• This photo feature covers Jammu Region under Lakes, Greenland, Drive, Towns, Jammu City and Pilgrimages. Towns includes Poonch, Akhnoor Fort, Reasi Fort, Kishtwar, Basholi , Bhaderwah, Kishtwar in Snow etc. Album links given.  

Indians including the Central government are obsessed with Jaipur, Delhi, Agra (Golden Triangle) and Kashmir Valley. On the Valley the state government has promoted it to the detriment of Jammu region and earlier Ladakh.

Thus, I wrote There is more to India than the Golden Triangle, There is more to India than the Taj – West, South and East. Post the 2025 Pahalgam Terror attack in which 26 lives were lost and people/media gushing about the meadows there, I drew people’s attention that similar if not better meadows existed at Khajjiar in Himachal Pradesh.

Jammu region has been overshadowed by Kashmir hence this piece. I was fortunate to drive through Jammu region in 2014 October. We drove approximately 1800 km through good, stone or mud roads, snow and water streams.  

This piece covers Jammu Region under headings of Lakes, Greenland, Drive, Towns, Jammu City and Pilgrimages. Towns includes Poonch, Akhnoor Fort, Reasi Fort, Kishtwar, Basholi , Bhaderwah , Kishtwar in Snow etc. Album links given too.  

1. Lakes

Mansar Lake   (about 60 kms from Jammu)

Mansar and Surinsar Lake is linked to the Mahabharata. Visit Nag Devata Mandir there. Nice government resort there. There is a lovely walk way around the lake.

Newly-weds consider it auspicious to do parikrama of Mansar Lake and seeks blessings of Sheshnag at temple. To see pictures of Mansar Lake

Mansar Lake 

b. Seven Lakes of Poonch are unheard of  

Poonch has seven lakes namely Sukhsar, Neelsar, Bhagsar, Katorasar, Kaldachnisar and Nandansar that are situated at about 12,000 feet. They can be reached via a trek.  

c. Sanasar Lake 

 “The area is named after two lakes, Sana and Sar, of the Udhampur district. The ultimate view of thousands of pine trees covering the whole mountain valley and the shimmering reflection of the lake will remind anyone of Switzerland.

Being located near the two major attractions, Shanta ridge and Shank Pal, the beauty of this place attracts a large number of visitors every year just like a magnet does. Hence, tourists from all over the world consider Sansar Lake to be the one of the most beautiful places to visit in Patnitop.” Source

2 Lake is 20 kms away from Patnitop i.e. near Jammu. Courtesy thrillophilia.com

2. Greenland

a. PATNITOP  (108 kms from Jammu)

Patnitop consists of several meadows enveloped by thick forests of deodhar and kail trees. You get a super view of Chenab basin and Pir Panjal range beyond that. There is a Nag Mandir close by i.e. a must visit. It is wow when it snows.

5. Roses at Patnitop. Courtesy incredibleindia.gov.in

6. Patnitop has a ropeway – Gandola like in Kashmir. Courtesy thrillophilia.com 

b. SANASAR

It is app 19 kms from Patnitop, a sprawling meadow with a 9-hole golf course. It is ideal for para gliding while Natha Top on way to Sanasar affords scenic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. A 10 kms trek from Sanasar is Sankhpal i.e. at an altitude of 10,000 feet is worth doing.

7 Meadows Sanasar.

3. Drive

a. Jammu to Poonch. (229 kms)

b. Jammu to Kishtwar (210 kms). Poonch and Kishtwar in opposite directions.

c. Jammu to Sinthan Top via Kishtwar – drive full of adventure and scenic views. 

8 Road from Sinthan Top to Kishtwar.

4. Towns of Poonch, Akhnoor Fort, Reasi  , Kishtwar Plain top, Basholi , Bhaderwah , Kishtwar in Snow

a. BASHOLI  (app 160 kms from Jammu)

Basholi is well known for a style of painting characterised by vigorous use of primary colours and a peculiar facial formula that prevailed in the 17^th and 19^th centuries in the foothills of the western Himalayas.

