If you want to become one with nature, then you must visit Jammu City, India. Jammu is a beautiful city in the northernmost state of India and is also the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is known for its old forts, famous temples, palaces and lush gardens. The state of Jammu and Kashmir is considered to be one of the coldest places in the country with an average temperature of 17 degrees Celsius and the warmest temperature goes up to a maximum of 30 degrees Celsius. The city of Jammu is divided into two separate cities; the old town of Jammu is located on a hilltop whereas, the new town is located several kilometers away from the river. Jammu is also home to ancient historic monuments and scenic gardens, like the Bagh-e-Bahu and the Mughal Gardens. It has a very cool climate throughout the year and that is what makes it a top tourist spot, in India. Read on to learn about the best things to do in and near Jammu City, India.
Good to know:
- According to the District Jammu website, there are several ways to reach the city. It has its own airport, so tourists can fly in from many other cities in India. Railway travel is also available with super fast trains connecting Jammu Tawi to the rest of the country. If you're driving here, take National Highway 1A.
- The District Jammu website also has a detailed list of all the festivals and fairs that tourists can attend in Jammu and nearby.
1. Visit the historical site of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex
Mubarak Mandi is a historical palace in Jammu, India. It highly reflects the Dogra dynasty as this was the royal residence of Maharaja Hari Singh when he ruled Jammu and Kashmir until 1925. The palace is a living example of the Rajasthani, European baroque, and Mughal architecture. Tourists gather at this complex to marvel at Dogra’s culture and historical buildings.
The complex consists of several courtyards and various buildings and palaces such as the Darbar Hall Complex, the Pink Palace, Royal Courts buildings, Gol Ghar Complex, and Nawa Mahal. These halls and galleries were used for official functions and ceremonies. The Dogra Art Museum, a popular destination in the complex, is located in the Pink Hall and has a rich collection of miniature varied paintings.
Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex
Address: Panjtirthi, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir 180001
Website: Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
2. Show your devotion to the lingam's of Ranbireshwar Temple
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Ranbireshwar Temple is an ancient shrine at Shalimar Road in Jammu City. As the biggest temple in North India, it is one of the main attractions among tourists and locals alike. The structure was built in 1883 under the ruling of Maharaja Ranbir Sing as a commemoration of his dedication to Lord Shiva.
Visitors have to take a long flight of stairs to reach the temple and show devotion to the lingams, an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu god Shiva. The central lingam is a 2.4-meter (8-foot) object that is made out of black stone. The temple also enshrines 12 crystal lingams gauging from 15 centimeters (5.9 inches) to 38 centimeters (14.9 inches).
Ranbireshwar Temple
Address: Shalimar road in front of Jammu-Kashmir civil secretariat in Jammu city
Website: Ranbireshwar Temple
Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)
3. Learn about the royal history of Jammu in Amar Mahal Palace
Amar Mahal Palace is a palace in Jammu that served as the last residence of the Dogra dynasty. It was built in the 19th century and highly showcases a French-chateau style of architecture. Today, the palace operates as a museum on a hilltop overlooking the Tawi river. Four of the palace’s rooms were converted into art galleries and historic museums depicting the rich and royal history of Jammu. It exhibits plenty of treasured items but the museum’s main attraction is the golden throne of Jammu weighing 120 kilograms (264.5 pounds).
The art collection of the museum also draws attention as Kangra miniature paintings and rare paintings from famous Indian contemporary painters are on display. The museum also hosts heritage walking tours around the complex to provide public information about the history of Jammu and its surrounding cities.
Amar Mahal Palace
Address: Palace Road, Karan Nagar, Jammu Tawi, Jammu Cantonment, Jammu and Kashmir 180001.
Website: Amar Mahal Palace
Opening hours: Apr - Sep: 9am - 1pm, 2pm - 6pm; Oct - Mar: 9am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm
4. Catch the latest in movies at Wave Cinemas
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Experience the tears, thrills, and tickles brought by blockbuster movies through the big screens of Wave Cinemas. It is a popular chain of premium movie theaters spread across North India. Its Jammu outlet is located on the third floor of one of the top-notch multiplex malls in East Jammu, Wave Mall. Its movie auditoriums provide seating with ample leg rooms, a superb sound system, and are supervised by helpful cinema staff.
Wave Cinema offers the convenience of the mall’s foodcourt for light snacks and meals which is located on the same floor as the cinema. Check out the latest blockbuster or new releases now and book a ticket.
Wave Cinemas
Address: G.S. Malls Pvt. Ltd. Channi Rama, Opp. Bathindi Road Jammu City, Jammu and Kashmir 180015
Website: Wave Cinemas
5. See the iconic landmark of War Memorial (Balidan Stambh)
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Balidan Stambh is a Hindi phrase that translates to a pillar of sacrifice. It is India’s first and biggest war memorial and is located in the heart of the city, opposite the University of Jammu. The monument is a timeless commemoration of the sacrifices of all military and paramilitary personnel of the nation who fought during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. The war memorial’s construction was initiated in 2008 and since its inauguration in 2009, it has become an iconic landmark in the center of the town.
