Jammu: History, How To Reach, Tourist Places, Best Time

Name:	Jammu – City of Temples
Location:	Jammu and Kashmir, India
Climate:	Summers: 40° C (Max), 23° C (Min) | Winters: 26° C (Max), 4° C (Min)
Best Time To Visit:	March to October
Nearest Airport:	Satwari Airport, Jammu
Railway Station:	Jammu Tawi
Must Visits:	Vaishno Devi Shrine, Bahu Fort, Raghunath Temple, Mubarak Mandi Palace, Manasar lake, Aquarium Bagh-I-Bahu
Language Spoken:	Dogri, Poonchi, Gojri, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Mirpuri, Kotli, English
STD Code:	0191

Jammu, shines as a big jewel engraved to India’s crown state of Jammu & Kashmir. Also referred to as the ‘Temple City of India’, Jammu, is a popular pilgrim and tourist destination located at the banks of River Tawi. It has heterogeneity in terms of region and culture. The southern region of Jammu borders with Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, while the northern region with an altitude ranging from 2000-4000 meters borders with Kashmir and its districts of Basoli, Reasi, and parts of Rajouri, and the eastern region has Ladakh for company. It is also culturally rich with many festivals and seasons celebrated by the residents comprised of Dogras, Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs. It is the largest city in Jammu and is also the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the most flocked place in terms of business, economics and tourism.

Popular belief among the locals has it that Jammu was founded by Raja Jambu Lochan in 14th century BC, after he witnessed a lion and a goat drinking water at the same place on the banks of River Tawi and gave up his hunting expedition. Recounting the whole experience, he ordered that a palace be built at the site, for it was definitely a place of peace and tranquility. Susequently, a city was formed around the palace and was known as Jambu Nagar, which later changed to Jammu. Jammu’s name has also being mentioned in the ancient book of Mahabharata time and again. Some historical and archeological evidences also suggest that Jammu was an integral part of Harappa civilization. Many monuments, castles and forts situated on the hilltops, with a unique mix of Mughal and Hindu architectural styles are still there to pay homage to Jammu’s historical inheritance.

Jammu is as renowned for its pilgrim attraction as it is popular for other tourist attractions and adventure sports. Every year, hordes of devotees flock to Mata Vaishno Devi Temple and shrines like Gauri Kund Temple, Raghunath Temple, Peer Kho Cave, and Shivkhori. And tourist places like Patnitop, Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary, Aquarium Bagh-I-Bahu, Manasar Lake, and Bahu Fort remain the centre of attraction almost all round the year. Adventure lovers can too have their share of fun with trekking, rafting, paragliding, skiing, mountaineering, and simple nature walks. Approximately 600 km away from the national capital of Delhi, it is well linked by roads through National Highway 1A, with daily bus services available from many cities like Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Shimla, Manali, Haridwar etc. It is also well linked through railways (Jammu Tawi Station) and airways (Satwari Airport). So, whether you’re a devotee or an adventure sports lover, Jammu is the place for you.

Best Time To Visit Jammu

Located in the northern tip of India and hemmed by Kashmir on the north and Punjab to its south, the City of Temples Jammu beckons every tourist to come and explore its divine ambience. A string of holy shrines and the gleaming mosques lends this place much of its spiritual air. Home to several ethnic communities like the Dogras, the Gujjars and the Gaddis, a visit to Jammu will help an enthusiast to delve deep into the culture and customs of the people there and explore what real Jammu is all about. The recreational sites surrounding Jammu makes for a total eye-candy for the tourists. Adding to the beauty and loveliness of the place is the pleasant climate of the city that draws tourists in hordes. Although there is no particular time to hit Jammu and explore its divine side, it’s always good to visit the city during the favorable months of the year to ensure that your travel plans are not mired by unexpected weather conditions. To know more on the best time to visit Jammu, read on.

Ideal Time To Visit Jammu

Seasons

Perched at an altitude of 395 meters to 6910 meters above the sea level, the climate of Jammu is tropical in nature, with mild summers and frozen winters characterizing its peak seasons. The summer here, which extends from May to July, is mild and short and is usually hot and humid. Jammu receives heavy showers during the springs. The winters are exceptionally cold with temperatures dropping as low as 3oC during the peak winter months. The best time to flock this city is between October to April when the temperature is mild and the valley, more picturesque than ever.

Best Time To Explore Jammu

Depending on whether you prefer freezing cold winters to misty autumn, you can plan your trip to Jammu. While most people would say that anytime is the best time to visit Jammu, planning your trip in between October to April will leave you with just enough opportunities to explore the bounties of the city. Apart from joining in the major celebrations of the city like Deepavali and Lohri, you can also experience Jammu at its nature’s best with vibrant valleys, flushed meadows and gushing rivers promising to leave your jaws dropped.

