Jammu

10 May, 2008 07:15:00

Font size:

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.

^ Top

General Information

Area :	20.36 Sqkm
Altitude :	305 mtrs
Rainfall :	107 cms (July to September)
Population(1981) :	2,23,361(apprx.)
Languages :	Dogri, Hindi, English, Urdu, Kashmiri, Punjabi
Best Season :	October to April
Temperatures(Average) :	26.2 to 4.3 degrees cent in winter. Temperatures in summer 43.0 to 23.4 Clothing : Heavy/Medium wollens in winters to light cottons in summers
Food :	Every sort of vegetarian and non vegetarian food is available in multiple cuisines to suit every budget. Restaurants of all hues and shades are available all along the busy roads and other major spots. Foods suits all budgets and tastes.
Travels :	Registered travel/tour operators are available.
Others :	Tariffs are subject to change without notice and Cheques are not accepted.
Important Road Distances :	Amritsar: 243 Kms; Chandigarh: 436 Kms; Delhi: 586 Kms; Katra: 48 Srinagar: 305 Kms; Manali: 428 Kms; Patnitop: 112 Kms; Mansar : 60Kms