The pillar is a bayoneted rifle that stands 60 meters (196.9 feet) from the base and is surrounded by eternal flames that symbolize the supreme sacrifice made by the brave martyrs.
War Memorial (Balidan Stambh)
Address: Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir
Website: War Memorial- Balidan Stambh
6. Go on a pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi Mandir
Vaishno Devi Mandir is a famous pilgrimage site for Hindus all around the world. It is also known as ‘Mata Rani’ and it is a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Mahalakshmi. Vaishno Devi Mandir is in Katra, at the Trikuta Mountains, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, in India. There are various modes of transport available from Katra to the temple, like ponies, vehicles and a palki, or sedan chair, which is carried by two or four people. You can also hire a helicopter, up to Sanjichhat, which is near Katra.
Vaishno Devi Mandir
Address: Katra Road, Reasi District, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir
7. Take a pilgrim tour to Panch Peer Dargah
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The Dargah of Panch Peer is a very holy shrine for Muslim people. It is situated on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway, NH1A and is close to the Maharaja Palace of the Dogra dynasty. The legend behind this shrine is that five saints used it for their preaching and meditation. The name Panch Peer literally means “Five Saints” and the graves of the saints are said to be buried in the Dargah and are worshipped by devotees from every part of India and abroad.
Panch Peer Dargah
Address: Highway NH-1A, near the Maharaja’s Palace, Jammu City
Website: Panch Peer dargah
8. Have a stroll in Bagh-e-Bahu
The Bagh-e-Bahu Gardens are terraced gardens and are a top tourist site, in Jammu. Magnificently designed in the Mughal style of architecture, the gardens have a large artificial lake, enclosed by elaborate lawns, with greenery all around. Bagh-e-Bahu has stone walkways and various flower beds. There is also a musical fountain show, which attracts visitors all year round. This garden sits beside the Bahu Fort, which was built 3,000 years ago by the Raja Bahulochan.
There is a small cafeteria serving refreshments in one of the corners in Bagh-e-Bahu. This place also has the largest underground aquarium in India and an awareness center which are both attractions, for visitors. The underground aquarium has more than 400 varieties of freshwater and marine fish.
Bagh-e-Bahu Gardens
Address: Gorkha Nagar, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir
Website: Bagh-e-Bahu Gardens
9. Visit Sanasar Lake
Sanasar Lake is located near Patnitop, in Jammu. Tourists visiting here have said that it is among the most beautiful places they have seen and even call it ‘mini Switzerland’! One can reach here by private car or hire a taxi from Patnitop and travel through Natha Top, which is another lovely sight to behold. It has a large area, covered in snow, which is popular for skiing and paragliding and there is also a lush green and grassy area, used for playing golf with a shimmering lake, in between. A large variety of local snacks are available, around the lake and families generally have a picnic, there. Horseback riding is also offered around the lake and is very popular among tourists, here.
Sanasar Lake
Address: 19 km (11.8 miles) From Patnitop, Patnitop
10. Tour the Mahamaya Temple
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The Mahamaya Temple, on the banks of the River Tawi, is an important site dedicated to the memory of a local female freedom fighter, Mahamaya, from the Dogra community. Around 14 centuries ago, Mahamaya sacrificed her life in order to save the area from the hands of foreign invaders. Now an entire temple has been dedicated to her honor. The Mahamaya Temple, in Jammu, attracts devotees and tourists, who come here to pray. It is not considered just a temple but is also one of the foremost tourist attractions, in Jammu. When tourists visit this place they feel overcome with a feeling of communal harmony and appreciation of the fabulous culture of Jammu.
Mahamaya Temple
Address: Tawi River, opposite Bahu Fort, Jammu City
Website: Mahamaya Temple
11. Admire the paintings at Dogra Art Museum
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The Dogra Art Museum is a museum that celebrates Dogra cultural heritage, located in the Pink Hall of the Mubarak Mandi Complex, in Jammu. One of the main attractions of this museum is the Pahari miniature paintings, from Bhasoli. It has a collection of 7216 objects of ancient, historical and also cultural importance. The collections in the Rasmanjari series and rare manuscripts like the Shahnama and Sikandernama’, in Persian, stand out among all the collections in the museum.
The terracotta heads from Akhnoor, rare sculptures, coins and currency, old manuscripts, Dogra costumes, jewellery, arms and armor, are all on display, here. The marble jharokhas with semi-precious stones further embellishes the museum collection. A gold plated bow which belonged to the Mughal emperor Shahjahan and a stone plate with writings in Takri script are some of the most prized possessions of the museum.
