Amar
Mahal Palace
This magnificent palace, with inclined roofs
and high towers, so typical of continental
castles, reminds one of France. The palace
has been transformed into a museum which also
houses the city's best library of very old
books and paintings. A complete sequence of
miniatures on the epic Nal-Damayanti can be
seen in the museum.
Peer Khoh
This cavern shrine is positioned 3.5 Kms
from the township of Jammu. This shrine
is devoted to Shiva and a naturally formed
Shiva ling is worshipped here. The distant
past of this lingam is not identified. It
is said that this cave gives way to other
subversive caves and shrines, a few of which
are even positioned outside India.
Ranbireshwar Temple
This temple was built by Maharaja Ranbir
Singh in 1883 A.D., and is devoted to Lord
Shiva. The main Shiva lingam in the temple
is 71/2 feet in elevation encircled by numerous
little Shiva lingams made of crystals.
Raghunath Temple
This temple is devoted to Lord Rama. The
inner walls of the temple are enclosed with
gold sheets on 3 faces. The adjacent regions
of the temple are devoted to other Gods
and Goddess from the classic Ramayana. The
temple is positioned in the center of Jammu.
Ranbir Canal
These gardens are positioned on banks of
a canal which branches from River Chenab.
The gardens offer outstanding pathways and
a wonderful sight of the adjoining areas.
Even during summers, the water in the canal
is ice cold. The Ranbir Canal is a well-liked
picnic destination.
Bahu Fort
This fort is conceivably the oldest construction
in Jammu. The fort is built on rocks opposite
the Tawi River. A temple devoted to Goddess
Kali is inside this Fort. Close to the fort
are elegantly laid gardens, which offer
a fantastic sight of Jammu.
Peer Baba
Jammu is dwelling to the renowned dargaah
of the Muslim saint, Peer Budhan Ali Shah.
On Thursdays, apart from Muslims, Hindus
and Sikhs also arrive here in great numbers
to give their reverence to the Saint.
Peer Mitha
It is one more renowned Muslim shrine in
Jammu. Peer Mitha was a contemporary of
Ajaib Dev and Ghareeb Nath - both saints
were well-known for their divination and
phenomenon. "Mitha" means "sweet",
for the Peer would accept nothing more than
a dash of sugar in present from his devotees.
Mubarak Mandi PalaceThe structural
design of this palace is a distinctive mix
of Rajasthani, Mughal and Gothic styles.
The palace compound dates back to 1824 A.D.
The Sheesh Mahal section in the palace is
most renowned. The pink hallway has now
been transformed into the Dogra art museum,
which is a treasure house of miniature paintings
from the different hill schools.
Katra
Katra acts as a foundation camp for devotees
coming to visit the Vaishno Devi Shrine.
One must not neglect the chance to saunter
all the way through the central bazaar for
buying mementos, dry fruits, woolen clothes,
hosiery, leather jackets, etc.
Places
of Interest in Katra
Vaishno Devi
The consecrated place of worship of Mata
Vaishno Devi is located at a space of 14
Kms from Katra. From Katra, one has to hike
uphill to arrive at the renowned place of
worship. Located atop Mount Tricuta, Vaishno
Devi temple is well thought-out to be one
of the most consecrated places of worship
in India.
The place of pilgrimage of
Vaishno Devi is not the final spot of pilgrimage.
One has to journey uphill to Ban Ganga,
where it is understood that, the divine
Mata quenched her thirst. A further journey
of 6 Kms will carry you face to face with
another place of worship, Adhkawari. Legends
say that, Mata Vaishno Devi had hidden in
this cave while trying to elude a demon.
Aghar Jitto
Just 5 km from Katra is Aghar Jitto, the
place of worship of Baba Jitto, a follower
of Mata Vaishno Devi and a radical who led
a movement against the feudal order. According
to legends, a plunge in the holy spring
water, flowing in front of the shrine, does
miracles to pre-natal women for secure delivery
of children. A path from here leads to Shri
Mata Vaishno Devi.
Dera Baba Banda
Nearly 30 Kms from Katra lies this key Hindu-Sikh
pilgrimage centre. Baba Banda Bairaagi,
who was Guru Gobind Singh's favourite 'Saint-soldier',
spent his last days here.
Baba Dhansar
Positioned just 10 Kms from Katra lays Baba
Dhansar, a stunning and breezy picnic spot.
Here, a massive spring gushes out of the
ridge in a solid orchard of trees and forms
a number of little waterfalls before flowing
into the sacred Banganga.
Shiva Khori
This sacred cave is just about a kilometer
long and houses a 4 ft high, naturally formed
'Shiva ling'. It is considered second only
to the place of pilgrimage of Mata Vaishno
Devi in spiritual significance. Situated
at a distance of about 100 Kms from Jammu
and about 75 Kms from Katra, Shiva Khori
hosts a key fair on Shivratri day each year.
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