View source for Jammu division

{{short description|Administrative division in Jammu and Kashmir, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Jammu division
| native_name        = 
| settlement_type    = Region administered by India as a [[Divisions of India|Administrative division]]
| image_map1         = Kashmir region. LOC 2003626427 - showing Jammu division administered by India in neon blue.jpg
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption1       = A map of the Jammu division (neon blue) of the Indian-administered [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] (shaded in [[tan (color)|tan]]) in the disputed [[Kashmir]] region.<ref name=tertiary-kashmir/>
| image_map          = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-width=300|frame-height=170|frame-align=center|zoom=4|type=point|title=Jammu division|marker=region|type2=shape|stroke-width2=2|stroke-color2=#808080}}
| map_caption        = Interactive map of Jammu division
| coordinates        = {{coord|32.73|N|74.87|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Administering country
| subdivision_name   = India
| subdivision_type1  = [[States and territories of India|Union territory]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]]
| subdivision_type2  = 
| subdivision_name2  = *[[Jammu district|Jammu]] 
*[[Doda district|Doda]] 
*[[Kathua district|Kathua]]
*[[Ramban district|Ramban]]
*[[Reasi district|Reasi]] 
*[[Kishtwar district|Kishtwar]]
*[[Poonch district, India|Poonch]]
*[[Rajouri district|Rajouri]]
*[[Udhampur district|Udhampur]]
*[[Samba district|Samba]]
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 
| founder            = 
| seat_type          = Capital
| seat               = [[Srinagar]] (summer)<br>[[Jammu]] (winter)
| government_type    = [[Divisions of India|Division]]
| governing_body     = 
| leader_title       = [[Divisional Commissioner]]
| leader_name        = 
| unit_pref          = Metric
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 26,293
| area_rank          = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 
| population_total   = 5,350,811
| population_as_of   = 
| population_footnotes = 
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank    = 
| population_demonym = 
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Dogri language|Dogri]], [[Urdu]], [[Hindi]], [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]], [[English language|English]]<ref name="OfficialLang">{{cite web |url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2020/222037.pdf |title=The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020 |publisher=The Gazette of India|date=27 September 2020 |access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020 | work=Rising Kashmir | date=23 September 2020 | url=http://risingkashmir.com/news/parliament-passes-jk-official-languages-bill-2020 | access-date=23 September 2020 | archive-date=24 September 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924141909/http://risingkashmir.com/news/parliament-passes-jk-official-languages-bill-2020 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| demographics1_title2 = Spoken
| demographics1_info2 = [[Dogri language|Dogri]], [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]], [[Pahari-Pothwari]], [[Punjabi Language|Punjabi]], [[Hindi]], [[Urdu]], [[Gojri]]
| timezone1          = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1        = +5:30
| website            = http://divcomjammu.gov.in/
| footnotes          = 
}}
The '''Jammu division''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=Jammu.ogg|ˈ|dʒ|æ|m|uː|,_|ˈ|dʒ|ʌ|m|-}}; {{IPA|doi|dʒəmːuː}}) is a [[Divisions of India|revenue and administrative division]] of the Indian-administered [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] in the disputed [[Kashmir]] region.<ref name=tertiary-kashmir>The application of the term "administered" to the various regions of [[Kashmir]] and a mention of the Kashmir dispute is supported by the [[WP:TERTIARY|tertiary sources]] (a) through (e), reflecting [[WP:DUE|due weight]] in the coverage. Although "controlled" and "held" are also applied neutrally to the names of the disputants or to the regions administered by them, as evidenced in sources (h) through (i) below, "held" is also considered politicized usage, as is the term "occupied," (see (j) below). <br/>
(a) {{citation|title=Kashmir, region Indian subcontinent|publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Kashmir-region-Indian-subcontinent |accessdate=15 August 2019}} (subscription required) Quote: "Kashmir, region of the northwestern Indian subcontinent ... has been the subject of dispute between India and Pakistan since the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The northern and western portions are administered by Pakistan and comprise three areas: Azad Kashmir, Gilgit, and Baltistan, the last two being part of a territory called the Northern Areas. Administered by India are the southern and southeastern portions, which constitute the state of Jammu and Kashmir but are slated to be split into two union territories.";<br/> (b) {{citation|last1=Pletcher|first1=Kenneth|title=Aksai Chin, Plateau Region, Asia|publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Aksai-Chin |accessdate=16 August 2019}} (subscription required) Quote: "Aksai Chin, Chinese (Pinyin) Aksayqin, portion of the Kashmir region, at the northernmost extent of the Indian subcontinent in south-central Asia. It constitutes nearly all the territory of the Chinese-administered sector of Kashmir that is claimed by India to be part of the Ladakh area of Jammu and Kashmir state."; <br/> (c) {{citation|chapter=Kashmir|title=Encyclopedia Americana|publisher=Scholastic