JAMMU

"CITY OF TEMPLES"

Jammu, city, winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir union territory, northern India. It lies in the southwestern part of Jammu and Kashmir along the Tawi River, south of Srinagar (the summer capital), and to the north is the Siwalik Range.

Jammu was once the capital of the Dogra dynasty, and it became part of the domain of the maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 19th century. It is now a railroad and manufacturing centre. The city is home to the University of Jammu (1969) and the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (1999), as well as several Hindu temples, notably the Raghunath temple complex. The surrounding area produces wheat, rice, corn (maize), and barley. 

Jammu, the Duggar land where the past still has a living presence. A land of grand ancient temples, and beautiful 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. In fact 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 inaugurate it six years later perhaps the most popular temple north of Benares, it contains representations of almost entire Hindu pantheon, though the emphasis falls on the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The complex houses a rich collection of ancient texts and manuscripts.

NEAR BY PLACES TO VISIT

RAGHUNATH TEMPLE

DOGRA ART MUSEUM

BAHU FORT

AMAR MAHAL MUSEUM & LIBRARY

BAGH - E - BAHU

MUBARAK MANDI HERITAGE COMPLEX