Kashmiri Goods

Pherans
This garment is somewhere between coat and a cloak. It is eminently suited to the Kashmiri way of life, being loose enough to admit the inevitable brazier of live coals. Men's pherans are usually made of tweed or coarse wool, women's pherans are somewhat stylized, made from raffel with splashes of ari work around the edges.

Walnut Wood
A display of souvenirs made out of walnut wood Carving is a demonstration of the carver's skill; walnut being one of the strongest varieties of wood is eminently suitable for carving and is found in Kashmir. There are several varieties of carving. Deep carving, usually depicts dragon or lotus flower motif, two inch deep or more. Shallow carving, half an inch deep open to lattice work done all over the surface. Semi carving, a thin panel around the rim of the surface, with perhaps a centre motif. The advantage of semi carving is that it allows the grain of the wood to be displayed.

Papier Mache
The designs painted on the papier-mache objects are brightly coloured and intricate. They vary in artistry and the choice of colours. Gold is used on most objects, either as the only colour or as a highlight for certain motifs. Some of the objects with papier-mache designs are made up of cardboard and wood.
Basketry

Willow rushes that grow plentifully in marshes and lakes in Kashmir are used to make charmingly quaint objects, ranging from shopping baskets and lampshades to table and chairs.

Copper and Silverware
The old city abounds with shops where objects of copper line the walls, the floor and even the ceiling, made generally for the local market. Craftsmen can often be seen engraving objects of household utility -- samovars, bowls, plates, and trays. Floral, stylized, geometric, leaf and sometimes calligraphic motifs are engraved or embossed on copper, and occasionally silver, to cover the entire surface with intricate designs which are then oxidized to stand out from the background. The work known as "naqash," determines the price of the object, as does the weight.

Kashmiri Shawls

There are two fibbers from which Kashmiri shawls are made – wool and pashmina. Wool woven in Kashmir is known as "raffel" and is 100% pure wool. Many kinds of embroidery are worked on these shawls. First, "Sozni" is generally done in panels along the sides of the shawl. Motifs, usually abstract designs or stylized paisleys and flowers are worked in one or two, occasionally three colours. The stitch employed in not unlike stem stitch, only the outline of the design is embroidered. Sozni is often done so skilfully that the motif appears on both sides, each having different colours. Second, "Papier-Mache" is either done in broad panels on either side of the breadth of a shawl, or covers entire surface of a stole. Flowers and leaves are worked in satin stitch in different colours and each motif is outlined in black. Third, ari work is also done on shawls.

Pashmina is unmistakable for its softness. Pashmina yarn is spun from hair of Ibex found at 14,000 ft above sea level. It is on Pashmina shawls that Kashmir's most exquisite embroidery is worked, sometimes the entire surface, earning the name of "Jamawar." Not all pashmina shawls have such lavish work done on them; some are embroidered on a narrow panel bordering all four sides, others in narrow strips running diagonally through the shawl.

Chain Stitch and Crewel Work

Chain Stitch and Crewel Work
Crewel Embroidery Chain stitch, be it in wool, silk or cotton is done by hook rather than a needle. The hook is referred as an "ari"; it covers a much larger area than needlework in the same amount of time and has the same quality. All the embroidery is executed on white cotton fabric, pre-shrunk by the manufactures. Tiny stitches are used to cover the entire area, the figures or motifs are worked in striking colours, the background in a single colour comprising of series of coin sized concentric circles. These circles impart dynamism and a sense of movement to the design. This work is usually used for making wall hangings.
Crewelwork is similar to chain stitch, but here motifs are mainly stylized flowers which do not cover the entire area. Wool is invariably used in crewelwork and colour is not as elaborate as chain stitch work. The fabric is available in bolts and makes good household furnishing.

Namdas of Muzaffarabad

Namdas
Far less expensive than carpets are these colourful floor coverings made from woollen and cotton fibbers. The fibers are manually pressed into shape. Chain stitch embroidery in wool or cotton is worked on these rugs.

