Around and About Jammu
How do I get there?
By air
India Travel Packages - Jammu’s airport is connected by air to New Delhi, Srinagar and Leh by the national domestic carrier as also by some private airlines. The Satwari airport is 6 km from town and one can hire a taxi to get to the city centre - Travel Packages of India.
By train
Indin Travel Packages - The Jammu Tawi station (General Inquiry and Reservation – Ph: 431085,431407,131) is in the new town across Tawi River. Trains come in from Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Kanyakumari and Calcutta - Indian Travel Packages Asia.
By road
Travel Packages to Jammu - A national highway connects the city to the rest of the country. You can drive in or come by bus. The bus network works quite well – and besides the dilapidated state buses, there are private deluxe and airconditioned buses as well. You just have to get used to the drivers! The Bus stand in Jammu is in the old town, off the Srinagar road. Delhi is 586 kms away, while Amritsar is at 243 kms and Srinagar 305 kms. Katra, the base town before the climb up to the Vaishno Devi shrine, is 48 kms away - Jammu Travel Packages.
Getting Around
Travel Packages of Jammu - The Jammu & Kashmir Tourist Reception Centre, Vir Marg (Ph: 0191 - 546851) runs a regular bus service in the town. Autorickshaws, private mini-buses and tempos are the other modes of transport. Un-metered taxis are a more expensive option. Private cars can be hired from the travel agents, hotels and the taxi association. All rented cars are chauffeur driven. Self-drive vehicles are not available - India Travel Packages.
When to Go
Travel Packages of India - The best time to visit Jammu is between November and March, when the weather becomes pleasant. Summers are quite unbearably hot - Indin Travel Packages.
Where do I Stay?
Indian Travel Packages Asia - Jammu has a good range of hotels, from a couple of luxury heritage hotels to the mid-range Tourist Reception Centre and budget dharamshalas (religious hostels) where inexpensive accommodation is available on a first-come-first-served basis - Travel Packages to Jammu.
What to bring
Jammu Travel Packages - Summers are hot, so light cottons will suffice. You are in the heart of conservative India, so one would suggest you leave the very short shorts and strappy shirts back home. In winter woollens would be required. If you are taking the trek up to the cave shrine of Vaishno Devi, make sure to carry waterproof clothing and clean drinking water. Carry prescription medicines - Travel Packages of Jammu.
Things to Do
Dining & Entertainment
Shopping
City Getaways
Dining & Entertainment
India Travel Packages - The up-market hotels in Jammu have restaurants with reasonably good international food moulded to the local palette. Some restaurants also has an evening entertainment programme, while some have a beautiful night view of the lights on the trek route up to Vaishno Devi. Some excellent north Indian food as well as Chinese (the Indian version!) cuisine and fast food is available all over. The famed Kashmiri cuisine can be savoured at some restaurants. Make sure you avoid food that is lying open and raw salads. Do drink bottled mineral water - Travel Packages of India.
Shopping
Indin Travel Packages - The main shopping areas are at Raghunath Bazaar, Hari Bazaar and Upper Gummat. At the Cottage Emporium it is possible to buy handicrafts from different states. Fine pashmina shawls and the woollen pherans (long robes worn by men and women) with crewelwork embroidery are a good buy. Kashmiri woodcarvings are also worth picking up - Indian Travel Packages Asia.
City Getaways
Travel Packages to Jammu - The Surinsar and Mansar Lakes located about 45 kms and 60 kms from Jammu are associated with the epic Mahabharata. These beautiful lakes, surrounded by forested hills and with boating facilities, are popular picnic spots. The Surinsar Lake has a tiny island in the middle - Jammu Travel Packages.
Travel Packages of Jammu - In between the two lakes and about 42 kms from Jammu is the Surinsar - Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread over 98 square kms the sanctuary is the habitat of several animal and bird species, including the wild boar, barking deer, leopard, black partridge, red jungle fowl, peafowl, grey partridge, green pigeon, blue rock pigeon, and turtle dove. There are comfortable bungalows and huts for overnight stay.
112 kms from Jammu is Patnitop a resort on a plateau at 2,024 metres. Surrounded by thick alpine forests and a good view of the Chenab valley, Patnitop is developing as an alternative get-away after unrest in the Kashmir valley. In winter the snow-covered slopes are used for skiing, while in summer good trekking opportunities are available around the resort. There is a tourist lodge as well as tented accommodation available at Patnitop. The resort also provides conference hall facilities. Just 17 kms from Patnitop is an idyllic resort-cum-golf course at Sanasar. Sitting on a luxuriant grassy meadow, Sanasar is being developed along with Patnitop for adventure sports, including paragliding and skiing. There is a tourist bungalow and cluster of independent huts for staying overnight.
Sitting on the slopes of Patnitop at a height of 1,560 metres is Batote. Overlooking the gorge of the Chenab, Batote has residential facilities and a short trek leads up to Sanasar and Patnitop.
About 106 kms from Jammu in the district of Udhampur is Kud, another small hill resort. Locatedat a height of 1,738 metres, the resort has state tourism bungalows as well as private hotels. There are some good treks around the resort.
Jhajjar Kotli, 35 kms from Jammu on the Jammu-Srinagar road is a picnic spot next to the Jhajjar stream. Surrounded by dense forests, it has a café with bar and residential facilities. At a height of 2,000 metres is the shrine of Mantalai. According to Hindu Mythology, Lord Shiva married goddess Parvati at this spot.
32 kms from Jammu is the ancient town of Akhnoor. Sitting next to the Chenab where it reaches down to the plains, Akhnoor has been associated with the legend of the tragic lovers Soni-Mahiwal. The Jeopota Temple in Akhnoor was an important Hindu shrine.
At the foot of the Trikuta Hills 50 kms from Jammu is the small transit town of Katra. The town has grown in importance as the base for the pilgrim trek up to Vaishno Devi. The town has a state tourism bungalow and several private hotels to accommodate an estimated four million devotees passing through on their way to the cave shrine.
Nestling on top of the Trikuta Hills at a height of 1,700 metres is the sacred cave shrine of Vaishno Devi, the mother goddess. At a distance of 61 kms from Jammu, the cave is 30 metres long and just one-and-a half metres high. At the end of the cave are shrines dedicated to three forms of the mother goddess – Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasarasvati. Pilgrims have to enter in small groups through a narrow opening and walk through ice-cold waters to reach the shrines.
According to legend, the mother goddess hid in the cave while escaping a demon, whom she ultimately killed. The 13 km climb can be done on foot or by using ponies and dandies (local palanquin). The road has been re-laid and widened, with teashops and snack bars along the route. As devotees make their way up to the cave, they go into a frenzied spell of singing and shouting "Jai Mata di" (Hail the mother goddess).
For entry into the shrine, devotees need to get a Yatra slip issued by the Shrine Board at Katra. The slip must be presented at the Banganga checkpost within 6 hours of issuing. The main season for visiting the shrine is from March till July.
