Amar Mahal Palace
Designed by a French architect for Raja Amar Singh, Jammu's tallest structure stands on a hillock overlooking the Tawi river. A rare collection of Pahari paintings and a family portrait gallery grace the palace.

Baghi Bahu & Fort
The Bahu fort was the former capital of the founder of Jammu. Baghi Bahu, a beautiful garden lies at its base.

Patnitop
This charming plateau at a height of 1,950 m is an endearing hill station. Dense woods with some secluded picnic spots surround the lush green meadows. A famous tourist resort, Patnitop has all that makes for a wonderful holiday. A rest house, tourist bungalow and youth hostel are some of the budget options to stay here.

Mansar and Surinsar lakes (40 kms)
According to legend, an arrow shot off the bow of Bir Bahu landed at Surinsar, causing water to spring from the earth, creating these two lakes. Mansar, with its tourist bungalow and huts, is an idyllic picnic spot.

Sansar(19 kms)
Located on the National Highway, this cup shaped meadow is surrounded by lofty conifers. There are tourist rest houses or huts to stay at.

Sudh Mahadev
The seat of an ancient Shiva temple, with its trishul (trident) and famed Bhima's mace, people come here on a pilgrimage on the full moon night of the month of Sawan, according to the Hindu calendar. A yoga ashram is located at nearby Mantalai, in scenic surroundings .

Vaishno Devi
A shrine of immense religious significance, the Trikuta Bhagwati cave, better known as Vaishno Devi, attracts thousands of devotees.

Festivals
The principal festivals of Lohri (January), Baisakhi (April), Bahu Mela (April and October), Chaitre Chandash (April), Purmandal Mela (February), and Jhiri Mela (October) are celebrated here.

Accommodation
ITDC's Hotel Jammu Ashok is a beautiful riverside hotel at Ramnagar. The JKTDC runs a tourist hotel here with AC options. Private lodging houses are also available. The office of the Deputy Director, Tourism of the J & K government, Jammu, makes reservations for accommodation at Patnitop, Kud, Batote, Mansar and Sanasar.

How to Get There
Air: Indian Airlines operates flights between Jammu and Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh and Srinagar. A private airline also operates a daily fight to Jammu from Delhi.

Rail: Jammu Tawi is an important railhead on the Northern Railway line. Express trains connect it with Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta and Amritsar.

Road: Located on the National Highway 1A, Jammu is linked by a network of roads to Amritsar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Katra, Srinagar, and Manali.

Compiled by Puneet Sachdeva