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Bahu Fort is one of the oldest forts and monuments in Jammu, constructed by Raja Bahulochan around 3000 years ago. Dogra rulers renovated and restored it and also extended its reach. The fort complex has terraced gardens, flowers, and waterfalls, and offers a panoramic view of the city. Bahu Fort Jammu also has a Bahu Temple, known as “Bawe Wali Mata” temple located inside the fort. It is dedicated to Goddess Kali. This fort is a testimony to the rich cultural elegance and architectural value of the ancient era.
Bahu Fort Location
Photo: Vedant Sharma / Wikimedia Commons
Bahu Fort is located 5 km away from the Jammu City Centre. It lies to the left bank of River Tawi. This fort is at an elevation of 1,066 feet and is opposite to the old town of Jammu. The Bahu Fort also has a 14 feet deep pond in its complex.
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Jammu
How To Reach Bahu Fort
Photo: Rocker Sta / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Due to its central location, tourists can easily reach the airport, railway station, and bus stand from this fort. It lies 8 km from the Jammu Airport, 4 km from the railway station, and 4.5 km from the bus stand. They can use private taxis or local transport to commute to this fort.
Places To Visit At Bahu Fort
Bahu Fort, situated at a 325 m high platform, boasts of Mughal-style architecture and has a lot to offer to tourists. Here are a few places inside the fort that tourists must visit and observe.
1. Bawe Wali Temple
Photo: Akhil2 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The Mahakali Temple known as Bawe Wali Mata Temple, is built on an elevated platform inside the Bahu Fort. The spiritual aura of this temple attracts several tourists every year. The temple is built of white marble on a 3.9-foot raised platform. It houses the Goddess Kali idol made of black stone. The local people believe that the Goddess appeared in Pandit Jagat Ram Sharma’s dream and hinted at her appearance in the form of a Pindi. Devotees throng here in huge numbers on Tuesdays and Sundays.
Timings: 5 AM – 10 PM
Best Time To Visit: During the Bahu Fair, twice a year during Navratri (March/April and September/October)
Suggested Read: Jammu Temples
2. Bagh-e-Bahu
Photo: Tejan gupta / Wikimedia Commons
Bagh-e-Bahu is a Mughal garden situated on the banks of River Tawi, very close to Bahu Fort. It has a serene ambience with majestic lawns, blooming flowers, and huge fountains. This garden was named after King Bahu Lochan’s masterpiece creation – Bahu Fort. The garden has a mesmerising entrance carved out using trees and flowers. It is one of the popular tourist destinations owing to its beauty and landscape. It houses flowers of rare species and lots of greenery. A lake surrounding the garden is used for boating by tourists.
Entry Fee: ₹5 per person
3. Underground Aquarium
Photo: en:User:Alexdi / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Bagh-e-Bahu Aquarium is a recent addition to the Bagh-e-Bahu Garden. The length of the aquarium is 220 m and is the largest underground aquarium. It is in the shape of a fish and houses around 400 fish species. This garden also has 24 aquarium caves – 2 large caves with marine fishes, 13 smaller caves with freshwater fish, and 9 medium-sized caves with freshwater and marine fishes. Some fish species you can find here are Neon jewel fish, sucker catfish, piranha, shark catfish, red shiner, bubble eye, and more.
Timings: 6 AM – 8 PM
Entry Fee: ₹5 per person
Suggested Read: Offbeat Places In Kashmir
Places To Visit Near Bahu Fort
Once you are done exploring the grand and majestic Bahu Fort, there are a few places nearby which you can visit, such as:
1. Raghunath Temple
Photo: Ssriram mt / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Raghunath temple is a famous temple in Jammu with seven shrines and each shrine has its own tower. The main shrine is dedicated to Lord Rama. The major attraction of this temple is the paintings that depict Ram Leela and Krishna Leela. The main temple’s inner wall has gold sheets on three sides. The carvings and arches are extraordinary and attractive. It is one of the largest temple complexes in North India.
Timings: 6 AM – 8 PM
Location: 4.3 km from the fort
2. Dogra Art Museum
Photo: Sawer3104 / Wikimedia Commons
The Dogra Art Museum in Jammu is an ideal place for people who are inquisitive about culture and heritage. This museum houses more than 800 rare paintings and articles from the Dogra dynasty. It is a treasure trove of the Dogra cultural heritage. It consists of a vast collection of miniature paintings from Basohali, terracotta heads from Akhnoor, sculptures, manuscripts, Dogra costumes, arms, jewellery, metal objects, and numismatics, etc. The marble jharokhas here are minutely decorated and add charisma to the gallery.
Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM on all weekdays, except Mondays
Location: 5.5 km from the fort
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Jammu
3. Amar Mahal Palace Museum
Photo: Jammu Tales / Wikimedia Commons
The Amar Mahal Palace Museum is another masterpiece that was built in 1862. The building’s architecture features a unique French chateau style, with an elegant design with red bricks and red sandstone. It is at a hilltop facing the River Tawi. The main attraction here is the golden throne of Jammu which weighs 120 kg. The art collection here is very impressive and is a treat for art lovers. The Pahari paintings here depict tales from the Mahabharata.
Timings: 9 AM – 1 PM and 2 PM – 5 PM (Closed on Mondays and National Holidays)
How To Reach: 5.5 km from the fort
Entry Fee: ₹20 for Adults, ₹10 for Children
Where To Stay
Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Bahu Fort is centrally located and has a lot of good accommodation options nearby. Some of the best options to stay near the fort are – Radisson Blu Jammu, Vivanta Jammu City Center, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Zone By The Park Jammu, KC Residency, and more. They offer excellent facilities, hygiene, and a comfortable stay.
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Where To Eat
Photo: Krrisd / Wikimedia Commons
Many eating joints near the Bahu Fort Jammu offer excellent options for food and drinks for travellers. These places are – Hot Billion, Khaana Khazana, The Terrace-Sky Lounge Restaurant, McDonalds, The Lime Tree, Blue Coriander – The Restaurant, and Chaat & More.
Best Time To Visit
Photo: Tejan gupta / Wikimedia Commons
Travellers can explore this fort throughout the year, but some of the best months to visit the Bahu Fort Jammu are from October to March, as the weather is pleasant during this time. The fort hosts a Bahu Mela twice a year – in March/April and September/October so you can enjoy the festivities here.
Suggested Read: Kashmir Temples
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: Nvvchar / Wikimedia Commons
Travellers planning to visit the Bahu Fort must keep the following factors in mind.
Average Cost Of The Trip
A trip to this fort is considerably budget-friendly as the entry fee is ₹10 per person and ₹5 per child. If you wish to take a camera along then you need to pay an additional ₹50. The rest of the cost includes your transportation.
Bahu Fort Jammu, along with the Bahu temple, one of the oldest monuments in the city was reconstructed and renovated from time to time and is one of the major tourist attractions in Jammu. This place has great historical and religious significance. Also, tourists must visit this spot to witness the architectural grandeur and the surrounding landscapes. You can plan a vacation with TripXL to visit this erstwhile structure.
Cover Photo: Ashish3724 / Wikimedia Commons
