Krimachi Temples

Kiramchi is a small village in Udhampur district of Jammu & Kashmir State. It lies 12 kms north of Udhampur on Udhampur-Lander road and 67 kms from Jammu. The complex consists of five temples and two small shrines. This valley amidst green mountains is located at an elevation of 730 m above the mean sea level . Two rivulets namely "Birunala" and Kiramchi are draining this area. <p/> The local tradition says that in the past it was a halting place on Jammu- Kashmir route through Banihal . According to the contemporary of Pandavas of Mahabharata was responsible to lay the foundation of this place. Another tradition ,says that Kiramchi was capital of Bhuti which had been one of the principalities of Jammu region under the successors of Daya-Karan, a ruler of Kashmir. According to Diwan Narsingh Dass Nargis the descendents of king Daya- Karan ruled for many centuries and their dynasty was known as "Bhutials". As per tradition the last ruler of this dynasty named "Himmat Singh" was defeated by the Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Ultimately The Bhuti was given to Raja Gulab Singh . Thus Bhuti was included in to the Jammu Kingdom in A.D. 1834. <p/> The group of temples at Krimachi has been built over the elevated terrace of Biru Nala.

Devika River

Udhampur is also well known city for the Devika river. the Devika river is also known as the younger sister of the Ganges. In the Nilmat Puran that was written in the 7th century by Nela Muni, it is mentioned that the Devika River is a manifestation of the mother Goddess Parwati herself to benefit the people of Mader Desha that covers areas between river Ravi and Chenab and the river Devika appeared on Shiv Ratri. Lord Shiva himself remains side by side with his consort Uma manifesting himself in form of Shiv Lingas at 8 places alongside the Devika river. The river presently runs under its sandy surface.In Devi Mahatmays it is mentioned that there is no need to perform Japa or any ritual for obtaining spiritual benefits at this pilgrim centre, only to touch with the Devika waters or having a bath in its waters is enough to get spiritual benefits. Water comes out by digging about a foot into the sand bed. Cremation on the sands of Devika is considered as meritorious as cremation on the banks of the Ganges at Kashi.

Ramnagar Fort

Ramnagar is situated on the left bank of Kud river in mid Himalayan range, about 40 Kms west of Udhampur. Ramnagar also served as the capital of old Bandarlta State. During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, it came under Sikh rule and Raja Suchet Singh, the brother of Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu became its ruler in A.D. 1822. Raja Suchet Singh besides being a valiant general was also a great connoisseur of arts. He took much interest in Ramnagar and built the places Shish Mahal and Purana Mahal. He also renovated the fort situated in the town. The Nawa Mahal complex was built by Raja Ram Singh, who succeeded to the Ramnagar throne in A.D. 1844. He was son of Ranbir Singh who became Maharaja of Ranbir Singh who became Maharaja of J&K in A.D. 1856. Raja Suchet Singh, died in A.D. 1844 near Lahore and it is believed that the queen of Suchet Singh performed sati near the fort. There is also a Samadhi of Maharani in this fort, at the site where the sati was performed. Tourists can reach this fort by using a narrow bridge over the moat. The fort was renovated and undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1972.The palace complex at Ramnagar comprises of Shish Mahal, Purana Mahal & Nawa Mahal which are close to each other.

Sudh-Mahadev and Mantalai Temple

This highly revered Shiva temple is located at a distance of 42 Kms from Patnitop and 112 Kms from Jammu ,Legend has it that after bathing at a spring called Gouri Kund, just short of Sudh Mahadev ,the Goddess Parvati would worship the Shivling here that is believed to be at least 3000 years old .The temple also houses a black marble statue of local Shiva and Parvati .A trishul of Lord Shiva is also preserved here.Pilgrims in large number visit the shrine on the full moon night Of Sawan to participate in the festival to worship Lord Shiva. The mystical underground stream,Devak believed to be as sacred as the Ganges originates at Sudh Mahadev and disappears among the rocks some distance downstream .Also of interest are wooden sculptures ,crafted locally, Accommodation is available in Tourist Saraj managed by J&K Tourism Development Corporation and Dharamshala managed by the Dharamarth Trust. <p/> A few kilometers further ahead of Sudh Mahadev is Mantalai(1450 meters) surrounded by lush deodar forests. As per legend ,it is the place where lord Shiva got married to goddess Parvati Besides the Shiv temple here one can also visit the complex created by Swami Dhirendra Brhamchari which includes a tree shaped house an air strip a hostel and a number of other unfinished project. An excursion through the woods to Naina Devi 5 Kms from Mantalai provides excellent views of the mountain landscape all round.

Pingla Mata

Pingla Mata is situated at a small hillock in village Pinger in Ramnagar Tehsil, about 20 Kms from Udhampur on Udhampur-Ramnagar Road and has been gaining popularity since last few years. The Holy Shrine is about 6 Kms away from the village Kaua on the Domail-Ramnagar Road and is linked with the track. The Shrine consists of small cave where The divine power lies in the shape of Pindies. The cave of Pingla Mata seems a small hole from outside but it has as much space inside as to accommodate at least 500 people at a time. Though the journey is tough yet it does not tire the devotees because of scenic beauty throughout. The entire track consists of lush green pine trees which inspire the devotees to move on. <p/> As per the popular legend, some shepherds of Pinger village used to come to this jungle for grazing their cattle. A girl used to provide them food everyday but had warned them that this must not be disclosed to anyone. As such they never felt the necessity to take meals at home. Their parents were worried as to why they do not take meal at home. One day the villager followed their children and watched them in the jungle. They saw a girl serving food to the shepherds and then disappeared in a nearby cave. <p/> Another legend some hunters came to this jungle for hunting and they saw a lion entering the cave. They collected some firewood and burnt it at the mouth of the cave. But within no time the hunters were astonished to see that the lion came out of the cave after piercing the big rock. Then they entered entered the cave and saw Mata there. Light can be seen coming from this narrow hole in the cave from where the lion had gone out

Moungri Cave Shrines

In the ancient times the village Moungri was known as Sonara. The word Sonara means a land of hundred water springs. In Dogri language, water spring is called Naaras. According to the legend, it was an abode of Nag Devta (King of the snakes), and once hundreds of natural stone made water springs used to flow. Still at present number of such water springs found in the area. <p/> According to another ancient legend, associated with the Kansar Shrine, a small stone shrine of Lord Shiva was discovered by an irate local villager. To remove the impediment in the process of cultivation, agriculture being the mainstay of the local population, the stone structure was uprooted and flung into the Kansar stream. But as soon as this was done calamity befell on the helpless villagers. Then the shrine was hurried retrieved from the rivulet bed and a temple was erected on a nearby hilltop by the rural folks. The temple still stands as a testimony to their labors Moungri Cave Shrines-village Moungri-Sonara-land of hundred water springs-abode of Nag Devta -Panchari Block of District Udhampur-Shri Swatantra Dev Kotwal-Shiv Parvati Cave Shrine-nine and half feet high naturally formed rock Shiv Lingam-Joint Parvati Lingam -Damroo-Nandi- Shankhas- Amrit Kund -Kansar Shrine.