17 Top Tourist Places to Visit in Jammu

At a distance of 10 km from Srinagar Railway Station, Raghunath Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in Jammu City. Situated in the old city area of Jammu, it is believed to be the largest shrine complex in North India and among the popular places to visit in Jammu.

The Raghunath Temple is an extremely popular and revered shrine in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The majestic temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, who is believed to be the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The construction of the temple was started in 1835 AD by Maharaja Gulab Singh, who was the founder of the Kingdom of Jammu & Kashmir and was completed by his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1860 AD. The temple also began to be used as the center of Sanskrit teachings during the reign of Ranbir Singh. Later, the temple was attacked by terrorists in 2002 and was shut down for some time. Finally, the gates of the temple were once again opened for the devotees in the year 2013.

The temple is an amalgamation .....

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At a distance of 4 km from Jammu Railway Station, Bahu Fort is a historic fort located in the city of Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir. Stands tall and sturdy on the left bank of the Tawi River, it is one of the popular places of heritage in Jammu & Kashmir, and among the must-visit places as part of forts Jammu tour packages.

Perhaps the oldest fort and edifice in Jammu, Bahu Fort is believed to be constructed around 3,000 years ago by Rajput Raja Bahulochan, the brother of the traditional founder of Jammu, Jambu Lochan. The earlier structure of the fort was rebuilt in 1585 CE by Autar Dev, the grandson of King Kapoor Dev. The grand fort has been reconstructed, renovated, restored, and repaired by many rulers from different dynasties from time to time. However, the current and final version of Bahu Fort was built by Maharaja Gulab Singh in the 19th century and was further refurbished by Maharaja Ranbir Singh during his rule.

Perched at an elevation of 325 m, Bahu Fort was built in .....

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At a distance of 5 km from Jammu Railway Station, Peer Kho Cave Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in the city of Jammu. Situated amid an acacia forest, it is one of the oldest temples in the city and among the must-visit religious places in Jammu.

Overlooking the Tawi River, the Peer Kho Cave Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. During the reign of Raja Biram Dev of Jammu (1454 - 95) a famous saint Guru Garib Nath belonging to the Guru Gorakh Nath order came to Jammu and resided at Peer Kho. Kho means cave in the local dialect. He came to be known as Peer-i-Kho and thus with time, the cave got its name. The cave is also known as the Jamwant Cave as it is believed to be the place where the bear God Jamvant, a prominent character in the Ramayana meditated. Another interesting part is that the locals even believe that the cave does not just lead to other caves but parts outside the country.

With an ensemble of three shikharas, the temple has a large-sized courtyard and three .....

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At a distance of 8 km from Jammu Railway Station, Amar Mahal Palace is a royal palace situated on the banks of the Tawi River in Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the best places to visit in Jammu for those who want to know the history of the erstwhile Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir.

Amar Palace was built in the 19th century by Raja Amar Singh, a Dogra king. The palace was the last official residence of the Dogra dynasty and the last king of the kingdom Maharaja Hari Singh. Maharani Tara Devi, wife of the late Maharaja Hari Singh (son of Raja Amar Singh) lived in this palace till her death in 1967. Subsequently, her son Karan Singh and his wife Yasho Rajya Lakshmi converted the palace into a museum to house rare books and works of art, with the they transferred the palace property to a trust named the 'Hari-Tara Charitable Trust'.

Built with red bricks and red sandstone, this imposing building was planned by a French architect in the European castle style. It has long passages .....

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At a distance of 6 km from Jammu Railway Station, Mubarak Mandi is a heritage palace situated in the heart of the walled city of Jammu. Overlooks the Tawi River, it is one of the famous places of heritage in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, and among the must-visit tourist places in Jammu.

Mubarak Mandi Palace complex was built by Raja Dhruv Dev (1707-1733) of Jammu. Maharaja Gulab Singh ( 1792-1856) added three mansions on the northeastern side of this complex. Maharaja Ranbir Singh (1856-1885) built his palace and a palace for his Queens on the northeastern side. He got Gol Ghar completed apart from building Sheesh Mahal, and three palaces for his three sons Partap Singh, Amar Singh, and Ram Singh. He constructed many official buildings with large halls and galleries for administration and public events. Thereafter, Maharaja Partap Singh built a palace for his queen Maharani Charaki on the eastern side. Maharaja Partap Singh also ordered extensive renovations of Pink Hall, .....

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At a distance of 5 km from Jammu Railway Station, Ranbireshwar or Ranveereshwar Temple is an old Hindu temple located in Jammu city. Situated on Shalimar Road near the New Secretariat, it is one of the biggest Shiva temples in North India and among the prime Jammu places to visit.

Situated on the busy street of Shalimar Road, Ranbireshwar Temple was built by the Maharaja Ranbir Singh of the Dogra dynasty, and was named after him. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this 200-year-old temple is reflecting the classic Nagara style of architecture. The highlight of the temple is the mammoth 8-feet tall black marble stone Shiva lingam standing high in the central sanctum sanctorum of the temple and is regarded as the biggest in north India.

