Jammu
About the city
Jammu has been for ever tucked into the shadows of the ever resplendent Srinagar, but has her own charm or grace. The snowcapped, mighty Himalayas over look hill town. A recent entrant in the tourist agenda, this city, on the banks of Tawi is more of a business hub and home to the Pahari school of painting. It is dotted with ancient temples including the Vaishno Devi temple which sees thousand of people during the season. Dotted with temples it is the leading centre for the Pahari school of painting. A busy trading centre, it also plays host to a steady stream of pilgrims heading to the shrine of Vaishno Devi.Most people rush through Jammu on the way to Srinagar, but it is an interesting place and worth a day. The centre of the old town, still quite medieval, has quaint streets and markets and many temples. The two Raghunath Temple are dedicated to Lord Rama, while the Ranbireswar Temple displays its Shiva allegiance in the form of thousands of lingams, including one in crystal. Jammu is also known as the temple city of India.
The Dogra Art Gallery in Gandhi Bhavam has a good collection of miniature paintings in local styles and also some archaeological finds. The Amar Singh Palace, designed like a chateau by a Frenchman, just outside town, is now a museum. The imposing palace overlooks the River Tawi, which is famous for mahseer fishing.
About 5 km from the main city is the imposing Bahu Fort. This fort overlooks the city and its surrounding landscaped gardens are worth visitng.
The Mubarak Mandi Complex in the old city dates back to 1824. This is architectural marvel is a wonderful blend of the British and Mughal architecture, with hints of Baroque style.
Jammu is the Duggar land where the past still has a living presence. It is the land of grand ancient temples, and beautiful palaces all nestling in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is said that, on becoming King, the Suryavanshi Jambu Lochan went on a hunt and, crossing the Tawi, found a deer and a tiger drinking water from the same tank. His ministers explained that this meant that the soil of the place was so virtuous that no living creature bore enmity against another. Raja Jambu Lochan, who lived in the later Vedic period, decided to found his capital, Jambupura, on his soil, on the right bank of the Tawi, overlooking his brother king Bahu's fort. Today the temple of Maha Kali (better known as Bahu or Bawey Wali Mata), located in the Bahufort, is considered second only to Mata Vaishno Devi in terms of mystical power. The present temple was built shortly after the coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh, in 1822. The existing fort, as well as the Manasabdar's palace inside it, was constructed in 1820.
Jammu is justly famous for its temples. In fact it is known as the city of temples and the every fame of its, tends to overshadow its palaces, forts, forests and powerful ziarats. If Bahu Mata is the presiding deity of Jammu, the Dargah of Peer Budhan Ali Shah is the other shrine that protects Jammuites. The other major tourist attraction is the Raghunath Temple Complex. Maharaja Gulab Singh began the construction of the Raghunath Mandir Complex in the crowded downtown Bazaar named after it, in 1851. It was left to his son, Ranbir Singh, to inaugurate it six years later perhaps the most popular temple north of Benares, it contains representations of almost entire Hindu pantheon, though the emphasis falls on the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The complex houses a rich collection of ancient texts and manuscripts.
Temples and Shrines
Bawey Wali Mata Temple - The famous temple of Bawey Wali Mata is inside the Bahu Fort where, every Tuesday and Sunday, pilgrims throng to worship the goddess. A little further away, on a spur opposite the Bahu Fort, overlooking the river Tawi, stands a temple dedicated to Mahamaya, a Dogra heroine who lost her life fourteen centuries ago fighting foreign invaders.The Peer Kho cave temple overlooking the Tawi River, the Panchbakhtar temple and the Ranbireshwar temple are the other well-known Shiva temples in Jammu.
Each has its own legend, its devotees and specific days of worship. In Ranbireshwar Temple, there are twelve Shiva 'lingams' of crystal measuring 12" to 18" and galleries with thousands of 'saligrams' fixed on stone slabs. Other important temples in Jammu are the Lakshmi Narayan temple, Duda Dhari temple and the Panj Mandir in Gandhi Nagar.