Library Publishing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l_cWAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA328|year=2006|isbn=978-0-7172-0139-6|page=328}} C. E Bosworth, University of Manchester Quote: "KASHMIR, kash'mer, the northernmost region of the Indian subcontinent, administered partlv by India, partly by Pakistan, and partly by China. The region has been the subject of a bitter dispute between India and Pakistan since they became independent in 1947"; <br/> (d) {{citation|last1=Osmańczyk|first1=Edmund Jan|title=Encyclopedia of the United Nations and International Agreements: G to M|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fSIMXHMdfkkC&pg=PA1191|year=2003|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-0-415-93922-5|pages=1191–}} Quote: "Jammu and Kashmir: Territory in northwestern India, subject to a dispute between India and Pakistan. It has borders with Pakistan and China." <br/>(e) {{citation|last=Talbot|first=Ian|title=A History of Modern South Asia: Politics, States, Diasporas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eNg_CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA28|year=2016|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-19694-8|pages=28–29}} Quote: "We move from a disputed international border to a dotted line on the map that represents a military border not recognized in international law. The line of control separates the Indian and Pakistani administered areas of the former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir.";  <br/> (f) {{citation|last=Skutsch|first=Carl|editor-last=Ciment|editor-first=James|title=Encyclopedia of Conflicts Since World War II|edition=2nd|year=2015|orig-year=2007|isbn=978-0-7656-8005-1|chapter=China: Border War with India, 1962|location=London and New York|publisher=Routledge|page=573|quote=The situation between the two nations was complicated by the 1957–1959 uprising by Tibetans against Chinese rule.  Refugees poured across the Indian border, and the Indian public was outraged.  Any compromise with China on the border issue became impossible.  Similarly, China was offended that India had given political asylum to the Dalai Lama when he fled across the border in March 1959.  In late 1959, there were shots fired between border patrols operating along both the ill-defined McMahon Line and in the Aksai Chin.}}<br/>  (g) {{citation|last=Clary|first=Christopher|title=The Difficult Politics of Peace: Rivalry in Modern South Asia|date=23 August 2023 |publisher=Oxford University Press|location = Oxford and New York|isbn=9780197638408|page=109|quote=Territorial Dispute: The situation along the Sino-Indian frontier continued to worsen.  In late July (1959), an Indian reconnaissance patrol was blocked, "apprehended," and eventually expelled after three weeks in custody at the hands of a larger Chinese force near Khurnak Fort in Aksai Chin.  ... Circumstances worsened further in October 1959, when a major class at Kongka Pass in eastern Ladakh led to nine dead and ten captured Indian border personnel, making it by far the most serious Sino-Indian class since India's independence.}} <br/> (h) {{citation|last=Bose|first=Sumantra|title=Kashmir: Roots of Conflict, Paths to Peace|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ACMe9WBdNAC&pg=PA294|year=2009|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0-674-02855-5|pages=294, 291, 293}} Quote: "J&K: Jammu and Kashmir. The former princely state that is the subject of the Kashmir dispute. Besides IJK (Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir. The larger and more populous part of the former princely state. It has a population of slightly over 10 million, and comprises three regions: Kashmir Valley, Jammu, and Ladakh.) and AJK ('Azad" (Free) Jammu and Kashmir. The more populous part of Pakistani-controlled J&K, with a population of approximately 2.5 million.), it includes the sparsely populated "Northern Areas" of Gilgit and Baltistan, remote mountainous regions which are directly administered, unlike AJK, by the Pakistani central authorities, and some high-altitude uninhabitable tracts under Chinese control." <br/> (i) {{citation|last=Fisher|first=Michael H.|title=An Environmental History of India: From Earliest Times to the Twenty-First Century|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kZVuDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA166|year=2018|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-107-11162-2|page=166}} Quote: "Kashmir’s identity remains hotly disputed with a UN-supervised “Line of Control” still separating Pakistani-held Azad (“Free”) Kashmir from Indian-held Kashmir."; <br/> (j) {{citation|last=Snedden|first=Christopher|title=Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5amKCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA10|year=2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-1-84904-621-3|page=10}} Quote:"Some politicised terms also are used to describe parts of J&K. These terms include the words 'occupied' and 'held'."  
</ref>   It is bordered by the [[Kashmir division]] to the north.  It consists of the [[List of districts of Jammu and Kashmir|districts]] of [[Jammu district|Jammu]], [[Doda district|Doda]], [[Kathua district|Kathua]], [[Ramban district|Ramban]], [[Reasi district|Reasi]], [[Kishtwar district|Kishtwar]], [[Poonch district, India|Poonch]], [[Rajouri district|Rajouri]], [[Udhampur district|Udhampur]] and [[Samba district|Samba]]. Most of the land is hilly or mountainous, including the [[Pir Panjal Range]] which separates it from the Kashmir Valley and part of the Great Himalayas in the eastern districts of Doda and Kishtwar. Its principal river is the [[Chenab]].

