Top Pilgrimage Places in Jammu-Kashmir

Vaishno Devi is a temple town situated in the Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir, India. Located on the slopes of Trikuta Hills near Katra, it is one of the prominent places of pilgrimage in Jammu & Kashmir, and among the must-include places in India tour packages. It is about 67 km from Jammu, 256 km from Srinagar, & 661 km from Delhi.

The sacred town of Vaishno Devi is home to the famous Vaishno Devi Mandir. The Vaishno Devi Temple is an important Hindu temple dedicated to Vaishno Devi, a folk manifestation of the Hindu Mother Goddess, Durga. Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the richest temples in India with annual receipts of almost 16 billion dollars and is also among the top places to visit near Jammu. The temple is sacred to both Hindus and Sikhs. Many prominent saints such as Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Swami Vivekananda have visited the temple. Devotees believe the goddess herself calls the devotees to reach here.

Vaishno Devi Mandir, Ban Ganga, Charan Paduka, Ardh Kuwari, Bhairavnath Mandir, Dera Baba Banda, Baba Dhansar, and Himkoti are some of the popular places to visit in Vaishno Devi. Navaratri and Diwali are the two major festivals celebrated in the Vaishno Devi Temple.

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At a distance of 28 km from Jammu, Purmandal is a sacred town located in the Samba district of Jammu & Kashmir. Often referred to as Chotta Kashi, it is one of the famous places of pilgrimage in Kashmir, and among must-include places in Jammu tour packages.

Situated on the banks of the Devika River, Purmandal was an ancient center of trade and learning. The Devika River runs down from Purmandal to Uttarvehni (flowing towards the north) through village Mandal. It is one of the rare places where a river flows from south to north. The prime attraction of the village is the Purmandal Temple which is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. There are also several temples built on rocks dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temples in the village area create a very soothing relaxed atmosphere for the people.

One can also visit a large haveli, and several dharamshalas in the village. Many of these structures are decorated with murals dating from between 1813 and 1898. Every month a mela is organized in the Purmandal village during which the devotees take a holy dip in the Devika river and seek blessings from Lord Shiva. There are a total of 12 Mela in a year, and each Mela has assigned a unique name corresponding to the month, i.e. Chaitra Chaudish, Shivraatri Mela, etc.

One can reach the temple by catching a bus or by hiring a cab from Jammu. Regular bus services are also available from the cities situated in and around Jammu.

Timings: 5 AM - 9 PM

Entry: Free

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At a distance of 28 km from Katra Railway Station, Dera Baba Banda Bahadur is a guudwara situated at Dera Baba Banda village near Katra. Located on the banks of River Chenab, it is one of the popular places to visit near Katra.

Dera Baba Banda Bahadur is a historical Gurudwara dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh's favorite Baba Banda Bairaagi. The complex is 300 years old and houses the ashes of the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. Baba Banda was the commanding soldier of the Guru Gobind Singh's army. He was rewarded with a bow, an arrow, and a sword by Guru Sahib. He spent his last days here. The place houses these historical relics of the saint soldier.

Built with white marbles, the architectural designs and layout of the monastery are really appreciable. The interior walls of the Gurudwara are beautifully textured with golden shades. The Gurudwara also has a Nishan Sahib made of deodar tree which is about 48 feet tall. The scenic beauty and lush green landscapes of the village attract visitors to the site.

Devotees from all over India visit this holy shrine to seek the blessings of the divine soul during the annual Mela held here on Vaisakhi in April every year. The fair continues for three days and is celebrated with great affection to commemorate the martyred soldier. The Ragis recite the Shabad Kirtan and prayers during the eve, and the Dera is illuminated with lights.

Timings: 5 AM - 12 PM,& 4 PM - 9 PM

Entry: Free

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At a distance of 14 km from Katra Railway Station, Baba Dhansar is a religious place situated at Karua village near Katra. Located on the way to Salal Dam, it is one of the top places of pilgrimage in Jammu & Kashmir, and among the must-visit places as part of the Vaishno Devi tour.

