Bandipora

Bandipora District is one of the 20 districts in Jammu and Kashmir UT in northern India. Bandipora town is the administrative headquarters of the district. Bandipora, a township with peculiar scenic beauty located in the foothills of the snow clad peaks of Harmukh overlooking the shores of Wular has produced hundreds of scholars and intellectuals. Before 1947, this town was a big trade and literary center of Kashmir. Bandipora, the birthplace of great Historian, Hassan Khoehami. This district was carved out from the erstwhile Baramulla district in 2007. The district is bounded by Kupwara district in the west, Baramulla district in the south and Kargil, Srinagar and Ganderbal districts in the east. This district occupies an area of 345 km².The district has a population of 392,232.

Bandipora is the administrative headquarters of the district of Bandipora in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is located on the northern banks of Wular – the largest fresh water lake in Asia. Bandipora has a terraced garden similar to that of Nishat Bagh in Srinagar. In Kashmiri there is a famous phrase about Bandipora or in other words Bandipora is famous for three A’s – A’lim (knowledge), Adab (good habits or literature) and Aab (water).As can be known from the folklore, the name of Bandipora originated either from Bund of Wular as Bund e pur, from the local Folk-singing Bands as Baand e pur or from the enclosed geographical location as Bandh e pur. Bandipora is bounded by mountains on three sides and by Wular Lake on the fourth. Bandipora is situated on the banks of the Wular, the largest fresh-water lake in Asia which is home to a lot of migratory birds. Bandipora is also a stepping town to the higher reaches of Razdan, Gurez and Tragbal. The famous Lolab valley in Kupwara district is adjacent to Bandipora. It is just 30 km from Bandipora via Aloosa village. Once this road is upgraded it will become a lifeline of the Lolab valley and it will provide an additional route to the Kupwara district. Bandipora was the connecting link between North India and Central Asia via the Silk Road. At Pazalpora village there was a customs and immigration department which is now a forest check post. Due to this fact, Bandipora is also known as Gateway to Central Asia. There are strong links between Skardu gurez and Bandipora.

History and Heritage  
In 1963, the town of Bandipora was gutted by a fire, which destroyed hundreds of shops and houses. Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, ex-Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, visited the town soon after the fire and said that the fire took place at the wrong time.

Geography and Climate
Bandipora is situated on the banks of the Wular, a large fresh-water lake that is home to a lot of migratory birds. Inadvertent dumping of the polluted river waters and sewage affluence has led to a pandemic growth of algae in the waters of the Wular which is threatening the lake and its supporting life itself. The main source of pollution to Wular is the Jhelum River. The Jhelum River carries all the waste from Srinagar city and other surrounding areas and deposits it in Wular. Despite being the richest wetland of South Asia and the largest freshwater lake in Asia, no steps have been taken to save Wular. Bandipora is also a stepping town to the higher reaches of Razdan, Gurez and Tragbal.
The Lolab Valley in Kupwara district is adjacent to Bandipora. It is just 30 kilometers (19 mi) from Bandipora via Aloosa village. Once this road is upgraded it will become a lifeline of the Lolab valley and it will provide an additional route to the Kupwara district.

Bandipora was the connecting link between North India and Central Asia via the Silk Road. At Pazalpora village there was a customs and immigration department which is now a forest check-post. Due to this fact, Bandipora is also known as the gateway to Central Asia. There are strong links between Skardu, Gurez and Bandipora.
Ganderbal, situated at an impressive altitude of 1588.62 meters (5212.01 feet) above sea level in Jammu and Kashmir, boasts a Marine west coast, warm summer climate (Classification: Cfb). The district experiences an average yearly temperature of 13.91ºC (57.04ºF), which is -12.06% lower than India’s averages. Annually, Ganderbal receives approximately 33.85 millimeters (1.33 inches) of precipitation spread over 49.47 rainy days, accounting for 13.55% of the year. The climate in Ganderbal is characterized by warm summers and cool winters, with July being the warmest month and January the coldest. The wettest month is March, while the driest is October. Ganderbal sees 315.53 days (86.45%) with no rain, and the humidity levels hover around 54.76%.

Flora and Fauna
Bandipora is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The town's forests are teeming with a variety of wildlife, including deer, leopards, and several species of birds. The Wular Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, is a haven for migratory birds, making it a paradise for bird watchers.

Tourist Attractions
Wular Lake: Also spelled as Wullar Lake, is a vast freshwater lake located in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is one of the largest lakes in the country, with its size varying from 12 to 100 square miles (30 to 260 square kilometers), depending on the season. The lake's basin was formed due to tectonic activity and is primarily fed by the Jhelum River. It serves as an important habitat for a variety of flora and fauna, including several species of fish and migratory birds. The picturesque surroundings of Wular Lake make it a popular destination for nature lovers and photographers.
Nishat Park: Situated in Bandipora, is a renowned park that was constructed in 1954 under the supervision of the then Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Bakhshi Ghulam Mohammad. It is inspired by the famous Nishat Garden in Srinagar and is known for its well-manicured lawns, vibrant flower beds, and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Nishat Park offers a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life, making it a favored spot for picnics and leisurely walks.
Chota Amarnath: Also known as Danishwar, holds great religious significance for Hindus. It is a cave located in the dense forests of Arin, where pilgrims have to crawl about 60 meters to reach the cave's inner sanctum, which features engraved images of Lord Shiva. Devotees traditionally visit Chota Amarnath on Sharvan Purnima, a significant date in the Hindu calendar that coincides with the annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave Shrine. Chota Amarnath is revered for its spiritual ambiance and natural beauty, making it a revered pilgrimage site for followers of Hinduism.

How to Reach
By Air: The nearest International airport is Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport (74.5 Km).

By Rail: The nearest railway station that approaches Bandipora is Sopore railway station.
By Road: To reach this place from Jammu, buses are available at Jammu bus stand to Srinagar and then from Srinagar,buses and cabs are available from Lal Chowk bus stand.