Where Land Meets Sky – Jammu
“If I could choose where I would live, I would live by the mountains.”
Jammu is the largest city in the Jammu Division and the winter capital of state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated on the banks of the Tawi River. It has an average elevation of 327 m (1,073 ft). Jammu city lies at uneven ridges of low heights at the Shivalik hills. It is surrounded by Shivalik range to the north, east and southeast while the Trikuta Range surrounds it in the north-west. It is approximately 600 kilometres (370 mi) from the national capital, New Delhi.
Many historians and locals believe that Jammu was founded by Raja Jambu Lochan in the 14th century BC. During one of his hunting campaigns, he reached the Tawi River where he saw a goat and a lion drinking water at the same place. Having satisfied their thirst, the animals went their own ways. The Raja was amazed, abandoned the idea of hunting and returned to his companions. Recounting what he had seen, he exclaimed that this place, where a lion and a goat could drink water side by side, was a place of peace and tranquility. The Raja commanded that a palace be built at this place and a city was founded around it. This city became known as Jambu-Nagar, which then later changed into Jammu.
The Bahu Fort is located in Jammu city. The fort, said to be built by an earlier ruler, was refurbished during the Sikh Empire by Raja Gulab Singh in the 19th century. The fort is a religious place, and within its precincts has a temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, the presiding deity of Jammu. The temple is known locally as the “Bave Kali Mata temple”.
One can reach this magnificent fort through many ways. The nearest airport to Bahu Fort is the Jammu Airport, which is 5 kms away from Bahu Fort. The nearest railway station to Bahu Fort is the Jammu Tawi Train Station which is 2 kms away from Bahu Fort. Being on the hilly side it is not that convinient to travel via roads. However, on the left banks of the river Tawi the Bahu Fort stands quiet prominently and can be seen from quite a distance and hence is easy to spot in the region.
A popular Hindu festival known as “Bahu Mela” is held during the Navaratras in the fort area, twice a year, during March-April and September-October. This attracts a very large number of pilgrims to the fort and the temple located within it. Every week, Tuesday and Sunday are special days of worship at the temple. During the main festival time, special stalls are opened near the fort area and one can buy paraphernalia such as sweets, flowers, incense, coconuts, red cloth and so forth, to make special offerings to the deity in the temple.
Mubarak Mandi is a palace in Jammu. The palace was the royal residence of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir from the Dogra dynasty. It was their main seat till 1925 when Maharadja Hari Singh moved to the Hari Niwas Palace in the northern part of Jammu. The palace is located in the heart of the old walled city of Jammu and overlooks the Tawi River. Exemplary art and architecture of this palace makes it a speaking landmark of Kashmir. This palace is unique because it’s characterized by European, Mughal and Rajasthani style of architecture. A unique blend of these three styles of architecture adds grace to the beautiful palace.
Existence of this beautiful and majestic palace Mubarak Mandi adds to the grandeur of this region. The phenomenal look of this palace stuns tourists. Majestic halls and galleries of the palace are used for ceremonies and functions. Passing by this Dogra heritage tourists get the fragrance of royalty spread in the air of Jammu.
Amar Mahal Palace Museum was the place where Raja Amar Singh lived earlier. It is situated on the right bank of the Tawi River. The Sivalik Hills or ranges to the north of the Mahal, on the left bank of the river, provide a grand view, with the Tawi River flowing in between, draining the valley. It is well located adjoining the heritage hotel known as the Hari Niwas Palace Hotel, in the heart of the city, on the road to Kashmir. The palace is really beautiful which is made up of red stand stone which stands apart from the other picturesque sites. Now it is used as a Museum and is under the Hari-Tara Charitable Trust
The food of Jammu and Kashmir differs from region to region. It is characterised by its vast array of dishes cooked over a long period of time in exotic spices. The seasons and availability of fresh produce dictates the ingredients, some of which are dried and used in the winter months. The Dogra dishes include Aloo Dum, Rajma, Kashmiri Pulao as well as the staple Naan. You will also find chocolate barfi, patisa and a number of typical North Indian snacks
Reaching Jammu is as easy as going to the nearest supermarket. Jammu has an airport which though desperately needs modernization still has many flights from Delhi, Srinagar and Leh. Jammu is well connected by train to points south and east. Jammu Tawi is an important railhead of the Norther Railways serving the Jammu and Kashmir State. It is the second last major rail stop heading north. To Srinagar there are several J&K SRTC buses. Sumo jeep taxis also do this trip. Minibuses also run from outside Jammu bus stand and are more comfortable and sometimes cheaper than Sumos. For people who prefer comfortable journeys, one should try to hire a Toyota Innova, although it will be very expensive.
Jammu lies on the National Highway 1-A, and is connected by national highway network to all parts of the country. Amritsar – 243 kms, Chandigarh – 436 kms, Delhi – 586 kms, Katra – 48 kms, Srinagar – 305 kms, Manali – 428 kms, Patnitop – 112 kms. Mansar – 60 kms. One should definitely hire Gozocabs for a pleasant, blissful journey to this majestic, picturesque land
With Hot summers, cold winters, rainy monsoons and flowering autumns, Jammu can be visited anytime of the year depending on one’s interests. The best time to visit the city is however, during the famous festivals like Makara Sankranti (January), Ram Navami (March) and Deepvali (October) when the whole town gets dressed up like a queen and drenched in the festivities.
“Where snow-white mountains are immersed into deep meditation from pre-historic times
Where mountain streams are flowing with sweet sounds, as if little children are reciting their nursery rhymes.
Where green meadows, valleys of flowers and apple orchards are eagerly waiting to welcome you
Where peacefully happened confluence of three great religions – Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam
Visit the place at least once, and get enamoured by its beauty, splendour and charm.”
~ A poem by an unknown artist.
