A travel Guide to Jammu

Jammu Tourism

Jammu is the city of temples situated in the southernmost-part of Jammu & Kashmir. The famous rivers Ravi, Tawi, and Chenab flows through this region. Jammu, known as the winter capital of Kashmir, is home to a popular pilgrimage site Mata Vaishno Devi. Thousands of people visit this place for spirituality and adventure, every day. Taking a good break from monotony, visitors can enjoy the spirituality as well as the hilly destinations of this place. Jammu India is a perfect blend of pilgrimage, natural beauty, adventure, heritage, and leisure.

There are many Jammu tourist attractions for everyone. From Mata Vaishno Devi, Raghunath Temple, Peer Koh Cave, and many other temples for pilgrims, to Patnitop and Doda for enjoying hill holidays, Mansar Lake for nature lovers, and national parks for Wildlife enthusiasts, Jammu tourism has it all. There are many adventure opportunities, such as trekking and biking for visitors here. Visitors should also enjoy the rich Dogra cuisine with the scrumptious Wazwan, which means traditional Kashmiri buffet.

Jammu tours have it all, whether you're visiting with your family, your friends, or even alone. Prior hotel bookings can be helpful. Nonetheless, it's very easy to find affordable accommodation and hotels in Jammu with amazing views. This Jammu travel guide is here to help you plan your trip.

Places to visit in Jammu

1. Katra

Katra is a small town in Udhampur, situated at the base of the Trikuta Mountains. It's a major pilgrimage destination not just in Jammu but in the entire country. Other than being home to Mata Vaishno Devi, there are other religious places such as Bhairo Mandir, Charan Paduka, and Geeta Mandir. With many hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, markets, and Dhabas, Katra is at the top of the list of Jammu tourist places. Besides spiritual destinations, there are also many sightseeing opportunities at Ban Ganga and Tiruka Parbat. The ideal time to visit this place is from March to October. The shopping experience in Katra is also very unique and exciting.

2. Mansar Lake

Mansar Lake, along with its twin lake, is a very popular picnic spot and a pilgrimage destination. Surrounded by dense forests, small parks, temples, and low lying hills, Mansar Lake is among the most famous Jammu tourist attractions. The temple of Durga, along with the temples of Umapati Mahadev and Narasimha are regularly visited by many devotees. The water of Mansar Lake is commonly believed to wash away any sins. There's also a Surinsar-Mansar wildlife sanctuary nearby that tourists can visit. In the wildlife sanctuary, you can see many species of algae, fish, and waterfowl there. A well-cemented path is there to watch seasonal birds, and tortoises. Boating services are also available there.

3. Bahu Fort

The beauty of the Bahut Fort is a significant contributing factor to Jammu’s title of 'Gateway to Heaven'. Standing on the left bank of the Tawi river, this monument was built around 3000 years ago by Raja Bahucholan. The fort has a remarkable story and is believed to be connected to the construction of Jammu itself. There's also a famous Goddess Kali temple in this fort, which is often referred to as Bave Wali Mata temple by the locals. This fort is only 5 km away from the central part of the city.

4. Amar Mahal Museum

Planned by a French architect and built by Dogra’s King, Raja Amar, in the 1890s, this red sandstone palace was home to the Royal family for many years. The throne of Maharaja Hari Singh made up of 120 kg solid gold is exhibited here, making this palace a spectacular sight for tourists. There are also rich collections of paintings, books, inscriptions, and sculptures. The entry tickets to this place are very cheap. This place is perfect for experience seekers and history buffs.

5. Patnitop

Situated in the Udhampur district, this place is blessed with green meadows and views of glittering snow-capped peaks all around. This beautiful hill station, located on a plateau of the Shiwalik Range of the Himalayas, was originally known as 'Patan Da Talab', which means 'The Pond of the Princess'. This hill station is among the most famous Jammu attractions. There are temples, monuments, and a garden for tourists to visit during their holiday. There's a short trek leading up to Nathatop, where people can view the scenic beauty and many adventure activities such as paragliding. There are rock-carved stairs, picnic spots, and a famous dish called 'Patisa' for tourists to relish.

Things to do in Jammu

With an abundance of Jammu places to visit, there's also a wide range of things to do in Jammu. This Jammu tour guide has a list of the things that you can do and enjoy in Jammu.

Skiing in Patnitop

With gorgeous skiing locations available, skiing in Patnitop is one of the major Jammu tourist attractions. The months of January and February are open for skiing, with courses available for tourists or beginners. Ski lifts and instructors are given to assist you at all times. There are rentable wooden sledges at some skiing points.

Enjoying Jammu Cuisine

Jammu is famous all around India for its rich cuisines such as Morel, Palov, Madra, Oria, Maani, Khameera, Sasha, and Dogra dishes such as Ambal, Khatra Meat, Kulthi ki Dal, Maa Da Madra, Phirni and the likes. With so many dishes, Jammu is a delight for foodies. You can find a wide range of Pahari delicacies along with items from North Indian food culture.

Helicopter ride to Poonch

Poonch, located at a driving distance from Jammu, is a town with a rich and extensive culture. The magnificent Pir Panjal Mountain range is visible from here. You can take a helicopter ride from Jammu and the service is available twice a week. Contact the Tourist reception Centre Jammu to book tickets or you can even book through private helicopter services.

Shopping in Jammu

Shopping while visiting Jammu is a must-do on the Jammu travel guide. From Pashmina shawls, carved walnut woodwork, papier-mache to feel-good fabric, you can find anything in the markets of Jammu. Raghunath Bazaar is the most famous market in Jammu, famous for dry fruits, clothes, and accessories. You can visit Kashmir Government Art Emporium to find the best of Kashmiri carpets, shawls, and papier-mache items. To find handicrafts and wooden artefacts, you can visit Bahut Plaza. Other shopping places that you can visit in Jammu are the JDA complex, Gole market, and Hari market.

Best time to visit Jammu

The temperature in Jammu can rise to 45 degree Celsius in summers at many places, making it a little hot to visit. However, hill regions are still pleasant to be visited in the summer season. The monsoon season from July to September brings heavy rainfall, which can hinder your trip. The Winter season from October to March can be considered the best time to visit Jammu. Snowfall can also be witnessed in places such as Katra and Patnitop. With lush landscapes, the air of Jammu is chilly at this time of the year. To enjoy the culture of Jammu, you can also visit during popular festivals such as Makar Sankranti, Ram Navmi, and Deepavali. The best season to visit Jammu depends on the places you're planning to visit and the experiences you're looking for.

How to reach Jammu

Jammu tourism attracts many tourists throughout the year. This place is very well connected with the rest of the country via airways, railways, and roadways. Here's how to reach Jammu.

By Airways: To reach Jammu, you can board a flight to the domestic Jammu airport. Many airlines have frequently available flights to Jammu from many major destinations such as Mumbai and Delhi.

By Roadways: The National Highway 1A connects Jammu to all major highway networks in India. You can travel to Jammu by many private and public bus services. The state-run bus services connect Jammu to many major North Indian cities.

By Railways: Jammu Tawi and Udhampur are two primary railway stations connecting Jammu to many cities in the rest of the country. You can easily find a train to Jammu from any major railway station in India.