Situated right by the beautiful Karua Jheel, Baba Dhansar temple is dedicated to serpent god Dhansar Baba. As per the legend, there was a demon who lived near Karua Jheel(lake) in ancient times and created havoc and destruction in their lives. The villagers sought the help of Baba Dhansar, the son of Vasudev, the serpent king. When the villagers asked for help from Baba, he prayed to Lord Shiva, who in turn agreed to help him kill the demon. After the demon was killed, the villagers constructed a Nag temple and a Cave temple in honor of Baba Dhansar, and Lord Shiva respectively.

Apart from the beautiful temple, there is a huge spring that emerges from the rocks in a thick grove of trees and forms several small cascading waterfalls before ultimately flowing into the rivulet that merges with the Chenab River. There is a naturally formed Shivling on which water droplets fall at a constant pace all the year-round. Washing oneself in the Karua Jheel is considered holy but is not allowed. However, devotees are allowed to bathe downstream, where the water flows out. It is believed that if you pray with complete conviction and wash your sins in the Karua Jheel, all your wishes will be fulfilled. ...

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At a distance of 80 km from Katra, and 140 km from Jammu, Shiv Khori is a temple situated at Sangar village in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is one of the famous pilgrimage sites in Jammu & Kashmir, and among the best places to visit near Jammu.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Shiv Khori is one of the famous Hindu cave shrines devoted to Lord Shiva. Khori means cave (Guffa) and Shiv Khori thus denotes Shiva's cave. This natural cave is about 200 meters long and only a meter in width, with a ceiling of 2 to 3 meters in height. Only one or two people can walk in a file in this cave and at the end of it, there is a 4 feet high Swayambhu Lingam, which constantly baths in a milky lime fluid dripping from the ceiling.

The cave is a real wonder to be seen which according to the people is unending and believed to have led to Swami Amarnath Cave in Kashmir. As per the assessment of local people, it measures nearly half a kilometer in length but Yatries are allowed to go only up to 130 meters. The rest part of the cave is still a mystery as no one could go further due to lack of oxygen. It is believed that some Sadhus who dared to go ahead never returned. The cave is in the shape of Lord Shiva's Damroo i.e. wide at the two ends while very congested at the center. The width of the cave is so less at a certain place that a person can barely crawl through whereas at places it is over a hundred feet wide and quite high too. The cave is full of natural impressions ...

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At a distance of 25 km from Srinagar, Kheer Bhawani Temple is a Hindu temple situated at Tulla Mulla village near Srinagar. Also known as Ragnya Devi Temple, it is one of the must-visit religious places while holidaying in Srinagar.

Kheer Bhawani Temple is dedicated to Hindu Goddess Ragnya Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. Maharaja Pratap Singh built this temple in 1912, which was later renovated by Maharaja Hari Singh. The temple was originally named Bhawani Mandir but eventually came to be known as Kheer Bhawani due to the famous Indian dessert Kheer, which is the main offering to the goddess. Goddess Ragnya Devi is prominently worshipped as Kuldevi or the patron deity by the Kashmiri Pandits.

According to Hindu mythology, the image of Kheer Bhawani was formerly set up in Sri Lanka by the demon king Ravana. This happened when Ravana was blessed for his devotion by Maharagnya. Enraged by Ravana's unrighteous ways of life, the goddess exclaimed to Lord Hanuman to transport this image to Tulla Mulla, where it now stays.

The architecture of the temple is simple yet beautifully created using smooth grey stones. The main altar of the Kheer Bhawani Temple is built amidst a pond. This structure hosts a marble platform on which the idol of the goddess is placed in the sanctum sanctorum. It is bracketed by four stone pillar-like structures that roof the statue. There is also a holy spring flowing from the western end of the temple, which is known to change ...

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