Heritage Sites of Jammu

You’ll pass through Panjthirthi, Mubarak Mandi, Chowk Chabutra, and various Dhakkis and Mohallas along the way. While traveling, one comes across the stunning old temples and shrines that are tucked away in the city’s different nooks and crannies, and they leave with memories that will last a lifetime.

AMAR MAHAL

An architect from France designed the Amar Mahal in 1862, and it is constructed to resemble a French chateau with views of the River Tawi. Maharaja Amar Singh, the Vice President of the State Council of Jammu and Kashmir, began work on it in 1890. Maharaja Hari Singh continued building on the palace when Maharaja Amar Singh passed away in 1908, but due to a disagreement at one point, he sacked the French architect, leaving it unfinished.

Maharaja Hari Singh’s private palace was not utilised for public functions. Walking down from Amar Mahal towards Panjtirthi, one comes upon a two-story haveli on the right that presently serves as the All India Radio, Jammu studio. This is known as BEGUM-Di-HAVELI or HAVELI BEGUM.

Raja Ranjit Dev gave this haveli to Muglani Begum, the widow of the governor of Lahore, who lived there with her attendants in the nearby region. Begum-di-Haveli or Haveli Begum was the name of the region that stretched from the Radio Station to Ambphalla.

PANJTIRTHI

During Maharaja Pratap Singh’s rule, this region received its unique moniker due to the 5 (Five) Sacred Places (Tirthas) scattered throughout it. These five holy locations are:

DAU TEMPLE

Constructed by Maharaja Gulab Singh and now run by Dhramarth Trust, it is located on the banks of the River Tawi (below the recently constructed Multi Storey Parking). As Lord Krishna used to refer to his older brother as “Dau,” the temple is dedicated to Lord Balram Ji, the elder brother of Lord Krishna.

SARDARON KA MANDIR

Directly across from the current radio station. Its name comes from a massive compound that was constructed by Attar Singh, a Sardar in the Maharajas Army. Within its complex, there are a number of Mandirs, including Sri Ram Darbar, as well as temples to Shiva, Surya, Hanuman, Ganesh, and Lakshmi Mata Ji.

RADHA KRISHAN TEMPLE

Bhai Charan Das constructed Panjtirthi in 1839 AD across from the police station. The Radha Ji and Lord Krishna idols in the temple are exquisite. In honour of the priest who looked after the temple for many years, it is sometimes referred to as Billo Temple.

SATYA NARAYAN TEMPLE:

The second floor of the temple complex houses the Sanctum Sanctorum.The idols of Shri Satya Narayan Ji and Mata Lakshami Ji are kept there. A wonderful GarudDevJi idol can be found at a little neighbouring temple. During the time of Maharaja Partap Singh Ji, the temple was constructed.

Shri Banwari Das Temple is another name for the Bamaluj Temple. Outside of Mubarak Mandi, at Chowgan Salathia’s entrance, is where you’ll find the temple. The presence of statues of Lord Rama, Mata Sita, Lakshman Ji, and his wife Urmilla makes this old temple special.

GADA DHAR TEMPLE

The temple is situated just outside the Mubarak Mandi complex. It houses two life size statues of Shri Gaddadhar ji and Devi Lakshmi. The Temple was built by the Dogra Rajas during 18th century.
In the PANJTIRTHI AREA, residences of several High Officials of the Dogra Kingdom & some world personalities are located:

POONCH HOUSE:
Walking from Panjtirthi towards Mubarak Mandi was the residence of Raja Moti Singh, ruler of Poonch. Unfortunately, this too has been demolished and Govt Buildings come up in its place.

In the PANJTIRTHI AREA, residences of several High Officials of the Dogra Kingdom & some world personalities are located:

WAZIR GANGA RAM’S HAVELI:

Wazir Ganga Ram was one of Maharaja Hari Singh’s two ministers. Wazir Mohamed Afzal was the other person. His home has been transformed into a banquet space.

WAZIR TEJ RAM’S HAVELI:

He served as Maharaja Hari Singh’s treasurer. He served as the governor of Lahore, RAO RATTAN SINGH’S HAVELI. In addition, Jammu’s mayor was his son, Narendra Singh. He served as Maharaja Hari Singh’s minister of revenue.

RAI BAHADUR ANANT RAM’S HAVELI:

He was Raja Ranbir Singh’s preferred counsel, according to PUNDIT RAM KRISHAN’S HAVELI. The Lahore Durbar’s Accountant General was his brother, Pundit Jalla. Currently, Sh. KC Sharma and his family, who are his descendants, reside here.

Agrita Chhibber is from Jammu

Images from different sources

Mahabahu.com is an Online Magazine with collection of premium Assamese and English articles and posts with cultural base and modern thinking. You can send your articles to editor@mahabahu.com / editor@mahabahoo.com (For Assamese article, Unicode font is necessary)