Jammu & Kashmir is the most beautiful part in the South Asian region, which is full of widely varying people, rich culture and scenic geography. Administratively, these days, Jammu & Kashmir has a territorial dispute among three countries; Pakistan, China and India. Pakistan controls the northwest portion (Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir), India controls the central and southern portion (Jammu and Kashmir) and Ladakh, and China controls the northeastern portion (Aksai Chin and the Trans-Karakoram Tract). However, without going into this occupational controversy, the people of Kashmir are famous in the world for their traditions, customs and hospitality. The Kashmiri people usually practice Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism and speak Urdu, Kashmiri, Pahari, Hindi and Ladakhi languages.

A Kashmiri couple in Kashmiri costume ( Sudarshan P's Image )

This is not feasible to cover the whole Kashmiri culture and tradition in one article. In this article, we’ll try to highlight the dress culture of Jammu & Kashmir. The dominating religion of Jammu & Kashmir is Islam, so the Kashmiri Muslim community loves to dress up with “Pheran”. Pheran , the traditional dress of Jammu & Kashmir is a long loose shirt which hangs down below the knees along with a white turban tied on a skull cap, a close-fitting trousers and lace less shoes called Gurgabi.

Kashmiri girls wearing the traditional Pheran ( Image: Khurram Aziz Shaikh )

The Pheran for Kashmiri women is more stunning and graceful with the heavy embroidery and has broad sleeves. Pheran is considered a combination of Indian and Iranian clothing. The Hindu Kashmiri women also use Pheran as their dress with a little distinction. A Hindu woman’s Pheran touches her foot which is tied at the waist with folded material called lhungi. Their dress is fully embellished with brocade including the head-dress called Taranga. The men’s wear for the Kahmiri Hindus mainly includes Churidar Pajama and they use the beautiful skull caps without a shawl.

A Kashmiri bride on her wedding day ( Image : Avinash Anand )

For the Kashmiri Hindu woman or a Muslim woman, one thing is common i-e the charm for the ornaments. With the splendid ornaments, the women of Jammu & Kashmir love headgears, arm glistens, necklaces and earrings. The additional ornament for the Hindu women may be “Dhareejo” which is the typical mangal-sutra for them. As the women of Jammu and Kashmir are known the best for their beauty, the use of these type of jewellery adds more plus in their magical appearance.

A typical Kahmiri Shawl prepared from Pashmina wool (Mohsin Khawar Photography- Pakistan)

The traditional dress of Jammu & Kashmir also includes the delicate Cashmere wool products and Kashmiri Shawls. These Shawls are popular in the world for the elegant material and exotic embroidery applied on them. The most precious of them are the Shawls prepared with Pashmina Wool which is also combined with the rabbit fur. Pashmina wool is obtained from the native Ibex that lives on the high altitude on 14,000 ft. Similarly, the Shawls those are prepared in Ladakh with Shahtoosh wool are also very rare and considered very expensive. Shahtoosh wool comes from the Chiru antelope and nowadays this is enlisted as endangered. So there is a ban imposed by the authorities on the trade of Shahtoosh.

A beautiful Ladakhi girl in her traditional dress (Ladakh - Kashmir) Image: slider_ss

In Ladakh, the popular Ladakhi dress is Goncha which is normally an ample robe of a thick woolen cloth and which is supported with a brilliant belt tied around the waist. The loose trousers are used with Goncha and both the males and the females use this dress with a slight variation. As it is mentioned earlier, the most attractive feature is the colorful waist ( Kamar Bund ) and in the festive or ceremonial occasions the chromatic and showy robes are worn. The other appealing component of the dress of a Ladakhi woman is “Peark”. Peark is actually a headgear prepared with the coating of black lamb decorated with turquoise stones that appears a cobra’s hood and tapering to a thin tail reaching down the back. Some Ladakhi women also wear another robe known as “Kuntop” with  the additional attire, i-e actually a fascinating and colorful shawl and it is called as “Bok”.

A group of folk dancers from Ladakh in traditional costumes (Photo: brij khazanchi)

The traditional dress of Jammu & Kashmir is unique in the whole Indian Sub-Continent as it comes from various cultural backgrounds. In the modern times, although the use of the typical and classical Kashmiri dresses is lessened by the Kashmiri youth as they prefer the jeans and shirt, yet in the festivals and in the wedding ceremonies, the use of the traditional dress seems common.

A wonderful group of Kashmiri girls in traditional Pheran performing the Kashmiri folk dance ( Ramesh Lalwani's Image )

Different countries of the world select their endemic plants or flowers to represent their geographical location. A flower was used primarily by Canada and Australia as the national symbol and later it was followed in many countries of the world. Some countries have followed their centuries old historic or religious significance of any particular flower of plant and adopted that officially. The SAARC ( South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation ) countries including Pakistan, India , Afghanistan, Sri Lanka , Bangladesh , Nepal , Bhutan and Maldives have also declared their National Flowers. Following is the respective detail of the National Flowers of SAARC countries of the world;

1- National Flower of Pakistan ( Common Jasmine )

Jasmine ( Chameli ) The National Flower of Pakistan

In Pakistan, this flower is called as ‘ Yasmin ‘ which is a Persian word meaning ” A Gift of Nature”. In the local language, Jasmine is also known as ‘Chanbeli‘ . Pakistan has ideal warm and tropical climate foe the growth of all of the species of Jasmine. The exotic color of Jasmine is considered as the symbol of peace. With the fantastic fragrance and different petals together, Jasmine symbolizes the unity of the people of different cultures and languages in Pakistan.

