Airwan Temple

 AIRWAN TEMPLE, KATHUA DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR

(Airwan Temple, Kathua)

(Source- nativeplanet.com)

Airwan temple is an ancient temple which is dedicated to the Hindu Lord Shiva. Airwan Temple is located around 15 kilometers away from Kathua District in Airwan Village near Parole. The history of Airwan Temple is that this is the 4th century Lord Shiva temple in the Airwan Village. It is said that the legendary emperor of Ujjain, Vikramaditya had erected the Airwan Temple. The village of Airwan bears its name from the Ravi River. On the occasion of Mahashivratri and Baisakhi fairs are held here. The temple is thronged by the pilgrims on the occasion of both the festivals which are celebrated here every year. 

(Airwan Temple)(Source- kathua.nic.in)

There are various bowlies present near the temple where pilgrims take a dip before offering their worships. The people who are unable to go to Haridwar to immerse the ashes of the dead can do it in the holy water called Gupt Ganga. The Airwan Temple can be accessed smoothly by road from the Kathua District. Kathua Railway Station is the closest railway head to Airwan Temple.

(Airwan Temple)

(source- indianetzone.com)

ADDRESS- Banjal, Jammu and Kashmir

PINCODE- 184206

Jodiya Di Mata Temple

 JODIYA DI MATA TEMPLE, KATHUA

Jodiya Di Mata Temple is a religious temple that is visited by several pilgrims during the festival of Navratri. Jodiya Di Mata Temple is located at a distance of around 4 kilometers away from Banjal in Kathua District. The Jodiya Di Mata is situated in the village Jodiyan. The Jodiyan Di Mata temple is dedicated to the Goddess Durga. Jodiyan Di Mata temple is located at Banjal (Himalaya) around 80 kilometers away from Basholi Town. The inhabitants of Jodiyan and nearby villages trusted that Goddess Durga preserves the flora and fauna of the hills.

(Jodiya Di Mata Temple, Kathua)

(Source- kathua.nic.in)

A few decades ago, while moving with the cattle a Shepherd found the place. He observed that his cattle go into deep slumber when left around the area. He got inquisitive and with the help of a sacred leader found that this place is pious. From the story, it is clear that the pious thoughts of the community are connected with the place. It is a vivid area with plenty of flowers blooming and this area is also called “Garden of Natural Flowers”. Visitors can go by bus or their private vehicle till village Poond. From Poond village the visitors have to trek. Jodiyan Di Mata Temple is a pious center that is visited by hundreds of devotees during the festival of Navratras. The people of voluntary groups help in providing the basic facilities to the devotees. The temple is situated at an altitude of about 7000 ft. Jodiyan Di Mata is a very beautiful and attractive place that is full of natural beauty. Jodiyan Di Mata Temple orders a lot of trust from the local people.

The trekking area from the Poond village to the Jodiya Di Mata Temple is approx 15 kilometers. The best time to visit the Jodiya Di Mata Temple is during the festival of Navratras or at the month of Chet and Sarad Ritu Month as per the Hindu calendar. At that time everyone can see the snow-topped peak of the Himalayas of Mani Mahesh or Lord Shiva from the Jodiya Di Mata Temple. An antechamber to stay in is available beside the temple. The visitors who visit the temple have to adopt the lifestyle of the village while visiting because there are no roads, hotels, restaurants in the area near the temple. Because of those reasons trekking is the most favorite part of Jodiya Di Mata for the visitors like youngsters and those who love adventures. Slowly this place is getting famous for these popular activities like camping, adventure trips, and trekking. From the initial point of trekking till Jodiya Di Mata Temple there are some small villages and the people of these villages gross their livelihood by supplying services like toys, food, pony/ horse rides, etc. to the travelers and the visitors.

Dudhadhari Mandir

 DUDHADHARI MANDIR- The Highest in the City

(Dudhadhari Temple)(source- Google)

Another popular and top sightseeing option in Jammu District is the Dudhadhari Mandir. Dudhadhari Mandir of the Jammu region is one such temple that is old and visited by many travelers whether religious or not who come to Jammu and Kashmir. Dudhadhari Mandir is located in Rajouri Village in Rajouri District near Poonch Highway of Jammu and Kashmir. Dudhadhari Mandir is established in white Marble and is situated on the highest peak in the Rajouri District.

