Shrines/Temples

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. There are many galleries with innumerable 'saligrams'. The surrounding temples are dedicated to various Hindu deities from the epic Ramayana.

Ranbireshwar Temple

Bawey Wali Mata Temple

Peer Baba Shrine

Peer Mitha

Amar Mahal

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.

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.

Mubarak 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.

Gardens

Bagh-e-Bahu

An extensive terraced garden, known as Bagh-e-Bahu, has been developed around the Bahu fort.

Museums

Dogra Art Gallery,Mubarak Mandi Complex

Open 10:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m (winter); 8 a.m to 1:30 p.m (summer); Monday closed. Exhibits include fine miniatures of the Jammu and Basohli School of painting.

Amar Mahal Palace Museum,Ramnagar

The exhibits include Pahari paintings, family portraits of the rulers of Jammu and Kashmir, and a library. The museum building itself, a former palace designed like a French Chateau, is of architectural interest. The museum also conducts a "heritage walk" programme for interested student to familiarize them with the history of Jammu. Open 10 a.m to 12 noon & 3 p.m to 5 p.m (winter); 5 p.m to 7 p.m. (summer); Sundays: 10 a.m to 12 noon. Closed on state holidays and Mondays.

Excursions

Patnitop

About 112 kms from Jammu, the famous hill resort of Patnitop is perched on a beautiful plateau, at an altitude of 2024 m, across which the Jammu-Srinagar highway passes. Enveloped by thickly wooded forests, Patnitop offers beautiful picnic spots, peaceful walks and breathtaking views of the valley of the Chenab basin and the Pir Panjal range beyond. In winter (mid Dec. to mid Feb.), the resort is generally covered with snow, thus providing opportunities for arious winter sports including amateur skiing

Sanasar

At a distance of about 19 Kms from Patnitop, is Sanasar (2079 m), a satellite resort of Patnitop, with a cup-shaped meadow surrounded by gigantic conifers. A place for a quiet holiday, the meadow has now been developed as a golf course.

Sukh Mahadev

This holy spot near Patnitop is situated at an altitude of 1225 m, about 120 kms from Jammu. Pilgrims visit the shrine on the full moon night of 'sawan' (July-August) to worship the 'Trishul' (trident) and a mace, which are said to have belonged to Bheem, one of the five legendary Pandava brothers. The Devak stream originates at Sudh Mahadev and disappears among the rocks a few kilometres downstream.

Gauri Kund

Some distance short of Sudh Mahadev is the legendary spring where the Goddess Parvati used to bathe before commencing her daily prayers at Sudh Mahadev. This spring came to be named after her as 'Gauri Kund'

Mantalai

Situated a few kilometers further away from Sudh Mahadev, Mantalai is surrounded by lush deodar forests at an altitude of 2000 m. The place is associated with the legend of the marriage of Lord Shiva with the Goddess Parvati.

Mansar Lake

Situated 62 kms from Jammu, Mansar is a beautiful lake fringed by forest-covered hills, over a mile in length by half-a-mile in width. Besides being a popular excursion destination in Jammu, it is also a holy site, sharing the legend and sanctity of Lake Mansarovar.

Shiv Khori

This holy cave is nearly a kilometre long and houses a 4 ft high, naturally formed ‘Shivling’. It is considered second only to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in religious importance. There are stalactites and stalagmites dripping milky limestone water. Situated at a distance of about 100 kms from Jammu and about 75 kms from Katra, Shiv Khori hosts a major fair during the ‘Shivratri’ festival every year.

Purmandal

About 40 kms from Jammu, just off the national highway leading towards Pathankot, is the Purmandal Temple Complex on the banks of the sacred and mostly underground Devak river.Often referred to as 'Chhota Kashi', its main temple is dedicated to 'Umapati', while the other temples worship Lord Shiva. These ancient temples are associated with the Shaivite Hindus of the Kashmir Valley.

Jajjar Kotli

On the national highway leading towards Srinagar, is the Jajjar Kotli Tourist Complex, built on the banks of the Jajjar rivulet, 35 kms away from Jammu. The crystal clear, cool waters of Jajjar attract picnickers in large numbers during summer.

Surinsar Lake

The lake is surrounded by wooded hills, situated 42 Kms away from Jammu.

Festivals

Lohri(13th Jan)

This festival heralds the onset of spring and is also known as Makar Sankranti. The whole region wears a festive look on this day. Thousands take a dip in the holy rivers. 'Havan Yagnas' light up nearly every house and temple in Jammu. In the rural areas it is customary for young boys to go around asking for gifts from newly-weds and parents of new-borns.A special dance called the 'Chajja' is held on the occasion of Lohri. It makes a striking picture to see boys along with their 'Chajjas' elaborately decorated with coloured paper and flowers dance on the street in a procession. The whole atmosphere comes alive with pulsating drumbeats.

Baisakhi( 13th April)

The name Baisakhi is taken from the first month of the Vikram calendar. Every year, on the first day of ‘Vaishakh’, the people of Jammu, like the rest of northern India, celebrate Baisakhi. Also known as the "harvest festival", it is considered auspicious especially for marriages. Devotees who take a ritual dip every year, throng the rivers, canals and ponds. Many people go to the Nagbani temple to witness the grand New Year celebration. The occasion is marked by numerous fairs and people come in thousands to celebrate the beginning of the New Year and watch the famous ‘Bhangra’ dance of Punjab. For the Sikhs of Jammu, Baisakhi is the day their tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singhji, formed the Khalsa sect in 1699. The Gurudwaras are full of people who come to listen to ‘kirtans’, offer prayers and feast on the ‘prasad’ from the common kitchen (‘langar’).

Jhiri Mela(Oct-Nov)

An annual fair is held in the name of Baba Jitu, a simple and honest farmer who preferred to kill himself rather than submit to the unjust demands of the local landlord to part with his crop. He killed himself in the village of Jhiri, 14 kms from Jammu. A legend has grown around the Baba and his followers congregate at Jhiri on the appointed day from every corner of North India; they revere him for his compassion, courage and honesty.

Navratra Festival(Sept-Oct)

Though the yatra to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is a round-the-year event, the one undertaken during the Navratras is considered the most auspicious. A large number of tourists pay their obeisance to the deity during this period. This festival showcases the religious traditions as well as the popular culture of the region among the millions of pilgrims who visit the Vaishno Devi ji Shrine during this period.

Purmandal Mela (Feb-March)

Purmandal is 39 kms from Jammu city. On Shivratri, the town wears a festive look and for three days as people celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati. The people of Jammu also come out in their colourful best to celebrate Shivratri at Peer Khoh, the Ranbireshwar Temple and the Panjbhaktar Temple. In fact, if one visits Jammu during Shivratri, one finds a celebration going on almost everywhere.

Bahu Mela (March-April & September-October)

A major festival is held at the Kali Temple in Bahu Fort, twice a year.

Chaitre Chaudash (March-April)

Chaitre Chaudash is celebrated at Uttar Behni, about 25 kms from Jammu. Uttar Behni gets its name from the fact that the Devak river (locally also known as Gupt Ganga) flows here in the northerly direction.