The breathtaking beauty of Jammu cannot be described in words. It can only be seen and felt. In this article, we have shortlisted the five best places to visit in Jammu for every traveller.
This winter capital, located on the banks of river Tawi, is the largest city and second most populated in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is popularly known as the City of Temples for its ancient temples, and it is also of significant importance for the pilgrims going to Vaishno Devi. Jammu is named after its founder, Raja Jambulochan, who is believed to have ruled the area in the 9th century.
It is also strategically important as all the routes leading to Kashmir, Poonch, Doda and Ladakh start from Jammu. As there are significant tourist attractions in Jammu, it also attracts tourists from all over the world for its old historical places like Purani Mandi, Rani Park, Bahu Fort, Raghunath Temple, Ranbireshwar Temple, Karbala, Peer Meetha, and Old City.
Amar Mahal is the iconic landmark in the town of Jammu and has a rich history of flaunting with brilliant location, Facade, and French interiors. The palace was built in the nineteenth century by Raja Amar Singh. Today it has been converted into a museum that exhibits miniature paintings, books, an art collection, and a golden throne that weighs 120 kgs.
List of 5 Best Places to Visit in Jammu
1. Vaishno Devi Temple
Vaishno Devi Temple is considered one of India’s most important and sacred temples and one of the best places to visit in Jammu. It is one of the most visited Hindu pilgrimage centres in the world. Every year millions of visitors visit the temple around the globe. Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas dedicated to Durga, who is worshipped as Vaishno Devi.
Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the richest temples in India. According to the sources, the annual income of the temple is more than $18 billion. Because Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the most popular places to visit in Jammu during festivals like Navaratri, more than 5,00,000 people visit the temple daily for Mata darshan.
Vaishno Devi Temple is well connected with all modes of transportation. The nearest railway station is Katra, also known as Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station. There is a daily bus service to Katra from all major cities of North India. The nearest airport is Jammu Civil Enclave, also known as Jammu Airport, located around 50 km from the temple.
2. Bahu Fort Jammu
Bahu Fort is one of the oldest forts in Jammu and it was constructed originally by Raja Bahulochan over 3,000 years ago. Bahu Fort is one of the must places to visit in Jammu because there is a Kali temple inside the fort which attracts more than a thousand Hindu pilgrims. Bahu Temple is situated inside the Bahu Fort, popularly called Bave Wali Mata Mandir. The view from Bahu Fort is amazing, you can easily see the beautiful city Jammu from there.
If you are planning to visit Bahu Fort by air then Jammu airport is just 8 km away and taxi services are also easily available. The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi at a distance of 3.5 km.
3. Patnitop
Patnitop is one of the few places in Jammu which receives snowfall during the wintertime. Located at a height of 6,640 ft is one of the best tourist places in Jammu. Situated near the river Chenab, this beautiful town offers a unique atmosphere of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas. Patnitop was earlier known as “Patan da Talab”, meaning “Pond of the Princess”. It was believed to be the bathing area for princesses. If you are a sports lover, this is the perfect location to enjoy sports like skiing and trekking.
Patnitop is well connected to Jammu and Srinagar by national highway and can be reached by a local bus or taxi. The nearest rail station to Patnitop is Katra. Jammu airport is the nearest airport to Patnitop.
4. Raghunath Temple Jammu
Raghunath Temple, with seven shrines, is one of the largest temple complexes in north India, located in Jammu. Maharaja Gulab Singh and his son Maharaj Ranbir Singh built the temple, during the period of 1853-1860. The temple has many gods enshrined, but the presiding deity is Lord Ram, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. The architecture of the temple is such that no steel has been used in its construction. People visit this temple in large numbers to pay homage to the deity and seek blessings from the Lord which makes it one of the must places to visit in Jammu.
Raghunath Temple Jammu has located just 5 km from Jammu Tawi railways station which is well connected with all major cities of India. Jammu bus stand is located just 500 meters away from the temple. Jammu airport is also just 7 km away from Raghunath Temple.
5. Shivkhori
The famous cave shrine of Shivkhori has situated in District Reasi nearby Jammu. The Holy cave is more than 150 meters long & houses 4 feet high Svayambhu Lingum, which constantly baths in a milky lime fluid dripping from the ceiling. It is one of the most venerated cave shrines of Lord Shiva in the region and must places to visit in Jammu to worship Lord Shiva. According to the most important myth, the Shiv Khori cave is believed to be discovered by a Muslim Shepherd, who in search of his missing Goats and by chance reached inside the cave.
Shiv Khori is situated at a distance of 80 Km from Katra and 110 Km from Jammu. Buses and light vehicles go up to Ransoo. From Ransoo everyone needs to do tracking for a 3.5 km distance to reach Shivkhori. Due to COVID 19 total permissible daily limit is of 1000 devotees per day (500 from J&K 500 from other states)
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