Bandipora is the administrative headquarters of the district of Bandipora in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is located on the northern banks of Wular Lake - the biggest freshwater lake in Asia. Bandipora has a terrace garden similar to the Nishat Bagh in Srinagar. In Kashmiri there is a famous phrase about Bandipora or in other words Bandipora is famous for three A's - A'lim (knowledge), Adab (good habits or literature) and Aab (water). As can be known from the folklore, the name of Bandipora (pronounced as Band e pur) originated either from Band of Wullar Lake, due to the Bands of place or due the Closed (Band in Kashmiri) geographical location (i.e., Bandipora is bound by mountains on three sides and by Wullar Lake in the fourth).
Bandipora is situated on the banks of the Wular, the largest freshwater lake in Asia which is home to a lot of migratory birds. Inadvertent dumping of the polluted river waters and sewage affluence has led to a pandemic growth of algae in the waters of the Wular which is threatening the lake and its supporting life itself. The main source of pollution to Wullar Lake is Jehlum river. Jehlum river carries all the wastes from Srinagar city and other surrounding areas and deposits it in Wullar Lake. Despite being the richest wetland of South Asia and largest freshwater lake in Asia, no steps have been taken to save Wullar Lake. Bandipora is also a stepping town to the higher reaches of Razdan, Gurez and Tragbal.
The famous Lolab valley in Kupwara district is adjacent to the Bandipora. It is just 30 km from Bandipora via Aaloosa village. Once this road is upgraded it will become a lifeline of the Lolab valley and it will provide an additional route to the Kupwara district.
Bandipora was the connecting link between North India and Central Asia via the Silk Road. At Pazalpora village there was a custom and immigration department which is now a forest check post. There are strong links between skardu gurez and Bandipora.
One of the sacred places of Hindus is Danishwar, locally also called as Chota Amar Nath. It a cave in dense forests of Erin. Pilgrim have to crawl about 60 meters to reach a cave where there are engraved features of Lord Shiva. People used to go there on the Sharvan Purnima, the date on which Amar Nath Yatra is being performed.
Bandipora is the location of the Forest Training and Research Institute in Jammu and Kashmir. It is 3 km distance from the main town. The Darul-Ullom-Rehamia (School for Philosophers) is the largest religious institution in Jammu and Kashmir. It is the largest Islamic institution of valley.
Bandipora is known for trekking, mountaineering and fishing. The famous Arin Nallah is home to one the most exotic trout (Rainbow Trout, Silver Trout and Gray Trout).
For mountaineers Mt Harmukh remains the main attraction, It is located in the eastern side of the town. Commercial cabs ply on that route till Kodara that is the farthest point where the cabs stop, and there onwards the terrain becomes hilly and one has to track [17 km] till the higher reaches of Mount Harmukh, Sheera Sir [Lake of Spirits] acts as a base camp for all the mountaineering expeditions for Mt Harmukh. In the north lies Gurez, 86 km from Bandipora. Commercial cabs ply on this route during summers, however in winters the route remains closed due to heavy snowfall.
The place is surrounded by areas of scenic beauty and ranges such as Sarendar, Kudara, Vewan, Mowa and Tresangam, all of which are inhabited by the Gujjars ("Bakarwals"). Although being a scenic place where peace and tranquility is in the environment, Bandipora has never been considered a tourist place and does not figure anywhere on the tourist map of Jammu and Kashmir.