A district which is strategically located is just like a buffer between Jammu Plains and Pir Panchal Hills. Udhampur Commands a panaromic view of the Shivaliks. The all improtant National Highway winds up as if it were a necklace round the neck of the district. Apart from the scenic beauty that Udhampur is endowed with it has some of the most sacred spots which too have a vast tourist potential. There are many archeological and historical spots in Udhampur which also have a tourist potential of their own. It will be very apt to draw the attention the readers towards the vast potential of pilgrim tourism in Udhampur.
“Devika Temple : This holy river in district udhampur originates from the foothill of Gangera, situated in the vicinity of the udhampur district, this big temple situated in the west bank, along the Jammu -srinagar national highway, of the udhampur district. In this with the main shikhar, there are also tombs of other god & goddesses, main entrance towards north side. This temple is reconstructed by Maharaja Ranbir singh during 1863 (as per available resources, Courtesy: Duggar ke mandir- By Shiv Nirmohi Ji ),by the order of her mother Rani Rakkwali,where as Rani’s parental house was Chak Rakwalla in Udhampur district. As this temple is situated near the bank of holy river Devika also having temple of Aap shambhu, believe to be very old.
Pilgrims /Tourists through out the country visit over here in order to take dip of the elder sister of holy Ganga, the one & only Devika,for which Udhampur district is known for. Three day Mela held every year on the eve of Baisakhi where thousands of people visit during these days. There is dire need of Yatri Niwas over the bank of holy river Devika where people throughout the country visit to take dip of holy water, may stay there. It is also important to write down here that a place where more than 8 crores have been spent over the last fiscal year, does not have a single yatri niwas.It is here by suggested that a two story well furnished building of old age home already constructed could be converted into yatri niwas & the inhabitants could be shifted to Jagriti oldage home udhampur.
“Sudhmahadev temple: just 112 kms away from Jammu & about 60 kms away from udhampur district towards Chenani tehsil .With immense natural mountainous beauty, this spot has instinct to feel like touch of heaven. As this temple has Shiva lingam looks to be very old it seems that it has been made during 17th century. It believes that it is the place where God Shiva appears, so it is called as Shudh (A place where all sins has been destroyed), by taking a dip of the paap nashini Bowli.It has been written in temples abhilekha – that this is bestowed to the Shivajis jaleri by her of the temple (dibhan nath who got it made for Rs.130 by Dekh ram & was inaugurated on 1st of magh 1825 corresponding to 22-1-1769. Mantalai, famous for its beauty & sthan of Guru Dhirendhara brahamchari an independent Shrine board on the pattern of shiv khori shrine board must be constituted wherein Sudhmahadev & Mantalai may undercome.
“Dalsar -Batota Shiv Mandir – Ramnagar: This different & historical temple of God Shiva situated 5 kms west of Ramnagar tehsil of Udhampur district, namely Dalsar religious place. According to the available resources, it has been reconstructed by Raja Ram Singh in 1892, then it was just a temple of simple shilas.this temple has amazing Shiva lingam which changes its colour, in the – Morning, afternoon & evening. This linga is Trimukhi, having clear picture of Shiva & is very much attractive. Dalsar area is also known for its religious values, also having a big Sarovar which was spreaded in over 32 kanals of land, now it is squeezed. Around this Sarovar so many archaelogical scripts are also present around the sarovar. This place is also very important from the archaelogical point of view. Now this temple is known as Parkash Temple wherein large number of devotees throughout the country visit, may also come under shrine board. Not only attracts devotees /tourists but also increase the Shrine board revenue.
“Sankari Devta Mandir At Pancheri: This temple is situated about 30 kms away from udhampur district towards Udhampur to Pancheri -lander road, famous for its worship, this temple shows one of the face of God Shiva where large no. of devotees through out the country visit here every year, may find their desires to be fulfilled. So many stories are associated with this temple. A Dangal also organized every year during the three days mela, where in every deptt. Play its own role.
“Pancheri famous for its scenic beauty must be developed so that large number of tourists may visit overhere resultantly improvement in the socio economic condition of the inhabitants may be seen.
“Krimachi Mansar Pandav Mandir Temple : Just 7 km away from Udhampur, over pancheri – lander road, near the bank of Buteshvari stream ,32degree N from equator & 75 degree east from central line, having seven group of templesbased on Nagar Shelli,made up of old Pashan & Shilas,place is also known as Bhuti Rajya in Dogra history; believe to be reconstructed in 9th or 10th century. Some historian believe that Krimachi was the capital of Mahabharata era Raja Krichak Who constructed these temples
This temple is divided into three parts 1st part has 5 groups of temples. 2nd &3rd part has 1 temple each.
“Baboor Group of temples : This group of temples situated towards the south end of udhampur near by 1 km of River Tawi , & 8 km towards north of Mansar lake.120 kms far away from Jammu. Historian’s belief is that this devastated Nagar was the capital of Duggar state during mid era. Old name of Baboor was Babapoor,ruled over by Dhar Vansh &the first king was Surajdhar .In Raj taringini ,there were inscriptions of Kirtidhar &Vajradhar with the king of Kashmir Raja Kalash ( 1087-88 ) & Sussal (1112-1120)
Devi Bhagawati mandir,Dhera Mandir,,Kala Dehra- 1, Kala Dehra – 2, Nand Baboor temple .. The temples not only famous for their architecture design but also put light over Dogra Sculpture art. In this, Vishnu, Shiva, Shiva in Nartya Mudra, Bhairav, Bhrish vahan Shiva, Ganesh & Sun. These temples spreaded over three sq. km. area. It is believed that in (1398-99) Tamoor’s sena rocked the Manu Nagar, none other than Babapoor that is why other name of Babapoor is Manuwal. Also believe that this capital was safe from the attack of Mahmood Gajnabi & Arabs.
“In order to promote tourism/trade in district udhampur, A Base camp must be formed because there is dire need of opening of Tourist Reception Centre/Yatri Niwas, as it is the central place where both Dhar road & NH1A meets. So tourist coming from both these roads may get specialty over here like yatri niwas, Ticket Collection Centre for Amarnath Shrine; may not only increase the Socio economic status of the inhabitants but also increase the opportunity of employment to thousands of unemployed.
