Jammu

Jammu. the Duggar land where the past still has a living presence. A land of grand ancient temples, and beatiful palaces. All nestling in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is said that, on becoming King, the Suryavanshi Jambu Lochan went on a hunt and, crossing the Tawi, found a deer and a tiger drinking water from the same tank. His ministers explained that this meant that the soil of the place was so virtuous that no living creature bore enmity against another. Raja Jambu Lochan, who lived in the later vedic period, decided to found his capital , Jambupura, on his soil, on the right bank of the Tawi, overlooking his brother king Bahu's fort. Today the temple of Maha Kali ( better known as Bahu or Bawey Wali Mata), located in the Bahufort, is considered second only to Mata Vaishno Devi in terms of mystical power. The present temple was built shortly after the coronation of Maharaja Gulab singh, in 1822. The existing fort, as well as the Manasabdar's palace inside it, was constructed in 1820.

Jammu is justly famous for its temples. Infact it is known as the city of temples and the every fame of its tends to overshadow its palaces, forts, forests and powerful ziarats. If Bahu Mata is the presiding deity of Jammu, the dargah of Peer Budhan Ali Shah is the other shrine that protects Jammuites. The other major tourist attraction is the Ragunath Temple Complex. Maharaja Gulab Singh began the construction of the Raghunath Mandir Complex in the crowded downtown Bazaar named after it, in 1851. It was left to his son, Ranbir Singh, to inagurate it six years later perhaps the most popular temple north of Benares, it contains representations of almost entire Hindu pantheon, though the emphassis falls on the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The complex houses a rich collection of ancient texts and manuscripts.

Excursion

Katra/ Sri Vaishno Deviji Temple
50kms. This small town serves as the base camp for visiting the famous shrine of Vaishno deviji in the Trikuta hills. The shrine is approachable on foot along a 12 kms. Long well laid footpath. Every year, nearly 4 million pilgrims pass through Katra on they're way to Vaishnodeviji. Accommodations available in Tourist Bungalows, Yatrika and number of private hotels, besides pilgrims 'sarais'.

Sanasar
119 kms. From Jammu and only 17 kms. From Patnitop, Sanasar is a cup shaped meadow surrounded by gigantic conifers. A placefor a quiet holiday, the meadow has now been developed as a gold course. It also provides opportunities for paragliding. Accommodation is available in huts, Tourist Bungalows and dormitory of the J&K Tourism Development Corporation.

Batote
125 kms. Situated at an altitude of 1560 metres on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, this resort straddles the forested slopes of the Patnitop mountain range, overlooking the spectacular lie of the Chenab gorge. Accommodation is available in huts, Tourist Bungalows and dormitory of the J&K TDC.

Sudh Mahadev
This holy spot near Patnitop is situated at an altitude of 1225 mtrs, about 120kms from Jammu. The shrine is visited by pilgrims on the full moon night of 'Sawan' (July - August) to worship the "Trishul" (trident) and a mace which is said to belong to Lord Shiva. The Devak stream originates at Sudh Mahadev and disappears among the rocks a few kilometers down stream. Accommodation: Pilgrims Sarai of J&K TDC.

Gauri Kund
Short of Sudh Mahadev is the legendary spring where the Goddess Parvati used to bath before commencing Her daily prayers at Sudh Mahadev. This spring came to be named after Her as 'Gauri Kund'

Mantalai
Situated a few kilometres further away from Sudh Mahadev, Mantalai is surrounded by lush deodar forests, at an altitude of over 2000 metres. It is believed that Lord Shiva had got married to the Goddess Parvati here.

Mansar Lake
60kms. A beautiful lake fringed by forest-covered hills. Boating facilities are available on the spot. Every year around Baisakhi, a food and crafts festival is organized here by J&K Tourism. Accommodation: Tourist Bungalow and huts of J&K TDC.

Surinsar Lake
42 kms. It is a picturesque spot with a lake surrounded by wooded hills. Accommodation is available in J &K TDC Bungalow.

