Peaceful and laidback, Jammu is a must-visit

For many, Jammu is not on the 'must visit' list in the country, mainly because they think it's not safe to take in the beauty of snow-capped peaks and reflective lakes, all the while dreading a terrorist attack. And I was one among them, until I experienced the serenity of the place all by myself. The minute I got off the train at Jammu Tawi station, I was surprised to find the place swarming with gun-wielding army men. But they were not there to intimidate the tourists, but to help them find their way in the city. My first stop, after the hotel, was the Bahu fort. Built by Raja Bahulochan almost three centuries ago, this fort stands tall on a single rock, overlooking the Tawi river. Even as most part of the fort is under renovation currently, the crowd-puller is definitely the Kali temple located inside. Bordering the fort is the Bagh-e-Bahu, a beautifullycrafted terrace garden, and an underground aquarium. It hosts almost 300 varieties of fresh and marine water fishes, along with a video library, laboratory and a gallery. Jammu is not called the City of Temples for nothing - there are several ancient temples including the Raghunath mandir (which has a separate shrine dedicated to Maharaja Gulab Singh, founder of the J&K kingdom), Peer Kho cave and Shivkori. I knew my trip to Jammu was incomplete without visiting the Vaishno Devi Temple, and to avoid the rush, I started early and reached Katra, the base camp from where the trek to Trikuta Hills (where the shrine is located) begins. Though there are heli services available, it's wise to confirm with the authorities before you book one because the weather is unpredictable at this time of the year. I decided to trek my way up the hills (14 km in all!), and started walking through the carefully laid concrete path, bordered with railings. Covered in a makeshift raincoat, and armed with a chadi (walking stick), the trek up the hills - dodging the ponies and spotting monkeys, trying to hold the fog and taking shelter as it drizzles - is something that will stay afresh in my mind forever. There are several bhojanalay, run by the Shrine Board, which serve hygienic food at low cost, for tired travellers. I spent the rest of my stay there checking out the Mansar Lake, which is surrounded by dark forests and observatory decks that can be used while bird-watching. Though the lake offers boating facilities, there are not as advanced as those offered in Dal Lake. Amar Mahal Palace Museum, which is probably one of the best examples of French architecture in Jammu, Mubarak Mandi Palace and the Dogra art museum are some of the other places worth a visit.