2- National Flower of India ( Lotus )

Lotus : National Flower of India

Lotus is considered a very sacred flower in India and the evidence for their affiliation with the Indian culture and Hinduism can be found from their history and ancient Indian mythology. According to the Hindu beliefs, the Lotus symbolises divinity, fertility, wealth, knowledge and  enlightenment. Although Lotus is commonly known as “Water Lily”, but in India it is known as Lotus. This aquatic plant is grown in small water bodies throughout in India and the flower floats on broad leaves.

3- National Flower of Sri Lanka ( Blue Water Lily )

Blue Water Lily or Purple Water Lily was declared as the National Flower of Sri Lanka on February 26, 1986. In the local language, this flower is known as Nil Mahanel and the scientific name of this flower is ‘Nympheae Stelleta’. Blue Water Lily symbolizes truth, purity and discipline and it has tremendous significance in Buddhism. Normally this magnificent flower is grown in shallow waters and it is found in all parts of Sri Lanka.

4- National Flower of Bangladesh (White Water Lily)

White Water Lily : The National flower of Bangladesh

The national flower of Bangladesh represents peace and lovely nature. This is known as “Shalpa” in the local Bengali language. Bangladesh is a land of rivers, lakes and streams. So the Whitle Water Lily is found everywhere in the country. White Water Lily or Shalpa contains numerous petals which represent several rivers of Bangladesh. Shapla is also a favorite food tem for the people of Bangladesh; especially the stem and fruit of this plant are liked a lot for eating.

5- National Flower of Nepal (Rhododendron arboreum )

National Flower of Nepal ( Image by Kea660 on flickr )

This bright and red flower is produced by a small tree which is endemic to South Asia. This is the national flower of Nepal. The name denotes “tending to be woody or growing in a tree-like form”. These shrubs like trees are scattered in the hilly area of Nepal and the beautiful flowers blossom in the Spring Season. This plant is suitable for woodland gardens. The Mountains of Nepal become colorful like red, white or pink during the blooming season of Rhododendron. ‘This flower is known as ‘Lali Gurans’ in the Nepali language.

6- National Flower of Bhutan (Blue Poppy)

Blue Poppy : The National Flower of Bhutan ( By: Dhillan Chandramowli)

The National Flower of Bhutan is locally knows as “Euitgeal Metog Hoem” but scientifically it called as Meconopsis grandis. Commonly this splendid flower is known as “Blue Poppy” which is grown on higher altitude. The plant of Blue Poppy is a rare species and its growth has been severely depleted. Blue Poppy is a hardy perennial flowering plant. It is herbaceous and blooms in summer. The flowers are huge and are about 4 to 5 inches in diameter.  Despite its pretty and delicate appearance the blue poppy has the power to endure harsh weather, especially winter, and blooms to its full beauty in spring.

7- The National Flower of Maldives (Pink Rose)

Pink Rose "National Flower of Maldives" ( Image : Sally Nelson )

The people of Maldives give a high regard to Finifenmaa which is known as Pink Rose in general. From more than 100 species of the family Rosaceae the Pink Rose is also a member and the climate of Maldives is highly suitable for its growth. The Pink Rose is botanically identified as Rose polyantha and it was declared as the National Flower of Maldives on 25th July 1985.

8. The National Flower of Afghanistan ( Tulip )

Tulip is the National flower of Afghanistan

Tulip is considered the national flower of Afghanistan. Although Tulip is very much associated with Netherlands and other European countries but only few of us know that this magnificent flower was originated in the Pamir and Hindukush mountain ranges of Afghanistan and central Asia.  In the Persian empire Tulip was named as “Laleh” and it was grown  in Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and other parts of Central Asia.

Hinduism and Buddhism both are reflected in the mysterious Bayon Temple of Cambodia which is a famous Khmer temple at Angkor in Cambodia.

This enigmatic temple was constructed around 1190 AD by the King Jayavarman VII as a worshipping place for Buddhist community but it has also some of the features of Hindu cosmology.

Bayon Temple. Photo : Deddeeda

Bayon Temple represents the intersection of heaven and earth. It is believed that the Bayon Temple was designed to serve as the primary locus of the royal cult and to serve as Jayavarman’s personal mausoleum. At that time, Angkor Thom was established as the new capital of Jayavarman’s state.

Bayon faces at the Bayon temple of Cambodia. Photo : Jonathan Lewis.

The most attractive part of the construction of the Bayon Temple is the multitude of serene and massive stone faces on the many towers which jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around its central peak. The mythological research is still going on among the historians to search for the exact resemblances of the 216 mystical faces. Most of them believe it’s the face of King Jayavarman VII or Avalokiteshvara.

Buddha Statue at the Temple of Bayon. Image : Dedeeda

Bayon Temple of Cambodia  is surrounded by two long walls on which there are more than 11,000 carved figures over 1.2km of wall. Although now most of the carvings have become faded with the passage of time yet they were painted and gilded beautifully. The central sanctuary of the Bayon Temple is surrounded by a narrow corridor in the middle of which a big statue of Buddha is erected.