Shiv Khori
100kms. This holy cave, nearly a kilometer long with a 4 feet high naturally formed Shivling, is considered second only to the shrine of Vaishnodeviji. A major festival is held here on Shivratri day.

Dera Baba Banda
75 kms. It is a major Hindu-Sikh pilgrimage centre. Baba Banda Bairaagi was Guru Gobind Singh's favorite 'Saint-soldier' who had the Gurudwara constructed on the banks of river Chenab, where he spent his last days.

Purmandal
40kms. Just off the National highway leading towards Pathankot is the Purmandal Temple Complex built on the banks of the of the sacred, mostly underground river Devak. Often reffered to as 'Chhota Kashi', its main temple is dedicated to 'Umapati', while the other temples worship Lord Shiva. These ancient temples are associated with Shaivites of the Kashmir Valley. Regular bus service from Jammu. Accommodation in pilgrims ' sarai'

Krimchi
On the way to Sudh Mahadev-Mantalai, a short detour takes one to Krimchi, site of three of the oldest temples of Jammu. The architecture of the temple shows distinct Greek (Hellenic) influences. Pancheri, a hill resort is a short distance away from here.

Jajjar Kotli
35 kms. On the National highway leading towards Srinagar is the Jajjar Kotli Tourist Complex, built on the banks of the Jajjar rivulet. The crystal clear, cool water of Jajjar attracts picnickers in large number during the summer. A Tourist Cafeteria, a Bar and a small Tourist Bungalow are the facilities provided here by JKTDC.

Akhnoor
32 kms. To the west of Jammu situated on the banks of the mighty Chenab River is the historic town of Akhnoor. This town is associated with the legend of Soni-Mahiwal. Ruins of the Indus-valley civilization are to be seen along the riverbank commanding a panoromic view all round.

Salal Dam and Lake
95 kms. From Jammu to the west of the Holy Shrine of Vaishnodeviji is the Salal Dam and Lake. With an installed capacity of 400 mw of electricity, this is the largest Hydroelectric Project commissioned in the state so far. The lake formed behind the Dam is 33 kms. Long. The Dam site can be visited with the permission of the Project Authorities.

Baba Dhansar
65kms. from Jammu, on way to Salal Dam, Baba Dhansar is a beautiful and cool picnic spot. Here, a huge spring gushes out of the mountainside in a thick grove of trees and forms a number of small waterfalls before flowing into the Holy Banging. Next to the spring in a small grove in the rock face is a naturally formed Shivling on which droplets of water fall naturally all the year round. A big mela is held here during Shivratri.

Top    

Wild Life
Ramnagar Sanctuary
Ramnagar Sanctuary situated only 6 km.away from Jammu city, this sanctuary occupies an area of 31 sq.km. The area sustains 8 mammal species including nilgai and barking deer and 15 species of birds. The best season for mammal viewing is September to March and for bird viewing March to May. Within the sanctuary is a two bedroomed hut. For passes contact the Regional Wildlife Warden, Jammu.

Nandini wildlife sanctuary
Nandini wildlife sanctuary has an area of 33.24-sq-kms and was named after Nandni village located at a distance of 28-kms from Jammu, on NHIA. There is appreciable pheasant population.

There are about eight mammal species in the whole sanctuary area. The main species are Leopard, Wildboar, Rhesus Monkey, Garal, Grey Langur, etc. The common birds found over here are Indian Mynah, Blue Rock Pigeon, Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Chir Pheasants, Chakor, etc.

Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary
Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary Named for the two lakes on each corner of it, this sanctuary comprises an area of 98.82-sq-kms and supports a mammal population of 8 species including Goral, Wild Boar, Barking Deer, Leopard and 15 species of birds. There is a multitude of birds found in the sanctuary, which includes Black Partridge, Red Jungle Fowl, Peafowl, Grey Partridge, Green Pigeon, Blue Rock Pigeon, and Rufus Turtle Dove.

