Jammu is known as the Temple City and is a popular pilgrim destination in India. Situated in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir, it is the winter capital of the state. Situated on a hillock on the banks of river Tawi, the city of Jammu was founded by Raja Janboo Lochan, in the 14th century. Initially, it was named after his name as Jamboo, but with the passage of time, it came to be known as Jammu. However, the most striking feature of the city remains the diverse religious shrines, which have given impetus to travel and tourism in the state.

The echo of the ancient kingdom can be still heard resounding in the palaces, forts, forests, temples and other royal edifices. It even serves as the base camp for the famous Vaishno Devi Mandir, which is the epicenter of major religious activity in the state. Connected with Delhi via National Highway 1A, Jammu is also the railhead of the state. This attributes to the fact that thousands of tourists and pilgrims throng the place every year. The natural and scenic environment of Jammu is another strong reason which attracts the crowd here.

Tourist Attractions

Jammu is a delightful location for the tourists as it offers plethora of tourist attractions. The main attractions include Bahu Fort, which is situated just 5 km from the city and is the oldest structure. It was built 3000 years back by the King Bahulochan and stands on the left bank of river Tawi. The main attraction of the fort is its beautiful gardens called Bagh-e-Bahu and the temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. Another fascinating site is Mubarak Mandi Palace, whose architecture is a blend of Rajasthani, Mughal and Baroque elements.

The Pink Hall in the palace has been converted into a museum known as Dogra Museum. The prime attraction in the palace is the Sheesh Mahal or Mirror Palace. Ranbir Canal is a good picnic spot to relax and indulge in leisure activities. Situated approximately 2 km from the city, it provides good viewpoints and walkways. Aquarium Bagh-I-Bahu as the name suggests is a must visit place for nature lovers. It is the largest underground aquarium in the subcontinent and houses a museum displaying 400 species of marine and fresh water fish.

Jammu is known for its venerated religious places. The Raghunath Temple is situated in the heart of the city and is dedicated to Lord Rama. The construction of the temple was started in 1835 AD by Maharaja Gulab Singh and was completed by his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh. The inners walls of the temple are covered with gold sheets. Apart from this, there are other shrines worth visiting in the city such as Peer Kho, Mahamaya Temple, Ranbireshwar Temple, etc.

How to Reach
By Air: Jammu has its own airport, which operates various domestic flights, linking it to various cities of the country.

By Rail: Jammu is an important railway junction and the station is known by the name Jammu Tawi. It is connected to major cities of the country via broadguage and passenger trains.

By Road: Jammu has a good network of roads, which link it to the rest of the state and country. A number of buses from State Road transport Corporation are operated to keep it connected.