HISTORY OF DUDHADHARI MANDIR JAMMU

(Dudhadhari Temple)(source- Google)

The Dudhadhari Barfani Ashram or Dudhadhari Mandir is established in the memory of Saint Dudhadhari Baba, who lived in the hills of Rajouri District near Pir Panjal Ranges. It is said that Saint Dudhadhari Baba got his name as he lived by drinking milk only. In Indian Language ‘milk’ means ‘dudh’ and ‘food’ means ‘aahar’ who took milk as his food so he became Dudhadhari. It is believed that the Dudhadhari Mandir is the only place in Jammu where devotees fulfill their wishes (Mannat) by making several promises.

BEST TIME TO VISIT DUDHADHARI MANDIR IN JAMMU

Dudhadhari Mandir is located on a high hill in Rajouri District in the Jammu region. Dudhadhari Mandir has a cooler temperature as compared to Jammu and Rajouri District is situated in the Pir Panjal Ranges. In winters, snowfall is constrained tourists to reach the Dudhadhari Mandir. From October to May is the best season to visit the Dudhadhari Mandir. Dudhadhari Mandir and Rajouri District receive moderate to heavy rainfall from July to September which makes the journey of the travelers more complex rather than exciting. 

HOW TO REACH DUDHADHARI MANDIR IN JAMMU

Dudhadhari Mandir is located in the Rajouri District, which Poonch highway and NH144A can reach. First must reach Jammu City then you will reach the Rajouri District. Jammu District is prominently attached with major cities of India so you can use any of the transport to reach Jammu City like Air, Railways, and Road transportations.

 The nearest airport from Rajouri District in Jammu is Jammu Domestic Airport which is located around 151 kilometers from the Rajouri District. Several domestic flights regularly travel between Jammu and other states every day for the benefit of travelers. 

The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi railway station which is located in Jammu City and is around 150 kilometers away from the Rajouri District.

NH44 and NH1A have highly connected Jammu to Punjab, Delhi, and other states in India.

From the Railway Station, Airport, and other parts of the city, local buses, private cars, and taxis are readily available to reach the Dudhadhari Temple in Jammu city.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS FROM DUDHADHARI MANDIR

There are several places to visit from Dudhadhari Temple in Jammu that is famous for their special attraction of their own. The nearby places are- Dogra Art Museum, Poonch Fort, Baba Dhansar, Ranbireshwar Temple, Akhnoor Fort, and several other attractions that are visited by ample of travelers every year.

Entry Fee- None

Timings- From 5 am to 6 pm

Famous for- The whole temple is made up of white marble.

Address- Shastri Nagar, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, 180004

Asha Purani Mandir - Kathua District

 ASHA PURANI MANDIR, KATHUA DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR

(Asha purani mandir)

(Source- facebook.com

Asha Purani Mandir is poppularly known as the Prachin Mandir which is situated in the center of Kathua City. The famous temple was constructed by the ex-minister of the state or Mata Durga devotee Shri Bhagat Chajju Ram in 1949. The presiding deity of Asha Purani Temple is Hindu Goddess Durga. The Mandir Bhawan (temple building) is around 30 ft. in height. The idol of the deity goddess is around 10 ft. tall and is positioned on the top of the building of the temple.

(Source- Facebook.com)

According to the Hindu Mythology, the Asha Purani Temple is placed on the spot where the veins (ashes) of the goddess Durga were thrown out by the discus (Sudershan Chakra), a spinning disk like ordnance of the Hindu God of Preservation, Lord Vishnu. Thus, this temple is known as the Asha Purani Temple. Various tourists come here to visit the temple every year to seek blessings from the presiding deity.

(Source- tripadvisor.com)

Kathua District is a place that is well attached to the neighboring towns and cities in the states of Jammu and Kashmir. Buses towards the site could be en route from the neighboring districts of Udhampur, Katra, Jammu, and Srinagar. Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (J&KSRTC) bus services are also accessible for the destination, which are quite reasonable. Public transport services or taxis could be hired to reach Bani from Kathua district as the same are found playing the route. Kathua district has its railway station that is situated at a distance of around 7 kilometers away from the city center. Sheikh ul Alam Airport which is commonly known as the Srinagar Airport is the nearest International airport to Kathua District.

