One Day Tour Attraction in Jammu
Sightseeing in Jammu
(Distance are in ‘Km’ and from Raghunath Bazaar)
Raghunath Temple: –
Once of the oldest temples, the Raghunath Temple houses deities representing the Hindu pantheon. Its construction was started by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1851 and was inaugurated six years later by7 his son Ranbir Singh. Raghunath Bazaar, the area surrounding the temples, is most in most crowded &a shopper’s delight.
Ranbireshwar temple (3km)
Located on Shalimar Road, the temple was built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in AD 1883 dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has one central lingam measuring seven-and-a-half feet in height, twelve Shiva lingam of crystal measuring from 15inches to 38inches.
Peer Khoh (3.5kms)
Peer Khoh is a cave shrine located in the Circular Road, which has a mysterious, naturally formed Shiva lingam.
Mahamaya Temple (6km)
This temple is situated in the Bypass Road, behind Bahu Fort and overlooks River Tawi. A small garden surrounded by forests provides a spectacular view of the city.
Peer Baba (7km)
The daragh of peer Badhan Ali Shah or Peer Baba, according to local belief, products the people of this city from mishaps and evil spirits.
Parmandal (40km)
South wards on the Pathankot road, is the charismatic Parmandal Temple complex, situated on the banks of in Underground River. The river is cooked by sand, and one can feel the water oozing out by a mere touch of the feet. It is often referred to as Chota Kashi.
Bahu Fort (4km)
The majestic Bahu Fort, the oldest edifice extant in the region is situated in the banks of River Tawi. It is surrounded by a lush green terraced garden full of waterfalls and flowers, popular as Bagh-e-Bahu, a favorite picnic spot for the city folks.
Amar Mahal Palace (3km)
Overlooking the River Tawi, the Amar Mahal Palace has characteristics similar to European castle. A portion of the palace has been converted into a museum, which also houses the city’s finest library of antique books and paintings. Another part of the palace has been converted into a heritage hotel that offers breathtaking views and royal service.
Mubarak Mandi / Dogra Art Gallery (5km)
Built in AD 1824, the palace is full of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. The complex houses an art gallery where paintings and miniatures of different periods from Basohli, Jammu and Kangra are displayed. The gallery also has Shahnama and Sikandernama, handwritten manuscripts in Persian. The art gallery is closed on Monday and government holydays.
Mata Vaishnodeviji Shrine
Alt 5,200ft. Km: 45
Katra, a small town in the foothills of Trikuta, serves as the base camp to the Vaishodevi Yatris. The shrine is approach on foot along a 12km path from Katra. Every year, nearly 5million pilgrims visit Mata Vaishodevi. The shrine has been a beacon of faith and fulfillment to millions of devotees. Popular belief holds that anybody who walks the trail to the goddess’ abode rarely goes back disappointed. The holy shrine contains the holiest of holy Pindis, manifesting the Mata in three forms –Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Sarasawati. It is believed that the Yatra is not complete unless the pilgrim visits Bhairon ka Mandir as well (2.6 km from the main shrine).
Yatris on reaching katra need to get a Parch (registration sleep) from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) counters near the Bus Stand. Counter No 1for 9 persons & No2 for 10 person and above. Counters are open from 6am to 11pm.
Pithus, palkwalas and ponywalas registered with the authorities are available from Katra to Banganga. The rates from Katra to the shrine and back are fixed as per the weight of luggage and yatri. Yatris are advised to check the identities of hired pithu, Palkiwala, ponywala and note their card numbers / names in case of any kind of eventuality.
After darshan, one must not miss trying maalish (Body Massage) at Katra. The maalishwala will loosen your muscles using different massage methods and a variety of oils.
For your food taste, Katra is no less than a metro city. The modern Fast Food restaurants fulfil the needs of every yatri – be it Punjabi, Gujrati, Marathi, Bengali, NRI’s or foreigners. The food at Dhabas and Restaurants is equally tasteful and reasonable. In obeisance to Mata, the entire Katra town and nearby Katra areas are declared vegetarian and alcohol free.
Katra main bazaar is full of Kashmiri handicraft items, all types of dry fruits, bhaints, gift items and other specialties from the region.
Helicopter service: –
The helicopter service from Katra to the shrine and back can be availed at a fixed price. The chopper makes many sorties during the day subject to weather conditions. The helipad at katra is just 11/2 kms away from the main market in the Kashmir road.
Shrines nearby: –
Shivkhori
The main attraction here is a natural 4ft high Shivling in a kilometer long cave. The day trip from Katra (35km) is generally of interest to the pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishnodevi. During Shivaratri, a fair is held which is visited by devotees from all corners.
Baba Dhansar
Traveling 10 km from Katra towards the famous Salal-dam in Reasi, a cool spring gushes out of the mountainside on a thick grove of trees and forms a number of small waterfalls. Next to the spring is a naturally formed Shivling on which the droplets of water fall. Every year a festival is organized during Shivaratri at Baba Dhansar.
Patnitop
Altitude: 2024 meters Km 112
Perched among dense forests and green carpeted meadows, overlooking the Pipanjal range, Patnitop is the most popular picnic spot among locals and tourists alike. It provides an escape from the summer heat. The nearby area of Padora and nathatop are favorite excursion spots. The snow fall during winter makes Patnitop more lively since everyone desire to have fun in the snowcapped mountains. Skiing and sledging thrills one and all in the snow covered meadows of Patnitop.
A/C and non-A/C rooms are reasonably priced in most of the hotels situated right from the highway to Padora area. Tourist Bungalow and cottages of JKTDC, beautifully located in the meadows, can be a nice stopover.
Sanasar
Altitude: 2079m Km 130
19km from patnitop, Sanasar is a cup shaped meadow where one can go on day-trips during summer. Paragliding is one of the major attractions here. JKTDC tourist bungalow and hutments are available.
Best time to visit: April – October.
Mansar Lake
62km from Jammu, Mansar is a mysterious lake deeply connected with Hindu mythology. For this reason, fishing in the lake is prohibited. Parikarma of the lake is believed to being good fortune. Crystal clear waters and cool breezes make it a pleasant destination. Boating on the lake and a deer park in the banks are other attractions. Come Baisakhi, a food festival is organized every year. Surinsar, yet another lake nearby, is an off shoot of the Mansar Lake. JKTDC tourist bungalow and hutments offer economical accommodation with excellence view of the lake.
Badharwah
178 km from Jammu, Doda, with altitude varying from 8000 ft to 15000 ft, has some fascinating spots which are yet to be explored. The natural beauty is as romantic and adventurous as Kashmir. For this reason.