Udhampur

Geography

The district of Udhampur is located in the Shivalik range of Himalayas and the terrain is mostly mountainous. The upper reaches of the district experience snowfall in the winter season. The city of Udhampur is located at 32.93°N 75.13°E / 32.93; 75.13 in a relatively flatter part of the district at an elevation of 756 metres (2480 feet) and rarely experience any snowfall.

Administration

The city of Udhampur is governed by The Udhampur Municipal Council having 22 Municipal Wards. Udhampur consists of four tehsils (administrative districts), namely Udhampur, Ramnagar, Chenani and Majalta.

Climate

Talking of Udhampur city in particular the climate is sub tropical. Summer temperatures don't cross 40 degrees while in winters mercury generally dips to 2 degrees or even sometimes to zero. Heavy downpour is also experienced. The annual rainfall is 130 cm mainly in monsoons and winters due to Western Disturbances. Ramnagar town nearby experiences heaviest annual rainfall in a year. Udhampur rarely experiences snow fall while there may be snow in upper reaches. However, due to changing climate patterns snowfall has been experienced in some years. In the year 2011 it snowed and there was about 15 cm snow. Heavy hailstorms with piles of hail can be experienced in February and March.

Culture

The culture of this area is Pahari which resembles the culture of other areas of Duggardesh. The other part of the district has Dogra culture. Dogri is the main language spoken by the people of the district. The Dogri spoken here is known for its sweetness in tone. Their main language is Dogri and Pahari. The language is the rural and hilly areas has maintained its native purity, accent and sweetness. Gojri is also spoken by the Gujjar Community settled here and there. However, Dogri is main language spoken in the district.

The district is culturally an integrated part of Jammu region and all important religious fairs like Lohri, Maha Shivratri, Id-ul-Fitr, Holi, Ramnavmi, Baisakhi, Dr.B.R Ambedkar's birthday, Basantpanchami, Martyr's day of Guru Arjun Dev, Raksha Bandhan, Janam Ashtami, Mahanavami, Dussehra, Diwali, id-ul-zuha, Guru Ravi Dass's b’day, Mahatama gandhi's b’day, Guru Govind Singh's b’day, Chacha Nehru's birthday. Above all, the Independence Day and Republic Day are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Holy Navratras also provide special occasion for worship and pilgrimage to holy places culminating into small to big fairs.

Demographics

According to the 2011 Indian census, Udhampur has a population of 1,82,778. Males constitute 66% of the population and females 34%. The large male percentage is due to the army constituting a large part of the city's population. Udhampur has an average literacy rate of 88%, higher than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 89%, and female literacy is 75%. In Udhampur, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. About 74% of the population practices Hinduism, followed by Islam 25% and about 1% population is Sikh.

Road

Udhampur is well connected by road as it is located on National Highway NH-44 starting from Srinagar. NH-44 was formerly called NH-1A before renumbering of all national highways by National Highway Authority of India in 2010 year and is the only national highway that connects Srinagar to the rest of India. The highway is being widened to four lanes from Udhampur to Srinagar. Jammu-Udhampur section has been widened to four lanes.

Bus services (both private and state owned) are the most common mode of public transportation to and from Udhampur. Frequent connections to the Kashmir Valley and Jammu are easily available.

Rail

Udhampur is connected to Jammu. The Uttar Sampark Kranti Express train from New Delhi was the first train to run on this link in 2005. More than a dozen long-distance trains either originate from Udhampur railway terminus or connect Udhampur to the rest of India. Commuter unreserved passenger trains link Jammu and Udhampur.

The project to connect Udhampur to the Kashmir valley by railway track is progressing. The railway line has been laid to Katra. Now Katra to Banihal track remains to be laid to complete the Jammu–Baramulla line.

Air

Udhampur Air Force Station of the Indian Air Force (IAF) is located in Udhampur in Jammu & Kashmir but it is not open for civilians. Jammu airport is the nearest civilian airport.

Places to visit

1. Krimchi Group of Temples, ancient temples with history related to Mahabharata
2. Vaishnodevi, one of the most revered Hindu temples dedicated to Goddess Shakti
3. Patnitop, a hill top tourist destination
4. Baba Dhansar# Kalika Temple
5. Mansar lake
6. Suruinsar Lake
7. Kali Mata Mandir, 9 km from Udhmapur town on NH1A.
8. Sanasar, 19 km from Patnitop, it is a hub of wilderness adventure camps and paragliding in Jammu.
9. Nathatop, 11 km from Patnitop, en route to Sanasar, it offers scenic views of the surrounding Shivalik range and the Brahma massif of the Kishtwar Himalayas. It is also popular site for paragliding.
10. Pancheri, one of the best hill station about 40 km from Udhampur city; it is health resort with very pleasant weather; annual shankri devta mela is a big tourist attraction in summers