Things To Do

Jammu, one of the beautiful cities of the country, is blessed with some of the best travel destinations. With the tag of ‘City of Temples’, Jammu offers a string of spectacular shrines to the devotees. Maha Kali temple, Raghunath temple, Bahu Fort temple, Ranbireshwar temple and Idgah are some of the noted shrines in this region. On your visit to this city, don’t forget to make a holy trip to Vaishno Devi and Amarnath, which are situated close to the city. For the recreational enjoyments, there are several art museums, monuments, gardens and forts. For the adventure freaks, there are plenty of things to do. To wind up your spectacular journey of the city, don’t forget to explore the famous shopping markets here, which are renowned for their handicrafts and handlooms and take home some regional specialties of the land.

History Of Jammu

Known for its natural beauty and striking temples, Jammu has a major role in making Indian history gleam with pride. Once the seat of famous Dogra dynasty, today Jammu enjoys the status of an administrative division and winter capital of the country. From the origin of the name ‘Jammu’ to the ongoing controversies, the history of territory is dotted with several noteworthy instances. Tourism, which is the major economic source of the place, proudly highlights the natural beauty, cultural heritage and most importantly, the legacy left behind by some of the outstanding rulers of the past. Adding to this, the diverse population and religious practices of the city offers an unparalleled potential to support tourism with all the major attractions that no other part of the world can offer. If you really want to know the reason behind the strong culture and intellectual development of Jammu, then understanding the history of place would help you discover Jammu better. Trail this article to know more about history of Jammu.

Jammu History

Origin Of The City

According to a popular legend, Raja Jamboolochan founded this City of temples in 14th century BC. It is believed that during one of his hunting drives, he reached a river called Tawi where he was surprised to see a goat and a lion drinking water at the same place. This made him conclude that a place where a lion and a goat can survive side by side is surely a land of peace and harmony. Recounting this incidence, he decided to build a palace at this place and eventually established a city named Jambu-Nagar, which with time became popular as Jammu.

Ancient History

The glory of beautiful Jammu city is mentioned even in the great Indian epic Mahabharata. Archeological evidences cite that Jammu was once the ground for Harappa civilization. Apart from this, the city of Jammu boasts of a long regal lineage. From Mauryas, Guptas and Kushans to Shahi, Mughals and Sikhs, Jammu have been the home to several great royal dynasties. After the death of great Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh, British took over Jammu and appointed Maharaja Gulab Singh as the ruler of the land. With the ascension of Maharaja Gulab Singh to the throne, the famous Dogra dynasty came into supremacy. It is under the reign of Gulab Singh that Jammu and Kashmir were integrated. Thus, he is fondly called as the founder of Jammu and Kashmir.

After Independence

During the time of Indian partition, the Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh was given a choice to freely choose the country between India and Pakistan. However, considering the strong opinion of the people and neighboring states, Jammu and Kashmir became the crown of Independent India. Even after the partition, the clashes continued based on the ethnic and border issues. In 1965 and 1971, there was an Indo-Pakistan war over territorial claims. Again, in 1999, there was the famous Kargil war between the two nations, which took a number of lives form both sides. Even today, Jammu is shaken with communal and territorial clashes every now and then.

How To Reach Jammu

If you would like to get a slice of real paradise, then Jammu is the place to go. With its stunning temples, striking monuments and scenic splendor, a trip to Jammu just promises to leave your jaws dropped. Perched on Sivalik range, this unsullied paradise teeming with breathtaking beauty and natural bounties is nothing short of a visual delight and is the ultimate getaway for people seeking for some comfort in the laps of nature. Apart from its rich wildlife and picturesque landscapes, the city is also admired for its warm hospitality, handicrafts, handlooms, Himalayan cuisine and some high-thrill adventure sports. With budget friendly hotels and luxurious home stays catering to the lodging needs of the travelers, there is little reason why you should stop yourself from heading up north to explore this awe-inspiring paradise on Earth. There are plenty of traveling options to take you to Jammu. Scroll down this article to pick your traveling options. To know more on how to reach Jammu, read on.

Traveling To Jammu

By Air

If you fancy the idea of flying above snow-capped Pir Panjal Range and enjoy an aerial view of the entire land as you fly down to Jammu, then opting for air route would leave you with an experience of a lifetime. Jammu is well-connected to the major cities of the country including Srinagar, Delhi and Leh. Almost all the major airlines of the country like Indian Airlines, Air India, Go Business, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Red, Kingfisher and Spice Jet provides regular services from Jammu to other cities of Delhi, Mumbai and Srinagar. Apart from domestic and private airlines, several other international carriers operate from Jammu as well.

