For the people in India, Jammu is best known for the temple of the Goddess Vaishno Devi. But Jammu has much more to offer for the travelers who wish to explore this region with an open mind.
Jammu is a newly declared Indian Union Territory and is less popular compared to the neighboring region of Kashmir. Kashmir has always captivated the minds of the people because of its unparalleled beauty. But Jammu is often overlooked due to the lack of information about the many destinations it has to offer.
Jammu is located in the joint state of ‘Jammu & Kashmir’ in the northernmost region of India. Jammu is particularly popular because of the Vaishno Devi temple for the people who have not even been here. The tourism opportunities that are available in Jammu are immense. There are enough places to visit in Jammu for travelers of all budgets and interests.
# Vaishno Devi Temple This temple is on top of our list because it is the most popular site for religious as well as for regular tourists. Almost all tour operators promote this site and it is always mentioned in the Jammu Tour Packages.
Vaishno Devi Temple is easily on the list of top tourist places in Jammu. Every year, the temple is visited by thousands of devotees from all over India. Goddess Mahalakshmi is the deity that is worshipped here. For many people, this is considered the holiest site in the Hindu tradition.
# Mansar Lake Mansar Lake is located around 62 kilometers away from Jammu city. Surrounded by lush green forest and surrounding hills in the background, Mansar Lake is the top Jammu sightseeing destination for many. The place is ideal for a picnic with your family and friends.
Mansar Lake and Surinsar Lake are twin lakes with spiritual significance for many people. For the local community, it is a site of pilgrimage for many people. The Wildlife Sanctuary of Mansar is another tourist attraction nearby that is worth visiting. Many rare species of flora and fauna can be found here.
# Bahu Fort
To choose Jammu as a holiday destination to escape the mundane city life is essentially a good decision. Among the top tourist places in Jammu, Bahu Fort is surely in the top 3. This majestic fort is more than 3000 years old and is considered the most important landmark in the Jammu region.
Bahu Fort is only 5 kilometers away from the city and is culturally the most important monument in Jammu. According to history, the king called Raja Jambu decided to establish his kingdom by constructing this fort. Bahu Fort became the foundational landmark around which the Jammu was developed.
# Natha TopThis hill station is a beautiful winter destination popularized by the adventure tourism activity of Paragliding. Natha top is one of the top places to see in Jammu for its pristine beauty especially during the months of winter when the snow brings out the best of its landscape.
Natha top is quite close to the famous Patnitop hill station and is located at a height of around 2700 meters above sea level. Another popular adventure sport that is being practiced here is that of Skiing. Skiers and Paragliding enthusiasts from all over India choose Natha top as their adventure destination.
# ShivkhoriShivkhori is an important cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the district of Udhampur. This shrine is an important site for Hindu devotees who worship Lord Shiva. The naturally formed ‘Lingam’ is considered to be a sacred phenomenon and a representation of Shiva himself.
The 3-kilometer long trek to the shrine is quite challenging and for the devotees, it is all worth the effort. Many devotees feel elated when they reach the shrine and prostrate in front of the idol. This shrine holds immense importance in the hearts of the devotees of Lord Shiva.
# Raghunath TempleThe Raghunath Temple is the top Jammu sightseeing destination for domestic tourists. This famous temple is more than 100 years old and was constructed by the King who ruled in the early 19th century. The unique feature of this temple is that it houses idols of various gods and goddesses. However, the major deity that is worshipped in this temple is Rama who is one of the reincarnations of Lord Vishnu.
The temple is quite huge and is one of the largest constructions in Jammu. The temple’s architecture is similar to that of Mughal architectural designs. The temple is beautiful to look at and it houses idols belonging to all the major gods and goddesses.