JAMMU LAND OF TEMPLES

Experience Jammu

Best places that you must visit in jammu

Jammu – the Duggar land where the past still has a living presence. A land of grand ancient temples, and beautiful palaces. Nestled against the backdrop of the snow-capped Pir Panjal Mountains, the region of Jammu constitutes the southernmost unit of the state of Jammu & Kashmir. It forms part of the transition between the Himalayan range in the north and the dusty plains of Punjab in the south. Between these two extremities lie a series of scrub-covered hills, forested mountain ranges and river valleys, encompassing several microclimatic regions that extend from Kishtawar in the north-east to Akhnoor in the south-west, and the historic town of Poonch in the north-west to the borders of Kangra (H P) in the south-east. The Shivalik hills cut across the area from the east to the west while the rivers Ravi, Tawi and Chenab cut their way through the region.

Places to visit in Jammu

AMAR MAHAL

This museum is housed in the Amar Mahal Palace, built in 1862 in a unique, French-chateau style of architecture. Located atop a hill overlooking the Tawi river, 4 rooms of the palace have been converted into art galleries and historic museums, depicting the royal history of Jammu. The star of this museum is the golden throne of Jammu, weighing a whopping 120 kgs, all pure gold. The art collection here is also quite impressive, with paintings of M F Hussain and Laxman Pai on display, among other famous Indian contemporary painters. Another interesting aspect is the Pahari Paintings displayed here, depicting tales from the Mahabharata and other folklore, especially those of Nal Damyanti. The museum also organises heritage walks around the complex to give detailed insights into the history of Jammu and surrounding cities.

BAHU FORT

Situated 5 kms away from the city centre, Bahu Fort stands on a rock face on the left bank of the river Tawi. Perhaps the oldest fort and edifice in the city, it was constructed originally by Raja Bahulochan over 3,000 years ago. The existing fort was more recently improved upon and extended by the Dogra rulers. Inside, there is a temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. An extensive terraced garden, known as Bagh-e-Bahu, has been developed around the fort. The fort, along with the Bahu temple, commands a panoramic view of the Jammu city. On the bypass road, behind the Bahu fort, the city forest surrounds the ancient Maha Maya Temple overlooking the River Tawi. A small garden surrounded by acres of woods furnishes a populated destination for tourists. Mahamaya is the local goddess of the Dogras, who lost her life 14 centuries ago combating foreign invaders.The subcontinent’s largest underground aquarium in Jammu’s Bagh-I-Bahu area is drawing a large number of tourists ever since it was opened to the public.Besides students, the aquarium has become a centre of attraction for tourists, giving them an opportunity to revel in the exotic aquatic world. The aquarium has attracted large number of tourists visiting the State.

MANSAR LAKE

The Mansar lake near Jammu city is one of the most famous adventure tourism destinations in India. Mansrover, is also called as Mansar. The Mansar lake is about 20 km from National Highway No. 1A. Road to Mansar Lake starts from just near Samba on National Highway No. 1A. The shortcut road from Mansrover or Samba to Udhampur by-pass the Jammu town. Mansar lake, with its length more than a mile and width half-a-mile, is a very attractive lake in the midst of lusting greeneries surrounded by forest-covered hills. It is considered as a very holy site known from mythological periods sharing the sanctity and legacy of Mansa Sarovar. It is a very popular base of tourists. A temple for a snake god, Sheshnag, is located on the banks of lake. It is believed that it is auspicious for newly wed couples to seek blessings of Sheshnag by performing three parikarma around the lake.

PURMANDAL

“Purmandal” is a holy place located in Jammu District, Jammu and Kashmir. It is about 30 km to the east of Jammu. It is also referred as ‘Chhota Kashi’. Purmandal is situated on the banks of the Devika River, was an ancient center of trade and learning.The prime attraction is the Purmandal Temple which is dedicated to ‘Umapati’ (Goddess Parvati). There are a number of temples built on rocks dedicated to Lord Shiva which presents an imposing sight. The significance of these temples and dharamshalas lies in the frescoes on their walls.

JAJJAR KOTLI

BABA DHANSAR

65 Kms from Jammu, on way to Salal Dam, Baba Dhansar is a beautiful and cool picnic spot. Here, a huge spring gushes out of the mountain side in a thick grove of trees and forms a number of small cascading water-falls before ultimately flowing into the Holy rivulet that merges with the Chenab River. Next to the spring in a small grove in the rock face is a naturally formed Shivling on which droplets of water fall at a constant pace all the year round. A big fair is held here during Shivratri. For the facility of the yatris visiting the place, the Shrine Board has carried out some developments including the construction of a Dharamshalla.

RAGHUNATH TEMPLE

Raghunath Temple, with seven shrines each with its own `Shikhara`, (shikhara, a Sanskrit word translating literally to `mountain peak`, refers to the rising tower in the Hindu temple architecture in north India) is one of the largest temple complexes of north India, located in Jammu city. Maharaja Gulab Singh and his son Maharaj Ranbir Singh built the temple, during the period of 1853-1860. The temple has many gods enshrined, but the presiding deity is Lord Ram, an `avatar` (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu.Glimpses of Mughal masonry can be visualised in the architectural splendor of Raghunath Temple. The carvings and arches being extraordinarily resplendent, grabs everyone`s attention. There is a library in the temple complex, housing rare Sanskrit books and manuscripts. People visit this temple in large numbers to pay their homage to the deity and seek blessings from the Lord.

Popular Tours

RANBIRESHWAR TEMPLE

The biggest Shiva temple in north India, Ranbireshwar Temple is one of the prime attractions in the picturesque Jammu city. It is a very ancient shrine, located in Shalimar Road near the New Secretariat. Maharaja Ranbir Singh built it in 1883, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

CHICHI MATA

It is situated near Samba and is popularly known as Pehla Darshan of Vaishno Devi pilgrims. One of the prominent religious sites of Jammu and Kashmir, Chichi Mata is generally believed to be the gateway to the temple of Vaishno Devi. Commonly said to be the Pehla Darshan of the pilgrims of Vaishno Devi, Chichi Mata commands an important position in the religious ancestry of the state

MAHAMAYA TEMPLE

Mahamaya Temple is an important site dedicated to a local female freedom fighter, Mahamaya, belonging to the Dogra community. According to historians, about 14 centuries ago, Mahamaya sacrificed her life to save the region from the clutches of foreign invaders.

MUBARAK MANDI PALACE

Built over a span of 150 years, this royal building served as a massive palace for rulers of the Dogra dynasty. It was infact the main seat of the kingdom until 1925, after which Raja Hari Singh moved the royal seat to Hari Niwas Palace in Northern Jammu. Prone to earthquakes and fires, parts of this building, like the Gol Ghar, lie now in ruins, adding to the palace’s old world charm.