Kishtwar
Kishtwar
Kishtwar town is the HQ of District Kishtwar situated at a distance of 235 kms from the winter capital
of Jammu and Kashmir State. It is located between 35-55 and 45-97 degrees longitudinal; however the
altitude of the District varies from 3000-15000 ft. above the sea level.Kishtwar is bounded on the
north by Kashmir and Zanskar Velleys, on the south by Bhaderwah and Doda Tehsils, on the east by
Himachal Predesh and on the west by Anantnag and Ramban Districts. Kishtwar district branches off
in three valleys of Marwa,Warwan,Padder and Chatru with their terminal at Kishtwar town.Kishtwar is
popularly known as ‘The Land of Saffron and Sapphire’ as it is one of the two places in India where
saffron is being cultivated. Kishtwar is a town in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir with a
numbers of tourist’s attractions and natural resources.Kishtwar is surrounded by the mighty Himalayas
from all the sides , kindling off in Marwah-Warwan valley, Paddar valley and Chhatroo valley. Kishtwar
endowed with dense forests of deodar, fir and pine is treasure of scenic beauty. There are high altitude
mountains ranging between 20,000 feet to 21,000 feet like Num Kum, Burmah and Barnag.Travel to Kishtwar
is extremely popular among tourists for the Kishtwar national park that includes the catchment areas
of Kiar, Nanth and the Kibar streams. Animals such as the Snow Leopard, Antelope, Wild Yak and the
Tibetan Ass can be commonly sighted in this park. At a distance of 19 kilometers from Kishtwar lies
the holy pilgrimage of Sarthal Devi. The shrine of Sarthal Devi is well known for its historical
importance. The statute of the 18-armed Goddess is a prime attraction at Sarthal Devi. It is believed
that this shrine is the winter abode of the goddess Sarthal Devi. Apart from this kishtwar offers
tremendous scope for pilgrim tourism also as some important shrines are located in the area. These
include Ziarat Zain-Shah-Sahib, Farid-ud-Din Sahib, Hazrat Asrar-ud-Din Sahib, Athara Bhuja Devi temple,
Chandi Mata temple and Hatta Wali Matta.