Hotels in Jammu

Jammu, the winter capital of the state, is also known as the city of temples. It is believed that the city was originally founded by Raja Jamboo Lochan who lived in fourteenth century B.C. The Raja had gone out one day for hunting when he happened to witness a tiger and a goat drinking water from one and the same pond. This extraordinary phenomenon set him thinking and he decided to build a city at this site so that the strong and weak could live together in peace and mutual tolerance. Eventually, he founded the city which came to be known as "Jamboo" after his own name. With the passage of time and due to its frequent use the pronunciation of the name got slightly distorted and the city, came to be known as 'Jammu' as it is called now. Jammu is situated on a hillock, on the bank of river Tawi and is bound by Udhampur district in the north and northeast , Kathua district in the east and southeast, Pakistan (Sialkote) in west and Rajauri district and POK (Bhimber) in the northwest. Its skyline was once dotted with glittering spires of temples. These spikes are no longer visible as most of these are hidden behind multi storyed buildings. The city has numerous shrines for Muslims, Sikhs & Christians also. Jammu also serves as base camp for the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi. Jammu is also the Railhead of the state. Jammu is located 74 degree 24' and 75 degree 18', East longitude and 32 degree 50' and 33 degree 30' North latitude. It is approximately 600 Kms away from National Capital, New Delhi and is linked with a National Highway.

The temperature varies from cold in winter with minimum temperature touching even 0.9 degree Centigrade to heat wave in summers when the temperature shoots upto 46 degree centigrade. Jammu District is spread over an area of 3097 Sq Kms and has a population of about 15.88 lakhs as per the estimates of 2001. It is largest populated District of the state and second largest in terms of population density and falls under the category 'B'. The literacy percentage of the District is 77% in as per 2001 census which was highest in the state. This District is having a National Airport situated at Satwari. This District serves as the Winter Capital of J & K state from November to April when all the offices move from Srinagar to Jammu.

Jammu. the Duggar land where the past still has a living presence. A land of grand ancient temples, and beatiful palaces. All nestling in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is said that, on becoming King, the Suryavanshi Jambu Lochan went on a hunt and, crossing the Tawi, found a deer and a tiger drinking water from the same tank. His ministers explained that this meant that the soil of the place was so virtuous that no living creature bore enmity against another. Raja Jambu Lochan, who lived in the later vedic period, decided to found his capital , Jambupura, on his soil, on the right bank of the Tawi, overlooking his brother king Bahu's fort. Today the temple of Maha Kali ( better known as Bahu or Bawey Wali Mata), located in the Bahufort, is considered second only to Mata Vaishno Devi in terms of mystical power. The present temple was built shortly after the coronation of Maharaja Gulab singh, in 1822. The existing fort, as well as the Manasabdar's palace inside it, was constructed in 1820. Jammu is justly famous for its temples. In fact it is known as the city of temples and the every fame of its tends to overshadow its palaces, forts, forests and powerful ziarats. If Bahu Mata is the presiding deity of Jammu, the dargah of Peer Budhan Ali Shah is the other shrine that protects Jammuites. The other major tourist attraction is the Ragunath Temple Complex. Maharaja Gulab Singh began the construction of the Raghunath Mandir Complex in the crowded downtown Bazaar named after it, in 1851. It was left to his son, Ranbir Singh, to inaugurate it six years later perhaps the most popular temple north of Benares, it contains representations of almost entire Hindu pantheon, though the emphasis falls on the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The complex houses a rich collection of ancient texts and manuscripts.

Location

The District is bounded in the north and north east by the Tehsils of Reasi in Udhampur district in the east and south east partly by tehsil Ramnagar of Udhampur district and partly by tehsil Billawar of Kathua district,in the south and south west by Kathua district and Sialkote district of Rawalpindi (Pak) and in the north west by Tehsil Nowshara of district Rajouri and parts of the district Bhimber now under the occupation of Pakistan.

