Jammu, the winter capital of Jammu & Kashmir, is located on the Shivalik Range overlooking the northern plains. It was founded by Raja Jamboo Lochan in the 14^th century BC. Legend says that Raja Jamboo Lochan, after witnessing a goat and lion drinking from the same river peacefully, decided to establish a city, Jambupura, later known as Jammu. Historically, Jammu was the capital of Jammu Province and the winter capital of the Jammu and Kash-mir princely state (1846–1952).

The city's name appears in the Mahabharata, and excavations near Akhnoor reveal that Jammu was part of the Harappan civilization. It has also yielded remains from the Maurya, Kushan, and Gupta periods. In 1730 AD, Jammu came under the rule of Dogra king Raja Dhruv Deva, who made it a cultural hub, especially known for the Pahari school of paintings.

Today, Jammu is known as the "City of Temples", with numerous shrines and temples dot-ting the skyline. Among the most famous is the Temple of Maha Kali (Bahu Mata) in Bahu Fort, built after the coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1822, with the fort itself dating back to 1820.

How to reach Jammu city

Jammu is the winter capital of Jammu & Kashmir and is well connected by all three modes of transport i.e. air, rail and road.

By Air: The city has an airport and regular flights run between Jammu and several other cities of the country. All Airlines operate regular daily flights to Jammu connecting different cities.

By Rail: Jammu Tawi is an important rail head of the state of J & K and is connected with important towns and cities of the country by express and super-fast trains. Jammu Tawi to Kanyakumari is the second longest rail route of India that touches some of the important cities of the country.

By Road: one can also reach the city by road. National Highway 1A runs through Jammu district connecting rest of the state including the summer capital Srinagar. Daily bus service is available from Jammu to almost all towns of north India.

Please note that only postpaid mobile numbers have reliable connectivity in the region. We recommend carrying a postpaid number or temporarily converting your current number to postpaid for uninterrupted service during your stay.

Before starting your journey, all pilgrims must register. You can register online at www.maavaishnodevi.org or at the counters in Katra. After registration, you will get a Yatra Parchi. Keep it with you—either on your phone or printed.

If you plan to visit Maa Vaishno Devi, book everything early. Helicopter tickets should be booked in advance as seats are limited.

Local Cuisine of Jammu – Jammu is known for its rich Dogra cuisine and flavorful local dishes. Here are some.

MEALS:

• Rajma Chawal – Famous red kidney beans with rice
• Khatta Meat – Tangy mutton curry with spices
• Chha Gosht – Mutton cooked in yogurt-based gravy
• Madra – Chickpeas in thick yogurt sauce
• Kulthi Dal – Nutritious horse gram lentil curry
• Snacks & Street Food
• Kaladi Kulcha – Fried local cheese in a bun
• Babru – Stuffed fried bread like kachori
• Aloo Chana – Spicy potatoes and chickpeas

BREADS:

• Tandoori Roti with Ghee – Thick roti with desi ghee
• Makki di Roti & Sarson da Saag – Cornbread with mustard greens

SWEETS:

• Patisa – Flaky sweet, like soan papdi
• Chocolate Barfi – Milk sweet with cocoa
• Gur Wale Chawal – Sweet rice with jaggery
• Sund Panjeeri – Dry fruit and wheat sweet
• Seviyan – Sweet vermicelli pudding

DRINKS:

• Kesar Chai – Saffron tea with cardamom

FOR CAB BOOKING APPS:

For cab bookings in Jammu, you can conveniently use online apps such as CabKaro, Nova Cab, and Jugnoo.