Local Tourist Attractions
Directory of Tourist places around katra Vaishno Devi Ji
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Aghar Jitto
Just 5 km away from Katra is Aghar Jitto, the Shrine of Baba Jitto , a devotee of Mata Vaishno Devi and a revolutionary who led a campaign against the feudal order. According to legends, a dip in the holy spring water, flowing n front of the shrine, does miracles to pre-natal women for safe delivery of children. A path from here leads to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
Baba Dhansar
Located 10 kms from Katra (1 km on foot) is Baba Dhansar, a beautiful and cool picnic spot. Here, a huge spring gushes out of the mountainside in a thick grove of trees and forms a number of small waterfalls before flowing into the holy Banganga . Next to the spring in a small grove in the rock face is a naturally formed ‘Shivling' on which droplets of water fall naturally all the year round. A major ‘mela' (fair) is held here during Shivratri .
Dera Baba Banda
At about 30 kms from Katra lies this major Hindu-Sikh pilgrimage centre. Baba Banda Bairaagi was Guru Gobind Singh's favourite 'Saint-soldier', who had the gurudwara constructed on the banks of river Chenab , where he spent his last days.
Salal Dam and Lake
95 Kms.from Jammu to the west of the Holy Shrine of Vashno devi ji is the Salal Dam and Lake . With an installed capacity of 400 mw of electricity, this is the largest Hydroelectric Project commissioned in the state so far. The lake formed behind the dam is 33 Kms. long. The Dam site can be visited with the permission of the project authorities.
Jajjar Kotli
On the national highway leading towards Srinagar, is the Jajjar Kotli Tourist Complex, built on the banks of the Jajjar rivulet, 35 kms away from Jammu. The crystal clear, cool waters of Jajjar attract picnickers in large numbers during summer. The J&K TDC has a tourist cafeteria with a bar and a small tourist bungalow to provide facilities to the visitors here.
Patnitop
Patnitop is enveloped by thickly wooded forests, Patnitop offers beautiful picnic spots, peaceful walks and breathtaking views of the mountain scape of the Chenab basin. In winter, the resort is generally covered with a thick mantle of snow thus providing opportunities for various snow games including skiing. It is the best developed tourist spot of Jammu and is second to none in its natural charm, climate, pine forests and lush green cover. This famous hill resort is perched on a beautiful plateau, at an altitude of 2024 metres across which the Jammu- Srinagar Highway passes.
Sanasar
129 Kms.from Jammu and only 19 Kms. from patnitop, Sanasar is a cup shaped meadow surrounded by gigantic conifers. A place for a quiet holiday, the meadow has now been developed as a golf courses. It also provides opportunities for paragliding. Accommodation is available in huts,Tourist Bungalow and dormitory of the J&K Tourism Development Corporation.
Kud
106 kms from Jammu. This popular resort is situated on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, at an altitude of 1738 metres. An ideal picnic spot this place has a bracing climate. Heavy woollen are required in winters while as light/medium clothing is required in summers. It is a very well developed hill station in Udhampur District. It also experiences heavy rainfall in rainy season.
Batote
125 Kms. Situated at an altitude of 1560 metres on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, this resort straddles the forested slopes of the Patnitop mountain range, overlooking the spectacular lie of the Chenab gorge. Accommodation is available in huts, Tourist Bungalow and dormitory of the J&K TDC.
The City of Jammu
The City of Jammu is popularly known as the "City of Temple". Innumerable temples and shrines with glittering "Shikhars" soar into the sky, like caretakers of the city, creating the ambiance of a truly holy city. Tucked away in the foothills of the Himalayas, with the picturesque river Tawi flowing alongside, stands the land that Raja Jambu Lochan discovered one day while he was hunting. Legend has it that he suddenly came upon a clearing where he saw a sight that left him speechless.
Raghunath Temple
Situated in the heart of the city and surrounded by a group of other temples, this temple dedicated to Lord Rama is outstanding and unique in northern India. Work on the temple was started by Maharaja Gulab Singh, founder of the Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir in 1835 AD and was completed by his son, Maharaja Ranbir Singh, in 1860 AD. The inner walls of the main temple are covered with gold sheet on three sides. There are many galleries with lakhs of 'Saligrams'. The surrounding temples are dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses connected with the epic Ramayana.
Ranbireshwar Temple
Located on Shalimar Road near the New Secretariat, and built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1883 AD, Ranbireshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has one central 'Lingam' measuring seven and a half feet in height (7.5 ft.) and twelve Shiva 'Lingams' of crystal measuring from 15 cms. to 38 cms. and galleries with thousands of Shiva 'Lingams' fixed on stone slabs
Mahamaya Temple and City Forest
On the By-pass Road, behind Bahu Fort. The city forest surrounds the ancient Mahamaya Temple overlooking the river Tawi. A small garden surrounded by acres of woods provides best view of the city.
Bagh-e-Bahu
5 kms. These extensive gardens, laid around the Bahu Fort provide a pleasant view of the city Open 8 a.rn. to 8 p.m. Bahu Fort: situated on a rock face on the left bank of the river Tawi, this is perhaps the oldest fort and edifice in the city. Constructed originally by Raja Bahulochan over 3,000 years ago, the existing fort was more recently improved and built by the Dogra rulers. There is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kali inside the fort.
Ramnagar Sanctuary
Ramnagar Sanctuary situated only 6 km.away from Jammu city, this sanctuary occupies an area of 31 sq.km. The area sustains 8 mammal species including nilgiri and barking deer and 15 species of birds. The best season for mammal viewing is September to March and for bird viewing March to May. Within the sanctuary is a two bedroom hut .For passes contact the Regional Wildlife Warden, Jammu .
Krimchi
Krimchi, On the way to Sudhmahadev-Mantalai, site of three of the oldest temples of Jammu . The architecture of the temples shows distinct Greek (Hellenic) influences. can be reached by taking a short detour of about 20 kms along a side road that branches off from the National Highway 1-A,about 8 kms short of Udhampur. Pancheri, a hill resort is a short distance away from here.
Mansar Lake
Situated 62 kms from Jammu, Mansar is a beautiful lake fringed by forest- covered hills, over a mile in length by half-a-mile in width. Besides being a popular excursion destination in Jammu, it is also a holy site, sharing the legend and sanctity of Lake Mansarovar. Newly weds consider it auspicious to perform three circumnavigations (‘Parikarma’) around the lake to seek the blessings of Sheshnag, the lord of serpents, whose shrine is located on its eastern bank. There are also some ancient temples on the lake’s shores, which are visited by devotees in large numbers. Mansar is also ideal for boating for which the Tourism Department provides adequate facilities.
Sudh Mahadev
This holy spot near Patnitop is situated at an altitude of 1225 mtrs.,about 120 Kms.from Jammu . The shrine is visited by pilgrims on the full moon night of 'Sawan'(July-August) to worship the 'Trishul'(trident) and a mace which is said to belong to Lord Shiv. The Devak stream originates at Sudh Mahadev and disappears among the rocks a few kilometres down stream.