Officially yours !

Never had i given much thought about the beauty of my hometown - Jammu . But now since am living and studying outside my state , i realize of what i miss now . I miss the essence of the place and the positive vibes .
There's this particular feeling that you feel in your hometown - the place you are born .
You feel complete , mentally at peace .
But i realized that i never tried to look out for the knowledge - the history , background of the place .
So , now after looking out and talking to people , my grandmother , grandfather , the people who have seen this place grow . I am sharing the beauty of this place with you people now .
People presenting Jammu and Kashmir for you .

Jammu city :-


 Jammu is known as the city of temples . I remember learning this fact in school classes . The city was founded by Raja Jamboo Lochan in the 14th century  . My grandmother told me this sweet unique story about the origination of the place .
According the legend , while the Raja was hunting one day , he happened to witness a tiger and a goat drinking water side by side from one and the same point . He was so struck by this extraordinary phenomenon that he at the very moment decided to build a city at this site so that the strong and the weak could live together in peace and mutual tolerance .
 While my grandmother was narrating this story , she was both surprised and happy . I could sense that . Surprised of why i have suddenly got so much interest in asking about the history of our place and happy that of whatever reason i now want to now all about it .
Then , i ask her about the various and famous temples of the city . She getting all excited tells me about it .
1.Vaishno Devi :-
It was not possible that it was not  no.1 on the list . The temple is near the town of Katra , in the Reasi district . Approximately 8 million pilgrims visit the temple every year. I remember going with my family to the temple and the best part always used to be the travelling part .
Trust me , it one of the best temples you'll ever see . From the journey to the Bhawan .

2. Raghunath Mandir :-
Amongst the temples in Jammu , the Raghunath Mandir takes pride of place being situated right in the heart of the city. She tells me that the temple was built in 1857. And the most amazing thing that she tells is that though the temple is 130 years old , it has one of the richest collections of ancient texts and manuscripts in its library . Its infrastructure is influenced by the Mughal architecture while the interiors of the temple are plated with Gold.
3. Bawey wali mata :-
Now , if you were born in Jammu , you wouldn't be surprised . The famous temple is situated inside the Bahu Fort .
 Smartly , my grandmother smiled and told me that it is her favourite temple in the city . My grandmother more elaborately tells that the present temple of Bawey Wali Mata was built shortly after the coronation of Maharaja Gualb Singh , in 1822 .
4. The Peer Baba shrine :-
Okay , before telling you about the history of this place , i would like to tell that i personally have a special place for this shrine in my heart . I used to go with my dad to this place when i was a kid .
My grandmother explained that it is said that the Ali Shah shrine is said to protect the people from mishaps and evil spirits . A friend of Guru Gobind Singh , it is said that Peer Baba lived his entire life on milk alone and lived to the age of 500 years .

City Centers and Attractions :-

1. Mansar Lake :-

Mansar Lake is a beautiful lake fringed by the forest - covered hills . It was my most favorite  place to visit in summers with my family . Besides being a popular excursion destination in Jammu , it is also a holy site , sharing the legend and sancity of Lake Mansarovar .   

2 . Bahu Fort :-

Bahu Fort ,  which also serves as a religious temple, is situated about 5 km from Jammu city on a rock face on the left bank of the river Tawi. This is perhaps the oldest fort and edifice in Jammu city. Constructed originally by Raja Bahulochan over 300 years ago, the fort was improved and rebuilt by Dogra rulers. Inside the fort, there is a temple dedicated to the Goddess Kali, popularly known as Bave Wali Mata, the presiding deity of Jammu. Every Tuesday and Sunday pilgrims throng this temple and partake in "Tawi flowing worship". Today the fort is surrounded with a beautiful terraced garden which is a favourite picnic spot of the city folk.

Bagh-E-Bahu located on the banks of Tawi river, is a Mughal-age garden. It gives a nice view of the old city and Tawi river. Bagh itself is very beautiful. There is a small cafeteria on one side of the garden.

On the by-pass road behind Bahu Fort, the city forest surrounds the ancient Mahamaya Temple overlooking the river Tawi. A small garden surrounded by acres of woods provides a commanding view of the city.

Opposite the Bahu Fort, overlooking the River Tawi is a temple dedicated to Mahamaya of Dogra decent, who lost her life fourteen centuries ago fighting foreign invaders. The present temple of Bawey Wali Mata was built shortly after the coronation of Maharaja Gualb Singh, in 1822. It is also known as the temple of Mahakali and the goddess is considered second only to Mata Vaishno Devi in terms of mystical power.

The Food :-

I totally love the Food . Trust me , you will find some of the best recipes here . 

The Jammu and Kashmir food is influenced by the cuisine of the various communities that have settled in the state. The food is rich in aroma and flavor and presents a varied banquet of delicacies in vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.

The tradition of the Warzan is a specialty of the state and comprises of the course meal with 36 delicacies. The tradition was inherited from the artistic cooks who settled in the state during the rule of the Muslim rulers in the 15th century. The kitchen is led by the Vasta Waza who is the chief chef of the Warzan tradition. The cuisine is influenced by the specialties from the kitchen of the Kashmiri pandits who are the original inhabitants of the region. 

The Rajputs who settled in Jammu and Kashmir also present a host of delicacies that are still consumed in the state. The Kashmiris use spices like the asafoetida, aniseed, saffron and other additional and aromatic spices. The food is cooked in mustard oil that spices the food and helps to keep the warm in the cold climate. Curd and ghee are also used in the preparations.

Kashmir is known for the growth of fruits, which is used in the preparation of the sweet dishes. The Phirni is a popular dessert prepared in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The regular diet of the local people of the state comprise of rice and hak, which is the vegetable preparation. Morel mushrooms and lotus root are also consumed by the local people.

The flavored Jammu and Kashmir food is another specialty of the region along with tourist attractions and beauty of the natural surroundings .

 While hearing the stories , and looking out in different books , i realized the beauty of this place . Take pride in your culture . Be proud of it . 

I am what i am because of you . I owe it to you . You'll always be the special one .

                                                                            PROUD TO BE A DOGRA !