Jammu is the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir that lies at a height of 1,127 ft in the foothills of the Himalayas. This city is also called the "City of Temples", as there are many sacred temples and shrines creating a perfect ambiance of a sacred and serene holy city. Jammu has two distinct areas. The old town lies at the top of the hill overlooking the River Tawi and the new town is at the bottom.
Jammu is also renowned for its ancient temples, forts, gardens, and castles. The historic monuments of Jammu reflect a unique mix of Hindu and Islamic style of architecture.
Historical monuments in Jammu
Jammu houses numerous holy shrines like Amarnath and Vaishno Devi. The place also houses ancient palaces, forts, mosques and other architectural ruins that display the glory of the bygone era.
Vaishno Devi Temple
Vaishno Devi shrine is one of the major attractions of Jammu. It is located at Katra, close to Jammu. It is nestled at a height of 1700 m on top of Trikuta Hills. It is dedicated to Vaishno devi, a manifestation of the Hindu Mother Goddess, formed from the combined energies of Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.
Mondi Palace
The `Mondi Palace` that was built during the 1880s, now houses the High Court. Balanced high over the river, it is entered via a large quadrangle, and there is a huge reception room to its right. The verandah outside the small reception room commands fine scenic views.
Amar Singh Mahal
The Amar Singh Mahal was built in the early 20th century by Maharaja Sir Pratap Singh in an elegant classical Art Deco style, as a successor to the `Mondi Palace`. The palace museum has a portrait gallery and an important collection of paintings.
Dogra Art Gallery
Dogra Art Gallery has a notable collection of miniatures from the local schools of painting. It is located in the Gandhi Bhavan, next to the New Secretariat.
Bahu Fort
Bahu Fort is another well renowned historic monument of Jammu city. It serves as a religious temple and is situated on the left Tawi River. It is the oldest fort of Jammu city and was built by Raja Bahulochan almost 300 years ago. There is a temple inside this fort that is devoted to Goddess Kali. This fort is beautifully surrounded with a terraced garden.
Raghunath Temple
Raghunath Temple is located at the heart of Jammu city and is a famous monument. It was constructed by the first Dogra ruler Maharaja Gulab Singh in the year 1835 and later his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh got it completed in the year 1860.
Mubarak Mandi Palace
Mubarak Mandi palace was the royal residence of the maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir from the Dogra dynasty. It was their main seat till 1925 when Maharaja Hari Singh moved to the Hari Niwas Palace in the northern part of Jammu.
Akhnoor Fort
Akhnoor fort is located on the banks of Chenab River and represents the Akhnoor Town"s history. Construction of the fort was started by Raja Tegh Singh in 1762 CE and completed by his successor Raja Alam Singh in 1802.
Bhimgarh Fort
Bhimgarh Fort was constructed with mud/clay that was washed later and reconstructed using stone by Maharaja Rishipal Rana. The alluring grand entrance and stone walls were later on added by the King Gulab Singh. It was used by the royal family members for shelter during emergencies.
