslims form the majority in the Punch region.
Jammu, the seat of the erstwhile Rajas and Maharajas was
enriched by the cultural, historical and social bonds of all
the diverse ethnic influences.
The inhabitants of the valley of Kashmir are mainly Muslim and
speak either Urdu or Kashmiri. The Kashmiri language belongs
to the Dardic branch of the Indo-Aryan group of languages and
is rich in folklore and literature.
Kashmir has been the
learning centre of both Sanskrit and Persian where early
Indo-Aryanic civilizations had originated and flourished. The
advent of Islam brought with it the finest traditions of
Persian civilization, art and culture.
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More on Kashmir Overview History Geography Economy Festivals Wildlife Adventure Tourist Information Climate Places to Visit Drass Gulmarg Jammu Pahalgam Sonamarg Srinagar Ladakh More on Ladakh Travelogues Kashmir Journey to Ladakh |
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The sparsely inhabited Ladakh region and beyond is home mainly to Buddhist peoples speaking Balti and Ladakhi. For those interested in Tibetology and Buddhism, Ladakh is a dream come true. Ladakhis are known for their integrity, simplicity and humanity. Famous for their mask and scarf dances, flutes and cymbals and monastic festivals, Ladakh is the repository of an ancient cultural heritage and has been the highest living centre of Tantric Buddhism. Compiled by Puneet Sachdeva |
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Editor: Romola Butalia   (c) India Travelogue. All rights reserved. |