Unexplored Hindu’s Religious P ilgrimage sites for tourism in Kashmir valley (J&K)

Abstract

Tourism is a vital component of the modern economy, contributing to the development of a region and its people. In 2016, the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir contributed over 6 percent of the state's gross domestic product. The Valley of Kashmir, also known as Paradise on Earth, is a tourist's must-visit destination. The valley has witnessed a significant growth in the tourism industry due to the diversification of its offerings. This paper makes an effort to make a detailed study of famous Hindu Religious tourist places in the Kashmir division of union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Kashmir, which is known for its scenic and natural beauty, Because of geographical and cultural beauty, is also famous for its pilgrimage places and its numerous world-renowned religious festivals. The study revealed that despite the various shortcomings in the sector, the Kashmir valley has the most impressive Hindu pilgrimage sites that are centuries old. Its huge tourism potential is being neglected other than Amarnath yatra. Problems like meagre infrastructure, poor community participation, and lack of attention to the administration's sector are adverse aspects that have constrained Hindu religious pilgrimage development in the study area.