Jammu
houses a huge number of temples and shrines, the soaring spires of which
seem to pierce the skies above. The Raghunath group
of temples, the largest in the north; the Amar Mahal Palace; the Ranbireshwar
Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva; the Baghi Bahu templeare some of the
popular landmarks of the region.
Vaishnavdevi Temple
The
holy cave shrine of Vaishno devi is situated in a beautiful racess of
the Trikuta Mountains forming a part of the lower Himalayas as in the
state of Jammu & Kashmir at an altitude of over 5000 feet. In the cave
there are images of three dieties viz. the Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and
Mahasaraswati. The shrine can be visited throughout the year, but during
the winter season the route is often blocked by snow-fall.
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Jammu
Bhumika
Temple, Darshani Darwaza, Ban Ganga Temple, Charan Paduka, Adhkunwari
Temple, Kalika Temple, Ram Mandir, Shiva Goompha. All pilgrims/tourists
require a pass to enable them entry to the shrine. The pass is to be
collected at Katra as it will be required at Ban Ganga and later at
the shrine itself.
Raghunath & Rambireswar Temples (Jammu)
The Raghunath Temple is in the centre
of the city, only a short stroll from the Tourist Reception Centre.
This large temple complex was built in 1835 but is not especially interesting,
although it makes a good sunset silhouette. The Rambireswar Temple,
also centrally located, is dedicated to Lord Siva and dates from 1883.
Bhumika Mandir (Jammu)
The Bhumika Mandir is situated just 1.5
Kms. away (a 7 min. drive by car) from Hotel AVD Katra, where a cluster
of temples and spring water satisfy the urges of devotees.
Baba Jitto Mandir (Jammu)
Baba Jitto Mandir is just 8 kms. away
(a 20 min. drive by car) from Hotel AVD Katra. A famous Historical and
spiritual abode of a great Saint and devotee of Sh. Mata Vaishno Devi
Ji who crucified his life for justice. According to the Legend, a dip
in the holy spring water which flows in front of the shrine does a miracle
to the pre-natal women who lose their off-springs before birth in reassuring
their delivery safely.
Pandrethan Temple (Srinagar)
This small but beautifully proportioned
Shiva temple dates from 900 AD and is in the military cantonment area
on the Jammu road out of Srinagar.
Amarnath
One of the holy Trinity, Shiva is a living God. the most sacred and
the most ancient book of India, the Rigveda evokes his presence in its
hymns. Vedic myths, rituals and even astronomy testify to his existence
from the dawn of time.
According
to an ancient tale, there was once a Muslim Shepherd named Buta Malik
who was given a sack of coal by a sadhu. Upon reaching home he discovered
that the sack, in fact, contained Gold. Overjoyed and overcome, Buta
Malik rushed back to look for sadhu and thank him. But on the spot of
their meeting discovered a cave, and eventually this became a place
of pilgrimage for all believers. When people heard of lingam Amarnath
became the Shiva's abode and a centre of pilgrimage.
Chhatti Padshahi
Chhatti Padshahi Gurudwara is situated near Srinagar, Kashmir.
Khanqah-e-Moula (Srinagar)
The shrine of Shah-e-Hamdan or Khanqah e Moulla is one of the oldest
muslim shrines in Kashmir situated on the banks of river Jehlum in the
old city. The shrine was originally constructed by Sultan Sikander (1389-1413
AD) in the memory of muslim preacher Mir Syed Ali Hamdani who had visited
Kashmir and stayed there for meditation and preaching. In 1480 the shrine
was gutted in a devastating fire and the then ruler Sultan Hassan Shah
reconstructed the shrine on old edifice at a larger area. The shrine
was later demolished and reconstruted in two storyed form in 1493 AD.
In 1731 AD the shrine again was destroyed in fire and ws reconstruted
by Abul Barkat Khan. The shrine is revered by people who throng it observe
the death anniversary of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani falling on 6th of Zilhaj
the last month of muslim calendar.
Regular transport in form of matadors is available from city centre
i.e.Amira Kadal in the Srinagar City. Srinagar can be reached via Air
and road from Jammu through National highway NH!A. Taxis and Autorickshaws
can be hired almost from anywhere in the Srinagar city and adjoining
areas.
Khir Bhawani Temple (Srinagar)
Situated at Tullamula in the Srinagar district, it is an important Hindu
Shrine. The temple is associated with the hindu godess, Ragnya Devi.
An Annual festival is held here on Jesht Ashtami ( May-June) when Hindus
visit the place in large numbers to offer prayers to seek the blessings
of the diety.
Devotees also throng on every Shukla Paksh Ashtami round the year &
perform HAWANS to please the Mother. The Historic Temple of Kheer Bhiwani
was built by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1912 & later renovated by Maharaja
Hari Singh. Surrounded by steams, the place abounds in Chinar tree in-and-around
the compound Complex within which is a hexagonal Spring wherein diety
of Godess Ragyna is decorated in a small white Marble Temple.
