JAMMU TOURISM

The beauty of the state of Jammu and Kashmir is not limited particularly to one area or region. The best thing about the state is that each region of the state is beautiful and unique in its own way. While Kashmir has a lavish natural beauty and Ladakh is a spiritual place, it displays a mixture of both along with features of historical interest.

City is a home to some of the most renowned temples of the Hindu religion. These temples are a rich source of tourist attractions and each year a huge number of local as well as foreign tourists come to Jammu to visit these temples. Apart from temples, many historical palaces, buildings, forts and other places are present here.

These historical buildings and monuments are wonderful and beautiful. The historical and religious perspective of Jammu Tourism is complemented by the rich natural beauty of the place in the forms of gardens, mountains, rivers and lakes. The fact that the only road link to the beautiful valley of Kashmir goes through it also plays an important role in the flourishing of tourism in this division.

A very interesting legend is associated with the founding of the city. It is believed that Jammu was founded by Raja Jambulochan, who, during one of his hunting expeditions had seen an amazing site of a lion and a lamb drinking water at the same place. He was surprised and renouncing hunting, he banned the hunting of animals in the area saying that the place where a lion and lamb can live together is a place of peace and harmony. He ordered the formation of the city, which was named Jambunagar and with the passage of time it became Jammu. With such a history, it is not surprising that it is popular among tourists, who come to witness the rich historical legacy of the place and be enchanted with its rich beauty, returning with a peace of mind and soul.

The places of interest in region can be broadly categorised into Historical, spiritual and natural. Historical places include forts and palaces. One of the most famous forts here is the Bahu Fort. The spiritual places include a number of beautiful artistic temples and Sufi shrines of famous Muslim Saints. Jammu city is also known as the ‘city of temples’, which gives a rough idea of the majestic temples that adorn the city. The natural places include the beautiful areas of the division including the beautiful lakes and rivers of the place.

Jammu division has a rich history of tourism. People have been thronging the place since ages now. Ragunath temple, Bahu Temple, Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, Shiv Khori Cave shrine, Buddha Amarnath, Sudhmahadev Temple, GouriKund, Purmandal, Ranvireshwar Temple, Chichi Mata a ndSukrala Mata are some of the hindu religious places which are very much revered among Hindus and equally respected by the people of other religions. These temples witness a huge rush of pilgrims and tourists round the year. There are also many Sufi shrines like ShahdaraSharief, Peer Khoh, Peer Baba, Ziarat Peer Mitha, Panj Peer etc.

Tourism Places in Jammu

• Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
• Patnitop - Hill station
• Bhaderwah - Hill station
• Poonch
• Zab Baihk
• Rajouri
• Eco-tourism places: Mantalai and Shivkhori
• Punj old fort
• Shahdra Sharif shrine
• Bhimgarh Fort
• Ramnagar Fort in Udhampur District
• Mansar Lake