District Jammu falls in sub-mountaineous region at the foothills of the Himalayas.Shivalik range rises gradually in the north part of the district and merges with the Indo-Gangetic plains in the south. Jammu city is at an elevation of 1030 feet above the sea level. The District comprises five tehsils i.e. Jammu, Samba, R.S.Pura, Akhnoor and Bishnah.The entire district can be divided into two distinct portions.The area forming north of Jammu-Chhamb road and Jammu-Pathankot road which is known as Kandi area is comparatively under-developed and is mostly rainfed. The area south of these roads is largely fed by canal and tubewells for irrigation purposes and is relatively more prosperous. As per the census of 1981,Jammu district consists of 1192 villages out of which 1054 villages are inhabited. Latest, as per DISNIC SURVEY conducted during 1994, the number of inhabited villages in the District reported are 1170. In the district,there are 11 NES Blocks.Out of these,the administrative control of two blocks namely Vijaypur and Samba is with the directorate of Command Area Development who is charged with the responsibility of looking after the developmental activities in the sectors of Agriculture and Horticulture, Cooperation and Rural Development.

Climate

Jammu district has a sub tropical climate with hot and dry climate in summer and cold climate in winter. Being in the foothills of the mountains, nights are generally cooler than what they are in the neighbouring areas of Punjab. Minimum and Maximum temperature is around 4 Degree Celsius and 47 Degree Celsius respectively.

Rainy season usually starts from the end of June or the beginning of July. Average rainfall in the district is about 1246 mm

Historic Places and Monuments

Amar Mahal Palace Museum

This is a beautiful palace of red sand stone which stands amidst the most picturesque environments of Jammu. There is beautiful view of the Shivaliks at the north and the River Tawi flows down below. adding to the Grandeur. This was once the residential palace of Raja Amar Singh. the palace has been converted to a museum and is looked after by Hari-Tara Charitable trust. The museum has a golden throne made of 120kg pure gold sofa and has golden lions embedded into it. The thore is placed in a hexagonal room. The museum has a gallery of paintings of paintings known as NAL DAMYANTI. It has a library of around 25000 books on various subjects and disciplines. This is really a beautiful spot to be visited round the year in Jammu. Hotel Hari Nivas Palace Hotel :A heritage Hotel is also located adjacent to this.

Mubarak Mandi Palace

The oldest building in this Palace complex date to 1824. The architecture is blend of Rajasthani, Mugal and even Baroque European influences. The most stunning segment is the Sheesh Mahal. The Pink Hall now houses of Dogra Art Museum which has miniature paintings of the various Hill Schools. The Complex has a history which i 150 years old. It was royal residence of Dogra Kings. The location was carefully selected for having a commanding view of river Tawi on one side and the City on other side. The Palaces are built as a group of buildings around a courtyard.

The Complex has halls and Galleries which were used for official functions and ceremonies. As the time passed the need was felt to have separate buildings to house full fledged Royal Secretariat. These buildings were constructed around a garden cum courtyard which ultimately beacme the venue for important events for Royal audience for comman man.

Dogra Art Gallery

This is located in the erstwhile Pink Hall of the old Mubarak Mandi Palace Complex. This museum houses 800 rare and exquisite paintings from different schools of paintings viz:Basohli, Jammu and Kangra. Gold painted bow and arrow of Shah Jehan and a number carpentry tools make an important section of the display. The museum also has Shahnama and Sikandernama hand written manuscripts in Persian.