The legend goes that Lord Rama worshipped Mother Ragyna during his exile
& desired Hanuman ji to shift the seat of Mother after the expiry of
exile period, who bought it to Shadipora and was latter shifted to present
to present site as per the wish of devine Mother Ragnya conveyed in
dream to one Pandit Rugnath Gadroo, it is believed.
Khir Bhavani
lies in the Ganderbal tehsil of Srinagar District and the nearest Airport
is approx. 25 Kms away in Badgam Distt.This Airport is connected with
major cities of India. The nearest Rail Head is at Jammu which is 300
Kms away and from there National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley
with India.
Every sort of transport to suit every budget from Buses to Taxis ply
on this Highway. It Takesaround 10 to 12 hours to cross this mountaineous
road which crosses some beautiful spots and the famous Jawahar Tunnel
linking Kashmir Valley with India. Regular bus service with normal fares
are available from various points in the city. Taxi and other modes
of conveyance can be chartered also.
Hazratbal Mosque (Srinagar)
This shiny mosque is across the Dal from Shalimar. It is made of white
marble with a dome and a miniature. It is the repository of a single
hair of the Prophet Mohammed, exhibited to the public on certain days
of the year.The most important muslim shrine of Kashmir, that commands
the reverence of the people beyond measure,is undoubetedly the Hazratbal
Shrine, which is situated on the left bank of the famous Dal Lake in
Srinagar This unmatched reverence is anchored in the love and respect
for the Prophet. Mohammad (peace be upon him), whose Moi-e-Muqqadus,
(the sacred hair) is preserves here.
The shrine is known by many names including Hazratbal, Assar-e-Sharief,
Madinat-us-Sani, Dargah Sharief & Dargah. The history of the shrine
goes back to the early seventeenth century when the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan's
Subedar, Sadiq Khan, laid out a garden here & constructed a palacial
building, Ishrat Mahal or Pleasure House in 1623. However, the Emperor,
during his visit in 1634, ordered the building to be converted into
a prayer House with some additions & alterations.
During the time of Aurangzeb, when MOI-e-Muqqadus arrived in Kashmir
in 1699, it was first kept in the shrine of Naqashbad Sahib in the heart
of the city. Since the place was found to be insufficient in view of
the unprecedented rush of people who thronged the place to have a glimpse
of the Moi-e-Muqqades, it was decided to shift the it to Hazratbal,
then known as Sadiqabad. The construction of the present marble structure
was started by the Muslim Auqaf Trust headed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah
in 1968 and completed in 1979. The Moi-e-Muqqadas is displayed on Various
occassions related with the life of Prophet & his four holy companions.
Hazratbal
lies in Srinagar District and the nearest Airport is approx. 25 Kms
away in Badgam Distt. This Airport is connected with major cities of
India. The nearest Rail Head is at Jammu which is 300 Kms away and from
there National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley with India.
Every sort of transport to suit every budget from Buses to Taxis ply
on this Highway. It Takes around 10 to 12 hours to cross this mountaineous
road which crosses some beautiful spots and the famous Jawahar Tunnel
linking Kashmir Valley with India. Regular transport is available from
various points in the Srinagar city with nominal charges.
Shankaracharya Temple (Srinagar)
It is located at 1100 ft. above surface level of the main city on the
Shankaracharya hill. The Shiva temple, as Kalhana believes, was constructed
by Raja Gopadatya in 371 B.C. and, as such, is the oldest shrine in
Kashmir, though it is not certain if the temple exists in the same form
as it had been built more than two thousands years ago. The first repair
of the temple is believed to have been undertaken during the reign of
Lalitaditya in the eighth century A.D. According to the historian Shrivara,
Zain-ul-Abideen conducted second repairs of the temple after it had
been damaged in an earthquake. The third time repair was undertaken
during the Governorship of Sheikh Mohi-ud-Din when the temple is believed
to have been named as Shankaracharya. Dogra ruler, Maharaja Gulab Singh,
constructed stone stairs upto the temple. In 1925, the temple was electrified.
The temple, besides a prominent Hindu religious place, is of great archaeological
importance. The temple commands a magnificient panoramic view of the
Srinagar City.
Shankarcharya lies in Srinagar District across the Nehru Park: a beautiful
island within the Dal Lake One can either trek to Shankaracharya Temple
from the Durganag Temple lying in civil lines area or alternatively
can take a automobile upto the footsteps from the Boulevard road. The
climb is approx. 7 Kms and then there is a flight of 100 odd steps up.
the road passes through jungle and offers beautiful views allround.and
the nearest Airport is approx. 25 Kms away in Badgam Distt.This Airport
is connected with major cities of India. The nearest Rail Head is at
Jammu which is 300 Kms away and from there National Highway NH1A connects
the Kashmir valley with India. Every sort of transport to suit every
budget from Buses to Taxis ply on this Highway. It takes around 10 to
12 hours to cross this mountaineous road which crosses some beautiful
spots and the famous Jawahar Tunnel linking Kashmir Valley with India.