[[Jammu]] city is the largest city in Jammu and the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also known as "City of Temples" as it has many temples and [[shrines]], with glittering ''[[shikhars]]'' soaring into the sky, which dot the city's skyline.

Home to some of the most revered Hindu shrines, such as [[Vaishno Devi]], Jammu is a major [[pilgrimage]] centre for Hindus. A majority of Jammu's population practices [[Hinduism]],<ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=Looks at possible solutions for Kashmir |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/south_asia/03/kashmir_future/html/ |website=news.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC News Online}}</ref> while [[Islam]] and [[Sikhism]] enjoy a strong cultural heritage in the region.

== History ==
[[File: Lama dance at Jummoo,.jpg|thumb|Lama dance at Jummoo]]
The hilly regions to the south and southwest of the [[Kashmir Valley]] formed the '''Jammu Province''' of the [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|princely state of Jammu and Kashmir]]. During the declining years of the [[Mughal Empire]], the region comprised 22 hill states that emerged from the Mughal suzerainty. Hutchison and Vogel, who first studied these states, called them the ''Dugar group'' of states. (''Dugar''<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.38533|title=History of the Panjab Hill States Vol. 1|last=Vogel|first=J. Ph|date=1933|pages=45–46}}</ref> is a medieval term with ancient form ''Durgara'' and modern form [[Dogras|Dogra]].) The state of Jammu is believed to have been the most prominent among the Dugar group, which they identified with the kingdom of ''Durgara''.

