Jammu And Kashmir As A State
The northern most state of India, or rather the crown of the country - that is Jammu and Kashmir occupying and area of 222,236 sq km. To its south, the state has a beautiful neighbour in form of Himachal Pradesh. To its north and east is the People's Republic of China while to its west is country of Pakistan.

The state is segregated into three regions owing to the difference in topography and culture.

While Jammu has plenty of temples and forests retreats, Kashmir is a jewel shinning under clear blue sky and infront of snow covered mountains. Ladakh, on the other hand is a cold desert with a lifestyle that resembles more to Tibet than to India.

Though, continuous terrorists attacks on the state has mitigated much of the erstwhile charm, yet offlate, things have been changing for good. A whole lot of people are yet again taking up tourism to this beautiful land.


Significance of Buddhism in Jammu and Kashmir
The great Mauryan Emperor Asoka, who renounced violence in favour of peace, is given the credit of establishing the city of Srinagar. Mentions of Buddhist monks coming over to Kashmir is also found in the accounts of the famous traveller, Hiuen Tsang. The Brahmins who resided in this area were pretty lenient to Buddhism and even admired it, however, the beginning of Muslim rule in the 13th century brought about a setback in the development of Buddhism since many Muslim rulers were not tolerant enough to allow the growth of other religion.


From Kashmir, Buddhism spread to Ladakh, Tiber, Central Asia and China. Today, Ladakh boasts of around 50 pecent of Buddhist population and a number of monasteries and gompa perched atop hills.


Major Buddhist Places in Jammu and Kashmir

• Leh - Ladakh : The third geo cultural region, Ladakh is the centre of Buddhism in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is a base for visiting many Buddhist monasteries in the regions. There are actually two monastery circuits which can be taken while you are in Leh. The first one covers Shey, Thiksey, Stakna, Matto, Chembray,Tak-Tok and Hemis while the second one covers Spituk, Phyang, Likir, Alchi, Ridzong and Lamayuru. The Leh monasteries represent all the four schools of Buddhism - Nyingmapa (the oldest one), Drukpa, Saskyapa and Gelugspa (the newest one but most well represented).

Major Buddhist Monuments

• Hemis Monastery : Perhaps the most important monastery of Ladakh, Hemis lies at a distance of 45 km from Leh. The monastery was founded in the 1630s during the reign of Sengye Namgyal and is the wealthiest one in the region. Today, the highlight of the monastery is its two day annual festival, the Hemis festival, which coincides with the period when the tourists start pouring in the state. A large number of these tourists visit the monastery to be a part of the festival where monks wear masks and perform dances to the clashing of cymbals. Every 12th year, the festival's attraction multiplies because this is the time when the most valuable possession of the monastery, a huge pearl decorated thangka of Padmasambhava, is unfurled for public sighting. The last time it was unfurled was in the year 2004.
  
  
• Lamayuru monastery : This is one of the earliest monasteries of Ladakh and stands on a promonotory, some 120 km west of Leh. The monastery founded in the 10th century and is in need of bit of preservation since almost entire structure is in ruins excepting the assembly hall. Lamayuru celebrates its festival, Yundrung Kabgyad, on the 28th and 29th days of the second Tibetan month.
  
  
• Thiksey Monastery : Thiksey is considered the most beautiful of all monasteries in Ladakh. It is around 600 years old and spreads up in 12 level on a hillside. Right at the top is the private apartment of the incarnate lama. Monks of this monastery adhere to the yellow hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It is located around 17 km from Leh
  
  
  
• Spituk Monastery : This monastery was established by Od-De in the 11th century, however, its name, Spituk (exemplary) was the contribution of the Rinchen Zangpo, a translator who visited the place. The monastery was originally associated with the Kadampa School, however, it later adopted the Gelukpa order. The annual festival of the monastery is known as the Spituk festival and is held from the 17th to 19th days of the eleventh month of Tibetan calendar.

Other Major Attractions

• Jammu : Jammu is the winter capital of the state and is known for its temples. Moreover, it is also emerging as the commercial centre of the state. Devotees desirous of visiting the famous Amarnath temple, too, can start off their trip from Jammu.
  
  
• Srinagar : The state capital Srinagar lies along both banks of river Jhelum at an altitude of 5214 feet in the western Kashmir valley. Highlights of this pictursque town are the beautiful Mughal gardens, waterways and souvenirs. Staying in the luxurious houseboat on the Dal Lake is a dream of many tourists.
  
  
• Gulmarg : At a distance of 96 km from Srinagar, Pahalgam is a favourite with anglers, trekkers and solace seekers alike. Delux buses and taxis are available from Srinagar to transfer you to Pahalgam.
  
  
• Sonamarg : 80 km northeast of Srinagar, Sonamarg is located at an altitude of 2740m above sea level. Tourists highlights in and around Sonamarg include Nilagrad, a colony of the Baltics where a small stream meets river Sindh. The water is believed to have curative powers. Sonamarg also haapens to be a major gateway to the Ladakh region. Merely 20 km from Sonamarg is the Zoji-la pass which leads towards the Ladakh plateau.