Jammu, also known as The City of Temples, is a city loaded with antique, ancient, and modern architecture that draws visitors worldwide. The town boasts numerous shrines of other religions due to the quantity of historic and new temples that dot the landscape. Due to its shrines, the city is a shining example of interreligious cooperation and secularism. The city also provides several opportunities for sightseeing, exploration, and adventure. You will love everything from Jammu’s travelling places to its delicious food. Below is a list of must-see places to make your journey to the city worthwhile.
1. BAHU FORT
When discussing the top 5 tourist places in Jammu, Bahu Fort comes to mind. It’s one of the best Jammu’s local sightseeing places. Resting in the bosom of nature, the fort’s scenic beauty looks mesmerizing and helps you find inner renewal. The fort proudly stands on a highland area with the Tawi River on its rocky left. This enormous Dogra architectural marvel inspires awe in people all over the world. The fort is also known for the Maha Kali Temple on its premises.
2. BAGH-E-BAHU GARDEN
Bagh-e-Bahu is a stunning Jammu garden well-known for being close to the illustrious Bahu Fort. The garden looks out onto the River Tawi. It incorporates the tranquilly of the park with wide-open lawns, powerful fountains, charming stone sculptures, a magnificent lake, and a sizable aquarium. Both tourists and locals use this garden on warm evenings to unwind because of its serenity and romantic ambience. Several fountains at various heights can be seen in the garden, especially at night when they are all illuminated, improving the overall atmosphere. It’s a park that resembles a fantasy.
3. KRIMCHI TEMPLES
Temples are possibly the earliest and oldest places to see in Jammu and Kashmir and a superb example of 11th and 12th-century Greek Hellenic architecture. The temples rest on a complex of stones with a tiny stream surrounding them. The temples’ design is abstract and home to unique Hindu deity sculptures. They’re also known as Pandava Temples by the locals because the Pandavas sought refuge in Krimchi during some of their exile years. It’s one of the historical places near Jammu and, therefore, a site worth visiting.
4. AMAR MAHAL PALACE MUSEUM
One of the top 5 tourist places in Jammu city is Amar Mahal, a sizable palace that was earlier the Maharajas’ residence and is now a museum. You can see a portion of Jammu and Kashmir’s illustrious past by visiting the Amar Mahal. The 120 kg golden throne is the most striking piece in the museum. Among the other things on display are Kangra miniature paintings, a library with 25,000 antique books, and a priceless collection of artwork. The museum is open from Tuesday through Sunday, and you can get into the palace by ticket.
5. SIDHRA GOLF COURSE
The Jammu Tawi tourist Golf course, situated in Sidhra on the fringes of Jammu city, is another iconic and fantastic place to visit in Jammu. Spread across 1385 kanals of lush green land, this tremendous 18-hole eco-friendly splendour has impressive Trikuta mountains as its background. The course opens to a breathtaking panorama of the clear waters of the serpentine River Tawi. It’s the ideal illustration of how technology and tradition can co-exist.
6. MUBARAK MANDI COMPLEX
One of the glories of architecture, the Mubarak Mandi Palace oozes grandeur and richness. It is one of Jammu’s oldest buildings and a Jammu and Kashmir heritage site, now conserving the depth of more than 150 years of culture and History. Its architectural style incorporates Rajasthani and Mughal influences. Many courtyards serve as the framework for the complex, which also has a range of other buildings. Certain portions of the palace are still in ruins because of the fires that burnt it more than 36 times.
7. POONCH FORT
Poonch Fort is a significant site in Indian History in the Poonch neighbourhood of Jammu. The fort sits on a tiny hilltop and boasts a magnificent 7500 square meter area. It has 80-plus elegant rooms with decorations, a small mosque, a temple, and a Gurudwara on its ground. This fascinating building enhances the city’s beauty, serves as a living example of a beautiful past, and exhibits standard Mughal influences in its architecture.
