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WHAT TO SEE |
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Vaishno Devi - Jammu is home to the famous
Vaishno Devi shrine. Nestling on top of the Trikuta Hills at a height
of 1700 m is the sacred cave shrine of Vaishno Devi, the mother
goddess. At a distance of 61km from Jammu, the cave is 30 metres long
and just 1.5 m high. At the end of the cave are shrines dedicated to
the three forms of the mother goddess—Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and
Mahasarasvati. Pilgrims enter in small groups through a narrow opening
and walk through ice-cold waters to reach the shrines. According to
legend, the mother goddess hid in the cave while escaping a demon whom
she ultimately killed. The cave shrine of Trikuta Bhagwati has been a
beacon of faith and fulfillment for millions of devotees since time
immemorial.
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Akhnoor - This small historic town is located on
the banks of Chenab river. It is just 32kms way from jammu & has the
ruins of the Indus Valley civilisation. It was the town of two very
famous lovers called Soni & Mahiwal.
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Baba Dhansar - It is a lovely picnic spot with
amazing landscaping which includes incredible mountains, waterfalls,
the holy Banganaga river, the groves of trees.Next to the spring in a
small grove in the rock face is a naturally formed Shivling. It is
located just 65 kms from Jammu.
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Bahu Fort - This fort is just 5kms from the city
center and was built by Raja Bhaulochan about 3000 years ago. Its has
temple of Goddess Kali and the other highlight is the the terrace
garden called Bagh-e-Bahu.
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Batote - It has a small spring called Amrit
Chasham, located just 125 kms from Jammu on the the Jammu-Srinagar
highway.
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Jajjar Kotli - It is the Jajjar Kotli Tourist
Complex, built on the banks of the Jajjar rivulet. The crystal clear
cool water surrounded by unprecedented natural beauty makes this place
an ideal picnic spot, located just 35 kms. from Jammu on the national
highway leading towards Srinagar.
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Krimchi - The way to Shudh Mahadev 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
influences.
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Kud - Enroute Srinagar from Jammu, Khud is a
popular stop of the tourists. It is a hill resort in its own authority
with a small but well-known mountain spring called “Swami ki Bauli”.
Natural beauty in Kud exceeds any type of description. This place is
also good for small treks and options for adventure sports are being
considered in the nearby areas.
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Mansar - Lake 60 kms. from Jammu is this
beautiful lake fringed by forest-covered hills deriving the name from
Manasarovar, the Mansar lake is not only considered as an abbreviated
form of the name of that great lake but also shares its sanctity.
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Mubarak Mandi Palace - The architecture of this
palace has a unique blend of Rajasthani, Mughal and Gothic styles. The
Sheesh Mahal segment in the palace is most famous. The Pink Hall now
houses of Dogra Art Museum which has miniature paintings of the
various Hill Schools.
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Patnitop - This beautiful place is 112 kms. from
Jammu and in recent times the place has really come up, as a tourist
destination in J&K. It is located on the Jammu Srinagar highway and
offers beautiful picnic spots, peaceful walks and breathtaking views
of the mountains cape of the Chenab basin.
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Peer Baba - This is the famous dargah of the
Muslim saint, Peer Budhan Ali Shah and it is believed that it is the
shrine that protects the people of this city from mishaps and evil
spirits. On Thursdays apart from Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs also come
in large numbers to pay their respects.
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Peer Khoh - Peer Khoh is a cave shrine located
on the Circular Road, dedicated to Shiva and a naturally formed
Shivaling is worshipped here. The antiquity of this lingam is not
known.
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Purnamandal - Proceeding towards Jammu,
Pathankot is on the highway and we find few ancient temples. It’s
believed that these temples are built on the banks of the underground
river Devak. Also referred as "Chota Kashi", the main temple here is
dedicated to "Umapati". The Shaivites of Kashmir Valley built these
temples.
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Raghunath Temple - This temple is dedicated to
Lord Rama and is surrounded by a group of other temples, dedicated to
various Hindu deities from the epic Ramayana. The inner walls of the
main temple are covered with gold sheet on three sides. There are many
galleries with innumerable saligrams".
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Ranbir Canal - A small garden along the Ranbir
Canal, 2 kms. from the heart of the town, provides a cool picnic spot
during the summer. These gardens provide excellent walkways and
viewpoints of the surrounding areas. Even in summers, water in the
canal remains ice cold.
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Ranbireshwar Temple - Located on Shalimar Road
this historic temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, which was built by
Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1883 AD. It has one central "lingam"
measuring seven-and-a-half ft in height, twelve Shiva "lingams" of
crystal and galleries with thousands of others carved on stone slabs.
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Salal Dam and Lake - 95 kms. from Jammu to the
west of the Holy Shrine of Vaishnodeviji is the Salal Dam and Lake.
This is the largest Hydroelectric Project commissioned in the state so
far. The lake behind the dam is 33 kms long and can be visited with
the permission of project authorities.
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Sanasar - About 17 kms from Patnitop, is a
cupshaped meadow surrounded by gigantic conifers. A place for a quite
holiday, the meadow has now been developed as a golf course. It also
provides opportunities for para gliding.
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Shiv Khori - This holy cave is 100 kms from
Jammu, nearly a kilometre long with a 4-feet high naturally formed
Shivling, is considered second only to the shrine of Vaishnodeviji. A
festival is organized on Shivratri day.
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Sudh Mahadev - Situated about 120 kms. from Jammu, this
shrine is visited by pilgrims on the full moon night of `Sawan" (July-
August) to worship the "Trishul" (trident) and a mace belonging to
Lord Shiva. The Devak stream originates at Sudh Mahadev and disappears
among the rocks down-stream.
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Surinsar Lake - This lake is located
approximately 42 km from Jammu and is a must see for its breathtaking
view. |