It is said that if the Bawey Wali Mata is the presiding deity of Jammu, the 'durgah' of Peer Budhan Ali Shah or Peer Baba as it is known, is the shrine that protects the people of this city from mishaps and evil spirits.
A friend of Guru Gobind Singh, Peer Baba is said to have lived his entire life on milk alone and lived to the age of five hundred. On Thursdays, Hindu and Sikh devotees vastly outnumber their Muslim brethren at this shrine; such is the faith of the people in Peer Baba. Most VIPs make it a point to visit this 'durgah' when they come to Jammu.
Forts and Palaces On the opposite bank of the Tawi river, on an upland plateau, is situated the majestic Bahu Fort, the oldest edifice extant in the region. Looking at this fort one can imagine the wars fought, invasions prevented, and yes, even the grandeur the royal family must have enjoyed at the time. Today it is surrounded by a lush green terraced garden, with waterfalls and flowers of just about every kind and colour. It is a favourite picnic spot for the city folk.
The Amar Mahal Palace, a sight to behold, is on an eyrie overlooking the Tawi river. This grand palace, with sloping roofs and tall towers, so characteristic of continental castles, reminds one of France. The palace has been converted into a museum, which also houses the city's finest library of antique books and paintings. An entire series of miniatures on the epic Nal-Damayanti can be seen in the museum.
Old Bazaars and Designer boutiques
There are two charmingly contradictory aspects to the city of Jammu which one can see while shopping. For instance, in the crowded streets of Raghunath Bazaar, among the age-old dry fruit shops, you'll find designer boutiques that display the very latest in fashion and fashion accessories.
Here the main bazaars - Vir Marg, Raghunath Bazaar and Hari Market - are famous for Kashmiri handicrafts, traditional Dogra jewellery and various dry fruits, chiefly walnuts ('akhrot') and almonds. Jammu is also known for the superlative quality of its 'basmati' rice, 'rajma' (red beans), 'ampapar' (dried and candied mango peel), 'anardana' (dried pomegranate seeds) and 'barfi' (milk sweets).For purchasing authentic Kashmiri handicrafts, one can visit the J&K Government Arts Emporium near the Tourist Reception Centre on Residency Road. The emporium displays and sells a wide variety of handicrafts, including Pashmina shawls and exquisite hand-knotted carpets of silk and woo
Trekking A range of trekking options is available here. Summer is the season when all trekking routes are open while some are open in winter too. There are excellent camping sites also enroute. The Sundarani- Jungal Gali-Jasarkote-Sanasar route in Jangal Gali area lets you choose any of three exciting treks. For more details check the Jangal Gali trek route in trekking brochure available from JKTDC(Free). There are Trekking equipment hire shops of tourism Deptt. at Jammu and Kud. They stock imported and local gear. These are available for fixed prices. The equipment is issued against cash receipt or on Guarantee letter from Dy. Dir Tourism/Dy. Secy of State or central govt. For a foreign tourist Passport is held as security deposit. Some travel agencies in Jammu city also organize Trekking in the area.
Skiing Skiing courses are conducted at Patnitop in the months of January and February. During winter months there are introductory courses for tourists/beginners at gentle gradient slopes of Patnitop. At Madhatop (5/6 Kms from Patni top on Sanasar Road) excellent possibilities for all kind of skiing exist. A ski lift in the area is also proposed. As for facilities 40 sets of equipment is available at Patnitop and Sanasar. Also available are wooden sledges locally. For beginners Instructors are also available.
Accommodation for Skiers is also available in Huts of JKTDC at Patnitop, KUD and Sanasar. Private Hotels around the area also offer accommodation.
Aero sports Paragliding has been introduced at Sanasar and Jammu. Equipment is available on Hire from tourist office in Jammu city. May-June and September October are best suited for paragliding. Other aero sports like Parasailing and Hot air ballooning are also becoming operational shortly.