Introduction

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 temprature 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 Distt is spread over an area of 3097 sqkms and has a population of about 12.5 lakhs as per the estimates of 1991. It is second largest populated Distt of the state and second largest in terms of population density and falls under the category 'B'. The literacy percentage of the Distt is 42.86% in as per 1981 census which was highest in the state.

Admistratively the Distt has been divided into 5 tehsils , 11 blocks 13 towns including one muncipality 1192 villages and 201 panchyats including 41 command areas.

This Distt. is having a National Airport situated at Satwari. This Distt serves as the Winter Capital of J & K state from November to April when all the offices move from Srinagar to Jammu.

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At a Glance

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Historical Placesand Monuments

Bahu Fort 

It is a renowned historical temple of Goddess Mahakali popularily 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 functionsand public events.

Rani Charak Mahal

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

Amar Mahal Museum

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 popularily 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 (holymen), lived here and dedicated themselves to the meditation.

Dargah Garib Shah

This dargah is located at Samba. The Peer had immense spiritual powers and he is included in those Muslim saints who had a large number of devotees from all the faiths and religions. Garib Shah's samadhi is looked after by the local hindus.

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 Igenous 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.

Ranbireshwar Temple

It is the biggest Shiva temple in North India. Got constructed by the Dogra rulers, this temple has the biggest Lingam of 7 ft. in black stone. In two big halls, there are 1.25 lakh "bona Lingam" brought from Narmadda.There are huge images of Ganesha,Kartikeya and Nandi Bull. this temple was constructed by Maharaja Ranbir Singh.

Panchbakhter temple

this is one of the oldest shiva temples of jammu

Purmandal

It is about 40kms from Jammu city. It is called little Kashi and is located on the banks of holy Devika river considerd as sacred as Ganges. Large number of people visit the place on Shivratri and Chaitra Chaudashi.

Nagbani

It is a historic place and there is a temple of Nagdevta. Presently Maharaj Hari Singh Agricultural Collegiate School is located at the place of Royal Arsenal.

Gurudwara Sh. Guru Nanak Devji

It is situtated in upper bazar near mubarak mandi complex. It has 3ft tall white colored marble statue of guru Nank Devji. Maharja Partap Singh is said to have installed the statue.

Samadhi Maharani Chand Kour

This smadhi is situated at Gumat near River Tawi. This is associated with Maharani Chand Kour who was the wife of Sardar Kharak Singh the eldest son of Maharaj Ranjit Singh. He sat on the throne after the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

Chichi Mata

It is situated near Samba and is popularly known as Pehla Darshan of Vaishno Devi pilgrims.

Churches

The city has also a number of historic churches. Of them, Protestant church on wazarat Road is the oldest Church. Other churches are Roman Catholic Church near Jewel chowk and presentation church of virgin Mary. Another Church is St.Mary Church on G.L.Dogra Road.

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Tourist Places

Surinsar and Mansar Lakes

These lakes are of religious and historic importance. Situated nearly 45 Kms. from the city and 8 kms from the Mansar lake, Surinsar lake has small island in the middle of the lake. These lakes date back to Mahabharta period according to a popular legend. Boating can also be enjoyed in these lakes.

Jhajjar Kotli

It is a popular spot on Jammu - Srinagar highway. A cafe, flowing ravine, recreational rooms, grooves of trees make it attractive for picnics.

Bagh-e-Bahu

It is situated under the famous Bahu Fort on a hillock near Tawi river. It is made on the patterns of Mughal Gardens of Kashmir. There is an artificial lake, lush green lawns, flower beds and fountains. There is a cafeteria also.

Jeopota Temple in Akhnoor

This is situated on the banks of river Chenab. A big sedimentary rock there was used by Maharaja Ranjit Singh to bestow Raj Tilak on Gulab Singh.

Jhiri

It is on the Jammu-Akhnoor highway. A fair is held there to commemorate the martyrdom of Baba Jitto.