Jammu Tourism And Travel Guide

Part of the northernmost state of India and one of the three administrative divisions within the state is the district of Jammu. It is located on the banks of River Tawi at the foothills of the great Himalayas. It is popularly known as the ‘City of Temples’, as the district has a large number of ancient temples and shrines scattered across the region. It is also known as the ‘Gateway to Kashmir’. Unlike Kashmir, Jammu experiences hot and humid subtropical climate with chilly winters. Tourism in Jammu has something for everyone, from sightseeing to safaris, from temples to trekking, helicopter rides to shopping. Here is a snippet of travel guide to see in Jammu city in all its glory.

By Air:

The closest airport to Jammu is Jammu airport which is located within Jammu city itself. Private and public airlines like  IndiGo, Jet Airways, Go Air, Air India connect Jammu with other cities of the country. The nearest international airport is in New Delhi. From Jammu Airport, tourists can hire cabs to reach other places within the city.

By Rail: 

Jammu Tawi, a major railhead of northern India is located in Jammu city. The station is well connected by rail networks with cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi etc by trains like Jammu Rajdhani, Shamilar Express, Jammu Mail, Malwa Express, Jammu Tawai Express etc. 

By Road: 

Jammu lies on National Highway 1-A, referred to as B.C. Road, which connects Punjab with towns like Jammu and Srinagar before moving upwards to Ladakh. Many tourists drive to Jammu from neighbouring cities like Amritsar, Delhi, Chandigarh etc. There are also regular buses plying between Jammu and cities like Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Pathankot, Manali, Shimla, Ambala, Amritsar etc.

Getting Around: 

Getting around in Jammu and sightseeing is fairly easy as the city has well developed public transport system as well as private tour operators. Taxis, mini buses, auto rickshaws are easily available across the city as well.

Summer (April to June):

Contrary to beliefs, Jammu district experiences fairly high temperatures. Till March the weather remains pleasant and mild. From April onwards it starts getting warm. Despite the heat and humidity, there is lots of greenery all around with fresh blooms and a riot of colours. Jammu is compartively less crowded during these months as tourists prefer to hand out in the cooler areas of Gulmarg and Srinagar. 

Monsoon (July to September): 

With weather continuing to remain humid, monsoon rains nevertheless bring freshness and much needed respite. However it is not a preferred time to visit Jammu as risks of mudslides and landslides run high.

Winter (October to March):

Temperatures start dropping from October and winter sets in by November. In winter Jammu experiences influx of tourists as they move southwards to escape the freezing winters of Srinagar. Jammu becomes quite crowded during this time and it is advised to book in advance. Jammu never has temperatures falling below 0°C. Adventure activities get a real boost during these months. The famous Lohri festival is also celebrated in the month of January which is very popular among tourists.

Trekking: 

Jammu has some popular trekking trails in the region. There is the 13 km trek from Katra to Vaishno Devi shrine; the areas surrounding Mansar Lake also offers some good trekking options. The 32 km trek from Gulabgarh to the shrine of Machail Mata is quite a fascinating one.

Helicopter Ride to Poonch:

A helicopter ride to Poonch is one of the most beautiful things you can do in Jammu. It is a picturesque and tranquil town and an aerial view can be a stunner. From the helicopter the tourists are also treated to a magnificent view of the Pir Panjal Range and the enchanting landscape.

Boating and Fishing in Mansar Lake: 

This is a scenic picnic spot about 2 hours from Jammu. Lush green forests and hill ranges surround this lake and serve as a perfect getaway for the tourists in Jammu. It gives an opportunity to enjoy the serenity of the beautiful locale while boating in the lake. The more enthusiastic ones can even indulge in some fishing activities.

Visiting Temples and Shrines:

The most famous temple in Jammu is Vaishno Devi temple, an extremely revered and sacred temple in the country. There is the Shiv Khori Cave which houses a naturally formed lingam inside the cave. It is visited by hundred of pilgrims each year on the eve of Shivratri. Apart from these there is Sudh Mahadev Temple, Gauri Kund, Krimchi Temples, Mantalai, Kailash Kund, Shri Budha Amarnath Temple etc.

Jeep and Camel Safari:

Jeep safaris are very popular in Jammu given the rocky terrains of the region. Camel safaris are a huge hit among the tourists and also a great way to enjoy and soak in the splendid landscape of the valleys and villages. 

Jammu has much to offer tourists from a food lover’s perspective. It has a unique cuisine and Dogra dishes are extremely flavourful and delicious. Dogra dishes like Kashmiri Aloo, Kulthein di Dal, Dal Patt, Khatta Meat, Ma da Madra, Ambal, Rajma Chawal etc are absolutely bursting with flavours and have become popular through the country. Falak, the Revolving Restaurant, Imperial Grill Restaurant, Papa Di Hatti, K C 360 are some popular eateries in the region.

Shopping can be a great experience in Jammu and certainly should not be given a miss. You can go shopping for a souvenir to take back home. Jammu offers an endless list of things to shop for. Wood carvings on jewellery boxes and furniture pieces are very popular and are lovely decorative items to pick up. Papier Mache items like pen stands, flower vases, lamps make beautiful gifts. The entire state is poplar for their woven carpets and shawls and they are masterpieces. Sweets and dry fruits make excellent gifting items as well. Raghunath Bazaar, Kashmir Government Art Emporium, Pahalwa Di Hatti for sweets, handlooms houses etc are the places where you can shop to your heart’s content.