Best Visiting Places in Jammu

Jammu is the largest city in the Jammu Division and the winter capital of state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is situated on the banks of the Tawi River. It is administered by a municipal corporation

1.Maa Vaishno Devi TempleVaishno Devi, also known as Mata Rani, Trikuta and Vaishnavi, is a manifestation of the Hindu Mother Goddess Mahalakshmi. The words "maa" and "mata" are commonly used in India for "mother", and thus are often used in connection with Vaishno Devi.

2.Amar Mahal Palace Museum, Jammu

Amar Mahal building was planned in 1862 by a French architect, based on the lines of a French Chateau heavily influenced by the Queen Anne style. As a result one can't deny the overwhelmingly European "feel" of the place. This palace was the residence of the Royal Family, Maharani Tara Devi, wife of late Maharaja Hari Singh. Situated atop a hill at the northern end of the city, the Amar Mahal Museum offers a commanding view of the river Tawi and the Shivalik ranges towards the north.

3.Bahu FortThe Bahu Fort is located in Jammu city in state of Jammu and Kashmir. The fort, said to be built by an earlier ruler, was refurbished during the Sikh Empire by Raja Gulab Singh in the 19th century. The fort is a religious place, and within its precincts has a temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali the presiding deity of Jammu. The temple is known locally as the "Bave Kali Mata temple".

4.Raghunath TempleRaghunath Temple consists of a complex of seven Hindu shrines, each with its own Shikhara. It is one of the largest temple complexes of north India. It is located in Jammu in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The temple was built during the period 1822–1860 by order of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, while Jammu was under his administration by Maharaja Gulab Singh. The temple has many gods in its complex of shrines, but the presiding deity is Rama, an Avatar of Vishnu.

5.Mubarak Mandi Palace

Mubarak Mandi is a palace in Jammu, India. The palace was the royal residence of the maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir from the Dogra dynasty. It was their main seat till 1925 when maharaja Hari Singh moved to the Hari Niwas Palace in the northern part of Jammu. The palace is located in the heart of the old walled city of Jammu and overlooks the Tawi river.

6.Manda Zoo

Manda Zoo has attractive assembelage of butterflies like Peacock Pansy (Mor Phanfadi in Dogri),Blue Pansy (Neeli Phanfadi) ,Grass Yellow, Lime Butterfly (Nimbu Phanfadi in Dogri), Sailor, Plain Tiger, waterfowl including Mallard, Coot (Tikkri), Spotbilled duck, Barheaded geese (Rajhans) , elegant peafowls (Mor, Myura), Cinerous vulture (Gridh), Barn Owls (Ulloo), Eagles, Parakeets, Barking deer (Kakkad), Hog deer (Paada in Dogri), Sambar, Cheetal , Neelgai (Goond in Dogri), Porcupine (Seyh in Dogri) , Himalayan Black Bear (Haput in Kashmiri, Richh in Dogri), Leopard (Chitra, Mirg in Dogri), Pangolin (Sarkhal, Salla in Dogri). Python (Sangani in Dogri), Monitor Lizard (Gho in Dogri), Black Partridge (Kala Teetar), Grey Partridge is also seen in the wildlife sanctuary. Exotic birds like Turkey and Emu are also seen in Manda zoo.

7.Ranbireshwar Temple

Ranbireshwar temple is situated on Shalimar road in front of Jammu-Kashmir civil secretariat in Jammu city. Ranbireshwar temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the oldest temples in the Jammu city. It was built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1883. Later on the temple was named after him.

8.Mansar Lake

Just 35 miles from Jammu, Mansar Lake is enclosed by wood-covered hills, 2 km in length and 1 km in width. It is a famed tourist attraction in Jammu where you can even enjoy the boating facilities offered by Jammu and Kashmir Tourism. Moving around the lake is thought to bring good luck to married couples. Therefore, scores of couples from every nook and corner of the world pay a visit to this place to take a fortunate walk around it. The boundary of the lake is 4 km. And it is worth exploring during the holidays in Jammu.

9.The Salal Dam and Lake

Cuddled in the picturesque setting in the west of the pious Vaishno Devi, 95 kilometers from Jammu, is the Salal Dam and Lake. Commissioned in 1970 by the yesteryear’s Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, this dam is India’s first dam to be built on a rock pedestal, and Jammu’s largest hydroelectric project. With the capacity of generating 400 MW power, it supplies electricity to the Northern Grid of India, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Behind the dam is a beautiful 33 kilometer long lake that captivates the audience with its wonderful reflections of the sun’s rays.

10.Dera Baba Banda

An ancient Gurdwara built over 300 years ago, Dera Baba Banda is nestled in the Reasi district of Katra and is devoted to Baba Banda Bahadur who was amongst the favorites of Guru Gobind Singh. Baba Banda Bahadur was a Sikh military officer whose original name was Lachhman Das. There is a lot to witness in the Gurudwars such as weapons, including a sword presented by Guru Gobind Singh. Other artifacts which have been put on display are wall paintings and Sikh flag made from deodar wood, constructed by Baba Banda Bahadur. And it entices throngs of Hindus and Sikhs from various parts of the globe every season.

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