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government of India. Jammu and During the winter season, they stay at
Kashmir has two capitals depending on home and make handicrafts from wood
the season: Srinagar is the capital during and Papier mache. Some weave silk and
the summer months (May to October), woollen cloth. The carpets and shawls of
and Jammu becomes the capital in winter Kashmir are very famous.
(November to April). This change was Many people travel to the Union Territory
made to improve administration and of Jammu and Kashmir because it has
governance in the region. many beautiful and special places to see.
This region is full of natural beauty. Even Popular tourist spots include Srinagar,
the Great Mughals called it the ‘Heaven on which is known for its lakes and gardens;
Earth’. The main languages spoken here are Pahalgam, a peaceful valley surrounded
Kashmiri, Dogri, Ladakhi and Urdu. by mountains; and Gulmarg, which is
Kashmir is known for its stunning natural famous for snow and skiing. Vaishno
beauty and peaceful atmosphere. One of Devi is a holy place where many pilgrims
its famous attractions is the Shalimar go to pray, and the Amarnath caves are
Garden, built by the Mughal emperor also important for religious reasons,
Jahangir. It is full of flowers, fountains, especially during the Amarnath Yatra.
and greenery. The region also has two These places attract visitors from all over
well-known lakes—Wular and Dal— the world for their natural beauty and
where people enjoy boat rides. Tourists spiritual importance.
love the unique houseboats and small Ladakh is situated in the north-eastern
wooden boats called shikaras that float on part of the country. The capital of Ladakh
these lakes. The weather in Kashmir is is Leh. People in Ladakh rear yaks and
cool during summer, making it a great pashmina goats. They follow Buddhism.
escape from the heat, but winters can be They speak Ladakhi.
very cold with snowfall covering the Himachal Pradesh
mountains and valleys. The Kashmiris
Shimla is the capital city of Himachal
use a kangri (A small pot with burning
Pradesh, a beautiful state in northern
coal) to keep themselves warm. Men and
India. The way people live in Himachal
women generally wear phiran (a woollen
Pradesh is quite similar to those in
garment) and salwar. The main festivals
Kashmir. Most people depend on farming
celebrated here are Eid and Shivratri.
for their livelihood. They grow like rice,
People drink kahwa, a special type of tea.
maize, and barley, and also cultivate fruits
During the summer season, most people
and vegetables. Along with farming,
work in the fields. They grow rice, maize, many families raise animals such as sheep
rajma, vegetables, fruits and saffron.
and goats, which help them earn money
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