The term ''Durgara'' is attested in an 11th-century copper plate inscription from [[Chamba State|Chamba]]. The inscription refers to an attack on Chamba by the "Lord of Durgara" allied with ''Saumatikas'' and the ''Kiras'' of Chamba. However, no kingdom by that name is mentioned in the ''[[Rajatarangini]]''. ''Durgara'' could have been a reference to ''Vallapura'' (modern [[Billawar]]) or ''Babbapura'' (modern Babor). Some scholars believe it to have been a regional or ethnic name current in the region.{{sfn|Hāṇḍā, Textiles, Costumes, and Ornaments of the Western Himalaya|1998|p=178,&nbsp;180}}{{sfn|Hutchison & Vogel, History of Panjab Hill States, Volume 2|1933|pp=517–518}}{{sfn|Bamzai, Culture and Political History of Kashmir|1994|p=184}}{{sfn|Stein, Kalhana's Rajatarangini|1989|p=432}}

Jammu is mentioned by name in the chronicles of [[Timur]], who invaded Delhi in 1398 and returned to [[Samarkand]] via Jammu. Raja Bhim Dev is prominently mentioned in the Delhi chronicles as a supporter of [[Mubarak Shah (Sayyid dynasty)|Mubarah Shah]] ({{reign|1421|1434}}) against [[Jasrat]]. Between 1423 and 1442, Jammu came under control of Jasrat ({{reign|1405|1442}}) who [[Jasrat#Invasion of Jammu (1423)|conquered it]] after killing his arch-enemy Bhim Dev in 1423. Later, Jasrat appointed Manik Dev (also known as Ajeo Dev) as vassal, and married his daughter.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Charak |first=Sukh Dev Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KhtIAAAAIAAJ&q=A+Short+History+of+Jammu+Raj |title=A Short History of Jammu Raj: From Earliest Times to 1846 A.D. |date=1985 |publisher=Ajaya Prakashan |language=en|pages=76–78}}</ref> In the early-16th-century Mughal chronicles of [[Babur]], Jammu is mentioned as a powerful state in the Punjab hills. Emperor [[Akbar]] brought the hill kingdoms of the region under Mughal suzerainty, but the kings enjoyed considerable political autonomy. In addition to Jammu, other kingdoms of the region such as [[Kishtwar]] and [[Rajauri]] were also prominently mentioned. It is evident that the Mughal empire treated these hill chiefs as allies and partners in the empire.<ref name=Jigar>{{citation |last=Mohammad |first=Jigar |title=Raja Ranjit Dev's Inclusive Policies and Politico-economic developments in Jammu |newspaper=Epilogue |volume=4 |number=11 |date=November 2010 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TMxJzb7N_8wC&pg=PA40 |pages=40–42 |ref={{sfnref|Jigar Mohammad, Raja Ranjit Dev's Inclusive Policies|2010}}}}</ref>

After the decline of Mughal power in the 18th century, the Jammu state under Raja Dhruv Dev, of the ''Jamuwal'' (or ''[[Jamwal]]'') family, asserted its supremacy among the Dugar states. Its ascent reached its peak under his successor Raja Ranjit Dev (r.&nbsp;1728–1780), who was widely respected among the hill states.{{sfn|Jeratha, Dogra Legends of Art & Culture|1998|p=187}}{{sfn|Panikkar, Gulab Singh|1930|p=10}}
Towards the end of Ranjit Dev's rule, the Sikh clans of Punjab (''[[misls]]'') gained ascendancy, and Jammu began to be contested by the [[Bhangi Misl|Bhangi]], [[Kanhaiya Misl|Kanhaiya]] and [[Sukerchakia Misl|Sukerchakia]] ''misls''. Around 1770, the Bhangi ''misl'' attacked Jammu and forced Ranjit Dev to become a tributary. Brij Lal Dev, his successor, was defeated by the Sukerchakia chief Mahan Singh, who sacked Jammu and plundered it. Thus Jammu lost its supremacy over the surrounding country.{{sfn|Panikkar, Gulab Singh|1930|p=10–12}}

In 1808, Jammu itself was annexed to the [[Sikh Empire]] by [[Ranjit Singh|Maharaja Ranjit Singh]], the son of Mahan Singh.{{sfn|Panikkar, Gulab Singh|1930|p=15–16}}