Top    

Adventures & Sports

Trekking
A range of trekking options is available here. Summer is the season when all trekking routes are open while some are open in winter too. There are excellent camping sites also enroute.The Sundarani- Jungal Gali-Jasarkote-Sanasar route in Jangal Gali area lets you choose any of three exciting treks. For more details check the Jangal Gali trek route in trekking brochure available from JKTDC(Free). There are Trekking equipment hire shops of tourism Deptt. at Jammu and Kud. They stock imported and local gear. These rae available for fixed prices.

Skiing
Skiing courses are conducted at Jammu in the months of January and Feburary. During winter mionths there are introductory courses for tourists/beginners at gentle gradient slopes of Patnitop. At Madhatop (5/6 Kms from Patni top on Sanasar Road) excellent possibilities for all kind of skiing exist. A ski-lift in the area is also proposed. As for facilities 40 sets of equipment is available at Patnitop and Sanasar. Also available are wooden sledges locally. For beginners Instructors are also available.

Aero sports
Paragliding has been introduced at Sanasar and Jammu. Equipment is available on Hire from tourist office in Jammu city. May-June and Septemer October are best suited for paragliding. Other aero sports like Parasailing and Hotair ballooning are also becoming operational shortly.

Top    

Festivals

Lohri (13 January)
This festival heralds the onset of spring and is also known as Makar Sankranti. The whole region wears a festive look on this day.

Baisakhi (April 13 or 14)
The name Baisakhi is taken from the first month of the Vikram calendar. Every year, on the first day of ‘Vaishakh’, the people of Jammu, like the rest of northern India, celebrate Baisakhi. Also known as the "harvest festival", it is considered auspicious especially for marriages. Devotees who take a ritual dip every year, throng the rivers, canals and ponds. Many people go to the Nagbani temple to witness the grand New Year celebration.

Bahu Mela (March-April & September-October)
A major festival is held at the Kali Temple in Bahu Fort, twice a year.

Chaitre Chaudash (March-April)
Chaitre Chaudash is celebrated at Uttar Behni, about 25 kms from Jammu. Uttar Behni gets its name from the fact that the Devak river (locally also known as Gupt Ganga) flows here in the northerly direction.

Purmandal Mela (February-March)
Purmandal is 39 kms from Jammu city. On Shivratri, the town wears a festive look and for three days as people celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati. The people of Jammu also come out in their colourful best to celebrate Shivratri at Peer Khoh, the Ranbireshwar Temple and the Panjbhaktar Temple.

Top    

Traditional crafts

Carpets
It is extremely instructive to watch a carpet being made- your dealer can probably arrange it for you. Stretched tightly on a frame is the warp of Carpet. The weft threads are passed through, the ‘talim’ or design and color specifications are then worked out on this: a strand of yarn is looped through the warp & weft, knotted and then cut. The yarn used normally is silk, wool or silk and wool. Woolen carpets always have a cotton base (Warp & Weft), silk usually have cotton base.Sometimes however, the base is also silk in which case you will see that the fringe is silk; the cost increases proportionately. Occasionally, carpets are made on a cotton base, mainly of woolen pile with silk yarn used as highlights on certain motifs.

Namdas
Far less expensive are these colorful floor coverings made from woolen and cotton fiber which has been manually pressed into shape. Prices vary with the percentage of wool- a Namda containing 80% wool being more expensive than one containing 20% wool. Chain stitch embroidery in woolen and cotton thread is worked on these rugs.

Papier Mache
The designs painted on objects of Papier Mache are brightly colored. They vary in artistry and the choices of colors, and it is not difficult to tell a mediocre piece from an excellent one. Gold is used on most objects, either as the only color, or as the highlight for certain motifs, and besides the finish of the product, it is the quality of the gold used which determines the price. Pure Gold leaf which has the unmistakable luster, is far more expensive than bronze dust or gold poster paint. It also has much longer life and will never fade or tarnish.

