Patnitop - Highlight
- Patnitop is a hillstation located in the Udhampur District of Jammu and Kashmir
- Original name of Patnitop was “Patan Da Talaab” meaning “Pond of Princess” — It is said that a Princess used to bathe herself in the pond which existed in the meadows
- Patnitop is located at a height of 2,024 m above the sea level
Photo by Billyakhtar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Patnitop is a hillstation located in the Udhampur District of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located on the belt of the Shiwaliks and the river Chenab flows by it. It is one of the biggest tourist attractions of Jammu.
Jammu and Kashmir is a Northern State of India. It shares its borders with Himachal Pradesh and Punjab within the country and with Pakistan and China on the outside. It is known for its scenic beauty and beautiful Himalayan ranges. It is referred to as the Crown of India.
Jammu and Kashmir mainly consists of three regions- Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Kashmir Valley is a great mountainous range and Jammu is filled with a number of Hindu temples and shrines. Ladakh is called the “Little Tibet”, it has a unique mountain beauty and is known for its Buddhist culture.
Jammu and Kashmir was a Princely State during the British Raj, post Independence, it has been a point of contention among India, Pakistan and China. There are still a lot of international issues between India and Pakistan regarding Jammu and Kashmir.
“Patnitop” is a mispronunciation of its original name “Patan Da Talaab” meaning “Pond of Princess”. It is said that a Princess used to bathe herself in the pond which existed in the meadows. When the British Raj couldn’t pronounce the name, they distorted into the now officially recognized name “Patnitop”.
How to Reach
- By Air – The nearest airport is in Srinagar, which is 200 kms away from Patnitop. It is connected to all major cities of the country.
- By Rail – Jammu Tawi is the nearest railway station; it is located 112 kms away from Patnitop. It is connected to Delhi with Jammu Rajdhani, Kolkata with Himgir Exp, Mumbai with Swarak Exp, Chennai with Andaman Exp and Trivandrum with Himsagar Exp.
- By Road – Patnitop is located on the National Highway 1A 112 kms from Jammu.It is well connected to Pathankot, Jammu and Srinagar. It takes around three hours to travel from Jammu to Patnitop.
Distance of Patnitop from Below Places:
| Place | Distance (KM) |
|---|---|
|
Jammu |
112 |
|
Srinagar |
200 |
|
Pathankot |
180 |
Weather
Patnitop Temperature:
- Summer (Apr to Jun) – Temperatures are mild and range between (9°C) to (27°C)
- Monsoon – (Jul to Sep) – This is not a good season for tourists
- Winter – (Oct to Mar) – Temperatures are low and range between (-1°C) to (20°C)
- Best Time to Visit – Apr to May and mid Sep to mid Nov are the best season for tourism
What to See
Photo by Imviiku, GNU Free Documentation License
Sanasar Lake
Located 19kms away from Patnitop, this is a beautiful lake which is enveloped between meadows. Golfing is one of the activities conducted here.
Photo by Gtsenthilnath, CC BY-SA 3.0
Baglihar Dam
It is a beautiful Dam located at a great height and offers beautiful views. It lies on the way to Patnitop from Katra. There are many dhabas lining by the side of this Dam. It is a great way to rest up at this Dam built on the Chenab River.
Sudh Mahadav Temple
A Shiva devotee accidentally killed by his trishul while he was protecting Parvati, this temple was built in his dedication. This place is visited by many Shiva devotees and the festivities during Shivaratri are worth attending. The temple is almost 80 years old and is worshipped by many people.
Photo by Orjen, GNU Free Documentation License
Kud Park
This park is famous for its different kinds of flowers. The nature walks in Patnitop are for the environment lovers. It is a beautiful way to take in the nature and beauty of the hill station.
Madhatop
It is just 5 kms away from Patnitop , Madhatop is covered entirely in snow. It is a picturesque place where one can do a lot of non-competitive skiing under the guidance of skiing instructors.
Nag Temple
The Nag temple is located in midst of greenery. The temple is almost six hundred years old is devoted to the worship of Cobra. During the festival of Nag Panchami , many deotees of Shiva visit this place to pay their respects. It’s a unique piece of beauty which made entirely out of wood.
Other Details
>> What to Do
Patnitop is a haven for the adventurous kind. There are many activities that one can enjoy in this hill resort.
- Paragliding at Nathatop: Nathatop gives a great view of the snow topped hills. Many people enjoy the sport of Paragliding done from here, as it gives a feeling of walking in the clouds. A high fly from Nathtop will give a view of the entire surroundings.
- Trekking at Shiva Ghar: It is a great trekking area. It lines a 11 km trekking line at a range of 3500 meters. It calls for a one day trekking time. All the equipment can be bought in the local stores.
- Trekking on Biloo Ki Powri: It is said that the king of Chenani wanted to build a shorter way to the town of Batite, hence he chiseled out 272 steps on a mountain range. This is an interesting trekking activity but is a little away from Patnitop.
>> Where to Eat
The nearby towns Kud and Batote offer great Kashmiri delicacies. Kud is a very small town with many sweet shops lined up on its streets. They offer a sweet called Patissa which is served fresh and hot. It melts in the mouth and springs a burst of flavors. The town of Batote is known for quality rajma and kidney beans.
As Patnitop is a tourist place, there are many restaurants in and around the place which serve great Kasmiri style Pulao and other Kashmiri food.
>> What to Buy
Dry Fruits are the first things you want to buy during your time here. The high quality dry fruits cannot be found anywhere else.
Other products like jewellery can be bought in the local handicrafts stores. The Dogra jewellery is very famous.
Wool and Silk Knotted carpets are also a tourist’s must haves in shopping list.
>> Get Around
Patnitop is located on a beautiful plateau and has an altitude of 2024 meters. It is located in the Lower Himalayan Range , close to Pir Panjal range. Local rides are easily available.
Taxis, buses and cabs can easily be arranged in this tourist place.
>> Travel Tips
Since it is a Hill station it is better to travel with woolen clothes. If one wants to try out the various adventure sports, one needs to pack the necessary gear , although many local stores will offer you the equipment for hire.