=== Gulab Singh and the Dogra dynasty ===
{{Main|Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)}}
[[File:Gulabsingh1840.jpg|thumb|right|x250px|[[Gulab Singh of Jammu and Kashmir|Maharaja Gulab Singh]], the founder of princely state of Jammu and Kashmir]]

After the Sikh conquest of Jammu, [[Gulab Singh]], a descendant of Dhruv Dev via his third son, went on to enrol in the Sikh troops. He soon distinguished himself in battles and was awarded a ''[[jagir]]'' near Jammu with an allowance to keep an independent force. After the conquest of [[Kishtwar]] (1821) and the subjugation of [[Rajouri district|Rajouri]], he was made a hereditary Raja of Jammu in 1822, personally anointed by Ranjit Singh. His brother Dhyan Singh received [[Historical Poonch District|Poonch]] and [[Chibhal]], and Suchet Singh [[Ramnagar, Udhampur|Ramnagar]].{{sfn|Panikkar, Gulab Singh|1930|pp=14-34}}{{sfn|Huttenback, Gulab Singh and the Creation of the Dogra State|1961|p=478}}

By 1827, Gulab Singh brought under his control all the principalities lying between Kashmir and Jammu.{{sfn|Panikkar, Gulab Singh|1930|p=37}} Thus the entire Jammu province came under the control of the three [[Jamwal]] brothers under the umbrella of the Sikh Empire.

After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1839, the Sikh court fell into anarchy and palace intrigues took over. Gulab Singh's brothers Dhyan Singh and Suchet Singh, as well as his nephew Hira Singh, were murdered in the struggles. The relations between the Sikh court and Gulab Singh deteriorated.{{sfn|Panikkar, Gulab Singh| 1930|pp=65-72}}{{sfn|Satinder Singh, Raja Gulab Singh's Role|1971|p=37}} During the [[First Anglo-Sikh War]] (1845–1846), Gulab Singh kept aloof. He was nevertheless invited to Lahore and installed as prime minister of the Sikh Empire. His actions as the Prime Minister were duplicitous and contributed to a Sikh defeat.{{sfn|Satinder Singh, Raja Gulab Singh's Role|1971|pp=46-50}}

The British decided to weaken the power of the Sikhs and set up Gulab Singh as a counterweight. Accordingly, they demanded a war indemnity from the Sikhs which included all of the hilly territory between the [[Ravi River|Ravi]] and [[Indus River|Indus]] rivers, and then transferred it to Gulab Singh, recognising him as an independent Maharaja. Gulab Singh paid 7.5 million Nanakshahee Rupees to the British in the transaction.{{sfn|Satinder Singh, Raja Gulab Singh's Role|1971|pp=52-53}} Thus the princely state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] came into being, ruled by Gulab Singh and his descendants, known as the [[Dogra dynasty]].

During the Dogra rule, Jammu in the Jammu province and Srinagar in Kashmir province were both used as capitals, six months to a year each. Poonch and Chibhal were granted as ''jagirs'' to Dhyan Singh's surviving sons, Jawahir Singh and Moti Singh. However, Jawahir Singh got involved in conspiracies and was exiled to Punjab. Chibhal ([[Bhimber]]) thus reverted to Gulab Singh, while Poonch remained under the control of Moti Singh and his descendants under the suzerainty of Jammu and Kashmir.