By Rail

If you are looking for a convenient way to reach the city, then railway is the way to go. The major railway station in the region, which is the Jammu Tawi railway station, operates from Jammu and connects the city to almost all the major cities of the country. You can avail both fast and super fast trains depending on your need and convenience. Jammu is well connected to the cities of Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata, Indore, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Chennai. Particularly during summers and holiday seasons, Jammu railways run special trains for the comfort of passengers. Some of the noted trains from Jammu are Jammu Rajadhani (New Delhi), Andaman Express (Chennai) Himgiri Express (Howrah) Amar Nath Express (Gorakhpur) Tata Jat Express (Jamshedpur). Jammu Tawi railway station is located just about five kilometers from the downtown and it will take you around 30 minutes to reach this place.

By Road

Taking the road is possibly the best way to get up, close and personal to the beauty of this city. With an impressive network of roads to boast of, Jammu is connected to almost all the major cities of North India including Delhi, Amritsar, Ambala, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Shimla and Srinagar. Regular bus services from other states mostly use national highway 1A to reach Jammu. The state transportation systems provide standard and deluxe bus services. That leaves you with the option to choose your transportation as per your comfort and pocket. Apart from state services, there are several private bus and cab services to take you through the landmarks of the city. Although there is good number of buses operating to and from the city, advance booking of tickets is necessary to avoid unwanted problems at the end.

Places To See In Jammu

A place for real spiritual solace and the ultimate getaway for the trekkers, a trip to Jammu promises to be a fascinating affair. Flecked with alpine trees, stretches of plains and a beautiful landscape, Jammu is truly a must-visit holiday destination. Although the divinity of the land can never be explicated in words, yet you can’t help but feel soaked in spiritual bliss once you are in this land of the Duggars. Situated against the Pir Panjal Range, this picture-perfect destination looks no lesser than a paradise during the bountiful seasons. Adding to its natural plethora is the city’s legendary history and it’s incredible culture that adds to the sumptuousness of the city. The major attractions of the city like its temples, old monuments, and its rich cuisine promises to leave the tourists overwhelmed with wonder. With such a wide variety of things to see, feel and explore, a trip to Jammu is certainly worth every penny. To know more about the places to visit in Jammu, go ahead and explore the article.

Tourist Attractions In Jammu

Raghunath Temple

Raghunath temple, the real pride of Jammu, is an outstanding piece of architecture devoted to Lord Rama. Situated within the heart of Jammu, the temple draws throngs of devotees every day. The construction of this magnificent temple began in 1835 AD under the initiation of Maharaja Gulab Singh and was completed by his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh in the year 1860 AD. Although the main deity of the temple is Lord Rama, the temple complex houses a bevy of other small shrines that are dedicated to almost all the gods and goddesses in Hindu mythology. The chief attraction of the complex is the gold plated interiors of the main temple. Apart from its rich collection of deities, the temple complex is admired for its coveted compilation of ancient texts and manuscripts as well.

Ranbireshwar Temple

Ranbireshwar temple, located in Shalimar Road, is a must-visit tourist spot in Jammu. This historical temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in the year 1883. The major attraction of this temple is a slew of ‘shivlings’ made out of crystals and stone slabs surrounding the main ‘shivling’, which is nearly eight feet high. To get a glimpse of this magnificent view, thousands of devotees throng to this place throughout the year. On your trip to the beautiful valley of Jammu, don’t forget to witness the panoramic view of shivling gallery.

Mubarak Mandi Palace

Mubarak Mandi Palace, the most coveted monument in Jammu, is a fusion of Rajasthani, Mughal and European Baroque architecture. This oldest palace complex, established in 1824, boasts of attractive halls and a beautiful courtyard. The most outstanding facet of this complex is the prized Pink Hall, which has been now converted into the famous Dogra art museum that houses several miniature paintings. Other noted division of the palace is Sheesh Mahal, which is beautifully crafted with the mirrors. The jaw-dropping view of Tawi River and old city further adds to the attractiveness of this palace.