Chain Stitch and Crewel Furnishings
Because of the high quality of embroidery done on wall hangings and rugs, Kashmiri crewel work is in great demand all over the world. Chain stitch, be it in wool, silk or cotton, is done by hook rather than any needle.

Crewel is basically similar to chain stitch. It is also Chain stitch done on White background, but here the motifs, mainly stylish flowers, do not cover the entire surface, and the background is not embroidered upon. Wool is almost invariably used in Crewel work and color ways are not as elaborate as in Chain stitch. They make excellent household furnishings being hand or machine washable.

Silks, Tweeks
Sericulture and tweed weaving are more important industries in Kashmir, with departments of the State got. Closely monitoring the process. Interestingly, just as little or no raw-material for tweed comes from Kashmir, almost no weaving and printing of silk is done in the state. However, the cocoon reared in Kashmir is of the superior quality, yielding an extremely fine fiber, and any silk woven from this thread becomes known. The fineness of the yarn lends itself particularly well to the weaves known as ‘chinon’ and ‘crepe de chine’, in addition to the universally recognized silk weave. Tweed on the other hand is woven in Kashmir with pure, never blended, wool. The resultant fabric, made with imported know-how, compares favorably with the best in the world. It is available by the length occasionally as ready to wear garments.

Pherans
This garment, somewhere between a coat and a cloak, is eminently suited to the Kashmiri way of life, being loose enough to admit the inevitable brazier of live coals which is carried around in much the same way as a hot water bottle, Men’s pherans are always made of tweed or coarse wool; women’s pherans, somewhat more stylized, are most commonly made of raffel, which splashes of ari or hook embroidery at the throat, cuffs and edges. The quality of embroidery and thickness of the raffel determines the price.

Shawls
There are three fibers from which the Kashmiri shawls are made- wool, Pashmina nad shahtoosh. The prices of three cannot be compared – woolen shawls being within the reach of the most modest budget, and Shahtoosh being a once-in-a-lifetime purchase.

Basketry
Willow rushes that grow plentifully in marshes and lakes in Kashmir are used to make charmingly quaint objects, ranging from shopping baskets and lampshades to tables and chairs, all generally in expensive. To increase their life-span, unvarnished products should be chisen and frequentle sprayed with water, particularly in hot, dry climates, to prevent them from brittle.

walnut wood
The walnut wood is almost black, and the grain here is much more pronounced than the wood of the trunk which is lighter in color. The branches have the lightest color, being almost blonde, and have no noticeable grain. The intrinsic worth of the wood from each part of the tree differs- that from the root being the most expensive and the branches having the lowest price.

Copper and Silverware
The old city abounds with shops where objects of copper line the walls, the floor and even the ceiling made generally for the local market. Craftsmen can often be seen engraving objects of household utility-samovars, bowls, plates and trays. Floral, stylized, geometric, leaf and sometimes calligraphic motifs are engraved or embossed on copper, and occasionally silver, to cover the entire surface with intricate designs which are then oxidized, the better to stand out from the background. The work known as ‘naqash’ determines the price of the object, as does the weight.

Top    

Weather

Top    

Getting There

Air
Indian Airlines
Tourist Reception Centre,Vir Marg
Jammu
Telephone No: 531582
Airport office : 531433

Jet Airways
Airport ,Satwari Jammu
Tel Nos:453999, 453888, 574312, 574315

Archana Airways
Airport ,Satwari
Jammu

Rail
Railway Station, Jammu Tawi
General Inquiry and Reservation
Tel Nos:431085,431407,131

Bus
J & K SRTC
Tourist Reception Centre
Vir Marg,Jammu
Tel: 546851

Railway Station Counter
SRTC: 530078(PP)

Punjab Roadways
Bus Stand
Tel No: 542782

Taxis
Tourist Taxi Association
TRC
Tel No:546266

Top    

Jammu - Excursion, Wild Life, Adventures, Sports, Festivals, Traditional crafts, Weather