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{{short description|Hill station in Jammu and Kashmir, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Sonamarg
| native_name = Sonamarag
| native_name_lang = Kashmiri
| other_name = Sonmarg
| settlement_type = [[Hill station]]
| image_skyline = Sonamarg13.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Northern Sonamarg photographed in 2012
| pushpin_map = India Jammu and Kashmir#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt = Location map of Sonamarg in India
| coordinates = {{coord|34.33|N|75.33|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[Union territory]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of Jammu and Kashmir|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Ganderbal district|Ganderbal]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 2730
| population_total = 392
| population_as_of =
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]], [[Urdu]], [[Hindi]], [[Dogri language|Dogri]], [[English language|English]]<ref name="OfficialLang">{{cite web |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2020/222037.pdf |title=The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020 |publisher=The Gazette of India|date=27 September 2020 |access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020 | work=Rising Kashmir | date=23 September 2020| url=http://risingkashmir.com/news/parliament-passes-jk-official-languages-bill-2020 | access-date=23 September 2020}}</ref>
| demographics1_title2 = Spoken
| demographics1_info2 = [[Pahari language (Kashmir)|Pahari]], [[Gujari language|Gujari]], [[Shina language|Shina]], [[Balti language|Balti]], Phustu
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 191202
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = +91-1942417-
| registration_plate = JK16
| footnotes =
| official_name =
| imagesize = 300px
}}

'''Sonamarg''' ({{IPA-ur|soːnaːmərɡ}}) or '''Sonmarg''' ({{IPA-ur|soːnmərg}}), known as '''Sonamarag'''<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Toshakhani|first1=S.K|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.ernet.241982/mode/1up|title=Kashir Dictionary|last2=Koul|first2=Lal|last3=Hajni|first3=Mohiuddin|last4=Pushp|first4=P|last5=Mohiuddin|first5=Akhtar|publisher=Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages|year=1968–1980|volume=4|pages=244|language=ks}}</ref> ({{IPA-ks|sɔnɨmarɨɡ}}; {{lit|meadow of gold}})<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mitra|first=Swati|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_rX8AgAAQBAJ&q=sonamarg+meaning&pg=PA158|title=Jammu & Kashmir: Travel Guide|publisher=Eicher Goodearth|year=2013|isbn=9789380262451|pages=46|quote='Meaning the 'meadow of gold', Sonamarg is covered with yellow crocus flowers in spring'}}</ref> in [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]], is a [[hill station]] located in the [[Ganderbal district|Ganderbal District]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]]. It is located about 62 Kilometers from [[Ganderbal]] Town and {{convert|80|km|mi}} northeast of the capital city, [[Srinagar]].
[[File:Sonmarg.JPG|thumb|View of Sonamarg Valley]]

==History==
Sonamarg had historical significance as a gateway on the ancient [[Silk Road]], connecting [[Kashmir|Jammu and Kashmir]] with [[Tibet]].<ref>Knight, E. F. 1893. ''Where Three Empires Meet: A Narrative of Recent Travel in: Kashmir, Western Tibet, Gilgit, and the adjoining countries''. Longmans, Green, and Co., London. Reprint: Ch'eng Wen Publishing Company, Taipei. 1971</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sonamarg on Silk Route|url=http://www.silkroutee.com/sonamarg.html|access-date=2012-04-20|publisher=silkroutee.com}}</ref> Today, the [[hill station]] is a popular tourist destination amongst fishers and hikers, and following the [[Kargil War]] with neighbouring [[Pakistan]] in 1999, serves as a strategically important point for the [[Indian Army]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

==Geography==
The hill station is situated in the [[Kashmir Valley]], at an altitude of {{Convert|2730|m|ft|abbr=}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sonamarg Tourism|url=https://www.india.com/travel/sonamarg/|access-date=10 January 2021|website=india.com/travel}}</ref> and is close to some of the valley's tallest peaks, alongside the [[Machoi Glacier]], [[Sirbal Peak]], [[Kolahoi Peak]], [[Amarnath Peak]] and [[Machoi Peak]]. Combined with the [[Alpine tundra|alpine meadows]] that bloom in the summer as well as rivers and lakes stocked with fish, Sonamarg is a notable tourist destination in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kashmironline.net/kashmir.asp|title=Sonmarg from Srinagar|publisher=kashmironline.net|access-date=2012-04-20}}</ref>

Sonamarg gives rise to the 'Three Sisters'—a group of rivers (the [[Lidder River|Lidder]], [[Sind River|Sind]] and [[Neelum River|Neelum]]) that run parallel to each other and serve as [[Tributary|tributaries]] for the major [[Jhelum River]] that runs through the Kashmir Valley and into [[Pakistan]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

=== Climate ===
Given its high altitude and mountainous terrain, Sonamarg experiences the regionally-rare [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dfb'') with significant rainfall. The average temperature in Sonamarg is {{cvt|6.5|°C}}, and nearly {{cvt|932|mm}} of precipitation falls annually (not counting the heavy snowfall that falls occasionally in winter).

