Jammu Tourism Tour Packages

Jammu has historically been the capital of Jammu Province and the winter capital of the east, while Jammu and Kashmir princely state (1846–1952). Jambu Lochan was the brother of Raja Bahu Lochan who constructed a fort, Bahu Fort, on the bank of river Tawi. The city name figures in the ancient book Mahabharata. Excavation near Akhnoor, 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Jammu city, provides evidence that Jammu was once part of the Harappan civilization. Jammu is the largest city in the Jammu Division and the winter capital of state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is situated on the banks of the Tawi River.

Jammu, like the rest of north-western India, features a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cwa),[5] with extreme summer highs reaching 46 °C (115 °F), and temperatures in the winter months occasionally falling below 4 °C (39 °F). June is the hottest month with average highs of 40.6 °C (105.1 °F), while January is the coldest month with average lows reaching 7 °C (45 °F). Average yearly precipitation is about 42 inches (1,100 mm) with the bulk of the rainfall in the months from June to September, although the winters can also be rather wet. In winter dense smog causes much inconvenience and temperature even drops to 2 °C (36 °F). In summer, particularly in May and June, extremely intense sunlight or hot winds can raise the mercury to 46 °C (115 °F). Following the hot season, the monsoon lashes the city with heavy downpours along with thunderstorms: rainfall may total up to 669 mm (26.3 in) in the wettest months.

Jammu calls itself a temple town, and rightfully so. The temples that are scattered across the city, some at just a stone’s throw from it, are old and beautiful, and definitely worth a visit. Vaishno Devi is, of course nearby, and most people simply cut through Jammu to get to this much revered sacred temple. If you’re passing through Jammu to get to any other destination, don’t forget that the journey is often the reward.

While in the city, you can head to Bahu Fort, which also has a temple within its premises, and was built by Jambu Lochan’s brother Bahu Lochan. Built over 300 years ago on the banks of the River Tawi, this is the oldest structure in the city, and has seen a number of preservation and renovation attempts over the years. The deity of Maa Kali in the temple here is believed to be powerful, and devotees flock here to seek her blessings, especially on Tuesdays and Sundays. The garden surrounding the fort is a popular picnic spot for locals and tourists alike.

The Krishna and Shiva caves of the Gupawala Mandir are another major attraction In Jammu. This small temple is easy to miss, but once you’re inside the complex of small caves with striking sculptures and sketches of the Gods, the colors will leave you awestruck.

The Raghunath Temple, built in the 1800s, is another source of pride and joy for the locals of Jammu. With seven shrines, and the inner walls covered in golden sheets, this temple is quite a sight. Add to it the ancient scriptures and holy texts found here, and you truly have one of the gems of Northern India.

Through the middle ages, Jammu prospered. Changes of rule at Delhi or Lahore passed over without disturbing the affluence of the town. The fertile cultivable land around the town constantly generated wealth and unlike many medieval towns, Jammu was never depopulated. The town was also a major stopover for caravans on the trade routes to Kashmir, Asia Minor and beyond and was a base for the fabled Silk Route.

The state of Jammu & Kashmir, which was earlier under the rule of Hindus and Muslims, came under the rule of Mughals under emperor Akbar. After the period of Afghan rule from 1756, it was annexed to the Sikh kingdom of the Punjab in 1819. In 1846, Ranjit Singh made over the territory of Jammu to Maharaja Gulab Singh and Jammu and Kashmir came into being as a single political and geographical entity following the Treaty of Amritsar between the British Government and Gulab Singh signed on March 16, 1846.

Since then, the state remained under the Dogra rule till the time India gained independence. At the time of independence, like all the state, Jammu and Kashmir was also given the option of either joining India or Pakistan. However, the then ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh decided not to exercise the option immediately but had to sign the instrument of accession when Pakistan attacked the territory later the same year.

Fairs & Festivals

There is no city specific festival of Jammu as such. Normally, all the Hindu and other religious festivals are celebrated here with gaiety. However, what makes any celebration in Jammu different is the traditional dance and music of the Dogra Pahari region of Jammu. These songs and dances are performed on the occasion of feasts, festivals and marriages by the rural folk of this region. Men and women clad in their traditional costumes, participate in this musical revelry.

Besides, every year during Baisakhi in the month of April, a food and craft festival is organized near the Mansar Lake by the JKTDC.

Best Time to Visit

Being near the Himalayas, the climate of the entire area is cold though summers are markedly warm. The temperatures range from 26.2°C to 4.3° C in winters and from 43.0°C to 23.4°C during summers. The recommended clothing for winters would be heavy/medium woolens while light cottons would be the best for summers in Jammu. Summers in Jammu are a sweltering, uncomfortable contrast to the cool climes of Kashmir. However, from October onwards, it becomes quite pleasant.

How to Reach

BY AIR -

Jammu is well connected with the rest of the country by all the major means of transport. The city is accessible by air and the city has an airport. A number of flights are available to and from several of the major cities in the country.

BY RAIL -

Jammu Tawi is the main railhead that has a number of trains for most of the important towns and cities of the country. Moreover, the longest rail route that stretches from Jammu Tawi to Kanyakumari and touches almost all the main cities and towns of the country, originates from here.

BY ROAD -

One can easily reach Jammu by the National Highway 1A that goes from Punjab and runs through this city, connecting it to the rest of the state including the capital Srinagar. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.