Known as the city of Temples, Jammu was originally founded by Raja Jamboo Lochan in the 14th century. The king named the city ‘Jamboo’ after himself but it gradually metamorphosed into Jammu. During Navaratri, the city teems with the devout heading to Vaishno Devi Temple (Jammu is the nearest airport to Katra, the gateway to Vishnu Devi). Here is a quick list of all that you must see/do/eat in Jammu if you travel there during Navratri 2023:
Must-see in Jammu
Raghunath Temple, with seven shrines each with its own lofty ‘shikhara’, it is one of the largest temple complexes of north India.
The temples of Raghunath, Jammu. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Sudh Mahadev Temple and Mantalai Temple: Nearly 5,000 years old, both the temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. It is believed that the stone slab of Mantilla Temple is the platform where Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati.
Sanasar Lake: Nearly 20 kilometres west of Patnitop, the area is notable for its scenic views of mountain ranges including the Brammah peak. A nearby mountain range is called the Shanta Ridge. Do not miss the echo point.
Sanasar Lake. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Mubarak Mandi Palace: The palace was the royal residence of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir from the Dogra dynasty and was their main seat till 1925.
Akhnoor Fort: This two-storied fort which is perched on a cliff overlooking river Chenab was built by Raja Alam Singh in 1802.
Amar Mahal Jammu: Located atop a hill overlooking the Tawi river, this museum is housed in the Amar Mahal Palace, built in 1862.
Bahu Fort: Situated 5 kms away from the city centre, Bahu Fort stands on a rock face on the left bank of the river Tawi. Perhaps the oldest fort and edifice in the city, it was constructed originally by Raja Bahulochan over 3,000 years ago.
Pir Budhan Shah's Shrine: The tomb of Pir Budhan Shah is located near the Jammu airport. According to popular belief, the Pir protects the city from mishaps and evil spirits.
Nathatop, Jammu. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Nathatop: A haven for adventure enthusiasts, this scenic hilltop is located around 14 kms from Patnitop.
Must do
Ride India’s first green gondola
India's first green gondola. (Photo courtesy Skyview by Empyrean)
Built in 2019 by Skyview by Empyrean, it is India’s first ‘green gondola’ and one of the highest CEN-certified gondolas in Asia covering 2.8 km in flat 10 minutes! The gondola will take you to the 22-acre Skyview by Empyrean where you can indulge in adventure activities such as trekking, mountain Biking, Archery, Zipline, All-Terrain Vehicles and more.
Helicopter rides: The Helicopter Ride to Vaishno Devi Temple. Helicopter tours are also available to explore the stunning Pir Panjal mountain ranges. Book a helicopter ride to the hill stations of Samaras and Patnitop near Jammu.
Adventure options
Jammu has several options for adventure lovers (Photo courtesy: Skyview by Empyrean)
Popular trekking routes include Shivgarh Trek, Patnitop Trek, Raja Shankpal Trek, and Mantalai Lake Trek. At Skyview By Empyrean, take your pick from Asia’s longest Zig-Zag Zipline, Magic Carper, India’s first dry Tubing Sledge. Try paragliding from atop Patnitop, or white water rafting in the Chenab and Rawi River. Camp in Sanasar and Patnitop. In the winter months, Patnitop becomes a skiing hub and a few adventure parks in the area offer ziplining.
What to eat
Wazwan: The royal platter, slightly different from the traditional Kashmiri wazwan, consists of 36 dishes, including pulao, dum aloo, gushtaba, kabargah, harissa, mutton rogan josh, among other non-vegetarian delicacies.
Mitha Madra: Local vegetarian dish which is cooked using milk and garnished with raisins and dry fruits.
Khatta Mutton: Cooked over charcoal in mustard oil, this tangy mutton dish is made with lemon or pomegranate.
Rajma: Must eat spicy red rajma with rice.
Kasrod: Fiddlehead fern usually made by the Dogras.
Looch and nadermonj: Lotus stem fritters served with looch, a local bread.
Other dishes include Morel (local version of Pulao), Oria (pumpkin and mustard sauce), Madra (curd and lentil), Sasha (chutney made from green mangoes), and Meetha Baath (sweet rice). Wash these down with kahva, the local tea, or noon tea (salted tea).
Where to eat
Banana Leaf, Skyview By Empyrean: From mouth-watering vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian, Chinese, and Continental meals to desserts from India and abroad, Banana Leaf has it all!
Falak Revolving Restaurant: Try the Madra, Rajma, Dum Aloo, Rogan Josh, and the special Falak Paneer.
Pahalwan Di Hatti: Jammu’s famous sweets and snacks restaurant - try Chole Bhature, Lassi, Rajma Chawal, Kaladi Kulcha and the North Indian Thali.
Dogra Haveli: Known for its Dogri cuisine including Kaladi, Ambal, and Dum Aloo.
Kaffberry Multi-Cuisine Restaurant: A great place for both Indian and Chinese cuisine. Sample their Tandoori specialties, Manchurian, and Noodles.
Zamindara Dhaba: Try the North Indian Thali, Dal Makhni, Paneer dishes, and the desserts at this popular vegetarian restaurant.
Billu Di Hatti Restaurant: Butter Chicken, Mutton Rogan Josh and Tandoori dishes are the hot favourites.
KC Residency Restaurant: Their buffet includes a mix of Indian, Chinese, and Continental dishes.
Moti Mahal Deluxe: Famous for its tandoori and Mughlai dishes.
Where to stay
Skyview by Empyrean combines luxury with adventure options including Asia’s longest Zig-Zag Zipline, Magic Carper, India’s first dry Tubing Sledge (Photo courtesy: Skyview by Empyrean)
Skyview by Empyrean that combines rustic living with luxury & adventure. You can only reach Skyview via the gondola. Other luxury options include Radisson Blu Jammu, Fortune Inn Riviera, Jammu and the Vivanta Jammu.
3-star options are Hotel Asia (Jammu Tawi), Hotel Vardaan (city centre Jammu), Hotel Green Top (Patnitop).
Getting there
Air: Direct flights between Jammu-Delhi and vice versa operate on a daily basis with a flying time of approximately one hour. It is well connected to other metros also.
Train: Several trains ply between stations at Delhi and Jammu, including Jammu Rajdhani Express, Vande Bharat and the Shalimar Express; the run time is 7-12 hours. It is also well connected to other metro by train.
By road: The NH44 connects the 600-650 kms between Jammu and Delhi and drive time is between 10 and 14 hours. If you are travelling during the winter months, check snow advisory.
Things to remember
Clothing: It can get very cold from November to February, pack a lot of woollens.
are cold so pack warm woolens and thick jackets.
Phone and connectivity: Prepaid phone connections do not work in Jammu & Kashmir (if you are not a resident of J&K state). Post-paid connections work well, but signals can be patchy in remote hilly areas.
Wi-Fi and Internet: Most hotels, cafes and public places in Jammu offer Wi-Fi connectivity, but the quality and speed can vary. As a backup, update a data plan on your mobile device.
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