This Amazing 5-Day Itinerary Proves There's More To Jammu Than Just Vaishno Devi

In the enchanting valleys of Kashmir, and the supernatural landscapes of Ladakh, Jammu is easily forgotten by travellers.

Situated on the banks of Tawi River and a busy hub for domestic pilgrims, Jammu gets its name from Raja Jambu Lochan, founder of the city. He named it Jambupur, but eventually decided to change it to Jammu.

While Kashmir and Ladakh are infested with tourists every year, it's unfortunate to see Jammu not being celebrated for its share of distinctness from its beautiful cousins.

And let me assure you, there's more to Jammu than just Vaishno Devi. In this article I'm going to show you a different side to Jammu, where you can walk by gushing rivers and have a gastronomic affair with the street food of Jammu.

Believed to be one of the oldest forts in Jammu, Raja Jambu Lochan supposedly build this fort after he witnessed the incredible sight of a tiger and a goat drinking water from the Tawi River on a hunting trip.

He thought of this incident as a holy symbol of peace and brotherhood and decided to build the fort where he saw the animals, with the hope that it would inspire people to maintain amicable relationships with each other. The fort also houses the Mahakali Goddess temple, popularly known as ‘Bawe Wali Mata’ temple.

While you're there, don't forget to visit the subcontinent's biggest underground aquarium at Bagh-e-Bahu, the fort's garden. The aquarium is built in the shape of a fish. You enter through its mouth and after exploring the fascinating aquatic world, you exit through the fish tail.

You can reach the fort by taking an auto-rickshaw or taxi from the city centre.

Dedicated to the cause of educating people about the evolution of cultures, ideas and values in the valley, the very renowned Dogra Art Museum situated in the Pink Hall of Jammu’s Mubarak Mandi Complex is a must-visit spot! The mid-eighteenth century building that it is housed in today was once the Dev dynasty's's Durbar Hall.

Currently, the museum showcases more than 800 beautiful paintings of historical significance, instruments, armaments, and 9th-century carvings and Kushan coins.

Entry fee for Indians: ₹10

Entry fee for foreigners: ₹50

Timings: 10AM–5PM (Tuesday to Sunday)

Main attraction: Krishna–Sudhama paintings.

Mansar Lake in Jammu is a very popular excursion destination and the its history goes back to the time of Mahabharata.

Circumambulations (parikarma) of the lake by couples, especially newlyweds, is considered to be extremely propitious. They hope to please and seek the blessings of Sheshnag, the lord of serpents. On the eastern bank of the lake, there's also a shrine dedicated to Sheshnag.

The Tourism Department also provides sufficient facilities for boating at the lake.