Carpets of Muzaffarabad

Carpets
Kashmiri carpets are world famous for two things - they are hand made and knotted. Carpet weaving in Kashmir was not indigenous but is thought to have come from Persia. Most designs are mostly Persian with local variations. The colour scheme of the carpets differentiates Kashmiri carpets from other carpets. The colours are subtle and muted. The knotting of a carpet is the most important aspect. In addition to the design of the carpet, the knots per square inch determines the durability and the value of a carpet.

Stretched tightly on a frame is the warp of a carpet. The weft threads are passed through, the "talim" or design and colour specifications are worked on this. A strand of yarn is looped through the warp and weft, knotted and then cut. The yarn used normally is silk, wool, or silk and wool. Woollen carpets always have a cotton base (warp & weft) and silk carpets usually have cotton base otherwise silk is used.

Neelam Valley

Neelum Valley is situated at the North & North-East of Muzaffarabad, running parallel to Kaghan Valley. The two valleys are only separated by snow-covered peaks, some over 4000m above sea level. Excellent scenic beauty, panoramic views, towering hills on both sides of the noisy Neelum river, lush green forests, enchanting streams and attractive surroundings make the valley a dream come true.

Athmuqam - is situated at a height of 1371m, it is the sub-divisional headquarters of the area. It is an attractive place known for its variety of fruit. All necessary facilities via bazaars, post offices, banks, hospitals, and telephone exchanges are present.
Neelum - at a distance of about 9 Km from Athmuqam, Neelum is situated on the right bank of the river Neelum at 1524m above sea level with fascinating scenery. The panoramic lush green valley is profound in fruit and wildlife.

Sharda - a breath-taking green spot at an altitude of 1981m. Shardi and Nardi are two mountain peaks overlooking the valley, reputedly named after legendary princess Sharda. It has a captivating landscape with numerous springs and hill-sides covered with trees. On the right bank, opposite Sharda, the Neelum is joined by the Surgan Nallah along which a track leads to Nurinar Pass and through it to the Kaghan Valley. Ruins of an old Buddhist University can also be found in Sharda.

Kel - a small valley situated at a height of 2097m. This is another picturesque place in the Neelum Valley. The Shounter Nallah joins river Neelum at this place and leads to Gilgit Agency (Northern Areas) over the Shandur at 4420m.

Jhelum Valley

The curling Jhelum River passes through from East to West between the high green mountains joining river Neelum at Domel in Muzaffarabad. An artificial lake at Subri (Langarpura) was created due to a cloud burst over the surrounding hill during 1975. Further along the road, 24 Km from Muzaffarabad is located the small town of Ghari Dupata. A further 35Km lies the famous town of Chakothi. This place sees a large concentration of troops because of the proximity of the Cease-Fire-Line and the constant aggression by Indian forces. Other notable places of interest in the valley are Langarpura, Chikar, Loonbagla, Lungian and Danna, all known for their scenic beauty and healthy climate.

Leepa Valley

This is the most fascinating valley in Azad Kashmir. A fair-weather road branches off for Leepa from Naile 45 Km from Muzaffarabad, climbs over Reshian Gali at 3200m high and then descends into the Leepa Valley. It spell-bounds everyone who visits this valley. Dao Khan is well recognized for its natural beauty and renowned for its calm and peaceful atmosphere. Deep in the heart of the valley lies Leepa village at 1921m above sea level. Its lush green river fields in summer and typical wooden Kashmiri houses present a wonderful view. Walnut, apples, cherries and honey of Leepa are very popular.

Muzaffarabad-Srinagar Bus Service - April 7 2005

Heart-warming scenes of reunion of close relatives separated for over five decades were witnessed as a group of people from Azad Kashmir and another from Indian-occupied part crossed on Thursday the heavily militarized Line of Control that divides their land. Passengers from Azad Kashmir crossed the Opi bridge built recently by Indian forces at about 1.25pm after travelling to the border check post in a lime green and golden bus for the state capital of Muzaffarabad.