+91 9799050299 
Jammu, otherwise known as Duggardesh, is one of the most visited destinations of India. During winters, Jammu acts as the administrative capital of Jammu & Kashmir because of heavy snowfall in Srinagar. This region had been named after King Jambu Lochan who is believed to have founded Jammu in 8th century BC. The numerous temples found all over Jammu has earned it the title of ‘City of Temples’. The region is also popular as a pilgrimage tourist destination because of the presence of one of the most renowned Hindu shrines, the Vaishno Devi. It is, however, not only the pilgrimage sites that attract tourists from different parts of the world to Jammu but also the region’s scenic beauty. Jammu is located to the south of the great Himalayan range and north of the plains of Punjab. While the lower areas of the region are covered with forests of chestnut and oak, further north, at higher altitudes, the vegetation transforms to that of deodar and pine trees.
Major Attractions
Vaishno Devi Shrine
The shrine is one of the most revered place in India and is located over the Trikuta Hills at a height of 1700 m in Katra (48 km from Jammu). The temple is built in a cave, 30 m long and just 1.5 m high. The temple is devoted to Mother Goddess (Maa Vaishno) and her three forms- Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasarasvati. The 13 km route to the Vaishno Devi shrine from Katra is on a steep hill, a perfect trekking trail too.
Mansar lake
Fringed by forest covered hills, the beautiful Mansar lake is known for several sacred values as well. Located 62 km from Jammu, Mansar is visited for Hindu rituals, be it the Mundan ceremony (First hair cut) of any baby or three circumambulations (‘Parikrama’) around the lake by the newly weds. People also take a holy dip in the water of the lake on festive occasions. This holy lake is a much sought after place because of the ancient shrine of Sheshnag (a mythological snake with six heads) on the eastern bank and the ancient temples of Umapati Mahadev & Narsimha and Goddess Durga. The lake is also an ideal spot for boating.
Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary
Covering an area of about 34 sq. km., Nandini is a renowned place for various species of pheasants. Besides, the sanctuary is home to several other avifauna species like Indian mynah, blue rock pigeon, peafowl, red jungle fowl, chir pheasants, chakor etc. Wildlife lovers can also spot a number of mammals like leopard, wild boar, rhesus monkey, bharal and grey langur in abundance.
Bahu Fort
Constructed by Raja Bahulochan over 3,000 years ago, Bahu Fort (5 km from Jammu) boasts of being the oldest existing fort in the region. It was renovated by the Dogra rulers. Located on the left bank of the river Tawi, this fort also has religious values. A famous temple of “Bave wali Mata”, devoted to Goddess Kali, is located inside the Bahu Fort. This highly revered temple is considered second to Mata Vaishno Devi in terms of mystical power. The fort is surrounded by Bagh-E-Bahu, a famous Mughal garden.
Raghunath Temple
Famous for lakhs of saligrams, sacred scriptures, ancient texts and manuscripts, this temple is devoted to Lord Rama, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Raghunath temple, with its seven shrines, boasts of being the largest temple complex in northern India. The temple work was started in 1835 by Maharaja Gulab Singh and was completed by his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1860. All the surrounding shrines are devoted to various Gods and Goddesses connected with the epic Ramayana. Another attraction of the temple is the inner wall covered with gold sheet on three sides.
Jammu and Kashmir has been a symbol of eternal natural beauty since time immemorial. Few places in the subcontinent come close to the tummy-flipping beauty of the Himalayan mountain system. Like a pretty young girl, magnanimously voted by all as the beauty of her family, Jammu and Kashmir (often referred to simply, as J&K) has always been enveloped in an aura of mystery and elusiveness. J&K consist of 3 main regions: religiously oriented Jammu (the winter capital of the state), the pretty, flowery valleys of Kashmir and the cold. Whichever area you choose to start with, try completing the entire circuit to do full justice to these spellbinding lands of the North. The tourist places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir include Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Leh among others.
