The Jammu and Kashmir State finds its gateway at Lakhanpur, boundary being Ravi river adjoining Punjab and Himachal Pradesh states. Whole of Jammu region right from Lakhanpur to border town Poonch in the East West and Ranbirsinghpura to Banihal Kashmir valley to the last reach of Ladakh abounds in historical, archaeological and spiritual significance and enchanting beauty and grandeur.
The Jammu region as a whole encompasses the cynosure of vast sprawling and undulating terrain ranging from Kandi belt of Lakhanpur to Poonch with scruby and Pines forests. In its higher reaches are shivaliks and the Tawi valley in its back drop is having enchanting beautiful mountains ranges rising one behind the other with Lush green, Vibrant and slabrious scruby and Chir pines and then majestic deodar and blue pines.
The Trikuta hills crowned by three towering peaks are fantastic spiritual charms and sarictocity in whose lap is located world renowed sacred shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi. With the early golden sun rise over the Tawi Valley offers a gorgeous glimpse of Mother Nature.
In Jammu and Kashmir, where the terrain and its tracks occupy their unique placement, such sources were abundant but have now lost their pristine grandeur and glory. However, still natural springs and water ponds (Talav) do exist but in so far as the quality, quantity and purity of water is concerned, these have been badly polluted expecting those which exist in the temperate, sub-alpine and alpine zones of Himalayas for which the details are briefed down below :-
Natural springs do exist in the low lying areas of Kandi belt from Lakhanpur to the last reach of Poonch in the upper reaches of Kandi belt as for example Basoli, Bani, Dhar road reaching Udhampur and its vicinity. Then from Udhampur to Reasi, Mahore in the northwest towards Thakarakote and enroute Baba Jitto (Agar), Bambla, Kalakote, Nowshera and Poonch on North-West of Jammu.
Springs at Kathua:- in the lower belt of the outskirts where temples of Gods and Goddesses exist and people from far away place come here for holy dip and annual festivals are as well held.
Springs of Nagri Parole :- There are many springs near this area falling in Kathua district just 3 to 4 kms down below Nagri Parole is natural spring adjoining an old pristhan and people suffering from skin ailments are being cured after having a dip in this spring. It is believed that this is due to shrine Shakti of Pir Baba. But Scientifically the water has been sen to have sulpher smell.
Springs at Airwan - Airwan or Aravati, either way we name is located some 9-10 Kms from Nagri Parole is the most prominent sacred place of Shakti Literally speaking, Airwan is a splited word - Air means air which enlivens the entire biolife and wan means gain or win means win over air. There are two big springs where pilgrims from far away places including Punjab Himachal Pradesh and Haryana come here for holy dip on ‘‘Chaitra Chaturaash’ (in March) every year pay obeisance to the sacred shrine of lord Shiva and a big festival is held here as elsewhere in Purmandal and Utterbehni in Jammu. The Airwan (a small hamlet) links National Highway stretching a short distance of 9-10 kms.
In the outskirts of Jammu city many springs existed which now stand depleted excepting at ‘‘Bhair Devasthan’’ around 15 kms from Jammu towards Udhampur. It is a Shakti Shrine where natual spring exists alongside the Tawi stream and big fish are in plenty and milk and kneaded balls of flour are offered. A miniscule number do exist at Udhampur Jhajarkotli & Udhampur (Devik) and while proceeding towards Billawar one finds many springs though now depleted/under depletion. These are Podu,Danga Ki Baoli, Bani, Banas, Gharat Jeetu, Thana Garni Ishri and lastly Panditain Wali Baoli and of all ‘‘Khoon spring’’ is most prominent.
Khoon Spring - Some 50 kms from Udhampur along Dhar road is existing this natual baoli with nectar clear water and a man temple of lord Shiva also exists there where people come to pay obeisance and obtain blessings.
Sukrala Springs : Though in miniscule number are fastly depleting and proceeding uphill towards Machadi which links Ramnagar through hilly terrain nestling amongst pines and deodar are having small natural springs with crystal clear water of ample importance.
Basholi Bani Springs : The entire track is having many natural springs linking Bhaderwah and the entire sub Himalayan region is plentiful of natural springs having crystal clear water and local populace subsist upon their day to day requirement of the lives.
Gauri Kund Baolies : There is a cluster of springs at Chenani town itself as well as Guari Kund which are centuries old. Mata Parvati Lord Shiva’s consort used to have holy bath where she meditated in the vicinity of Sudhmahadev area.
Sudmahadev’s Spring : This spring is also named as ‘‘papnashi Baoli’’ and is of high sanctityn as it is believed that a holy dip in this spring washes off one’s sins. An annual mela lasting for couple of days isbeing celebrated in the first week of March where pilgrims from far away places come here pay obeisance to Lord Shiva’s centuries old temple after having a holy dip in this spring. From Sudmahadev onwards to Man Talai, Bap, Sarar, Latti, Dhoona, Seri, Chari and finally one reaches Suezdhar (the origin of Tawi river). From the base of Suez uphill Dharside one gets trek down to Bhaderwah amongst nestling pines,herbs , shrubs and other multitudinal medicinal plants.
Kud Spring : This spring is having its own importance where nectar clear water gushes out and is also called ‘‘Swami Wala Spring’’. The tourists from India and abroad are having a short spell and have a sweet taste of this natural spring of hilly resort and a temple of lord Shiva also existhere where people from India and abroad throng for holy darshan.
