Jammu
Jammu. the Duggar land where the past still has a living presence. A land of grand ancient temples, and beatiful 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. Infact 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 Ragunath 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.

Languages : Dogri, Hindi, English, Urdu, Kashmiri, Punjabi

Best Season : October to April

Temperatures (Average) : 26.2 to 4.3 degrees cent in winter. Temperatures in summer 43.0 to 23.4

Clothing : Heavy/Medium woolens in winters to light cottons in summers

Food : Every sort of vegetarian and non vegetarian food is available in multiple cuisines to suit every budget. Restaurants of all hues and shades are available all along the busy roads and other major spots. Foods suits all budgets and tastes.

Travels : Registered travel/tour operators are available.

Others : Tariffs are subject to change without notice and Cheques are not accepted.

Important Road Distances :
Amritsar: 243 Kms
Chandigarh: 436 Kms
Delhi: 586 Kms
Katra: 48
Srinagar: 305 Kms
Manali: 428 Kms
Patnitop: 112 Kms
Mansar : 60Kms
Other Place of Interest near Jammu

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine

Located at a height of 5300 feet on holy Trikuta Hills. The holy cave shrine of Mata Vasihnodevi Ji is one of the most popular Shrines of the country. The Goddess Vaishnodevi's abode is in a 100 feet long cave with a narrow opening. The holy Ganga's cold and crystal clear water washes the lotus feet of the mata's 'Pindian'. There are three natural pindies of Maha Saraswati, Maha Lakshmi and Mahakali which represent creative, preservative and destructive aspects of the divine energy. It is an ancient shrine whose reference is found in the Vedas and other ancient scriptures. Previously the Shrine had only one natural entry cave, but now two more exit caves have been constructed. This shrine is 13 kms away from Katra town.

Buddha Amarnath

In the north east of Poonch Town is situated an ancient temple of Lord Shiva on the left bank of Pulsata stream. The area is known as Rajpura Mandi, two kms above Mandi village. This is a unique Shiva Temple which is located on the foot hill and not on the hill top and secondly the Shivling of white stone is not self-made. The stream which flows near it, is the Loran stream but it is believed by the locals that Ravan's grandfather Pulasta Rishi performed his tapasya and thus is known as Pulsata stream. This shrine is older than of Amarnathji of Kashmir. Thousands of people visit on Raksha Bandhan. Before partition, many people used to visit this shrine from areas now occupied by Pakistan.

Church

The city has a number of historic churches. Of them Protestant church on Wazarat road is the oldest Church in the city of temples. Other Churches are Roman Catholic Church near Jewel Chowk and Presentation Church of Virgin Mary. Another Church is St.Mary Church on G.L.Dogra road.

Idgah

The city has a number of historic idgah's. Of them Ziarat Baba Buddan Shah is located in the outskirts of Jammu city at a distance of about 8 kms. towards the aerodrome at Satwari. This ziarat is very popular among all sections of society and is being visited by large number of people throughout the year. Baba Buddan Shah was borne at Talwandi in Punjab and it is said that another shrine of this Peer is located at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab. The real name of this Peer was Shamas-ud-din, Fard-i-Wahid, Imad-ul-Mulk Hazarat Baba Buddhan Shah. Other Idgah's are Ziarat Baba Roshan Shah Wali near Gumat Bazar, Ziarat Peer Mitha near Peer mitha bazar. Another idgah is Panch-Peer. This Dargah is situated at a little distance from the Maharaja's palace on the

Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The place is known because of the residence of five peers, who lived here and dedicated themselves to the meditation.

Peer Baba

On the back side of the Civil Airport is famous Dargah of the Muslim saint, Peer Budhan Ali Shah. On Thursdays, Hindu and Sikh devotees vastly outnumber their Muslim brethren at the shrine.

Peer Khoh

A cave shrine located on the circular road , 3.5 kms from the heart of the town. There is a Shiva Lingam formed naturally in the cave; neither its antiquity nor its cause is known. And legend has it that the cave leads underground to many other cave shrines and even out of the country.

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 the temple was started by Maharaja Gulab Singh, founder of the Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir in 1835 AD and was completed by his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh 1860 AD. The inner walls of the main temple are covered with gold sheet on three sides. There are many galleries with lakhs of 'Saligrams'. The surrounding Temples are dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses connected with the epic Ramayana

In Jammu & Kashmir, Three are three major tourist destination