Places to visit in Kargil
Places to Visit in Kargil
The town is best remembered to the Kargil War when Indian military troops captured the Tiger Hill from infiltrators and emerged victorious in a long battle. It is situated at an elevation of 8,780 feet along the banks of the river Suru, also known as Indus.
The present day Kargil was once known as Purig. Gasho Thatha Khan also known as the Purig Sultan brought together all the warring small time princely states in the region and under his rule. This Purig later on became Kargil which is today the headquarters of the Kargil district of Ladakh.
The people of Kargil are of mixed Dard and Tibetan descent. Till the 14th and 15th centuries, the people of this region were followers of Tibetan Buddhism, but with the emergence of Muslim invaders then, many people were proselytized and converted to Islam. Today, a majority of the population belongs to the Shia Muslim community, while the minority communities belong to the Sunni Muslim and Tibetan categories.
The architecture of monuments and building reflect the impact of this conversion. The architectural styles are a combination of Tibetan and Iranian styles. The more recently constructed mosques exhibit a combination of Iranian and Arabic architectural styles.
Kargil serves as an excellent destination for adventure activities such as trekking, camping, mountaineering, river rafting etc. Some of the major tourist attractions in this region are the Nun and Kun peaks, the Mulbek, the Zanskar Valley etc. The local attractions include Pashmina Shawls, local carpets, dried apricots etc.
The nearest airport for reaching Kargil is situated at Leh. The nearest railway station is at Jammu, which is situated at a distance of 739 km from Leh. Roads connect Kargil to Srinagar and Leh and passengers will be required to register themselves at the Tourist Registration Centre in Drass.
Drass Valley in Kargil District in Jammu and Kashmir is popularly called as the gateway of Ladakh. In the infamous Kargil War, Drass has played a significant role. The Pakistani Army in 1999 started dropping shells in Drass and in the surrounding villages and thus the war broke out between India and Pakistan.
Drass is nestled amidst the snow-clad peaks on the Leh- Kargil National Highway at a height of 3230 meters above the sea level. Zojila Pass is the beginning of Drass Valley. Even when the harshest climatic conditions of winter hit the inhabitants here, the people kept guarding the valley intact and thus they are called the guardians of Ladakh’s gateway. The residents of the valley is known to be the saviours of stranded travelers who try to cross the pass along the snow covered trails and also they have stayed back in the valley to transport trading merchandise in the extreme cold. Drass is recognized as the base for the three day long Suru valley trek.
The coldest region of India is Drass where -12 degree Celsius is the average temperature during winter and it falls onto as low as -17 degree Celsius during the peak time of winter. The tours of Drass compulsorily include a visit to the famous Drass War Memorial which is built to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the India-Pakistan War in 1999. There is a Brigade War Valley that also turned to be the space to commemorate the lives and dedication of Indian soldiers during Kargil War.
Height: Drass Valley is located at an average height of 3820 meters.
Location: It is located 60 kms away from Ladakh and starts from the foot of the famous Zojila Pass.
Best time to visit: The season between the months of May and September are the suitable time to visit Drass.
The Kargil War Memorial, located in Dras, India, honors the sacrifices made during the 1999 Kargil War between India and Pakistan. It is a tribute to the soldiers who fought courageously in the conflict, showcasing their bravery and resilience. The memorial also has a Wall of Remembrance written with the martyrs' names and offers visitors a glimpse into the heroic tales of the war.
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