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Maharaja
Ranbir Singh, in 1860 AD. The temple consists of seven shrines
and each shrine has a simple tower. The tower over the central
shrine is curvlinear. Its fluted surface, arches and niches
indicate a Mughal influence. The inner walls of the main
temple are covered with gold sheet on three sides. There are
many galleries with innumerable 'saligrams'. The surrounding
temples are dedicated to various Hindu deities from the epic
Ramayana, images of Vishnu in various incarnations, Shiva and
Surya. There is also a stone lingam here and is a great centre
for the Shakti worship. The portrait of Ranbir Singh and a
sculpture of Hanuman are situated at the entrance.
Peer Khoh
Peer Khoh is a cave shrine located on the Circular Road, 3.5
kms from the heart of the town. There is a naturally formed
Shiva lingam in the cave which is quite mysterious as neither
its antiquity nor its cause are known. Legend has it that the
cave leads underground to many other cave shrines and even out
of the country.
Ranbireshwar Temple
Ranbireshwar Temple is located on Shalimar Road near the New
Secretariat and built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1883 AD. The
Ranbireshwar Temple is situated opposite the Dogra Art Gallery
in Jammu. This historic temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
This temple is a local landmark due to 75 m tower and an
extraordinary central crystal lingam measuring
seven-and-a-half feet in height. It also has twelve Shiva
'lingams' of crystal measuring from 15" to 38" and galleries
with thousands of others are carved on stone slabs.
Ranbir Canal
A small garden along the Ranbir Canal, which runs through the
city outskirts, provides a cool picnic spot during the summer.
The canal branches off from the river Chenab at Akhnoor, 32
kms away. Its water remains icy-cold throughout the year and
its banks serve as good viewpoints and walkways.
Bahu Fort and Gardens
Bahu Fort is situated near the Amar Mahal museum and about 5
kms away from the city centre. It is entered through a large
quadrangle. This fort stands on on an upland plateau on the
left bank of the river Tawi. The Bahu Fort is the oldest fort
and edifice in the city, and constructed originally by Raja
Bahulochan over 3,000 years ago. The Bahu fort was later
improved and rebuilt as the Mondi Palace by the Dogra rulers.
Looking at this fort one can imagine the wars fought,
invasions prevented, and even the grandeur of the royal family
must have enjoyed at the time. The ancient Bahu Fort is now in
ruins. Today it is surrounded by a lush green terraced garden,
with waterfalls and flowers of every kind and colour. It is a
favourite picnic spot for the city folk. Inside, there is a
temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali. Its ramparts swarm
with devotees during the festivals who come to pay their
homage to goddess Kali. An extensive terraced garden, known as
Bagh-e-Bahu, has been developed around the fort.
Aquarium Bagh-I-Bahu
Bagh-I-Bahu is the India's largest underground aquarium in
Jammu. This aquarium is drawing a large number of tourists
ever since it was opened to the public. Besides students, the
aquarium has become a centre of attraction for tourists,
giving them an opportunity to revel in the exotic aquatic
world. The aquarium-cum-awareness centre comprises of 24
aquarium caves including 13 small caves for holding freshwater
fishes, two large caves for holding marine water fishes and
nine medium sized aquariums for holding marine and fresh water
fishes. It has state-of-the-art equipment, a public gallery,
museum, laboratory and a multimedia conference hall. The
entrance is designed in the shape of the mouth of a fish and
the exit in the shape of a fish tail. The aquarium houses a
museum where 400 varieties of freshwater and marine fish are
on display.
Peer Baba
Behind the Civil Airport is the famous Durgah of the Muslim
saint, Peer Budhan Ali Shah. On Thursdays, Hindu and Sikh
devotees who visit this shrine, vastly outnumber the Muslim
devotees.
Mahamaya Temple and City Forest
On the bypass Road, behind Bahu Fort, the city forest
surrounds the ancient Mahamaya temple overlooking the river
Tawi. A small garden surrounded by acres of woods provides the
best view of the city.
Mubarak Mandi Complex
The oldest buildings in this palace complex date back to 1824.
The architecture is a blend of Rajasthani, Mughal and even
baroque elements. The most stunning segment is the Sheesh
Mahal. "The Pink Hall" houses the Dogra Art Museum which has
miniature paintings of the various Hill Schools. |
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Damayanti can
be seen in the museum. The museum also conducts a "heritage
walk" programme for interested student to familiarize them
with the history of Jammu.
Dogra Art Gallery
The Art Gallery in Jammu is located opposite the New
Secretariat. The Gallery has a rich display of Dogra art
belonging to the Pahari and Basholi schools, fine miniatures
of the Jammu and Basohli School of painting, Terracottas,
medieval weapons, sculptures and ancient manuscripts. |
