The city has a number of temples wrapped in age-old myths and quite a few forts and palaces. Owing to the cool and pleasant climate and its scenic landscapes Jammu and Kashmir showcases itself as a valley right out of heaven. Jammu and Kashmir offers its tourists heartwarming hospitality and a lot to look out for. With mouth watering cuisines, luxury boat houses and divine valleys to visit, there can never be a dull moment in Jammu and Kashmir. No wonder, that Jammu and Kashmir is one of the top picturesque states in India and is blesses with the most scenic destination.
Attractions:
Bahu Fort: The impressive structure Bahu Fort is amazing due to its construction itself and is the oldest fort in Jammu city. The fort renovated by rulers of Dogra in a later period, was constructed by Raja Bahulochan, nearly 300 years back.A majestic garden, known as Bagh-e-Bahu with extensive lawns beautifully filled with flowers and plants is a favorite picnic spot and surrounds the Bahu Fort. The garden has all types of attractions ranging from plants, shrubs, big trees and flowers to waterfalls.
Mansar lake: with its length more than a mile and width half-a-mile, is a very attractive lake in the midst of lusting greeneries surrounded by forest-covered hills. It is considered as a very holy site known from mythological periods sharing the sanctity and legacy of Mansa Sarovar. It is a very popular base of tourists. A temple for a snake god, Sheshnag, is located on the banks of lake. It is believed that it is auspicious for newly wed couples to seek blessings of Sheshnag by performing three parikarma around the lake. Holy dip in the Mansar Lake is assumed to be purifying the sins.
Mubarak Mandi Palace: A palace complex having a history of more than 150 years, Mubarak Mandi Palace, was the royal residence of the erstwhile Dogra Kings. A very beautiful architecture, blended with Baroque, Mugal, Rajasthani and European styles, attracts the tourists invariantly to this spot. The most striking section is the Sheesh Mahal. The pink hall in this palace houses the Dogra art museum displaying many valued paintings. The galleries and the beautifully decorated halls have witnessed many ceremonies and official functions. This complex, surrounding a beautiful courtyard and a fabulous garden, was the venue for many significant proceedings involving common people and royal audience. The palace site has an imposing view of Tawi river and old city built on the hillock.
Surinsar lake: Whipping calm, the feature of the beautiful lake Surinsar, located in the proximity of Jammu, is extra ordinary. Surrounded by thick forests in the backdrop of hilly terrains, the lake is a much loved picturesque tourist spot in Jammu region. Blossomed with lotus flowers, the lake looks like water based lotus garden in summer. Hindu mythology points the origination of the lake to the legendary warrior Arjuna. It is believed that he shot an arrow to the Mansar land and the arrow pierced the earth and came out through at a place in Surinsar, hence both the lakes are formed.
Amar Mahal: constructed by King Raja Amar of Dogra in 1890s, is planned by a French architect and looks like a French chateau with Indian artisans. This beautiful architectural monument served as the Royal family residence for many years. It was made out of red sand stone. Later the palace was turned to museum with rich collections of paintings, books, inscriptions and sculptures. Durbar hall of the museum is very attractive and is adorned with family portraits of rulers of Jammu and Kashmir along with magnificient Pahari paintings. The exhibits like throne of Maharaja Hari Singh, made of 120 kg solid gold, are spectacular.
Bawey Wali Mata Temple: The renowned Bawey Wali Mata Temple is placed in the interiors of the Bahu Fort and the temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali. It is assumed that this famous temple is constructed in 1822, immediately after Maharaja Gulab Singh took the throne of the Kingdom. The local folks believed that this Goddess, Bawey Wali Mata, is the presiding deity of the whole region of Jammu. Lots of devotees throng to this temple offering prayers on Tuesdays and Sundays. It is strongly believed that the Bawey Wali Mata has mystical powers and the temple is second only to Mata Vaishno Devi temple.
Trekking in Doda: Doda with snow clad peaks, undulated mountain regions and virgin trekking trails is best suitable for adventurous trekking. There are many trekking routes connecting Lal Draman, Machail, Gupt Ganga, Zumum Palmar, Vasukinag, Reushra, Sarthal and Kailash Yatra. Trekking through the unexplored hilly terrains of Doda district is really a wonderful experience of passing through places of incredible captivating scenic beauty.
Peer Khoh Cave Temple: A cave temple of Lord Shiva, has its main deity as Swayambhu Shivling. This shrine is also known as Jamawant Cave located nearby river Tawi. The temple, placed in the midst of acacia forest and igneous rocks, is supposed to be the one of the historic and ancient shrine in the Shivalik region. It is said that this cave is the gateway to some other caves and shrines, which are placed outside India.