(Source- nativeplanet.com)

Sapt Sarober Mandir - Kathua

 SAPT SAROBER MANDIR, KATHUA DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Sapt Sarober Mandir is located in the Krishna Nagar region of the Kathua District. The Sapt Sarober Temple was erected by the former minister of the state Bhagat Chajju Ram in the year 1969. Choudhary Hari Singh and Choudhary Devidutta had donated their land for the holy temple. 

(Source- nativeplanet.com)

The name of the temple is derived from “Sapt Rishis”, after the popular seven sages. There is a hollowed lake (Sapt Sarober) which is situated nearby the temple complex. The Pathshala (school) is also housed for tourists in the vicinity of the temple. A Dharamshala (rest houses for the tourists) is also being erected near the temple. 

The Sapt Sarober Mandir is accessible from the Kathua District, on the Jammu-Pathankot Highway. The closest railhead to the Sapt Sarober Temple is the Kathua Railway Station.

Mahabilvakeshwar Temple - Kathua

 MAHABILVAKESHWAR TEMPLE, KATHUA DISTRICT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR

(Source- m.facebook.com)

Mahabilvakeshwar temple is committed to the Hindu God of Destruction- Lord Shiva. Mahabilvakeshwar temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples in the Kathua District of Jammu and Kashmir. Formerly this temple is known as the Hari Hara Temple. This temple is situated in the heart of Billawar Town so this temple has derived its name Mahabivakeshwar from the place that is covered by the various bael trees. The devotees offer bael leaves to Lord Shiva because it is trusted that Lord Shiva is highly pleased when bael leaves which are commonly known as Bael-Patri in local parlance are offered to him.

(Idols inside the temple)(Source- kashmirhills.com)

The temple spire is around 60 ft high and is ascended on a square-shaped sanctum. The temple has various other idols of Hindu Gods like Ganesha, Bhairava, Brahma, and Vishnu and along with the five-headed sculpture of Shiva. According to the famous folklore, it is said that the Pandavas used this site as their worship place during their period of exile. Several devotees come here to visit this pious site to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva.

(Source- mapio.net)

It is also said that this temple is very much related to the family of Maharaja Hari Singh because the former said that there is a casualty in this royal family, a brick falls from the temple which has a spot of blood on that brick.

Narsingh Ji Temple -Kathua

 NARSINGH JI TEMPLE, KATHUA, JAMMU AND KASHMIR

(Narsingh Ji Temple)(source- justdial.com)

Narsingh Ji Temple is an ancient temple. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Narsingh or Narshima, which is a form of Hindu God of Preservation, Lord Vishnu. Narsingh Ji Temple is a 1600-year temple which is located in the town of Ghagwal in the district of Kathua. 

(Foremost view of Narsingh Ji Temple)

(Source- justdial.com)

The Narsingh Ji Temple represents three idols namely, Narsingh Roop, Narsingh Avatar, Annpurana. Narsingh Ji Temple is the temple of Ghagwal where these three idols can only be spotted together. A large water pond can be spotted by the visitors in propinquity to this temple.

(Inner beauty of Narsingh Ji temple)

(Source- justdial.com)

Travelers can also see in the complex a Jinda Samadhi of Baba Nar Hari Dass Ji Maharaji in this Narsingh Ji Temple. Another thing the pilgrims can spot is a Maha Mandleshwar Gaddi which is popularly known as Shri Amarnath Jammu and Kashmir Nagar Khalsa at this religious center.

(Narsingh Ji temple, Kathua)

(Source- justdial.com)

At this site, the meal of all time (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are provided daily for more than 200 people. This religious site is thronged during the occasion of Ratha Khara, Makarsakranti, and Janamasthmi. During the special occasions, a fair is held in which people from the hilly areas come and sell their woolen items which include blankets, and handicrafts.

(Inner view of temple)

(Source- Facebook.com)

People can find this Narsingh Ji Temple in Jammu city by the official address: Kathua Ho, Kathua-184101