TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN JAMMU CITY

CREATOR & DESIGNER : MANIK DUTT

POINTS TO BE COVERED

Introduction

Facts And Figures About The State

History Of Tourism

Tourist Places

Importance Of Tourism

Government Efforts

Problems Faced By Tourism Industry

Suggestions For Improvement

INTRODUCTION

The urge to explore new places within one’s own country or outside and seek a change of environment has been experienced from ancient times.

The role of tourism is essential in the economic development of the state. It serves as a means of livelihood for millions of people.

Jammu is known for its ancient temples, Hindu shrines, gardens and forts. There attract a huge number of tourists every year.

The state of Jammu & Kashmir has immense potential for tourism from both domestic as well as international tourists, there are a number of locations which are untapped and can be developed as major tourist destination.

FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT THE STATE

Jammu plays a significant role on attracting tourists on the basis of its ancient temples, Hindu Shrines, gardens and forts.

Tourism in J&K offers a wide array of places to see. The delighting backwaters, hill stations and landscapes make J&K a beautiful tourist destination.

Some of the must visit tourist spots include shikara ride, trekking, handloom, food, rafting, camping etc.

Some of the Figures include :- * Area : 222,236 sq. km. * Capital : Srinagar (summer) , Jammu (winter) * Languages : Hindi, Dogri , Punjabi, Ladakhi, Pahadi, Kashmiri * Best time to visit : April to August (Kashmir and Ladakh) , October to March (Jammu)

HISTORY OF TOURISM IN JAMMU

Jammu is a land with more enormous potential for heritage tourism. The land is full of natural beauty that is unique to the state.

It has been blessed with variety of cultural forms. It has diverse practices in religion, rites and rituals , festivals , language etc.

The history of the state still lives in the forts, museums, ancient buildings and other heritage spots with the state.

Jammu is home to famous Hindu Pilgrimage in India, where millions of Hindu community people visit every year (Mata Vaishno Devi).

POPULAR TOURIST PLACES IN JAMMU

VAISHNO DEVI

A very popular Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu Goddess, located 42 km. away from the Jammu city at the Trikuta Mountains.

The place is famous as ‘Moonh Maangi Muradein Poori Karne Wali Mata’.

Over 8.6 million tourist visit Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Mandir every year.

A journey of 14 km. from the base camp at Katra to the main Bhawan . Darshans are open round the clock throught the year.

In the Bhawan, there are three heads in a natural rock form which are known as the ‘Holy Pindies’.

These are worshipped as revelation of Mother Goddess Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati.

RAGHUNATH TEMPLE

One of the oldest and the most worshipped temple in the Jammu city.

Situated in the heart of the city, this temple consists of seven Hindu Shrines, each with its own Sikhara (refers to a rising tower in Hindu temples).

All the seven shrines have gold plated spires(a conical tower).

God and Goddesses depicted in the seven shrines are all related to the epic Ramayana.

Architectural feature of the shrines are largely influenced by Mughal architecture.

The interior of the shrines depict the paintings of Gods and Hindu epics Ramayana , Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita.

BAHU FORT

The fort, originally built by Raja Bahulochan some 3,000 years ago.

Renovated in the 19th century. The fort is a religious place sustaining a temple dedicated to the ‘Hindu Goddess Mahakali’.

Popularly known as the ‘Bave Wali Mata temple’ , the renowned temple has been built in white marble on a raised platform.

It can accommodate only a few worshippers at a time at the Mandapa.

Adjoined by a garden called ‘Bagh-E-Bahu’. Located on the bank of Tawi River, is a picnic spot and people love hanging out here with their family.

The aquarium at the garden has attracted large number of tourists visiting the state. The aquarium is said to have 400 varieties of fishes.

AMAR MAHAL PALACE MUSEUM

Amar Mahal Palace is palace in Jammu which has now been converted into a Museum.

Built in 19th century for Raja Amar Singh by a French architect, the place was donated by Dr. Karan Singh for use as a museum.

The museum has many exhibits including a golden throne weighing 120kg, a library of 25,000 antique books and many rare art collections and paintings.

Adjoined with a heritage hotel known as the Hari Niwas Palace, it is situated on the bank of Tawi River and provides a grand view of The Shivalik Hills.

Built in European castle style, the palace is built of red sandstone and red bricks.

MANSAR LAKE

At a distance of 62 km. from Jammu city, Mansar is a beautiful lake surrounded by forest-covered hills.

It is a holy site, sharing the legend and sanctity of Lake Mansarovar. On the Eastern bank of the lake there is a shrine to Sheshnag, a mythological snake with six heads.

Ancient temples of Umapati Mahadev & Narsimha and temple of Durga are situated along side the Mansar Lake.

Ideal for boating for boating and a very popular picnic spot.

The lake has cemented path all around with projected view decks to enjoy the view of birds, tortoise, fishes of different species.

PATNITOP Patnitop is a hilltop tourist location in Udhampur district at a distance of 112 km from Jammu city.

Covered with thickly wooded Cedar forests, Patnitop offers beautiful picnic spots, peaceful walks and views of mountains.

Its neighbor towns Kud and Batote are famous for its patissa(a sweet) and quality of rajma respectively.

Closest winter resort to the state and is considered as Manali of Jammu and Kashmir state.

In winters, the place is covered with thick layer of snow and encourages sports like skiing.

RANBIRESHWAR TEMPLE

KAMESHWAR TEMPLE

MOHMAAYA TEMPLE CHE-CHE MAATA TEMPLE

PEER KHO CAVE TEMPLE

IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM

Tourism helps in employment generation.

Tourism helps in income generation.

Tourism helps in development of infrastructure.

Tourism helps in regional development.

GOVERNMENT EFFORTS

Introduction of online booking facilities where people can select and book their travel packages along with their tickets.

Government has come up with well built and well oriented hotels at almost every tourist destinations. Proper care is taken of the pilgrims.

Sightseeing facility is available for tourists along with proper pick and drop services from their respected hotels.

Timely cleaning and maintenance of tourist spots is being taken care of.

Tax collected from people is utilized in an efficient way by running a system that covers the interest of the tourists in the best possible way.

PROBLEMS FACED BY TOURISM INDUSTRY

Poor road connectivity and transportation facilities.

Poor maintenance of heritage sites.

Issues regarding security and harassment.

Lack of basic hygienic amenities at halting points.

Non-standardization of rates and fares.

Lack of sound marketing and promotion strategies.

Lack of supportive infrastructure.

SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Better road connectivity and transportation facilities.

It is the duty of J&K tourism development corporation to check proper cleaning and maintenance of the heritage sites.

Measures should be adopted to provide proper security to the tourists so that they do not have to think about their safety before travelling to J&K.

It is the duty of the local people to ensure the quality of the product they are selling to the tourists at halting points.

Government should ensure a proper system that defines standardized rates and fares to be charged from the tourists.

Government should focus on improving the plight of their hotels for better fascination of tourists.