Patnitop-Sanasar Circuit

	Patnitop in Winter

About 112 kms from Jammu, the famous hill resort of Patnitop is perched on a beautiful plateau, at an altitude of 2024 m, across which the Jammu-Srinagar highway passes. Enveloped by thickly wooded forests, Patnitop offers beautiful picnic spots, peaceful walks and breathtaking views of the valley of the Chenab basin and the Pir Panjal range beyond. In winter (mid Dec. to mid Feb.), the resort is generally covered with snow, thus providing opportunities for arious winter sports including amateur skiing.

Alpine huts at Sanasar

Further ahead, at a distance of about 19 Kms from Patnitop, is Sanasar (2079 m), a satellite resort of Patnitop, with a cup-shaped meadow surrounded by gigantic conifers. A place for a quiet holiday, the meadow has now been developed as a golf course.

The Sanasar meadow

There are several walks in the surrounding hills. The resort itself is ideal for paragliding, which is being promoted by the Tourism Department. Tourists with own vehicle can go on to Sansar from Patnitop and return by the evening.

Accommodation & Facilities:

The JK TDC has a large number of deluxe, two-bedroom and one-bed room huts, and a 20-roomed Tourist Bungalow at Patnitop. Also, there are a number of huts and a Tourist Bungalow at Sanasar. The tariff is as under:-

Alpine huts at Patnitop

Patnitop in summer

In addition to the J&K TDC accommodation, there are several private hotels at Patnitop, that provide accommodation to suite every pocket and preference.

Batote

Situated at about 125 kms from Jammu, on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, is the resort of Batote (1560m), straddling the forested slopes of the Patnitop mountain range and overlooking the spectacular Chenab gorge. Accommodation is available in J&K TDC’s 2-bed room huts at Rs.700/- and rooms in the Tourist Bungalow at Rs.300/- to Rs.350/- per day.

Landscape near Kud

Kud 

Located 103 kms from Jammu, on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, this popular resort is situated at an altitude of 1738 m. Accommodation is available in the J&K TDC’s Tourist Bungalow-I and Tourist Bungalow–II. The tariff is Rs.350/- for a regular room and Rs.450/- for a VIP room in the Tourist Bungalow-I, while in Tourist Bungalow-II, a room costs Rs.300/-. In addition, a number of private hotels also offer various types of accommodation. (Refer to the Jammu Hotels List for details.)

Sudh Mahadev

Sudh Mahadev

This holy spot near Patnitop is situated at an altitude of 1225 m, about 120 kms from Jammu. Pilgrims visit the shrine on the full moon night of 'sawan' (July-August) to worship the 'Trishul' (trident) and a mace, which are said to have belonged to Bheem, one of the five legendary Pandava brothers. The Devak stream originates at Sudh Mahadev and disappears among the rocks a few kilometres downstream. Accommodation is available in J&K TDC’s Tourist Complex at Rs.100/- per day for a double room, Rs.200/-per day for a 4-bedded room and Rs.15/- per head per day in the dormitory.

Gauri Kund

Some distance short of Sudh Mahadev is the legendary spring where the Goddess Parvati used to bathe before commencing her daily prayers at Sudh Mahadev. This spring came to be named after her as 'Gauri Kund'.

Mantalai

A view of Mantalai

Situated a few kilometers further away from Sudh Mahadev, Mantalai is surrounded by lush deodar forests at an altitude of 2000 m. The place is associated with the legend of the marriage of Lord Shiva with the Goddess Parvati.

Mansar Lake

Situated 62 kms from Jammu, Mansar is a beautiful lake fringed by forest-covered hills, over a mile in length by half-a-mile in width. Besides being a popular excursion destination in Jammu, it is also a holy site, sharing the legend and sanctity of Lake Mansarovar. Newly weds consider it auspicious to perform three circumambulations (‘Parikarma’) around the lake to seek the blessings of Sheshnag, the lord of serpents, whose shrine is located on its eastern bank. There are also some ancient temples on the lake’s shores, which are visited by devotees in large numbers. Mansar is also ideal for boating for which the Tourism Department provides adequate facilities. For the convenience of visitors a well lit flagstone walkway has been laid all around the shores. The J&K TDC has excellent accommodation in its Tourist Complex and self-contained huts. The tariff is Rs.350/- per day for a double room, Rs.600/- per day for an air-conditioned suite and Rs.500/- per day for a 2-bed room hut. A Tourist Office has also been established at Mansar for providing information and assistance.

Mansar Lake for large view click on image

Boating in Mansar Lake

Surinsar Lake

This is a picturesque spot with a lake surrounded by wooded hills, situated 42 Kms away from Jammu.

Shiv Khori

Inside Shiv Khori cave

This holy cave is nearly a kilometre long and houses a 4 ft high, naturally formed ‘Shivling’. It is considered second only to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in religious importance. There are stalactites and stalagmites dripping milky limestone water. Situated at a distance of about 100 kms from Jammu and about 75 kms from Katra, Shiv Khori hosts a major fair during the ‘Shivratri’ festival every year.

Click here to visit the official website of Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board: www.shivkhori.org

Purmandal Temple

Purmandal

About 40 kms from Jammu, just off the national highway leading towards Pathankot, is the Purmandal Temple Complex on the banks of the sacred and mostly underground Devak river.

Often referred to as 'Chhota Kashi', its main temple is dedicated to 'Umapati', while the other temples worship Lord Shiva. These ancient temples are associated with the Shaivite Hindus of the Kashmir Valley. Regular bus service connects the town with Jammu. Accommodation is available in pilgrim ‘sarais’.

Krimchi Temple

Krimchi

Krimchi, site of three of the oldest temples of Jammu, can be reached by taking a short detour of about 20 kms along a side road that branches off from the National Highway 1-A, about 8 kms short of Udhampur. The architecture of the temples shows distinct Greek (Hellenic) influences. Some distance further ahead in the hills is Pancheri, a beautiful hill resort.

Jajjar Kotli

On the national highway leading towards Srinagar, is the Jajjar Kotli Tourist Complex, built on the banks of the Jajjar rivulet, 35 kms away from Jammu. The crystal clear, cool waters of Jajjar attract picnickers in large numbers during summer. The J&K TDC has a tourist cafeteria with a bar and a small tourist bungalow to provide facilities to the visitors here.

Akhnoor

Situated 32 kms to the west of Jammu, the historic town of Akhnoor is situated on the banks of the mighty Chenab river. This town is associated with the legendary love story of Soni-Mahiwal. Ruins of the Indus Valley civilisation are to be seen along the riverbank.