There are 12 more Shivlingas in the temple which are made of crystal. These Shivalingas are 18 inches high and 12 inches wide. There is a slab inside the temple that has around 1.25 lakhs of Shivalingas that were brought from the Narmada River. There .....

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At a distance of 6 km from Jammu Railway Station, Mahamaya Temple is an ancient temple located on the top of a hill in Jammu. Situated behind the majestic Bahu Fort, it is one of the important religious places in Jammu.

Mahamaya Temple is situated on the banks of the Tawi River on the outskirts of Jammu City. Unlike other temples in India, this temple is not dedicated to any presiding Hindu deity but to Mahamaya, a local freedom fighter of the Dogra community, who sacrificed her life about 14 centuries ago to save her region from foreign invaders. The temple was built to laud her courage, and people honor her sacrifice to this day. The temple is a unique construction with a rich backstory that attracts scores of devotees throughout the year who come to pay their respects to the great heroine.

The white-topped temple surrounded by lush green forests lies in attractive contrast to the glamorous blue sky and the Trikuta mountain ranges in the background. From this spot, one gets .....

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At a distance of 4 km from Jammu Railway Station, Jammu Ropeway is a famous cable car ride located in Jammu City. Situated near Bahu Fort, it is one of the popular cable car rides in India, and among the must to do things as part of the Jammu Tour.

Built for JKCCC, this 1.66 km long Jammu Cable Car project has two sections. The first section is from Peer Kho to the Mahamaya Temple and goes over the Tawi River while the second section is from the Mahamaya Temple to the Bahu Fort. The project was planned back in 1995 with an estimated cost of INR 75 crore. The project faced dozens of delays in its start, execution, and date of completion. Finally, the project has completed after 25 years and opened in the year 2020.

The ropeway from Bahu Fort to Mahamaya has 8 cabins and from Mahamaya to Peer Kho section has 14 cabins and 3 or 4 persons are allowed in one cabin. The cable car project provides people with an international standard experience and transportation facility, connecting .....

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At a distance of 5 km from Jammu Railway Station, Raghunath Bazaar is a shopping area in Jammu. Located adjacent to the famous Raghunath Temple, it is one of the most popular, and old marketplaces of Jammu.

Raghunath Bazaar is named after the famous Raghunath Temple which sits on the same road. The bazaar is around 160 years old and serves as a symbol of the spiritual and cultural heritage of Jammu. This market has many things to shop from old to new, antiques to modern, and local to exported items. This place is crowded most of the time with locals, and tourists.

The bazaar is distinguished for its long-standing dry fruit shops. This market is also renowned for the wide spread of traditional Dogra Jewelleries and Kashmiri handicrafts. Some of the other shopping items available here, and which can prove to be great souvenirs and gifts for the people back home are woolen carpets, handloom, shawls, phirans, tweeds, silk and embroidery works, vases, bowls, wall hangings, furniture, .....

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At a distance of 24 km from Katra, and 72 km from Jammu, Bhimgarh Fort is a historical fort situated at Reasi town of Jammu & Kashmir. Also known as Reasi Fort, it is one of the best places of heritage in Kashmir, and among the top places to visit near Mata Vaishno Devi.

Perched atop a 150m high hillock, the Bhimgarh Fort was constructed with clay by Rajput king Bhimdev Rasyal of Reasi in the 8th century. Later, one of the heirs of Raja Rishipal Rana, reconstructed the fort using stone. The Bhim Garh Fort was used by the royal family members for taking shelter during emergencies. The fort was later renovated by Gulab Singh of Jammu and Kashmir in 1817. A new entry gate and a stone wall were built all around, thereby making it less vulnerable to attacks. After the death of Maharaja Gulab Singh, his heirs Maharaja Ranbir Singh and Maharaja Pratap Singh used Bhimgarh Fort as a treasury and armory. During Maharaja Hari Singh's rule, an English minister ordered that the armory be destroyed .....

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At a distance of 7 km from Jammu Railway Station, Manda Zoo is a zoological park situated on palace road near Hari Niwas, in Jammu. It is the only zoo in the only zoo in the whole province and among the best tourist places in Jammu.

Manda Zoo Park is a small zoo with animals in old-school enclosures, such as crocodiles, cobras, deer, and tigers. The primary attraction of the park is an assemblage of butterflies like Peacock Pansy, Blue Pansy, Grass Yellow, Lime Butterfly, Sailor, and Plain Tiger. The park is also home to exotic birds like Turkey and Emu. The greenery of this zoo will soothe the mind. Spectacular views and a great surrounding atmosphere attract a lot of tourists to this zoo.

Manda Zoo Park is a beautiful place to visit on holidays and weekends with family. Winter is the ideal time to visit the zoo. One can reach the zoo by hiring an auto or cab.

Timings: 8.30 AM - 6 PM, Closed on Tuesday

Entry: Rs. 20 for Adults & Rs. 10 for Children

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At a distance of 5 km from Jammu Railway Station, Rajender Park is a beautiful park located in Jammu City. It is one of the newly developed tourist places in Jammu.