{{Weather box
|collapsed =
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| location = Sonmarg
| temperature colour =

| Jan high C = -5.4
| Feb high C = -3.4
| Mar high C = 1.7
| Apr high C = 9.3
| May high C = 17
| Jun high C = 21.7
| Jul high C = 24.3
| Aug high C = 24.1
| Sep high C = 21
| Oct high C = 15
| Nov high C = 7.5
| Dec high C = -0.5
| Year high C =

| Jan mean C = -8.4
| Feb mean C = -7
| Mar mean C = -1.5
| Apr mean C = 5.6
| May mean C = 11.8
| Jun mean C = 16.1
| Jul mean C = 19.1
| Aug mean C = 19
| Sep mean C = 15.3
| Oct mean C = 9.1
| Nov mean C = 2.5
| Dec mean C = -4
| Year mean C =

| Jan low C = -11.3
| Feb low C = -10.5
| Mar low C = -4.6
| Apr low C = 2
| May low C = 6.7
| Jun low C = 10.5
| Jul low C = 14
| Aug low C = 13.9
| Sep low C = 9.6
| Oct low C = 3.3
| Nov low C = -2.4
| Dec low C = -7.5
| Year low C =
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 95
| Feb precipitation mm = 98
| Mar precipitation mm = 137
| Apr precipitation mm = 139
| May precipitation mm = 115
| Jun precipitation mm = 50
| Jul precipitation mm = 54
| Aug precipitation mm = 68
| Sep precipitation mm = 68
| Oct precipitation mm = 42
| Nov precipitation mm = 26
| Dec precipitation mm = 40
| year precipitation mm =
| source 1 = Climate Dat [https://en.climate-data.org/location/964583/]
<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sonamarg climate: Average Temperature, weather by month, Sonamarg weather averages - Climate-Data.org|url=https://en.climate-data.org/asia/india/jammu-and-kashmir/sonamarg-964583/|access-date=2021-12-25|website=en.climate-data.org}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
Sonamarg has no permanent settlement and is inaccessible during winter due to heavy snowfall and avalanches. Per the [[2011 Census of India]], Sonamarg had a seasonal population of 392 (51% male, 49% female), excluding tourists and those working in the tourism industry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref>

==Tourism==

Sonamarg provides trekking routes leading to [[Vishansar Lake]], [[Krishansar Lake]], [[Gangabal Lake]] and [[Gadsar Lake]] in the Himalayas, which are stocked with [[Schizopygopsis|snowtrout]] and [[brown trout]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Petr|first=ed. by T.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z4HESCeJyZcC&q=Vishansar+Lake&pg=PA72|title=Fish and fisheries at higher altitudes : Asia|publisher=FAO|year=1999|isbn=92-5-104309-4|location=Rome|page=72}}</ref> The [[Sind River]] meanders here and abounds with trout and mahseer. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier, a major attraction during the summer months. The [[Yatra]] to the nearby [[Amarnath Temple]] begins in Sonamarg.

Baltal, 15 km east of Sonamarg, is a valley that lies at the foot of the [[Zoji La|Zoji La pass]]. Trekkers can also reach the city of [[Leh]] - known as "the rooftop of the world" - by crossing over the Zoji La.

The Jammu and Kashmir tourism department organizes river rafting tournaments at Sonamarg throughout the year, which has recently seen the participation of teams from abroad.<ref>{{cite web|title=International Rafting Championship at Sonmarg|url=http://www.groundreport.com/Sports/International-Rafting-Championship-open-at-Sonamar_2/2905015|access-date=2012-04-20|publisher=groundreport.com}}</ref>

==Access==
Sonamarg is accessible by bus or car from [[Srinagar]], the capital of [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], via [[National Highway 1 (India)|National Highway 1]] (NH 1) and the Zoji La pass. During the winter, heavy snowfall and avalanches block the NH 1, meaning local traffic is only permitted up to Gagangear village, which is the last permanent settlement of this area. The [[Z-Morh Tunnel]] is being built to keep the road open year-round, and is due for completion in June 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|date=20 July 2020|title=Strategic Z-Morh tunnel in Kashmir to be completed by Jun 2021: Official|work=[[The Economic Times]]|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/strategic-z-morh-tunnel-in-kashmir-to-be-completed-by-jun-2021-official/articleshow/77066948.cms|access-date=10 January 2021}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Sirbal Sonamarg.jpg|Sirbal Sonamarg
File:Sonamarg 7.jpg|A view of the Himalayas from Sonmarg valley
File:Sonmarg Valley.JPG|A view of the mountains from Sonmarg valley
File:Sonamarg Thajiwas glacier.jpg|Sonmarg Thajiwas glacier in May 2013
File:Thajiwas glacier parking.JPG|Parking at stage 1 of Thajiwas Glacier, 3 km from Sonmarg
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{Wikivoyage-inline}}

{{Kashmir Valley}}
{{Jammu and Kashmir topics}}
{{Municipalities of Jammu and Kashmir}}
{[Category:Sonmarg: Must Visit Place]}
{[https://www.myfeeling.in/2021/11/sonmarg-must-visit-place.html]}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Ganderbal district]]
[[Category:Hill stations in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Ganderbal district]]

Sonamarg - Revision history

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