General Information / History

Jammu is perched on the first sloping ridge rising from the plains of Punjab. It is a worth visit for the temples & for being the cradle of Dogra culture. It is also the rail head for Kashmir nd the starting point for visiting the Maya Vaishno Devi Temple. The best time to visit are spring and autum. Except from November to February.

Sightseeing

Raghunath Temple

Situated in the heart of the city and surrounded by a group of other temples, this temple, dedicated to Lord Rama, is outstanding and unique in northern India. Work on its construction was started by Maharaja Gulab Singh, founder of the principality of Jammu and Kashmir, in 1835 AD and was completed by his son, Maharaja Ranbir Singh, in 1860 AD. The inner walls of the main temple are covered with gold sheet on three sides. There are many galleries with innumerable 'saligrams'. The surrounding temples are dedicated to various Hindu deities from the epic Ramayana

Peer Khoh

Peer Khoh is a cave shrine located on the Circular Road, 3.5 kms from the heart of the town. There is a naturally formed Shiva lingam in the cave which is quite mysterious as neither its antiquity nor its cause are known. Legend has it that the cave leads underground to many other cave shrines and even out of the country.

Ranbir Canal

A small garden along the Ranbir Canal, which runs through the city outskirts, provides a cool picnic spot during the summer. The canal branches off from the river Chenab at Akhnoor, 32 kms away. Its water remains icy-cold throughout the year and its banks serve as good viewpoints and walkways.

Bahu Fort & Gardens

Situated 5 kms away from the city centre, Bahu Fort stands on a rock face on the left bank of the river Tawi. It is the oldest fort and edifice in the city, it was constructed originally by Raja Bahulochan over 3,000 years ago.

Mahamaya Temple

On the bypass Road, behind Bahu Fort, the city forest surrounds the ancient Mahamaya temple overlooking the river Tawi. A small garden surrounded by acres of woods provides the best view of the city.

Mubaraj Mandi Palace

The oldest buildings in this palace complex date back to 1824. The architecture is a blend of Rajasthani, Mughal and even baroque elements. The most stunning segment is the Sheesh Mahal. "The Pink Hall" houses the Dogra Art Museum which has miniature paintings of the various Hill Schools.

Ranbireshwar Temple

Located on Shalimar Road near the New Secretariat and built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1883 AD, this historic temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has one central 'lingam' measuring seven-and-a-half ft in height, twelve Shiva 'lingams' of crystal measuring from 15" to 38" and galleries with thousands of others carved on stone slabs.

Excursions

Gauri Kund, Sudh Mahadev, Kud, Batote, Mantalai, Mansar Lake, Surinsar Lake, Shiv Khori, Purmandal, Krimchi, Jajjar Kothi, Akhnoor.