Things to Know Before Traveling to Kashmir – Myth Busted

There are a lot of myths about J&K most of which have been created by media. Jammu and Kashmir has been one of the most misunderstood state of the country.

1. People live on the mountains

They are surrounded with the most beautiful scenery but that doesn’t mean they are mountain dwellers. Just like everyone in Mumbai doesn’t live at the sea shore. Only a few parts of the state has mountains. Yes, there are people who live on the mountains but all Kashmiris don’t live on mountains.

2. You need Passport/Visa to visit Kashmir

Dude! Kashmir is very much in India. Do you need Visa or Passport to visit Delhi?, Then why will you need it to visit Kashmir?. Just catch a train or a Bus or a flight and come here. Nothing much is required.

3. Militant attacks happen everyday

People think Jammu and Kashmir is the most dangerous place to be. And there are militants roaming freely on the roads. Sorry to break your bubble but NO. The actual city roads are perfectly safe and see a peaceful life most of the times. Army encounters do happen but rarely in the city. Things like this happen in the border areas. Honestly, Kashmiris are more scared of army than militants.

4. Kashmiris are poor

Really??? Have you seen their houses. Like seriously? Their houses are enough to accommodate a whole joint family. To make a point let me tell you that not even a single Kashmiri sleeps on the roads in the night. They have big heart and big houses too.

5. There’s a Gun/Explosive in every house

They have Gun pichkaris. The one from with our kids paly holi. Holding unlicensed arms and ammunition is as much illegal in J&K as it is in rest of the country. They are as normal and peaceful as every other Indian in the country.

6. Kashmiris are illiterate

Why would you think like that? Don’t you know Twitter’s political head, Raheel Khurshid, is a Kashmiri? Have you forgotten the 2009 IAS topper Shah faesal? Overall literacy rate in Kashmir is higher than that of India & Pakistan.

7. There are only Muslims in Kashmir

Yes, the majority of population is Muslim but Kashmir also has Hindus, Sikh, Christians, who live in close communion with each other. They’re ‘one for all and all for one’ people. Also, children hardly study in madrassas. They have missionary schools in large numbers as well as other schools. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam – have contributed to the cultural heritage of Kashmir.

8. Women are suppressed

People think women are suppressed here just because they are covered. Being covered has nothing to do with suppression. Kashmiris consider girls as a blessing. Women in Kashmir are equally empowered. You’ll find them in schools, colleges, work-places. We also have business women. Also, women have a say, be it household or other matters.

9. It’s always cold in Kashmir

Yes, it’s cold in winters but not to such an extent that it won’t let you work. It’s not Antarctica here nor are they surrounded by snow all the year around. If lucky, we get it twice or thrice a year in winters.  This might come to you as a bit of a shock but, Jammu has never seen snow. Kashmir sees snow not Jammu. The above picture shows kids swimming at Dal Lake.

10. Kashmiris have an accent

 No, they don’t have the Shradhha Kapoor accent from the movie Haider. They don’t “-ed” the way it was portrayed in the movie.

11. Apple is the staple food

One of the major misconceptions is that they eat apples all the time. It’s not like that. They’re not apple people. I mean, we like apples but it doesn’t mean that every house has an apple tree.

12. Jammu is Kashmir and Kashmir is Jammu

 No, Jammu is Jammu and Kashmir is Kashmir. It’s Jammu ‘and’ Kashmir. They are not the same. They are about 300 kms apart. If you are coming by road, it will take you almost 7-9 hours to reach Kashmir from Jammu. They have separate airports as well.

13.  Mughal Emperor Jahangir Founded Kashmir

No, Mughal emperor Jahangir did not discover Kashmir. Srinagar was founded by Emperor Ashoka.

So when are you coming here to clear your doubts further. It will be a pleasure to welcome you. Step here once and you will want to be ours forever.