patnitop hill station

Patnitop a beautiful hill station in the state of Jammu & Kashmir is no less beautiful or serene. If one is aiming to get away from it all for some time, this place is hard to beat. With all its beauty as a hill station, Patnitop India is a charming plateau at an altitude of 2, 024 m. The grassland is surrounded by dense forest and lush green Pines. 

The original name of the hill station was Patan Da Talab" meaning 'Pond of the Princess' (In olden times a pond existed here and the princess used to bath here) but with the advent of the British, the name was changed to Patnitop. The natural beauty, dense pine forests and flourishing green landscape makes it a popular destination among the students, honeymooners and families visiting the Jammu and Kashmir state. It is said that tourists who visiting this hills station for the first time, are bound to fall in love with the place.

Patnitop Attractions
Among the main attractions of Patnitop are delightful picnic spots, serene walks and magnificent views of the mountains forming the backdrop of the Chenab river. Besides these, Patnitop also boasts of a six-hole golf course and three freshwater springs that are widely believed to have medicinal properties. Usually domestic and foreign tourists are thronging here to celebrate the New Year because, the landscape of Patnitop, covering the vast green colour grasslands in summers, takes totally different attire in winters. During Winter season, Patnitop usually receives a large amount of snowfall that completely covers the lands. This gives a great opportunity for winter sports like skiing.

The Naag Temple
Situated at Krimchi near Mantalai (the place where mythological marriage of the God Shiva and Goddess Parvati held), the Naag temple is one of the most ancient shrine in Patnitop. More than 600 years old, it is situated on the top of a hill. During the Naag Panchami Festival, thousands of devotees visit this temple.
Just outside Patnitop is Shudh Mahadev Ka Pahad which attracts pilgrims at full moon in July - August to the ancient holy trishul (trident) associated with the epic Mahabharata.

Skiing
During Winter months (January - February), Patnitop attracts lots of tourists because Patnitop offers unique skiing possibilities. In winter months, special skiing classes are usually conducted for beginners. Since the snow covered slopes of Patnitop are not much steep, they turn out to be perfect for beginners. Madhatop, just 5 km away from here on the Sansar Road offers good possibilities for expert skiers as well as beginners. The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development provides ski instructors for the beginners.

Paragliding
Like Winter sports, Aero sports have become quite prominent in Patnitop. Even though, Parasailing and hot air ballooning are increasingly popular in Patnitop, tourists widely indulge in Para gliding. May, June, September and October are best for paragliding.

Location: 110-km From Jammu, J&K
Altitude: 2,024m
Adventure Attractions: Skiing & Aerosports
Best Time To Visit: Summer- May To June
Autumn - September To October
Winter - December To March 
Visiting Time
Although Patnitop is an 'anytime' place, the best time for a visit are summer, during May-June, and autumn, September-October. If seeking snowboard joys, December to March is the time to be here.

EXCURSIONS 
Patnitop is an ideal place for walks and picnics. Sanasar, 19-km away was chosen by J&K Tourism for major development. Situated in a Gulmarg-like meadow it has picnic spots around. The 6-hole golf course is being expanded to 9-holes.

Pony rides along little known trails, camping and walks can be indulged in by those with a less adventurous spirit. The daring can opt for Para gliding and basic skiing, introduces in recent years. Sudh Mahadev is another sacred spot situated close to Patnitop.

CLIMATE
Due to altitudinal variation from 600 meters to 3000 meters within the PDA area these is a wide variation in temperature and climate. The temperature varies between 40O C and – 5O C. it has been observed that these is a fall of 1O C atmospheric temperature in the hills for every 270M rise in altitude upto 1500M, beyond which the fall is more sharp. Since these is an altitudinal variation of approximately 3,8000M a minimum difference of 14O C or more can be expected at any given time. December, January and February are the coldest months. July to September is the rainy season.

The circuit gets the benefits of both winter & summer precipitation. The Patnitop circuit receives major portion of the precipitation from January to March during winter, both in the form of snow at higher regions and rains in the lower regions. The precipitation is mostly in the form of rains during the summer months of July to September.

April to June and September are comparatively drier months of year. Frost and mist are uncommon within the area as compared to the Kashmir valley. Radiation frost is common in the region. Sunny days are warm and occur frequently. The drought are of rare occurrence in the region.