=== Partition and accession ===
[[File:Kashmir Region November 2019.jpg|thumb|Kashmir region divided across Pakistan, India and China ]]
{{Main|Kashmir conflict}}
During the partition of India, the ruler was [[Maharaja Hari Singh]]. He, along with all the other princes, was given the choice of acceding to either India or [[Pakistan]], taking into consideration the geographical contiguity and the wishes of the population. The Maharaja chose not to accede to either dominion before the appointed date, citing the mixed religious composition of his state. This technical independence was short-lived as the Maharaja faced a [[1947 Poonch Rebellion|rebellion in the western districts]] and a Pakistan-inspired [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947|Pashtun tribal invasion]]. Unable to withstand the assaults, the Maharaja [[Instrument of Accession (Jammu and Kashmir)|acceded to India]] on 26–27 October 1947. India airlifted troops to Kashmir to repel the raiders. However, major portions of the western districts of Muzaffarabad, Poonch, and Mirpur [[Azad Kashmir|remained under the control of Pakistan]]. The remainder of the state was incorporated into India via the [[Constitution of India]], which also provided autonomy to the state under [[Article 370 of the Constitution of India|Article 370]].

== Geography and climate ==
Jammu borders the [[Kashmir Valley]] to the north, [[Ladakh]] to the east, and [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]] and [[Himachal Pradesh]] to the south. In the west, the [[Line of Control]] separates Jammu from [[Pakistan]]i-administered [[Kashmir]] (known as [[Azad Kashmir]] in Pakistan). In between Kashmir Valley to the north and the Daman Koh plains to the south, the [[Shivalik Range]] comprises most of the region of Jammu. The [[Pir Panjal Range]], the Trikuta Hills and the low-lying [[Tawi River]] basin add diversity to the terrain of Jammu. The Pir Panjal range separates Jammu from the Kashmir Valley. Jammu region has eight geographical subregions Ravi-Tawi Kandi plains, Shiwaliks, Pir Panjal belt, Chenab Valley, Bhaderwah Valley, Gandoh Valley, Paddar Valley and Warwan-Marwah Valley.

The climate of the region varies with altitude. In and around Jammu city, the climate is similar to the nearby Punjab region: hot summers, rainy monsoon, and mildly cold and foggy winters. While Jammu city itself does not experience any snowfall, the higher hills and mountains are snow-capped in winter. People from all over India come to [[Patnitop]] mountain resort to enjoy the winter snows. The shrine of [[Vaishno Devi]] is covered with snow in the winter. The [[Banihal Pass]], which links the Jammu region to the Kashmir region, often experiences closure in the winter months due to extremely heavy snowfall.

== Demographics ==
{{See also|List of Scheduled Castes in Jammu and Kashmir}}
{{Pie chart|label1=[[Hinduism]]|value1=67.5|color1=darkorange|label2=[[Islam]]|value2=
30|color2=Green|label3=[[Sikhism]]|value3=2|color3=yellow|label4=[[Christianity]]|value4=0.3|color4=blue|label5=|value5=0.0|color5=Gold|label6=|value6=0.|color6=Maroon|label7=Others|value7=0.2|color7=Grey|label8=Not Stated|value8=0.1|color8=Black|caption=Religions in Jammu Division (2011)<ref name="2011 Census">{{cite web|title=Population by religion community – 2011|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=Census of India, 2011|publisher=The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS|archive-date=25 August 2015}}</ref>}}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = left
| caption=Jammu Division: mother-tongue of population, according to the 2011 Census.<ref name="census2011-C16"/>
|label1 = Dogri |value1 = 46.59 |color1 = Indigo
|label2 = Pahari |value2 = 13.23 |color2 = Salmon
|label3 = Gojri |value3 = 13.07 |color3 = MediumVioletRed
|label4 = Kashmiri |value4 = 11.07 |color4 = LightGreen
|label5 = Others |value5 = 5.45 |color5 = Black
|label6 = Hindi |value6 = 3.46 |color6 = Orange 
|label7 = Punjabi |value7 = 3.12 |color7 = Blue
|label8 = Bhadrawahi |value8 = 1.83 |color8 = Tomato
|label9 = Siraji |value9 = 1.44 |color9 = DarkGoldenrod
|label10 = Urdu |value10 = 0.18 |color10 = Green
|style=White|value30=Urdu|value11=0.18}}

