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Culture of Jammu and Kashmir Distinct from the rest of the country, Jammu and Kashmir sports a multifaceted, multicolored and unique cultural blend. Not only the geographical conditions of the state are different but it can also be set apart demographically with varied ethical and social entities, diversity of religions flourishing in the area, different language and cultural forms and heritage albeit with an over-reigning harmony that blends in with the serenity and beauty of the region. One gets dazed by the sheer diversity and richness of art and architecture, fairs and festivals, rites and rituals, seers and sagas, languages and mountains that thrive amongst the unparalleled cultural cohesion, which is exemplary. Kashmir has been the highest learning centre of Sanskrit and Persian as Indo-Aryanic civilization has originated and flourished here. It also embraced the advent of Islam along with the virtues of Persian civilization such as tolerance, brotherhood and sacrifice. Nature's grand finale of beauty, Kashmir is the masterpiece of earth's creation and the folk performances of Kashmir are intimately mingled with the moods and movements of the seasons. The Lifestyle of the local people is quite slow in the old city. The waterways and shikaras are the best way of going into the interiors of the old city. Women are very enterprising, they sell food items, flowers and handcrafted items on their floating markets. Kashmiris use willow baskets for carrying essential items from one place to the other. There are a number of open-air markets in the old city. Here visiting tourists have the pleasure of buying all the traditional Kashmiri spices and food items. Tours and travel to the state of Kashmir also tempts you to shop in the open air markets in the old city where one is likely to find all those traditional items that are used in the kitchens of these simple people. As far as the clothing is concerned the Phiran is a commonly worn garment. It is usually made of wool and has a lot of embroidery work done on it. These gowns are decorated with colorful floral motifs and designs. Some of the historic landmarks in this state include Peer Baba, Patnitop, Pahalgam, Hemis Gompa, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa and the Shanti Stupa. |
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