The City of Temples: Jammu

Jammu is a beautiful city located in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. It serves as the winter capital of the state too. Situated 1000 feet above mean sea level, Jammu is surrounded by various mountain ranges on the banks of the River Tawi. It was founded by Raja Jambulochan from whom it gets its name.

The City of Temples- Jammu [photo credit: rajkumar1220 via photopin cc]

Jammu has a lot of spirituality to it. There are many palaces in the region, which also gives proof of the great history this place has experienced. It also has a large number of temples in the area for worshipping many different Gods and Goddesses. This rightfully earns Jammu the title of ‘City of Temples’. Also, because of having so many sights worth seeing, it is not surprising that tourism is the main source of income here. So, for anyone looking to take a break and relax for some time, this city has everything that you need.
 Jammu is very well connected by all means of transport. It has a very active airport and a buzzing railway station. However, the most preferred way to reach Jammu is by a road trip. The drive to this beautiful city is nothing short of spectacular. Jammu is very well connected by road to all parts of the country as it is reachable via the National Highway 1-A. It is roughly 586 kilometers from Delhi as a result of which renting cars or cabs to travel in groups is a great option.
 2. Raghunath Temple – This is by far the most renowned and iconic temple of Jammu. Built in 1857, it is situated right in the heart of the city. The temple has a very large sanctuary with many small temples and shrines. The main temple houses one of the most important God of Hindus, Lord Rama. The other small ones are for different deities from the epic Ramayana. There is also a library with ancient manuscripts and texts, which are definitely worth seeing.

Mubarak Mandi Palace in Jammu [photo credit: RameshSharma1 via photopin cc]

3. Mubarak Mandi Palace – This magnificent palace was built over 150 years ago. It served as the residence for the rulers of the Dogra dynasty. Its structure is a blend of many different styles like European, Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. It is now completely open for visitors and has a museum inside which showcases beautiful artefacts from that time.
4. Peer Baba Dargah – It is the grave of Peer Baba, a celebrated figure in Jammu. He is believed to havelived for over 500 years by drinking milk. The great thing about this holy man is that he is respected by people of all religions in the region. In fact, on Thursdays, everyone form any religion is allowed to visit this place and seek blessings.

The Royal Amar Mahal Palace Museun [photo credit: RameshSharma1 via

5. Amar Mahal Palace Museum – This museum offers one of the most picturesque sights of Jammu. Located on top of a hill, this palace made of red sandstone, was the residence of the royal family till some time back. Now, it is a great museum which showcases many sculptures, paintings, books and manuscripts. It is a dream for every art and history lover.

Road Trip to nearby destinations [photo credit: njyo via photopin cc]

6. Explore more – Jammu lies in such a place, that it invariably becomes a spot for people travelling to places around it. Some of these places, that are most often visited along with Jammu are – Vaishno Devi, Kashmir and Mansar. Jammu Specialities

Special Jewellery in Jammu [photo credit: flickr.com]

1. Shopping – Like most of the cities in India, Jammu also has its local special products that people love to buy. The things that are most popular are – traditional jewellery, dry fruits and silk products. Care should be taken to buy authentic products from proper shops as there are a lot of fake schemers that exploit visitors.

Famous Rajma Chawal in Jammu [photo credit: google images]

2. Eating – Jammu is famous for a lot of food items. The dishes that definitely must be tried are Rajmah and Rice, Barfis (milk sweets) an Anardana (dried pomegranate seeds). All these delicacies are bound to leave you craving for more.

Celebrations in Jammu [photo credit: google images]

3. Festivals – The people of Jammu celebrate all festivals with great enthusiasm. The most lavishly celebrated festivals are those of Baisakhi, Lohri and Diwali. The area also has many local festivals that attract a lot of tourists. The most popular ones are – Bahu Mela in the monh of April, Purmandal Mela in February and March, and Food and Craft Mela during Baisakhi every year. With so much to offer, it is no surprise that Jammu is a real favourite with the people looking for a break. It offers a great getaway from the busy city life. Hence, if you are looking for a peaceful time with a touch of spirituality, Jammu is the place to be.
By: Sanira Mediratta