Jammu - city of temples

STATE - JAMMU & KASHMIR
   
DISTANCE - 583 KM From Delhi, 107 KM From Pathankot, 293 KM From Srinagar, 204 KM From Dharamsala

 
CONNECTION
 
By Air : Jammu is well connected with the rest of the country by all the major means of transport. The city is accessible by air and the city has an airport. A number of flights are available to and from several of the major cities in the country.

By Rail : Jammu Tawi is the main railhead that has a number of trains for most of the important towns and cities of the country. Moreover, the longest rail route that stretches from Jammu Tawi to Kanyakumari and touches almost all the main cities and towns of the country, originates from here.

By Road : One can easily reach Jammu by the National Highway 1A that goes from Punjab and runs through this city, connecting it to the rest of the state including the capital Srinagar. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
 
ABOUT JAMMU
 
The city of Jammu, besides being the winter capital of the state, is also known as the city of temples. It is believed that Raja Jamboo Lochan originally founded the city in the 14th century. According to the popular legend, while the Raja was hunting one day, he happened to witness a tiger and a goat drinking water side by side from one and the same pond. He was so struck by this extraordinary phenomenon that he decided to build a city at this site so that the strong and weak could live together in peace and mutual tolerance. Eventually, he founded the city, which came to be known as "Jamboo" after his own name. The name later distorted to that of Jammu as it is called now.

In 1730, the city came under the rule of the Dogra king, Raja Dhruv Deva and under the patronage of Dogra rulers; Jammu became an important centre of art and culture, especially the Pahari School of paintings.
 
PLACES OF INTERESTS IN JAMMU
 
Ranbir Canal : Ranbir Canal is a cool picnic spot some 2km from Jammu. These gardens are located on banks of a canal, which branches from the Chenab River. They provide excellent walkways and viewpoints of the surrounding areas. Even in summers, water in the canal remains ice cold.

Bahu Fort : Bahu Fort was originally built by Raja Bahulochan some 3000-years ago but it was modified and improved by the Dogra rulers. Located 5km from the city, it is situated on an upland plateau on the bank of Tawi River. It is perhaps the oldest edifice in Jammu and reminds one of the wars fought, invasions prevented and the grandeur of the Royal family. There is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kali inside the Fort. Close to Bahu fort are exquisitely laid gardens from where one has a very exclusive view of Jammu. Behind the Fort is a forest cover, which surrounds the Maha Maya temple. Surrounded by lush green terraced gardens, resplendent with waterfalls and flowers, the Fort is a popular picnic spot.

Amar Singh Palace : Amar Singh Palace patterned as a French chateau, with sloping roofs and tall towers, the palace was the Royal residence. Now converted into a museum, it has interesting memorabilia of the erstwhile ruling family. It houses the city's finest library of antique books and paintings.

Mubarak Mandi Palace : This complex dates back to 1824. The architecture of this palace has a unique blend of Rajasthani, Mughal and even Gothic styles. The Sheesh Mahal segment in the palace is most famous. The pink hall inside the palace has been converted into the Dogra Art Museum, which is a treasure house of miniature paintings from the various hill schools.

Krimchi : Krimchi is on the way to Shudh Mahadev, a short detour takes one to Krimchi, which is a site of the three of the oldest temples of Jammu. The architecture of the temples show distinct Greek (Hellenic) influences. The temples resemble the shape of the Lingaraja temple at Bhubaneswar in Orissa. The main temple is 50ft high, is decorated with abstract designs and the porch strongly resembles the ancient stone temples of Kashmir. Some beam like stone structures are used in the construction and the rest on massive pillars. Pieces of the sculpture found in the rubble have images of Ganesh, Parvati, Shiva and Vishnu.
 
RELIGIOUS PLACES IN JAMMU
 
Raghunath Temple : Raghunath Temple is located in the heart of the city is the largest temple complex in northern India. Dedicated to Lord Rama, it has a unique structure. The inner walls of temple are covered with gold sheet on three sides. The galleries of the temple are covered with lakhs of 'Saligrams' (sacred stones). The surrounding temples are dedicated to other god and goddess from the epic of Ramayana. Construction of the temple was started in 1835 by Maharaja Gulab Singh and was completed by his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1860.

Ranbireshwar Temple : Ranbireshwar Temple was built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1883. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The main Shiva lingam in the temple is seven and half feet in height surrounded by many small crystal Shiva lingas.

Peer Baba : Peer Baba is the famous Dargah (tomb) of the Muslim saint, Peer Budhan Ali Shah. On Thursdays apart from Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs also come in large numbers to pay respect to the Saint.
 
WHEN TO GO JAMMU
 
The best time to visit Jammu is during the months of October to March when the weather conditions in Jammu are at their best.
 
WEATHER FORECAST
 
Jammu has a pleasant and cool climate most of the period during the whole year with a subtropical climate. Summers are hot and sweaty while winters are cold, mostly snow falls are observed. Temperatures can touch a soaring level to 45°C in summer and dip down to less than 4°C during nights in winter. Rainfalls are observed during June to August. Autumn (September to November) is flowering season and Jammu is very attractive during that period.
 
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS IN JAMMU
 
Lohri, also known as Makara Sankranti, held during middle of January is an auspicious festival during which many tourists throng to Jammu. Apart from this people celebrate Ramnavami (March) and Deepvali (October) with much enthusiasm.
 
FOOD AND RESTURANTS IN JAMMU
 
The Jammu cuisine is influenced by various communities that have settled in the state. You will observe a unique aroma and awesome flavor in the vast variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. A variety of spices along with condiments and curd are used in good quantity in Kashmiri food. Curd is considered the major ingredient in most dishes - whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Local people prefer mustard oil for cooking purpose. They are also liberal with the use of the expensive saffron or kesar, which Kashmir is a big producer of. You can also savour rice of a superior grade.

Three different styles of cooking that exist in Jammu are: Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims, Rajputs.

All the three styles not only differ in the style, but also in the ingredients, recipies and courses. A few differences exist because of the locally produced crops. On one hand the Kashmiri Pandits do not prefer much onion and garlic in their food, while contrary to this, the Muslims do. The Muslims avoid the use of asafoetida (hing) and curds, whereas the Kasmiri Pandits use them often. However, the Hindu Brahmins or Kashmiri Pandits also cook non-vegetarian food for themselves, but they prefer mutton or lamb meat instead of chicken or beef. Kabargah, Kofta (veg/non-veg), Dum Alu, mushrooms, bhaseeda (lotus stem/roots) and Methi Chaman are some of the delicacies of the region known for their sheer flavor and richness. Kashmir, also known as the land of fruits, serves a variety of fruit chats and sweets prepared from fruits. 'Firni' is one of the most popular desserts of the state.