Rajinder Park of Jammu is gifted with natural beauty and the majestic Himalayan range in the backdrop adds grace to the region. The park derived its name from Dr. Rajinder Prasad, the first President of India. Covered a distance of 1 km, the park is located between two canals and has a huge fountain. The beauty of this fountain is experienced at night when it is lit up. Seeing the popularity of this park, it was recently refurbished and spruced by Jammu and Kashmir Bank.

It is a supreme example of the legacy of the Mughals evident from the artistic style in which lawns here have been designed. Different species of trees, shrubs, and plants are found at Rajinder Park, which adds to the botanical richness here. This park is a favorite getaway for people in the region and also for tourists. Tourists come here during .....

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At a distance of 13 km from Jammu Railway Station, Sidhra Golf Course, or Jammu Tawi Golf is located in Sidhra on the outskirts of Jammu City. Situated on the bank of River Tawi at the foothills of the Shivaliks, it is one of the best golf courses in the region, and among the best places to visit in Jammu.

Sidhra Golf Course is a wonderful 18-hole eco-friendly golf course that is spread over an area of about 70 hectares. The Government of Jammu & Kashmir undertook the construction of this prestigious project in 2011 to boost Golf Tourism. It was designed by internationally renowned designer Col. K.D Bagga. It has two big and three small water bodies (lakes) and about 3200 m long water channel. The golf course is equipped with all the modern facilities like a Golf club, Changing rooms, Golf carts, and Pro-shop.

With the impressive backdrop of Trikuta mountains, it opens to a breathtaking panorama of clean waters of River Tawi and affords the charming view of the distant Amar .....

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At a distance of 28 km from Jammu, Purmandal is a sacred town located in the Samba district of Jammu & Kashmir. Often referred to as Chotta Kashi, it is one of the famous places of pilgrimage in Kashmir, and among must-include places in Jammu tour packages.

Situated on the banks of the Devika River, Purmandal was an ancient center of trade and learning. The Devika River runs down from Purmandal to Uttarvehni (flowing towards the north) through village Mandal. It is one of the rare places where a river flows from south to north. The prime attraction of the village is the Purmandal Temple which is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. There are also several temples built on rocks dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temples in the village area create a very soothing relaxed atmosphere for the people.

One can also visit a large haveli, and several dharamshalas in the village. Many of these structures are decorated with murals dating from between 1813 and 1898. Every month a mela is organized .....

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At a distance of 32 km from Jammu, Akhnoor Fort is an ancient fort in the small pleasing town of Akhnoor. Located on the right bank of the Chenab River, it is one of the popular places of heritage in Kashmir, and among the must-include places in Jammu.

Perched on a cliff, the Akhnoor Fort is a glorious attraction that is said to be built on the ruins of the ancient Archaeological town of Manda, where remains of the Harappan civilization and the Kushana dynasty have been found by Archaeologists. According to history, the construction of the fort was started by Raja Tegh Singh in 1762 CE and was completed by his successor Raja Alam Singh in 1802. Maharaja Ranjeet Singh crowned Maharaja Gulab Singh on the 17th of June 1822 at the fort's Jia Pota Ghat on Chenab's river bank. Due to its historical and cultural significance, it has been deemed a national monument and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India since 1982.

A great example of fine Indian military architecture, .....

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At a distance of 32 km from Jammu, Surinsar Lake is a freshwater lake situated at Blahad village near Jammu. It is one of the most beautiful lakes in Kashmir and among the must-visit tourist places in Jammu.

Surrounded by thickly wooded mountain ranges, Surinsar Lake is known for its natural bounty that can be compared with the magnificence of Dal Lake and Nagin Lake of Srinagar. Surinsar Lake is one of the twin lakes in Jammu, the other being Mansar Lake located around 15 km away from it. The Surinsar Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary is nestled amid both the lakes and supports 3 mammalian species and 15 avifauna species including crane.

According to Hindu mythology, the origin of the lake is closely associated with the legendary warrior of Mahabharat, Arjun. According to the mythology, the Pandavas performed the Ashwamedh Yagna to show their superiority post the Kurukshetra war. The horse, which was the symbol of the power of the Yagna, was captured by the erstwhile ruler of the .....

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At a distance of 47 km from Jammu, Mansar Lake is a sacred lake located at Buttal village near Jammu. It is one of the popular lakes in Kashmir and among the must-visit places during the Jammu Tour.

Fringed by dense forest, small parks, temples, and low-lying hills, the Mansar Lake is a mile in length and half a mile in width. Together with its twin lake Surinsar, it is designated as Ramsar Convention in November 2005. Mansar is primarily fed by surface run-off and partially by mineralized water through paddy fields. The lake is an attractive habitat, breeding, and nursery ground for migratory water folks. Another interesting feature of the lake is the presence of a large number of huge turtles, and fishes.

Besides being a popular picnic spot, Mansar Lake is also a popular pilgrimage site sharing the legend and sanctity of Lake Manasarovar. According to the mythology, the Pandavas performed the Ashwamedh Yagna to show their superiority post the Kurukshetra war. The horse, .....

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