It is from here that this style spread to Chamba and Kangra. We met with members of Vishwasthali, a social and cultural organisation that is striving to keep the tradition alive by teaching young children about the local culture. To see pictures of Basohli Paintings

Maharaja Ranjit Sagar Dam i.e. built on River Ravi enroute to Basholi.  

b. REASI   (66 kms from Jammu)

The drive from Katra onwards is very scenic, saw dam enroute. At Reasi saw Zorawar Singh Fort (small fort not worth a visit). It is famous for being the town of origin of Dogra general Zorawar Singh who captured Tibet. Reasi album

Fort from a distance.

Two poles of the railway bridge on the river Chandrabagha or Chenab. It is expected to be inaugurated in first half of 2025. In 2014 the arch was ready.  

Pic of General Zorawar Singh n Samadhi in Tibet at museum in Leh. 

c. AKHNOOR  (app 30 from Jammu)

See Fort, Pandava Cave, Gurdwara all on the banks of the river Chenab. It was at the Jip-Patha temple on the banks of the Chenab that Maharaja Gulab Singh was coronated by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1822. Excavations have revealed remains dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization inside the fort. Akhnoor Fort album

The town is famously associated with folk dance of Soni & Mahiwal.  

Akhnoor Fort. In front is river Chandrabagha or Chenab. 

Coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh. 

d. RAJOURI   (144 kms from Jammu)

In Rajouri we walked around the market and went to Balidan Bhawan. In 1947, local women and men got to know of the impending attack by Kabailis (Pakistani tribesmen) and local Muslims. When death stared at them, the women, with the consent of their husbands, consumed poison. As poison began showing its effects, they got the men to shoot them. When bullets were exhausted, the women requested the men to slit their necks. About 20,000 people from Rajouri and nearby villages were martyred. The Bhawan was made in their memory; some pictures depicting those dark days are on display here. What happened in 1947 . Rajouri album

Balidan Bhawan, Rajouri

e. POONCH  (229 kms from Jammu)

Poonch was a Hindu kingdom in 1947. It is known for Shri Dashnami Akhada, the Nangalia Sahib Gurudwara and Budha Amarnath Temple that attracts thousands of devotees every year.

There is something very likeable about Poonch. Fort is in the town itself. There is a Sheesh Mahal in ruins. Visit Chaken de Bagh or Trade Centre. If you are lucky you could see trucks which bring goods from POJK and Gilgit (now stopped). Also see Air Force and Army Memorial.

We did not see Lohar Kote Fort which was once called the Gateway of Kashmir and Garden in Poonch because bridge was damaged due to heavy rains.

Poonch Fort. 

Air Force Memorial.

To see pics of Poonch  And People of Poonch , Nangali Sahib Gurudwara and Budha Amarnath Mandir

f. KISHTWAR  (210 kms from Jammu)

Kishtwar has a 1,000-year recorded history. Its first ruler Kahan Pal was from Bengal who settled here in the period 900-1000 AD. It has a huge green top.

I was surprised to see saffron grown there because I thought saffron was grown only in the Valley. The town is on a plateau & scenic. A policeman who stopped us laughed when we told him we were tourists. Asked, “What is there to see?” 

Kishtwar is base for many important pilgrimages-Sarthal temple is the temple of Sharika Devi, the presiding deity of Kashmir and Machail Mata Mandir. Kishtwar is a base to visit Brahma Peaks.  To see album

At a saffron farm.

Close to Sarthal Mandir. 

21 Snow in Kishtwar.

22 Snow in Kishtwar.

To see pictures And a good site on town  

g. BHADARWAH

It is a very pretty hill station. See the Vasuki Naagji Mandir. During August there is a Kailash Yatra. To see pictures of Bhadarwah

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On way to Patnitop stopped at Ramgarh.  It has a very popular restaurant that serves only Rajma Chawal. 

h. UDHAMPUR  

We missed seeing the KRIMCHI temple complex. These temples were made in the 11-12^th century. Missed seeing ancient temple of Jallandri Mata believed to be the abode of Pandavas for some time during their exile and ancient Raghunath Mandir.

