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Excursion from Jammu |
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Patnitop
Patnitop is the another famous hill station in Jammu.
Patnitop is located at a distance of about 110 kms from
Jammu. Patnitop is perched on a beautiful plateau at a
height of 2,024 mts on the Jammu–Srinagar highway. This
place is enveloped by wooded forests. It is ideal for
long walks, and a famous picnic spot and also offers
breathtaking views of the mountains of the Chenab basin
and the Pir Panjal range beyond. In winters from mid
December to mid February), the resort is generally
covered with snow, thus |
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providing
opportunities for various winter sports including amateur
skiing. There are several hotels and huts in Patnitop, that
provide accommodation to suite every pocket.
Sanasar
Sanasar, a beautiful valley is situated at an altitude of 2079
metres, about 19 kms from Patnitop. It is a satellite resort
of Patnitop, with a cup-shaped meadow surrounded by gigantic
conifers. A place for a quiet holiday, the meadow has now been
developed as a golf course. There are several walks in the
surrounding hills. It is a centre of nomadic Gujjar tribes
during the summers. It also offers paragliding for adventure
lovers. Tourists with own vehicle can go on to Sansar from
Patnitop and return by the evening.
Batote
Batote, another 12 km. ahead of Kud was an overnight stop for
buses on way to Srinagar before the construction of the
Jawahar Tunnel, which has made it possible for buses to reach
Srinagar in 10 hours. Otherwise, the trip took almost two
days. Batote is situated about 125 kms from Jammu, on the
Jammu-Srinagar highway. It is surrounded by the forested
slopes of the Patnitop mountain range and overlook the
spectacular Chenab gorge.
Kud
Kud is a small hill station and a popular lunch stop on the
way to Srinagar. Several Indian visitors prefer to spend their
holidays here. Kud is located about 103 kms from Jammu on the
Jammu–Srinagar highway, at an altitude of 1,738 meters.
Sudh Mahadev
Sudh Mahadev is the holy spot near Patnitop, situated at an
altitude of 1225 meters, about 120 kms from Jammu. Pilgrims
visit the shrine on the full moon night of 'sawan'
(July-August) to worship the 'Trishul' (trident) and a mace,
which are said to have belonged to Bheem, one of the five
legendary Pandava brothers. The Devak stream originates at
Sudh Mahadev and disappears among the rocks a few kilometers
downstream. |
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Jawahar Tunnel
The Jawahar Tunnel links Jammu province with the Kashmir
valley and is 2500 meters long. It is 200 km from Jammu
and 93 km. from Srinagar. It has two passages for
incoming and outgoing traffic. Before its construction,
visitors had to take the longer route and during winter
months, Kashmir was often cut off from the rest of India
as the road was snowbound. When you emerge from the
darkness, you will be in the verdant Vale of Kashmir.
Mantalai
Situated a few kilometers further away from
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Sudh Mahadev,
Mantalai is surrounded by lush deodar forests at an altitude
of 2000 m. The place is associated with the legend of the
marriage of Lord Shiva with the Goddess Parvati.
Mansar Lake
Mansar Lake is located about 80 kms east of Jammu. This lake
is surrounded by the picturesque forest-covered hills, over a
mile in length by half-a-mile in width. Besides being a
popular excursion destination in Jammu, it is also a holy
site, sharing the legend and sanctity of Lake Mansarovar. A
religious festival is also held here annually. Newly weds
consider it auspicious to perform three circumambulations (‘Parikrama’)
around the lake to seek the blessings of Sheshnag, the lord of
serpents, whose shrine is located on its eastern bank. There
are also some ancient temples on the lake’s shores, which are
visited by devotees in large numbers. Mansar is also ideal for
boating for which the Tourism Department provides adequate
facilities. For the convenience of visitors a well lit
flagstone walkway has been laid all around the shores.
Surinsar Lake
Surinsar Lake is only 42 kms. east of Jammu. This lake is
situated in the picturesque forest setting, surrounded by
wooded hills.
Purmandal Temple
About 40 kms from Jammu, just off the national highway leading
towards Pathankot, is the Purmandal Temple Complex on the
banks of the sacred and mostly underground Devak river. Often
referred to as 'Chhota Kashi', its main temple is dedicated to
'Parvati', while the other temples belongs to Lord Shiva.
These ancient temples are associated with the Shaivite Hindus
of the Kashmir Valley. |
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Shiv Khori
This holy cave is nearly a kilometer long and houses a 4
feet high, naturally formed ‘Shivlinga’. It is considered
second only to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in
religious importance. There are stalactites and
stalagmites dripping milky limestone water. Situated at
a distance of about 100 kms from Jammu and about 75 kms
from Katra, Shiv Khori hosts a major fair during the
‘Shivratri’ festival every year.
Jajjar Kotli
On the national highway leading towards Srinagar, is the
Jajjar Kotli Tourist Complex, |
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built on the
banks of the Jajjar rivulet, 35 kms away from Jammu. The
crystal clear, cool waters of Jajjar attract picnickers in
large numbers during summer.
Akhnoor
Akhnoor is the place where the Chenab river enters the plains.
It is situated on the banks of the mighty Chenab river, about
32 kms. north-west of Jammu. This was the route which the
Mughal kings took to reach Srinagar. Emperor Jahangir died
here and was temporarily buried at a place called Chingas.
This town is associated with the legendary love story of Soni–Mahiwal,
the lovers. The ruins of the Indus Valley Civilization, along
the banks of river Chenab, can also be seen here.
Krimchi Temple
Krimchi, site of three of the oldest temples of Jammu, can be
reached by taking a short detour of about 20 kms along a side
road that branches off from the National Highway 1-A, about 8
kms short of Udhampur. The architecture of the temples shows
distinct Greek (Hellenic) influences. Some distance further
ahead in the hills is Pancheri, a beautiful hill resort. |
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Vaishno Devi
Vaishno Devi, the famous Hindu shrine is located about
48 kms. north of Jammu. This shrine attracts various
pilgrims every year. Vaishno Devi is a cave situated at
1700 m and is 30 m long. This cave is dedicated to three
mother goddesses of Hinduism. To reach the shrine, you
have to must reach Katra, an attractive town situated at
the foot of the Trikuta hills. From here, it is a 12 kms.
climb to the cave temple. You can reach the shrine
either on foot or by ponies. According to the legend,
the goddess Vaishno Devi used the cave as a refuge where
she was fleeing from the demon |
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Bhairon who
wanted to marry her. She was not interested with this and so
she killed him. The devotees who visit the shrine of Vaishno
Devi also visit the temple of Bhairon, who absolved for his
sins, before he died.
More....
Gauri Kund
Some distance short of Sudh Mahadev is the legendary spring
where the Goddess Parvati used to bathe before commencing her
daily prayers at Sudh Mahadev. This spring came to be named
after her as 'Gauri Kund'. |
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