Set against the backdrop of the snow-capped Pir Panjal range, Jammu marks the transition between the Himalayas in the north and the dusty plains of the Punjab in the south, bridging these two extremities by a series of scrub covered hills, forested mountain ranges and deep river valleys. The southernmost unit of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, Jammu region is traversed by the Shivalik hills and quenched by the rivers Ravi , Tawi and Chenab.

The City of Temples

During 1730 AD, the Dogra rulers built the city of Jammu as their capital and adorned it with numerous temples and shrines so that today it has come to be known as the City of Temples. As the winter capital of Jammu & Kashmir, Jammu is one of the fastest growing cities of Northern India , and in recent years, it has also become the State’s commercial hub.

Among the historic temples of Jammu , the Raghunath Mandir complex takes pride of place. The largest temple complex in North India , if contains representatives of almost the entire Hindu pantheon. Other historic temples in the city include the Bawey WaliMata Temple inside the Bahu Fort and the Mahamaya Temple situated on a spur above Bahu Fort. The Peer Kho cave temple, the Panchbakhtar Temple and the Ranbireshwar Temple are other prominent historic temple.

There are also a number of Durgahs of Muslim Sufi saints. The Durgah of Budhan Ali Shah or Peer Baba situated behind the civil airport is the most famous and revered by people of all faiths. Pir Mitha, the other prominent Durgah in the heart of the old city, is also very popular.

Places & Manuments

Jammu is also known for its many forts and palaces. The majestic Bahu Fort situated on the banks of the Tawi, is the oldest extant edifice and is believed to be nearly 3000 years old. It is now surrounded by the lush green and terraced garden called Bagh-e-Bahu. The Amar Mahal Palace, built like a French chateau, is located on an eyrie overlooking the Tawi, it houses a museum and the city’s finest library of antique books and paintings. The Mubarak Mandi palace complex dating from 1824 is a blend of Rajasthani, Mughal and baroque architectural elements. It also houses the Dogra Art Gallery where many masterpieces of the Pahari miniature painting are on display. Another historic but living monument is the Ranbir Canals, built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh, which conducts water from the Chenab in the reverse direction into the heart of the city from a distance of 32km.

Fairs & Festivals

Many fairs and festivals are held in Jammu . Among these, Lohri (13 January) is the most traditional of the region and is held to herald the onset of spring. A traditional local dance called ‘Chajja’ is the special feature of this festival. Bahu Mela (March-April/Sept-Oct) is held twice a year at the Kali Temple in Bahu Fort. Purmandal Mela (February-March), held for three days at Purmandal (40 km), celebrates the legendary marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Another traditional festival is JhiriMela (Oct-Nov) held each year at Jhiri village (14 km) in memory of Baba Jitu, a revolutionary farmer, who had revolted against the feudal practices of the local landlord and sacrificed his life. Navratra Festival (Sept-Oct), instituted by J&K Government to showcase the religious and cultural heritage of Jammu , is held at Katra during the autumn Navratras. Another cultural festival sponsored by the state government, to promote the regional culture and art forms, is the 3-day “ Jammu Festival” held during April, coinciding with Baisakhi.

Sightseeing & Excursions

Jammu city is surrounded by several hill resorts in the Shivalik and Pir Panjal ranges. The premier resort is Patnitop (112 km/2,024 meters), perched on a picturesque plateau across which the Jammu-Srinagar highway passes. It is enveloped by thickly wooded forests and offers scenic views of the Chenab basin and the Pir Panjal range. In winter, it is generally blanketed in snow and provides for various winter sports, including amateur skiing and sledging.

Patnitop is also the base for visiting several satellite hill stations and pilgrimage sites. Sanasar (19km/2,079m), is a cup-shaped meadow surrounded by gigantic conifers, ideal for nature walks and paragliding. Batote (13km/1,560m) straddles the forested slopes of the Patnitop plateau, overlooking the spectacular lie of the Chenab gorge. On the way to Patnitop is Kud (9km/1,738m) a hill station with pano ram ic views of the terraced Shivalik hills. Sudh Mahadev (8km/1,225m), is a popular pilgrimage site thronged by pilgrims on full moon nights to worship the trishul and mace believed to belong to the Pandavan hero Bheem. Near Sudh Mahadev is Gauri Kund, the legendary spring where the Goddess Parvati used to bathe before commencing her daily prayers at Sudh Mahadev, and Mantalai set amidst lush deodar forests, is associated with the legend of the marriage of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati.

Mansar Lake (62km), is a popular excursion destination as well as a holy site sharing the legend of Lake Mansorovar . Newly-weds consider it auspicious to circumambulate around the lake to seek blessings of the Lord of Serpents, whose shrine is located on its bank Purmandal (40km), situated on the banks of the sacred, mostly underground Devak river, is a complex of ancient temples associated with the Shaivite Hindus of Kashmir and is often referred to as Chotta Kashi. Krimchi situated 20km off the National Highway at Udhampur is the site of the region’s three oldest temples, and reflect Greek influence in their architecture.

Katra (48km) is a major tourist hub in Jammu and serves as the base camp for pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi. The distance of 13km to the holy shrine (Durbar) has to be covered on foot or pony along a well-laid path. The shrine of Mata Vaisnodevi is the most hollowed Hindu pilgrimage of Northern India and attracts over 5 million devotees every year. Katra is also the base for visiting the cave shrine of Shiv Khori (75 km), a 1,000 meter long cave housing a 4 ft. high naturally formed Shiva-lingam. It is considered second only to Mata Vaishno Devi in religious importance. A major annual fair held here during Shivratri draws devotees in large numbers.