Kargil is a district in Jammu & Kashmir which is widely known as the Lan...
Kargil is a district in Jammu & Kashmir which is widely known as the Land of Agas. The Shia Muslims who make up the majority of the population give the district its name. Kargil is about 205 kilometres from Srinagar and overlooks the Kashmir valley. It is close to the Line of Control (LOC) with Pakistan.
The Kargil War or Kargil Conflict, which took place between India and Pakistan in 1999, was centred on this location. Kargil is a combination of two words: 'Khar,' which means castle, and 'rkill,' which means centre. As a result, the term refers to a location between castles, which is an excellent description of the destination, which is located between India and Pakistan.
The monasteries, scenic valleys, and little towns of Kargil are well-known. The Sani Monastery, the Mulbekh Monastery, and the Shargole Monastery are some of the most notable tourist sites and Buddhist religious centres in the area.
Tibetan Buddhists originally lived in Kargil, but the Shia movement arose following the arrival of Muslim missionaries in the 14th century. Originally, it was part of Ladakh's Baltistan district. Individual isolated valleys separated by tall mountains were home to many various ethnic, religious, and linguistic communities in this region. After India was partitioned, however, this altered. During the first Kashmir War (1947-1948), the Baltistan district was divided, with Kargil becoming part of India's Jammu and Kashmir state.Pakistani forces infiltrated a 160-kilometer area of mountains overlooking the road linking Leh and Srinagar during the Kargil War in 1999. Kargil was also given historical significance because it was a significant halt for traders traveling the famous transcontinental Silk Route.
Look at the Culture, beyond the historical war
Kargil culture imposes communal ceremonies such as marriages, which retain many societal and ritual elements that are recognisable to both Muslims and Buddhists. Kargil's culture is reflected in the indigenous songs of rgya-glu and balti ghazals. Popular folk melodies such as 'Rgyaglu' and 'Balti ghazals' were enthusiastically performed at communal meetings. Every twelve months, the Jammu and Kashmir tourism ministry organises cultural events in Kargil, with varied programmes aimed at highlighting traditions and boosting the district's tourism economy.
Shopping in Kargil
Don't forget to pick up some dried apricots,while in Kargil. Brass utensils, handicrafts, pashmina shawls, and carpets are among the items available for purchase. Along with travel hookahs, you can also get flint and tobacco pouches. Semi-precious stones can also be found in Kargil.
Dining Out In Kargil
The Main Bazar offers a vast variety of Kashmiri, Punjabi, and Tibetan cuisines. There are several dhabas in town that serve both locals and visitors, thus food is reasonably reasonable. As a conservative Muslim town, Kargil does not have a bar, but tea is provided at every dhaba.
Accomodations in Kargil
During your time in Kargil, you have a variety of hotel alternatives to select from. In Kargil, there are hotels and guest homes with well-equipped amenities that will make your stay pleasant. Tourist bungalows and cheap motels are also available for booking. Although there are no 5-star hotels in Kargil, 4 and 3-star hotels are available. The nicest feature of the hotels in Kargil is the breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
Places to visit in Kargil
- Mulbekh Monastery - Mulbekh monastery, 36 kilometers from Kargil on the way to Leh on National Highway 1D, is enshrined with a 9-meter-tall idol of Maitreya Buddha (future) etched into the rocks. The idol is assumed to be from the eighth century, however another school of thought says it was erected under the reign of Kushan. The missionaries are reported to have carved the sculpture, but the artwork also shows that they were not Tibetans, but rather Ladaakhis.
- Drass War Memorial - The Indian Army constructed the Drass War Memorial near Kargil in commemoration of the soldiers and officers who died in the Kargil war in 1999. It is also known as Vijaypath and is made of pink sandstone with an inscription honoring the brave soldiers. The pink sandstone wall with the names of the warriors who perished fighting for the country is the primary attraction here.
- Suru Valley - Suru Valley, like the rest of the state, is a breathtakingly gorgeous valley with the Suru River, a major tributary of the Indus, running through it. This rich canyon, which stretches from Kargil to the Panzella glacier, is cultivated more than any other in Ladakh. The Suru valley's beauty can be seen in places like Panikhar and Parachik, where grass turns a vivid, bold rusty orange against barren mountain peaks.
- Kargil Main Street - As a small town, Kargil's main street isn't exactly a shopper's paradise. The main street, on the other hand, has a variety of dry fruits as well as some delicious meals. Some businesses also sell souvenirs such as locally produced folk music.
- Lamayuru Monastery - The enormous Lamayuru Monastery, which is the main attraction of the Lamayuru district, is about 127 kilometers from Leh. This monastery is notable for its murals, frescoes, and column paintings that depict Buddhist iconography in the Kashmiri style. A modest temple devoted to Avalokiteshwara, the embodiment of all Buddhas' compassion, is also located on the premises of the monastery. Lamayuru Monastery has two annual Mask Dance Festivals, which are one of the most popular times to visit.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Kargil is from April to September. Winter months are best avoided because temperatures can drop to as low as 25 degrees Celsius below zero during this time of year. The greatest time to visit Kargil is during the summer months.
How to reach ?
- By Air - Srinagar Airport is about 260 kilometers away, whereas Leh Airport is about 220 kilometers away.
- By Rail - Jammu Tawi Railway Station, located around 440 kilometers from Kargil, is the nearest railway station.
- By Bus - From March to June, the National Highway (NH 1), which connects Srinagar and Leh and cuts through the Kargil route, is open to travelers.