8. AKHNOOR FORT
Twenty-eight kilometres from Jammu city is the medieval town of Akhnoor which contains the famous Akhnoor Fort. The fort is built on a cliff on the right side of the Chenab River and features a two-story palace with beautiful murals and arches. The fort sits on the archaeological site of the ancient Harappan Civilisation. The majestic Shivalik and Trikuta Mountain Ranges surround this fort, providing one of the most spell-binding views.
9. VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE
Thousands of followers travel to the Vaishno Devi Temple, 61 kilometres from Jammu, each year. The temple sits in the lap of the famous Trikuta Hills of Katra. It’s one of the greatest pilgrimage sites in Northern India for Hindus. The shrine is a cave temple, home to the three ‘Pindis,” which are stone sculptures of three different Hindu deities. Located at 5200 feet, the pilgrims have to undertake a trek of nearly 13km beginning in Katra. However, ponies are also available for people who cannot trek.
10. RAGHU NATH TEMPLE
It is a well-known spiritual centre and architectural marvel, proposing a stunning synthesis of the two major architectural styles at the time. Everyone who enters the temple appreciates its exquisite carvings and arches. The temple’s interior walls showcase beautiful decorations with paintings of many Hindu deities, the most prominent of which is Ram/Raghunath. The dome of the temple resembles a pyramid, which is typical of Sikh architecture. The brick masonry in plaster lends the temple its quirky aspect. Therefore, it is a must-see destination for architecture buffs.
11. BHIMGARH FORT
Although located on a hilltop away from tourists, the Bhimgarh Fort is one of the finest historical structures in the city and one of the top 5 tourist places in Jammu. Its power enchants people. It is also known as Reasi Fort and is one of many forts built by Dogra monarchs to defend their country from foreign invaders. The fort was first built of clay and subsequently rebuilt out of stone by one of Maharaja Rishipal Rana’s grandsons, greatly assisting the Dogra Monarchs in detecting and repelling invasions due to its strength and commanding position.
12. RAGHUNATH BAZAAR
Raghunath Bazar is a well-known and one of the fantastic places in Jammu. When you visit this market, you will see Jammu’s rich cultural heritage and traditional ancestry. It got its name from its proximity to the Raghunath temple. This local market will captivate you with its natural beauty, charm, and variety of purchasing options. The stores open early in the morning and start constantly buzzing with activity and noise. The location is a must-see for those who adore sweets.
13. PEER KHO CAVE
The Peer Kho Temple is a well-known shrine in Jammu. It is also known as the Shrine of Peer Kho. It is one of the oldest temples in the city. Every year, there is a large influx of pilgrims around the seasons of Puranmashi, Amavasya, and Ekadashi, when the moon is in each of its three major transit phases. The temple’s dome, which resembles a lotus, is a modern stone structure that serves as the cave’s entrance. The temple is worth seeing because it is an architectural gem.
14. MANSAR LAKE
Mansar Lake is located 64 kilometres from Jammu. The hills surround the lake, and the pine woods cover it on all sides. The canals are exceptionally clean, roughly a mile long and half a mile wide, thus making boating highly popular there. It is a spiritual place that shares the myth and reverence of Lake Mansarovar. It is one of the famous places near Jammu. There are various temples along the lake’s edge that newlyweds visit to receive good blessings.
15. PATNITOP
One of the most beautiful spots and one of the fantastic places to visit in Jammu is Patnitop. During the winter, several ski installations and courses appear in the Patnitop area. Because of its modest and moderate slopes, it is an apt place for beginners to learn to ski. Summertime transforms Patnitop into a hub for adventure sports like paragliding, camping, and trekking, making it an ideal vacation destination for thrill seekers. Patnitop also offers stunning views of the surrounding area and beautiful hiking routes.
Although you can visit the city any time of the year, the best time to visit Jammu and Kashmir is from October to February. Arrange your vacation with us and explore Jammu and Kashmir’s magnificent winter capital city. We hope the city treats you well and you bring back some beautiful memories of your trip.