Dogra Art Museum
Address: Panjtirthi, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir
Website: Dogra Art Museum
12. Explore Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary, in Jammu, is best known for its huge number of species of pheasants. It lies in an area of thick forest, teeming with wildlife. There are various species of birds in the sanctuary like the Indian mynah, the Blue Rock Pigeon, Indian Peafowl, the Red Junglefowl, the Cheer Pheasant and the Chukar. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna and has a huge number of animals like leopards, wild boars, rhesus monkeys, bharal and the grey langur.
Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: Nandini Village, Jammu City
Website: Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary
13. Plan a memorable helicopter ride to Poonch
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The helicopter ride is one of the most sought-after activities in Jammu to witness the beauty of Mother Nature. This beautiful Indian town is located at a short driving distance from the city of Jammu. The helicopter ride from Jammu to Poonch will have you experience the mesmerizing scenic view of the Pir Panjal mountain range and the rich cultural heritage of the picturesque town.
Helicopter ride to Poonch
Address: Sheikh complex, Shiraz chowk, Khanjar, Near J&K Bank Khanjar, Khaniyar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190003
Website: Helicoper ride to Poonch
Opening hours: 7am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 57 USD
14. Ski your way in Patnitop
Patnitop is a beautiful hill station that offers a panoramic view of the mountains. It’s a perfect place to indulge in skiing activities through the gorgeous locations of the place. Visitors can find a lot of skiing courses for beginners and glide through the gentle slopes of this hilly region. This is a famous adventure sport in Jammu that should not be missed.
Skiing in Patnitop
Address: Madha Top, Patnitop
Website: Skiing in Patnitop
Price: 29 USD
15. Explore the beautiful Bhimgarh Fort
Located near Reasi, this town is situated around 64 km (39.76 miles) to the northwest of Jammu. This historical monument is also known as the Reasi Fort. Initially, the entire fort was constructed with clay. Later on, the fort was rebuilt with stones and decorated with beautiful Rajasthani paintings on the walls. The façade and the surrounding areas of this beautiful historical structure were upgraded with beautiful pathways and gardens thus, enhancing the view of the place.
Bhimgarh Fort
Address:Reasi Town, Udhampur 182311, India
Website: Bhimgarh Fort
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 0.14 USD
16. Enjoy fishing in Mansar Lake
The Mansar Lake is a popular spot in Jammu and is surrounded by lush greeneries and hilltops. Tourists can enjoy a scenic boat ride at the lake and even fishing is also one of the popular activities performed in the lake. Apart from the diverse recreational activities, the lake is also rich in flora and fauna making it a sought-after place among travelers.
Mansar Lake
Address: Buttal, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir 182127, India
Website: Mansar Lake
Opening hours: 7am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Free entry
17. Undertake a jeep safari on the rocky terrains
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you wish to witness the true beauty of nature then a ride on a camel is the best option to explore the majestic landscape of this paradise on earth. The jeep safaris are the best to ride on the rocky mountain terrains and soak in the mesmerizing valleys. The road safaris also let you explore the history and culture of the city in the best possible way.
Jeep Safari
Address: Tourist Reception Centre, Residency Road Vir Marg, Jammu Tawi
Website: Jeep Safari
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 230 USD
18. Pay a visit to the Kali Temple in Bahu Fort
This iconic fort was built around 3000 years back by king Bohu Lochan along the banks of River Tawi. The fort has a temple dedicated to goddess Kali. The Bahu Fort Temple is considered to be a very old and pious temple. Every year during Navaratra, the Bahu Fair is organized in the Kali Temple that attracts a large number of devotees every year.
Bahu Fort
Address: Bahu Fort, Jammu (left banks of River Tawi), Jammu and Kashmir 180006, India
Website: Bahu Fort
Opening hours: 5am - 10pm (daily)
Price: 0.14 USD
19. Savor lip-smacking dishes
This beautiful city of Jammu is also the home to lip-smacking delicacies. The Dogra dishes are some of the prominent cuisines in Jammu and are well-known around the country. Dishes are rajma-chawal, Kashmiri polao, aloo dum, patisa, etc. are the prominent ones. The city of Jammu also has a list of traditional dishes such as madra (lintel cooked in curd), maani, katha meat, khameera, mitha bhat (sweet rice) and shasha (raw mango chatni).
Discover the incredible natural beauty of Jammu
There is no other place like Jammu, in India. The cool weather all year round is a major reason why there are hordes of tourists flocking to the city. There is the world famous Vaishno Devi Mandir, which is a compulsory pilgrimage for Hindus, in India and abroad. There are old forts and palaces, which attract tourists from all over. The beautiful terraced gardens of Bagh-e-Bahu welcome all to its lush green scenery and lakes. So, if you are looking for a summer break, head to Jammu and let nature rejuvenate you, completely.
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