Location: on
Jammu-Srinagar Road, Jammu Region, J&K
Altitude: 1,700m To 4,800m
Main Attractions: Waterfalls, Trekking, Sapphire Mines Of Paddar
Best Time To Visit: June To October
Well off the Jammu Srinagar road, Kishtwar is connected to
Srinagar by a trekking route, which goes through Banderkot,
Dadhpeth, Mughal Maidan, Chhatru, Sinthan and Daksum; crossing
the 3,797 metres Sinthan pass. One can also trek from Kishtwar
into Zanskar. The town is noted for its natural beauty, history
and art.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Kishtwar is sited on a plateau above the Chenab River and below
the Nagin Sheer glacier. It is noted for the fine saffron grown
in the area and for the many waterfalls close by.
A fall only 3-km from the town drops over 700m in a series of
cascades. The Falls are a marvelous sight, visible even from the
town. Saffron, a very colourful sight in spring and summer,
grows only in a limited area and the cultivation and harvesting
is accompanied by merry festivals and ceremonies.
Sarthal Devi
The pilgrimage site of Sarthal Devi, with its 18-armed goddess
statue, is 19 km from the town. Kishtwar also has the tombs of
two important Muslim saints.
Sapphire Mines Of Paddar
Situated 115-km beyond Kishtwar at an altitude of over 4,000
metres, are the blue sapphire mines of Paddar. There is a road
leading up to this area from Kishtwar. Sapphire mines were only
discovered in the 1880s and have been worked only intermittently
since this time because of the difficult terrain and
unscientific mining techniques. Now the mines are open regularly
and are more productive.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The nearest airport is situated in Jammu (250-km).
Rail: The nearest railhead is situated in Jammu (248-km).
Road: The road is constructed upto Ikhala, but bus services are
only operated up to Plamer, which is 20-km away, in the north of
Kishtwar.
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