Jammu district General information

Jammu District is a district in Jammu and Kashmir. Majority of the population of the district practise Hinduism. Jammu district derives its name from the city of Jammu which besides being the winter capital of the state, is known as the city of temples. It is believed that the city was originally founded by Raja Jamboo Lochan who lived in fourteenth century B.C.

The District comprises five tehsils i.e. Jammu, Samba, R.S.Pura, Akhnoor and Bishnah.The entire district can be divided into two distinct portions.The area forming north of Jammu-Chhamb road and Jammu-Pathankot road which is known as Kandi area is comparatively under-developed and is mostly rainfed. The area south of these roads is largely fed by canal and tubewells for irrigation purposes and is relatively more prosperous.

PLACES OF INTEREST

KATRA: 50 Kms. This small town serves as the base camp for visting the famous shrine of Vaishnodeviji in the Trikuta hills. The Shrine is approachable on foot-path. Every year,nearly 4 million pilgrims pass through katra on their way to Vaishnodeviji. Accommodation is available in Tourist Bungalows, Yatrika and a number of Private hotels, besides pilgrims 'Sarais'.

KUD: 103 Kms. This popular resort is situated on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway, at an altitude of 1738 metres. Accommodation is available at the Tourist Bungalows of the J&K TDC as well as at several private hotels.

PATNITOP: 110 Kms. This famous hill resort is perched on a beautiful plateau, at an altitude of 2024 metres across which the Jammu-Srinagar highway passes. Enveloped by thickly wooded forests, peaceful walks and breathtaking views of the mountainscape of the Chenab basin. In winter, the resort is generally covered with a thick mantle of snow thus providing opportunities for accommodation, there are a large number of huts and Tourist Bungalows, all managed by the J&K TDC. Several private hotels also provide rooms to suit every pocket and preference.

SANASAR: 129 Kms.from Jammu and only 19 Kms. from patnitop, Sanasar ia a cupshaped meadow surrounded by gigantic conifers. A place for a quiet holiday, the meadow has now been developed as a golf coures. It also provides opportunities for paragliding. Accommodation is available in huts,Tourist Bungalow 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 shopes of the Patnitop mountain range, overlooking the spectacular lie of the Chenab gorge. Accommodation is available in huts, Tourist Bungalow and dormitory of the J&K TDC.

SUDH MAHADEV: This holy spot near Patnitop is situated at an altitude of 1225 mtrs.,about 120 Kms.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 Shive. The Devak stream originates at Sudh Mahadev and disappears among the rocks a few kilometres 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: 62 Kms. A beautiful lake fringed by forest-covered hills. Boating facilities are available in the spot. Every year around Baisakhi, a food and crafts festival is organised 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: 100 Kms. This holy cave,nearly a kilometre long with a 4-feet high naturally formed shiviling, 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 favourite 'Saint-Soldier', who had the Gurudwara constructed on the banks of river Chenab, where he spent his last days.

PURMANDAL: 40 Kms. Just off the National highway leading towards Pathankot is the Purmandal Temple Complex built on the banks of the sacred, mostly underground river Decak. Often referred to as 'Chhota Kashi', its main temple is dedicated to 'umapati', while the other temples are associated with Shaivites of the Kashmir Valley. Regular bus service from Jammu. Accommodation in pilgrims 'Sarai'.

KRIMCHI: On the way to Sudhmahadev-Mantalai, a short detour takes one to Krimchi, site of three of the oldest temples of Jammu. The architecture of the temples 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 attact picnickers in large number during summer. A Tourist Cafeteria, a Bar and a small Tourist Bungalow are the facilites 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 river bank commanding a panoromic view all around.

SALAL DAM AND LAKE: 95 Kms.from Jammu to the west of the Holy Shrine of Vashnodeviji 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: 65 Kms. 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 froms a number of small water-falls before flowing into the holy Banganga. 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 Shivartri.