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               JAMMU TRAVEL GUIDE

Jammu is one of the three regions comprising the disputed state of Jammu and
Kashmir. Jammu borders Kashmir to the north, Ladakh to the east, Himachal
Pradesh to the south and Pakistan-administered Kashmir to the west.

Home to some of the most popular Hindu shrines, such as Vaishno Devi, Jammu is
one of the most famous pilgrimage tourism destinations in India. Once a seat of the
Dogra Rajput dynasty, Jammu came under the control of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in
the 19-century and became a part of the Sikh Kingdom.
Sandwiched between the Vale of Kashmir to the north and the Daman Koh Plains to
the south, the Shivalik Range comprises most of the region of Jammu. The Pir
Panjal Range, the Trikuta Hills and the low-lying Tawi River basin adds beauty and
diversity to the terrain of Jammu.

Many historians and locals believe that Jammu was founded by Raja Jamboolochan
in 14th century BC. During one of his hunting campaigns he reached the Tawi River
where he saw a goat and a lion drinking water at the same place. The king was
impressed and decided to set up a town after his name, Jamboo. With the passage
of time, the name was corrupted and became "Jammu". The city name figures in the
ancient book Mahabharata. The name of Jammu is also found in the memories of
Timur. Excavation near Akhnoor, 20 miles from Jammu city, provides evidence that
Jammu was once a part of the Harappan civilization. Remains from the Maurya,
Kushan, and Gupta periods have also been found. The area witnessed the change
of control from the invading Mughals and Sikhs before finally falling under the control
of the British. After independence it became a part of the Indian republic the direct
successor of India itself following a bitter Kashmir war. It is said that in olden times
the area now known to be as Jammu and Kashmir across the river Tawi was thick
forest and was inhibited by wild animals. Once ruler of Bahu state, Raja Jambu
Lochan came for hunting in this area and witnessed a Asiatic lion and a lamb
drinking water at a small distance from each other on a lake. Having more satisfied
their thirst, they went their own ways. The Raja was amazed and abandoned the idea
of hunting and returned to his companions. Expressing what he had seen,
exclaimed that this place is a place of peace and tranquillity, where a lion and a lamb
can drink water side by side. The Raja commanded a palace to be built at this place
and a city to be built at this place and a city to be founded around it. Thus, a city in the
name of Jambu Lochan was developed and was named Jambu-Nagar which then
later changed into Jammu later. Jambu Lochan was the brother of Raja Bahu
Lochan who had constructed a fort on the bank of river Tavi. Bahu fort is one of the
famous historical places of Jammu.


PLACE TO VISIT

Vaishno Devi shrine - The town of Katra, which is close to Jammu, is home
to the famous Vaishno Devi shrine. Nestling on top of the Trikuta Hills at a height of
1700 m is the sacred cave shrine of Vaishno Devi, the mother goddess. At a
distance of 48 km from Jammu, the cave is 30 m long and just 1.5 m high. At the end
of the cave are shrines dedicated to the three forms of the mother goddess—
Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasarasvati. Pilgrims start trekking to the cave
temple which is 13 km from katra. They enter in small groups through a narrow
opening and walk through ice-cold waters to reach the shrines. According to legend,
the mother goddess hid in the cave while escaping a demon whom she ultimately
killed.

Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary - Areas around Jammu used to be thick
forests few years ago teeming with wild life. A wildlife sanctuary, called and best
known for wonderful species of pheasants. It is renowned natural habitat for a
significant population of pheasants. Among the other avifauna Indian mynah, blue
rock pigeon, peafowl, red jungle fowl, chir pheasants, chakor etc.

Spread over an area of 34 km², the sanctuary is rich in fauna and provides refuge to
a wide variety of mammals. The main species are leopard, wild boar, rhesus
monkey, bharal and grey langur.

Mansar Lake - Situated 62 km from Jammu, Mansar is a beautiful lake fringed
by forest-covered hills, over a mile in length by half-a-mile in width. Besides being a
popular excursion destination in Jammu, it is also a holy site, sharing the legend
and sanctity of Lake Mansarovar

Bahu Fort - The Bahu fort, which also serves as a religious temple is situated
about 5 km from Jammu city on a rock face on the left bank of the river Tawi. This is
perhaps the oldest fort and edifice in the city. Constructed originally by Raja
Bahulochan over 3,000 years ago, the existing Fort was more recently improved and
rebuilt by Dogra rulers. There is a temple dedicated to the Goddess Kali inside the
fort popularly known as Bave wali Mata. The fort overlooks the river running through
Jammu city. Every Tuesday and Sunday pilgrims throng this temple and partake in
"Tawi flowing worship". Bave Wali Mata is the presiding deity of Jammu. Today the
fort is surrounded with a beautiful terraced garden which is a favourite picnic spot of
the city folk.

Bagh-E-Bahu - located on the banks of Tawi river, is a famous Mughal-age
garden. It gives nice view of the old city and Tawi river. Bagh itself is very beautiful.
There is a small cafeteria on one side of the garden.

Raghunath Temple - Amongst the temples in Jammu, the Raghunath Mandir
takes pride of place being situated right in the heart of the city. This temple is
situated at the city center and was built in 1857. Work on the temple was started by
Maharaja Gulab Singh, founder of the Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir in 1835 AD
and was completed by his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1860 AD. The inner walls
of the main temple are covered with gold sheet on three sides.

Peer Kho Cave - Alongside the same Tawi river are the Peer Kho Cave
temple, the Panchbakhtar temple and the Ranbireshwar temple dedicated to Lord
Shiva with their own legends and specific days of worship. Peer Kho cave is located
on the bank of river Tawi and it is widely believed that Ramayan character Jamvant
(the bear god) meditated in this cave. The Ranbireshwar Temple has twelve Shiva
lingams of crystal measuring 12" to 18" and galleries with thousands of saligrams
fixed on stone slabs. Located on the Shalimar Road near the New Secretariat, and
built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1883 AD. It has one central lingam measuring
seven and a half feet height (2.3 m) and twelve Shiva lingams of crystal measuring
from 15 cm to 38 cm and galleries with thousands of Shiva lingams fixed on stone
slabs.

Dargah of Ali Shah - The Dargah (shrine) of Peer Budhan Ali Shah or Peer
Baba is said to protect the people of this city from mishaps and evil spirits. A friend of
Guru Gobind Singh, it is said that Peer Baba lived his entire life on milk alone and
lived to the age of five hundred and still people from all faiths and religions venerate
him in equal respect. Peer Mitha was a saint who has a shrine of his own and was a
contemporary of Ajaib Dev and Ghareeb Nath, who were famous for their prophecies
and miracles. "Mitha" means "the sweet one" and the saint was so-called, as the
Peer would accept nothing more than a pinch of sugar in offering from his devotees.


HOW TO REACH

Jammu is well connected by train to points south and east. It is the last rail stop
heading north, and most people only see it long enough to get from the train station
to the bus stand to continue on to Srinagar.

To Srinagar there are several J&K SRTC buses taking 12 hours and costing Rs 150.
Sumo 4wd jeep taxis also do this trip in less time and cost ~Rs 200 per person (or
more if you wish to hire the whole taxi to yourself).

Jammu has an excellent airport which has many flights from Delhi. Kingfisher, Spice
Jet, Jet Airways ,Indian Airlines,Goair and Deccan Airways have flights from Delhi