Top places of interest in Jammu
1. Vaishno Devi Temple No journey to Jammu feels finished until you set foot in the world-famous Vaishno Devi Temple. This temple is roughly 50 kilometres outside the city. This revered cave shrine to Goddess Vaishno Devi pulls in millions of worshippers every season. The climb up the Trikuta range is quite a struggle, yet every step rewards the spirit with a deep sense of achievement.
Tip:Reserve a helicopter or pony services in advance if you wish to avoid the entire trek.
2. Raghunath Temple Raghunath Temple sits right in the middle of Jammu city. This revered temple ranks as one of the biggest temple groups in northern India. Constructed in the 1800s under Maharaja Gulab Singh and his son Ranbir Singh, the shrine honours Lord Rama and contains several smaller cells decked with fine stonework.
Don’t miss: The beautiful gold-plated interiors and ancient inscriptions.
3. Ranbireshwar Temple Ranbireshwar Temple is another attraction spot on the list of places of interest in Jammu. This temple was constructed by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in the year 1883 in honour of Lord Shiva. Temple is well-known because of its huge Shiva Lingam and a set of crystal Lingams.
Pro tip:Travel in the early morning to watch the morning aarti.
4. Bahu Fort and Bagh-e-Bahu Majority of forts in Jammu are ancient and Bahu Fort is counted amongst these. Dating back over 3,000 years, the fort is located at an elevated plateau and overlooks the Tawi River. It was restored by the Dogra kings. It is situated beside a magnificent garden, the Bagh-e-Bahu terraced garden, with its blossom of colours, flowing fountains and serene fish aquarium.
Perfect for:A well spent evening stroll and a panoramic view of the city.
5. Mubarak Mandi Palace Mubarak Mandi Palace is a must-visit for a history lover. It is a huge palace complex that was once the royal abode of the Dogra kings with a unique architectural style. It combines the styles of Rajasthani, Mughal and European architecture. The Palace of Mirrors or Sheesh Mahal, is magnificent indeed, including the Dogra Art Museum within the palace.
Photography Tip: During the golden hour the architecture appears splendid.
6. Amar Mahal Palace Amar Mahal Palace sits on top of the Tawi River. It is regarded as one of the gems in the list of famous attractions in Jammu. The French chateau-style palace was constructed during the 19th century. It has been transformed into a museum. Containing portraits of Kings and Queens and other artefacts, this museum also includes a throne made of 120 kg of pure gold.
Did you know?The palace was once the residence of Maharaja Amar Singh.
7. Peer Kho Cave Temple It is one of the oldest cave shrines of the Lord Shiva. It holds a lot of mythological importance attached to the temple and is considered to have been in existence during the Ramayana period.
Best time to visit:During the time of the festive occasion of Shivratri, when the temple becomes the centre of activity of the devotees.