Bahu Fort

Bahu Fort is one of the impressive and most popular tourist spots in Jammu. Situated on the banks of river Tawi, this age-old construction was originally built by King Bahulochan almost 3000 years ago. Later, during the glorious rule of Dogra’s, the fort was renovated to its present form. Surrounding the majestic fort, there is a beautiful garden called Bagh-e-Bahu, which is filled with varieties of flowers, plants and waterfalls. During the weekend, the people of Jammu come here to unwind and have fun. Adding to the grandeur of this fort is the famous Maha Kali temple, which is thronged by devotees all throughout the year.

Amar Mahal Palace Museum

The beautiful red sandstone structure is an extension of royal grandeur of the place. The picturesque surroundings of the palace spice up the overall beauty of the building. The museum serves as a huge storehouse of historical documents, antique sculptures, paintings and books. Durbar Hall situated within the museum houses paintings of Dogra rulers, which gives us a glimpse of the great rulers of the land.

Rani Charak Mahal

Rani Charak Mahal, located on the banks of river Tawi, is a beautiful structure of red bricks and mortar. Some of the valuables such as golden throne, utensils and palanquins are preserved in this glorious building. Visiting this place during sunrise or sunset will leave your eyes bedazzled.

Dargah Of Ali Shah

Situated in southern part of the city, the revered shrine of Peer Budhan Ali Shah is one of the holiest destinations in Jammu. If you are looking for sheer spiritual bliss, then visiting this mausoleum will leave you with much needed solace. People from all caste, creed and nation flock this place to offer their worship to the venerated saint. If you plan to visit this place, then Thursdays are the best day to go.

Mansar Lake

Situated 62 kms away from the city, this picturesque lake is picnickers’ destination. Flanked by lush forests and mountains, this place is sure to incite feelings of oneness with nature. On your trip to this lake, make sure to check out the temple of Sheshnag, which is situated on its eastern bank. Apart from this, you can also make a quick visit to two other adjacent temples of Umapati Mahadev and Narsimha.

Shopping In Jammu

Known for its beautiful landscapes and tranquil nature, the lanes of Jammu tots up as the perfect shopper’s stop. Just like the colorful history and serenity of the place, shopping in Jammu offers a complete visual treat to the visitors. When it comes to uniqueness and creativity of Jammu items, the tribal products definitely deserves applause. Some of the age-old bazaars like Raghunath Bazaar give you a true flavor of this shopper’s paradise. If you thought that Jammu shopping experience was all about buying dry-fruits from shopping carts, be ready for a surprise. Jammu has its own share of designer boutiques and local shops selling the specialties of the region like handicrafts, dry fruits and other accessories. Your shopping expedition is incomplete without buying silks, traditional dongra jewelries, dry fruits, woolen garments and handicrafts from this place. To help you explore the essence of shopping in Jammu, trail the article below.

Things To Buy In Jammu

Papier Mache

Jammu is admired for its unique and exclusive handicrafts made from papier-mache. The diligence, expertise and creativity of Jammu craftsmen are beautifully displayed in the handicrafts made from paper and cardboards. On your visit to Jammu, don’t forget to shop for some cute decorative kits and souvenirs like pen stand, wall hangings, table lamps, decorative bowls, flower vases, lamp shades and other ornamental items that has the power to adorn your showcase and enhance the elegance of your interiors.

Wooden Items

The beautifully carved and polished wooden items of Jammu is another outstanding attraction of this place. Even though the city is blessed with variety of woods, the handicraft items and furniture made from walnut wood are in great demand. In spite of being expensive, walnut materials are sold like hot cakes in the market. The carvings done on exclusive woods adorn the doors, windows and walls of every home in Jammu. Some of the stunning and exquisite handicrafts like photo frames, bowls, vases, portraits and numerous showpieces fascinate people from every corner of earth. However, while purchasing these products, don’t forget to bargain as it works very well in these markets.

Traditional Clothes

Without exploring the splendor of traditional Jammu clothes, you can never feel the essence of Himalayan beauty. The main attraction of the city shawls made from smoothest varieties of wool will leave you awestruck by its outstanding embroidery and great color combinations. Other must buy items of Jammu shopping are stunning silk sarees. If you really want to carry home the traditional elegance of Jammu, do carry some of these stunning regional clothes. And yes, don’t forget to get yourself a nice, original Pashmina shawl, which is a specialty in this region.

Carpets

If you are in Jammu and have not been enamored by the beauty of royal carpets yet, then it means you have not explored the city to the full. The carpet industry of the city, which is one of the major industrial sectors of state, is acclaimed around the world for its intricate designs, colorful threadwork and plush quality. Serving as the unique piece of traditional art and craft, the carpets from Jammu display the rich artistic skills and creative craftsmanship of the region. If you get a chance to visit Jammu, make a point to purchase beautifully designed carpets.