Kishtwar is a municipality in the Jammu region of J&K, located in the Kishtwar District. The town is the district’s lone municipality and the district’s center of business and learning. The town was the historic kingdom of Kishtwar’s seat and has seen many important Indian military operations, including those of the Mughals. The ruler of Kishtwar was a subsidiary of the Kashmir Kingdom, and its cultural and linguistic similarities to the Kashmir valley can be traced back to him. The people also speak a language that is unique to this region and is known as Kishtwar. As a result of being a part of the Dogra kingdom, certain Dogri practices and terms have been adopted into the native language.
Kishtwar is a well-known hill station famed for its natural beauty, history, and art. Kishtwar is located at an elevation of 1700m to 4800m and is connected to Srinagar via a trekking path through Banderkot, Dadhpeth, Mughal Maidan, Chhatru, Sinthan, and Daksum. The village is located above the Chenab River and beneath the Nagin Sheer Glacier. Because of its large saffron output, it is commonly referred to as the land of excellent Saffron.
Kishtwar National Park’s History
Kishtwar National Park, established on February 4, 1981, is set among deep valleys and gigantic mountains, presenting nature’s undiscovered grandeur.
It has garnered a lot of popularity among local tourists from the time of this statement. There appear to be numerous records of this location that are recorded in historical literature. Rajatarangini, a Sanskrit work composed in the 12th century, is one of them.
Major Attractions in Kishtwar
Several waterfalls surround the location, providing a spectacular panorama. These waterfalls may be seen from anywhere in town. One of them falls from a height of almost 700 meters and provides a spectacular view as well as the sound of breaking water.
Also Read, Bhaderwah: The Crown Jewel of Jammu
The ‘Sarthal Devi Temple’ is a Hindu temple located near the town in terms of religion. The temple is devoted to a manifestation of Goddess Durga and includes an 18-armed goddess shrine. There are some prominent shrines in the high-altitude mountains of Nun Kun, Burmah, and Barang, including Ziarat Zain-Shah-Sahib, Farid-ud-Din Sahib, Hazrat Asrar-ud-Din Sahib, and Chandi Mata temple.
1. Pensi La
Pensi La is situated at an elevation of 4200m. It is a popular tourist destination in Kishtwar National Park. It is renowned as the gateway from the Suru Valley to the Zanskar Valley. When it comes to flora, there are a plethora of therapeutic plants to be found here. With all of this, Kishtwar National Park is a wildlife explorer’s and photographer’s dream.
2. Drang Drung Glacier
This lovely vacation destination is well worth your time and effort. Its hypnotic allure reminds you that there is still so much you don’t know about life and travel and that your perception of beauty is undoubtedly wrong. It is just here when a shift in viewpoint occurs, revealing a whole new dimension of life.
3. Daksum
A planned excursion to Daksum will not disappoint you. It is located at a high elevation of 2,400 meters. Furthermore, it is well-known among vacationers and adventure enthusiasts as a hiking destination.
4. Suru Valley
Suru Valley is well-known for its beautiful flora. It is also a popular trekking location for thrill-seekers. The Phokar rock sculptures, Suru river, and Panikhar villages are among the most prominent tourist attractions.
5. Panikhar
Panikhar, located at the very far end of the Suru valley, is most noteworthy for a ruined fort built by Zorawar Singh. From here, you may see some of the most breathtaking vistas of the Nun Kun mountains.
The Best Way to Visit Kishtwar National Park
This national park is one of the most attractive spots to visit in the area. This Park is well-known for its magnificent natural beauty and is a popular tourist destination. It is approximately 700, 2,100, 2,300, and 2,900 kilometers from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. Here’s how to go to Kishtwar National Park.
By plane
The nearest airport is Jammu Airport (IXJ), which is around 250 kilometers from the park. This airport solely handles domestic flights and has decent flight connectivity with adjacent and major Indian cities. It has been classified as India’s 27th busiest airport. To get here, you’d need to take a cab or some mode of public transit from the airport.
Taking the Train
The nearest railway station is Jammu, which is about 200-220 kilometers away from Kishtwar National Park. It is relatively well-connected to surrounding and large cities. Jhelum Express, Jammu Tawi Rajdhani Express, and Udhampur AC Express are some good rail alternatives to get here. To get here, take a cab or a bus from the train station.
Road trip
Because the overall road connectivity is poor, it is recommended to travel by plane or train. The road is only fully constructed till Ikhala, and from there you can take a bus. However, if you are looking for an adventure, you can journey here via car.