Sanasar Spring : Patnitop is a prominent hill resort on the tourist map of India and the World and Sanasar take its route barely 18 kms from here. Over the remote past, Sanasar was a prominent lake, now stand almost dried. Here exists natural spring named as ‘‘Viran Spring’’ whose water is crystal clear and sweet and from centuries old a small temple of ‘‘Chancer nag Devta’’ exists where people from far flung areas throng here annually.
Batote Springs Two prominent springs are in existence in this picturesque spot of Batote Viz, Amirt and Lal Spring having nectar-clear elixir of life leasing water and tourists from India/abroad are having short spells to enjoy the taste of sweet fresh water.
Now on entering the charming Chinab Valley having a long stretch of around 185 kms from Batote to the last reach of motorable Padder National Highway-2 road, its prominence of Sub-Himalayan region with picturesque spots and lovely valleys, impregnable natural citadels of Assar, Baggar, Khaleni, Doda, Premnagar, Thathri, Kishtwar, Dul Hasti, Padder and Atholi. The entire terrain and their hill tops/uplands are snowcapped during winter nestling amongst broad leaved and pines and other herbs, shrubs, aromatical and medicinal plants. These are of unaccountable in number and of the few prominence are in village Saroor whose water bath is having the legend to help the barren couples, apart from other springs viz Humar Nag, Pootnag, Tila Machi, Harel, Arhai, Mahalnag, Kundall, Oarnar, Murpunyar, Gadarsh, Vadan, hot springs of Marwa-Dachan whose water care orthopaedic ailments such as gout and rhemutism. All these baolies are the treasure trove of mountainous region and are revered places for ablutions and worship in those areas of far flung villages and hamlets. And of all these natural springs, one by name Tattapani of Kishtwar is of utmost importance.
In addition, there are other springs in the area :
Tattapani Spring (Atholi-Kishtwar)
Marwa Springs (Kishtwar)
Kailash Kund
Gupt Ganga
Parnala Spring,
Chhabra Spring
Suraj Baoli
Khakhal spring,
Ghalha spring
Udrana spring
Fort Spring
Sona Bain
Now, as and when we move towards North-west of Jammu region torwards Poonch, we also come across a multitudinal natural springs and of the few of utmost importance are as below:-
Jajjhar Kotli springs
Baba Agar Jitto springs
Sulla Spring
Ram Kund
Tattapani Spring of Gool Gulabgarh (Mahore) and Mendhar (Poonch) are very efficacious for removal of skin diseases and are of sanitocity prominence.
These springs are the important heritage of the state and efforts should be made to maintain them for coming generations.
Kerala, the Gods own country Situated in India has a rich tradition of Handicrafts. Kerala’s traditional handicrafts are a class of its own. The artisans of kerala have traditional expertise in carving in wood, jewellery design, both gold and silver and also in other mediums. Making idos and figures in metaletc. The gifted artisans makes beautiful idols of Lord Krishna, Ganesh, Goddess Saraswathi, Lakshmi etc. in sandal wood ,elephants in rose wood and other art works in varieties of other woods.Life size models of Kathakali, and models depiciting snake boat race of kerala are exclusive masterpieces of kerala aritisans. The idols of Lord Nataraja in dancing posture and the various lamps vilakku which are essential for every ceremonies of keralities are also created by artisans.
It is believed that Kerala is the fastest growing tourist spot in Asia and one of the most demanding tourist destinations in the world. During your Kerala tours, you will enjoy the fascination of Kerala with its unique and rich geographical features. You will observe that why this land of superb natural beauty is called as the God’s own country. It is sure that blessed with superb view this small but beautiful land of Kerala never fails to allure you.
In Kerala, there are many hideaways, far from mass tourism. The glory of the Nature remains still undisturbed in these places. Some of the fascinating haunts look at their primordial best. You get one of the finest body toning therapies, practiced since 5000 years. These herbal preparations strengthen the immune system of the body, so that skin irritants like acne do not occur at all. The treatment is free from side effects. They have arrangements here to teach you yoga asanas. You are also taught meditation, under the guidance of an expert teacher.
Kerala is best known for its stunning beaches and beach resorts – perhaps one of the best beach destinations in the world. During your Kerala beach tours, you will be allured with palm-lined beaches of Kerala which are famous for the placid surf and azure blue water. The view of sun kissed sand seems as a paradise on the earth.
Kerala is also known for its stunning backwaters. During your Kerala backwater tours you will be allured with these backwaters. The backwaters in Kerala are a chain of lagoons and lakes. Lying parallel to the Arabian Sea, backwaters in Kerala are network of five large lakes. Kerala Houseboats are one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the state of Kerala. During your Kerala Houseboat Tours you will enjoy the backwaters of Kerala and other landscaped places & beautiful small villages of Kerala through houseboats. Living in the houseboat is a unique experience.
Kerala is the land of Ayurveda and rejuvenation centers. You get many a beauty therapies to take care of the pimples, sagging of the skin, wrinkles acne, and hair fall.Kerala is the land of Ayurveda. It is also the land of rejuvenation centers. The procedures adopted in rejuvenation have the capacity to beat back the aging process, why create blockades for the Lord of Death itself. The treatment takes care of all the major and minor ailments related to the body equipment. Here you get excellent care for your acne, to solve the problem once and for all. When inner impurities in the body are no more, where is the scope for external impurities like acne.
The best part of the starred hotels here in Kerala is that they have perfect arrangements to provide you with starred health facilities. So, you find the heaviest medical tourism in this part of the country. There is a strong reason for this. You get food for the soul, food for the mind, food for the body. Every famous hotel has an inbuilt health center. You can’t call it a hospital. The atmosphere and aroma within the treatment center is entirely different. It is healthy and divine and amidst right types of vibrations. You get accommodation, at moderate rates.