5. Jammu City

Shri Raghunathji Mandir (Shri Ram), Shri Ranbireshwar Mandir (Shivji), Panjvaktra Mahadev Mandir, Peer Kho Mandir (Gorknath cave) must see, Panjthirthi (5 temples close to each other), Dau Temple (Balaram), Gurudwara Sh Guru Nanak Devji has 3 feet marble image of Guru Nanak. All these are quite close to one another. Raghunathji Mandir is in the local market in old Jammu area – market worth a visit.  

Shri Ranbireshwar Mandir.

Visit Bahu Fort, in it is Bawey Wali Mata shrine i.e. one of the most important Shakti shrines in the region, see lovely garden at entrance of fort and close by is Har-Ki-Temple complex nice. To see pictures of Jammu City

View of river Tawi and Jammu city from fort.  

Amar Mahal Jammu

Also see Amar Mahal Palace, Mubarak Mandi Palace & Dogra Art Museum. Amar Mahal has a nice museum. Art Museum is part of Mandi palace complex. 

6. Pilgrimages

a. VAISHNUDEVI  (43 kms from Jammu)

Aghar Jitto is 6 kms from Katra, a cool and scenic spot. It derives its name from Baba Jitto, a revolutionary folk hero who is remembered for his campaign against the feudal system to improve the condition of fellow farmers.

11kms from Katra on the Reasi road in Baba Dhansar, an enchanting spot with a spring of cool water Karua Jheel. Inside a small cave is a naturally formed Shivling perennially bathing in droplets of water falling upon it. To see album

b. SHIV KHORI CAVE   (104 kms from Jammu)

It is one of the most venerated cave-shrines of Shivji. Drive is scenic and took about 1 to 1.5 hours from Akhnoor. This holy cave is nearly 100 metres long ending into a huge hall and houses a 4 feet high Svayambhu lingam which bathes in a milky limestone liquid dripping from a tiny stalactite jutting down from the ceiling. The cave is in the shape of Shivji ka damroo. It is 78 kms from Katra. To see album

Enroute to cave. 

c. DERA BABA BANDA  (25 kms from Katra)

It is a gurudwara on the banks of the river Chenab, sad I missed. It is named after Baba Banda Bairagi who was Guru Govind Singh’s favourite Saint-soldier. The Gurudwara is famous for its rich wall paintings and 48 feet high ‘Nishan Sahib’ made of deodhar wood erected by the Baba himself.

d. Budha Amarnath Mandir near Poonch

To see album There is Nangali Sahib Gurdwara enroute. To see album

e. Sudh Mahadev Mandir

It is a popular pilgrimage site to worship. The trishul and mace is believed to belong to Pandava Bheem. Close by is Mantalai i.e. associated with the marriage of Shivji and Parvati. To see album

f. Purmandal is considered the Kashi of the region & 40 kms from Jammu 

Purmandal is known as Chotta Kashi. It is situated on the banks of the sacred mostly underground Devak River and is a complex of ancient temples. Album

Taxi Services

We used Bishan Sharma. Very good driver, sensible and balanced at the same willing to take the road less travelled. Contacts: 91 9797350725 and 91 9419296745.

Another person I spoke to was Mahesh Sharma. Even though I did not take his taxi he was ever willing to give me travel tips. Really appreciate his positive and consumer centric approach. Contacts: 91 9419190597, 91 9797640597, 0191 2560685. He had bigger vehicles like Innova.

If you are doing a long journey pay a fixed per day rate for vehicle, driver and toll with diesel to your account depending on how much you drive.

We took 11 days. For a comfortable journey and to cover the missed places make it a 14 day trip. Shiva Shakti ke aashirwad our yatra was safal (successful).

Also read

1. Jammu: A Road less travelled

2. To see all albums on Jammu region

3. There is more to J&K than Srinagar and Gulmarg