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Jammu and Kashmir - Union territorie

Jammu and Kashmir now became a Union territory with legislature.

Union territorie Jammu and Kashmir consists of two divisions: Jammu and Kashmir Valley. Previously it was state and divided into 22 districts. Jammu and Kashmir is a state in northern India. It is located mostly in the Himalayan mountains, and shares a border with the states of Jammu and Kashmirand Punjab to the south. Jammu and Kashmir has an international border with China in the north and east, and the Line of Control separates it from the Pakistan-controlled territories of Kashmir and Gilgit–Baltistan in the west and northwest respectively. The Union territory was special autonomy under Article 370 of the Constitution of India. Jammu and Kashmir consists of two regions: Jammu and the Kashmir Valley. Srinagar is the summer capital, and Jammu is the winter capital. The Kashmir valley is famous for its beautiful mountainous landscape, and Jammu's numerous shrines attract tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims every year. Jammu and Kashmir is the only Union territory in India with a Muslim-majority population.

Districts of Jammu and Kashmir - Union territorie

Anantnag Bandipora Baramulla Budgam Doda Ganderbal Jammu Kathua Kishtwar Kulgam Kupwara Poonch Pulwama Rajouri Ramban Reasi Samba Shopian Srinagar Udhampur

Culture of Jammu and Kashmir

Kashmir is famous for its cultural heritage; it amalgamates Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist philosophies and has involved composite culture based on the values of humanism and tolerance which is collectively known as Kashmiriyat.

Kashmir

The most important part of the cultural identity of the Kashmiri people is the Kashmiri(Koshur) language. This language is spoken only in the Valley of Kashmir by the Kashmiri Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims. Besides language, the Kashmiri cuisine and culture has been greatly influenced by Central Asian and Persian cultures for both communities. Kashmiri is an Indo-Aryan (linked to Rigvedic-Sanskrit) language close to Central Asian Avestan-Persian. In fact Kashmir is genuinely Central Asia and Buddhism travelled mainly from Kashmir to neighboring Afghanistan and Tajikistan. Both bordered ancient Kashmir. Cultural music and dance like Wanvun, Rouf, carpet/shawl weaving and Koshur Sufiana forms a very important part of Kashmiri identity. Kashmir has witnessed many spiritual gurus who migrated from their land to kashmir or has even witnessed the birth of some of the great poets and suifs of all time like LAL DAED,SHEIK-UL-ALAM many more and that's why it's regarded as PEERI VAER (a place or land of spiritual gurus) It is important to note that Kashmiri culture is predominantly only in the Kashmir valley Doda region. The other regions of the Larger J&K state, such as Jammu and Jammu and Kashmirare very different from Kashmir.

The Dumhal is a famous dance in the Kashmir valley, performed by men of the Wattal region. The women perform the Rouff, another traditional folk dance. Kashmir has been noted for its fine arts for centuries, including poetry and handicrafts. Shikaras, traditional small wooden boats, and houseboats are a common feature in various lakes and rivers across the Valley. Kehwa, traditional green tea with spices and almond, is consumed all through the day in the chilled winter climate of Kashmir. The kashmiri wedding is regarded incomplete without the kashmiri traditional food known as Wazwan, which is typically spicy food cooked by the traditional cooks (Wazi).

Jammu

Jammu's Dogra culture and tradition is very different from the Kashmiri culture. The Dogra culture is instead much similar to that of neighbouring Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Traditional Punjabi festivals such as Lohri and Baisakhi are celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm throughout the region, along with Accession Day, an annual holiday which commemorates the accession of Jammu & Kashmir to the Dominion of India. After Dogras, Gujjars form the second-largest ethnic group in Jammu. Known for their semi-nomadic lifestyle, Gujjars are also found in large numbers in the Kashmir valley. Similar to Gujjars, Gaddis are primarily herdsmen who hail from the Chamba region in Jammu and Kashmir. Gaddis are generally associated with emotive music played on the flute. The Bakkarwalas found both in Jammu and the outskirts of the Vale of Kashmir are wholly nomadic pastoral people who move along the Himalayan slopes in search for pastures for their huge flocks of goats and sheep.

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Jammu and Kashmir