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Jammu, gate way to Kashmir, may not be rich like the valley with the bounties of
nature but it offers, nevertheless, resorts of scenic beauty, hill treks, picnic
spots, lakes and places of pilgrimage. The shrines of the
province especially Vaishno Devi - attract large numbers of pilgrims from all
over the world. In 1997, about 60,00000 pilgrims visited this shrine.
Jammu city has long been a centre of Indian pilgrimage and culture, renowned
especially for the pahari school of miniature painting which developed in this
region. The towering citadels and spires of this unique 'city of temples',
perched on a ridge can be viewed from afar. Raghunath Mandir is one of the
biggest temple complexes of northern India. Though 130 years old, the complex is
remarkable for sacred scriptures, one of the richest collection of ancient texts
and manuscripts in its library.
Worship of Shakti - is prevalent in all parts of Jammu province.
The best known of the Shakti shrines is the one called Vaishno Devi, which has
the same place in Jammu as the Amarnath cave has in Kashmir.
The Raghunath Temple
This temple is situated at the city centre. It
build in 1857. This temple consists of seven shrines, each with
tower. Its arches, surface and niches shows the Mughal influence.
The interior of the temple is plated with gold. Its principal
sanctuary is dedicated to Vishnu's eighth incarnation and Dogras' patron
deity the Rama. There is a Sanskrit Library here which contains rare
sanskrit manuscripts. |
