Jammu City

By Sanjeev Nayyar Sanjeev@esamskriti.com | 2014

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Visited Jammu in Oct 2014. This collection shows you Jammu''s Palace and Temples. Jammu is also known as The City of Temples. U see Amar Mahal Palace. It is on top of a hill, on the banks of the river Tawi.

The Palace Complex houses the Amar Mahal Palace, a hotel whose garden you see and the Raj Bhawan. Hill that you see at end of pic is on the opposite side of the river Tawi.

Another view of the Palace. There is something abouts its design which I loved. Today it houses a photo gallery on its ground floor and library on higher floors. During 1730 the Dogra rulers built the city of Jammu as their capital and adorned it with various temples.

Maharaja Gulab Singh (1792-1857) founder of Dogra rule in J&K. To see pic of his Raj Tilak by Maharaja Ranjit Singh Click here

A front view of the Palace. Palace built in red sandstone and red bricks. To read about Amar Mahal Palace and Library Click here

A rear view of the palace. There is a golden throne on display and some old pictures of Dogra Rulers. This palace was made around 1890''s, planned by a French architect. Maharani Tara Devi (wife of Maharaja Hari Singh) lived here till her death in 1967 after which it was converted into a Museum.

Area that you see across the river is today occupied mostly by residents of Kashmir Valley.

In Palace Gallery is this painting of former Prime Minister Nehru. Which ever u look at it appears as if the image is looking at you.

Basholi Paintings, a specialty of Jammu region. To see more pics of Basholi Paintings Click here

Entrance to one of the restored portions of the Mubarak Mandi Palace that dates back to 1824. Close by is the Dogra Arts Museum - worth a look. Missed seeing the Ranbir Canals which conducts water from the river Chenab in the reverse direction into the heart of the city from a distance of 32 kms. Built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh.

Shri Ranbireshwar Mandir is named after its founder Maharaja Ranbir Singh. Construction was started in 1863 and completed in 1878. The temple houses a huge sphatic Shivling measuring 7 and a half feet in height surrounded by ten two feet high crystals lingas and galleries with 1.25 lakhs tiny Shivlings from the river Narmada. Very clean and serene. Loved the place. Very good vibrations.

Shri Raghunathji Mandir is perhaps the most famous temple of Jammu. It was built in 1857 by Maharaja Ranbir Singh. The main temple has images of Shri Rama, Ma Sita and Shri Lakshmaniji. There are many galleries with lakhs of saligrams. The temple has a Sanskrit library with rare manuscripts.

Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanak Devji has three feet marble image of Guru Nanak that you see, is about 250 years old. It is also known as Panchyati Gurudwara.

Brief history of Bahu Fort. Captions of temples taken from J&K Tourism brochure.

Entrance to Bahu Fort has number of shops who apply mahendi, here is an example.

Inside Bahut Fort is Bawey Wala Mata Mandir, one of the most respected Shakti Shrines in the Jammu region. Cannot take camera inside temple.

Overview of Bahu Fort. It is a small fort on the banks of the Tawi river, not comparable to the ones of Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gwalior.

Nice garden, opp side of river is Jammu city.

Just outside Bahu Fort this man was having a bath, could not resist asking him if could take his pic. He sportingly agreed.

Overview of Jammu town from Bahu Fort. Right of pic old structure that you see is Mubarak Mandi Palace. On the same hill a bit ahead is Amar Mahal Palace.

A 5-8 minute drive from Bahu Fort is Hari-ki-Pauri on the banks of the river Tawi. It has images of all key temples and pilgrimage places in India. Creatively done and very clean.

Jogi Guru Garib Nath who belonged to the Guru Goraknath Order came to Jammu and meditated at Peer Khoh (cave). Photography not allowed inside cave. It is very clean and well laid out. Spent some time inside the cave, felt very good. A Shivalinga is established inside the cave.

In Jammu you see Balidhan Sthamb in remembrance of those who sacrificed on soil of J&K to maintain the unity and integrity of India. It was opened in 2009. To see pics of Army and Air Force Memorial at Poonch Click here

This is Panchvaktar Mandir made by Raja Guje Singh of Jammu (1687-1703) and is considered one of the oldest in Jammu. It is linked to the visit of Sankaracharya in the 9th century. The temple is constructed later. It is considered sacred because of the self-originated Shivling (Svayambhuva Shivalinga).

Tree that you saw in centre of pic is supported by wooden planks. Entire flooring has coins embedded in it. The Lord is worshipped here in the Swachananda form having five faces representing the totality of Shiva in his abstract form. Hence it is known as Panchvktar.

Coins from the British times. Also see Rani Kalhuri Devi Temple (made around 1889) by Rani Shuba Devi wife of Maharaja Ranbir Singh, Parmeshwari belonged around 1820. It is dedicated to Raghunathji. Also see Panjthirthi is the in the oldest part of the city, has 5 temples close to each other, considered by the people of Jammu as Panch Tiraths hence its name.

Breeding of cows within the temple complex. Temple is situated in the old city. Also visit Sardaran Temple made by Sardar Attar Singh 1856-1885. It is dedicated to Shri Ram. 112 kms from Jammu is Patnitop, lovely deodhar trees great place to visit when snows. Lack of time so could not go. To see lovely pics Click here

Mosque near Bahu Fort entrance (Mata Mandir). Did not have a name but wonder why mosques come up close to Hindu places of worship. About 19 kms from Patnitop is Sanasar, has meadows beautiful place to walk around. Could not go but very scenic. To know more Click here

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