Akhnoor

32 kms. south west of Jammu situated on the banks of mighty Chenab river is the historic town of Akhnoor. This town is associated with the legend of Soni-Mahiwal. Ruins of the Indus-Valley Civilization are to be seen along the river bank commanding a panoramic view all around

Jhajjar Kotli

35 kms. On the National Highway leading towards Srinagar is the Jajjar Kotli Tourist Complex, built on the banks of Jujjar rivulet. The crystal clear, cool water of Jajjar attracts picnickers in large numbers during the summer. A Tourist Cafeteria, a Bar and a small Tourist Bungalow are the facilities provided here by JKTDC

Bahu Fort

It is a renowned historical temple of Goddess Mahakali popularly known as Bawe-Wali Mata. The fort overlooks the river Tawi flowing placidly down the Jammu City

Mubarak Mandi Complex

The complex is housing 76 government offices and courts. The complex has a history as old as 150 years back. It was a royal residence of Dogra rulers. The palaces are built as a group of buildings around the courtyard. Successive Dogra rulers added to the complex in size. The buildings were used as the residences of the royal Dogra families. The complex has halls and galleries which were used for official functions and public events.

Rani Charak Mahal

is also located on river side, connected with Toshakhana on one side.

Amar Mahal Museum

Is a beautiful palace of red sand stone which stands amidst most picturesque horizons of Jammu. Once the residential palace of Raja Amar Singh, the palace has been converted into a museum and is looked after by Hari-Tara Charitable trust. The museum still has the golden throne on which Maharaja used to sit, which is made up of 120 Kg pure. The museum has a gallery of paintings known as the NALDAMYANT and a library in which about 25,000 books on various subjects and disciplines have been presented.

Dogra Art Museum

It is presently located in the Pink Hall of Mubarak Mandi Complex. The Museum houses about 800 rare and exuisite paintings from different schools of paintings-viz. Basholi, Jammu and Kangra. Gold painted bow and arrow of Mughal Emperor Shahjehan and a number of carpentary tools also make an important section of the museum. The museum also has hand written manuscripts of Shahnama and Sikandernama both in Persian.

Ziarat Baba Buddan Shah

Located in the outskirts of Jammu city at a distance of about 8 Kms towards the aerodrome at Satwari. This shrine is very popular among all sections of society. Baba Buddan Shah was borne at Talwandi in Punjab, and it is said that another shrine of this Peer is located at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab.

Ziarat baba Roshan Shah Wali

An Arabian faquir in 6th century travelled the Asian penninunsula and came to Jammu to settle at the plateau outside the town in a dense forest. The exceptionally large grave built on the slope of Gumat speaks about his lofty personality.

Ziarat Peer Mitha

In the heart of Jammu city we find a magnificent tomb alongwith a mosque. The Ziarat is popularly known as Peer Mitha. Even the locality around it is named after the Ziarat. The ziarat became popular among the masses as Pir Mitha as he accepted a pinch of sugar among the offerings.

Panch Peer

This dargah is situated at a little distance from the Maharaja's palace on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The place is as known because of the residence of five peers (holy men), lived here and dedicated themselves to the meditation.

Peer Khoh

This cave shrine of Lord Shiva also known as Jamawant cave is said to be the oldest historic place in the Shivalik region. Located amidst Igneous rocks and acacia jungle in North-East of Jammu city on the side of circular road above Tawi river, the history of the cave is said to be connected with epic-age.

Aap Shambhu Temple Sathrian

Is a temple situated at Sathrian in Roopnagar area of Jammu city. The stone temple has self-made stone Lingam. According to a legend, in the times immemorial this entire place was an uninhabited jungle, the milky cows and buffaloes used to come to the Lingam after grazing and shed entire milk on the Lingam.

Raghunath Temple

Located in the heart of Jammu city, this complex is the most splendid temple complex in Northern India. The main commercial market of Jammu is named after the temple complex. The complex consists of 17 temples. However, it was named after the main temple of Lord Rama, Sita Mata and Lakshman as the Dogra dynasty is believed to be the descendant of Lord Rama. There is hardly any image of diety which is not represented in the temple complex.

Gadhadharji Temple

Maharaja Gulab Singh also constructed a Gadhadhargi temple near his palace (Mubarak Mandi) soon after becoming the ruler of the State. The temple has two life size statues of Narayana and Lakshmi.