JAMMU-The City of Temples
Jammu is known as the winter capital of the Indian Union Territory ‘Jammu and Kashmir’. Jammu is situated on the bank of the river ‘Tawi’. Jammu is one of the second most populous cities of the union territory. Jammu covers an area of 240 sq. km. Jammu is covered with the northern plains in the North and the Himalayas in the South. Jammu is one of the most likely and most visited places in Jammu and Kashmir. Samba district is one of the neighboring districts from which Jammu city shares its borders.
Raja Jambulochan is the founder of Jammu who decided to rule that area in the 9th Century. The Jammu Division is one of the revenue and administrative division of Jammu and Kashmir. In ancient times, Jammu was known as ‘Jamboo’ on the name of its founder, Raja Jambulochan, but now Jamboo is known as Jammu. Jammu consists of 10 districts these are Jammu, Doda, Kathua, Ramban, Reasi, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, and Samba. Mostly the land of Jammu is hilly and mountainous including the Pir Panjal Range which divides Jammu from Kashmir Valley and the part of Great Himalayas of Doda and Kishtwar. The principal river of Jammu is ‘Chenab’.
Jammu City is also called the ‘City of Temples’ as Jammu has many shrines and temples with glittering shikhars soaring into the sky, which dot the skyline of the city and creating the ambiance of a peaceful and holy city. Jammu is such a major pilgrimage Islamic for Hindus as Jammu is home to some of the most respected Hindu shrines like ‘Vaishno Devi Temple’. The majority of the population of Jammu practices Hinduism while Sikhism and Islam take pleasure in a strong cultural heritage in the Jammu region.
Jammu is popular for its ancient temples, landscapes, Hindu shrines, Mubarak Mandi Palace, Amar Mahal Palace (Now a Museum), forts, and gardens. Hindu holy shrines of Vaishno Devi and Amarnath attract many Hindu devotees every year. The historic monuments of Jammu characterize a unique blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture styles. The natural landscape of Jammu has made Jammu the most favored or popular destination for Adventure Tourism in South Asia.
The list of some tourism places or we can say that the places of interest in Jammu are Purmandal, Vaishno Devi Shrine, Mansar Lake, Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary, Raghunath Temple, Peer Kho Cave, Bahu Fort, Shivkhori, Machail Mata, City centers, and attractions.
The cuisines which are famous in Jammu are Patisa, Chocolate Barfi, Sund Panjeeri, and its exotic local food. The specialty dishes of Jammu are Rajma with Rice and another one is kalaadi. The Dogri food includes Khatta Meat, Maa Da Madra, Kulthein Di Dal, Ambal, Rajma, and Auriya. Typical pickles of Jammu are made of Kasrod, Zimikand, Girgle, Mango with Saunf, Dal Patt, Tyaoo, Potatoes, and Seyoo.
The list of festivals that are celebrated with full of joy and happiness are- Uttarain or Maghi Sangrand (Makar Sankranti), Bhugga (Sankashti Chaturthi), Kan Chauth (Gauri Chaturthi), Ram Naumi (Rama Navami), Basoa (Vishuva) or Baisakhi (Mesha Sankranti), Bahu Mela ( March-April and September- October), Basant Panchmi, Chaitre Chaudash( March- April), Purmandal Mela (February- March), Dhamdeh (Dharma Dhihada- Aashada Sankranti) and Nirjala Ekadashi, Rutt Raahde and Sakolade (Shravana Sankranti), Holi, Thongren Da Vrat (Krishna Janmashtami), Bacch Dua (Vatsa Dwadashi) and Drubadi (Durvashtami), Singh Sankrant (Simha Sankranti), Lohri, Tulsi Puja and Panj Bhikham (Bhishma Panchak), Jhiri Mela (October- November), Navratri Festival (September- October), Rath Kharda Mela, Shivratri (Herath).