According to the 2011 census, the total population of Jammu Division is 5,350,811.<ref name=CEN2011>[http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/prov_data_products_J&K.html Census of India: Provisional Population Totals Paper 1 of 2011: Jammu & Kashmir]</ref> [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled castes]] ([[Dalit]]s) constitute 19.44% of the population<ref>{{cite web | title=Fate of J&K Dalits evades attention of civil society | website=The Tribune| date=2016-04-16 | url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/fate-of-jk-dalits-evades-attention-of-civil-society-222985 | access-date=2020-08-27}}</ref> and [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|Scheduled tribes]] comprise 15-20% of the population in Jammu Division. Five out of 10 districts, mainly in the hilly areas of the east and north, have Muslim majorities, while the densely populated plains of the southwest are predominantly Hindu. [[Gurjar]]-[[Bakarwal]]s and [[Gaddis|Gaddi-Sippi]]s, who practice [[transhumance]], are also found here.<ref>{{cite web | title=Tribal Gujjars, Bakarwals advised to suspend seasonal migration in J&K | website=Outlook Magazine | date=2020-04-05 | url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/tribal-gujjars-bakarwals-advised-to-suspend-seasonal-migration-in-jampk/1791993 | access-date=2020-08-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Gaddis, Sippis allege bias | website=The Tribune | date=2017-09-11 | url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/j-k/gaddis-sippis-allege-bias-465146 | access-date=2020-08-27}}</ref> The largest ethnic group in the Jammu Division are the [[Dogras]], who comprise approximately 47% of the population.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Arakotaram|first=Karan|date=15 October 2019|title=The Rise of Kashmiriyat People|url=http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cujsas/Volume%20I/Karan%20Arakotaram%20-%20Kashmiriyat.pdf}}</ref> Jammu's people are closely related to [[Punjabis]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Jammu-and-Kashmir|title=Jammu and Kashmir {{!}} Geography, History, & Points of Interest|work=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=2017-04-05|language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Jammu Tawi.jpg|thumb|[[Tawi River]]]]
The Jammu District overall has a population – 84% practice Hinduism, 7% practice Islam and most of the remainder are Sikhs.<ref name=CEN2011 /> The Hindus form a majority in the [[Jammu]], [[Kathua]], Samba and [[Udhampur district|Udhampur]] districts, and roughly half the population in the [[Reasi district]].<ref name=CEN2011 /> Most of Jammu's Hindus are native Dogras, [[Kashmiri Pandit]]s, [[Hinduism in Punjab|Punjabi Hindu]] migrants and refugees from the [[Kotli]] and [[Mirpur, Azad Kashmir|Mirpur]] areas which are currently administered by Pakistan. Many Sikhs are migrants from Pakistan-administered Kashmir, mainly from [[Muzaffarabad]] and [[Poonch District, Pakistan|Poonch]] sector areas annexed by Pakistan in 1947.{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}

In Jammu Division, "[[Dogri language|Dogri]] is spoken by a majority in the five districts of Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, Samba and Reasi".<ref name=study/> Other common languages include [[Gojri]], [[Pahari-Pothwari|Pahari]], [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]], [[Hindi]], [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]] and [[Urdu]].<ref name=study>[[Shujaat Bukhari]], [http://www.jammu-kashmir.com/archives/archives2014/kashmir20140629d.html Nearly 35% People Speak Kashmiri In Erstwhile J&K: Study], Rising Kashmir, 29 June 2014.</ref>
{|class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" 
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! colspan=4| Jammu Division: mother-tongue of population, according to the 2011 Census.<ref name="census2011-C16">{{cite report |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Jammu & Kashmir |url = https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-0100.XLSX |publisher = Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=18 July 2020}}</ref>
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! Mother tongue code
! Mother tongue
! People
! Percentage
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 001002 || [[Assamese language|Assamese]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 2,930 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.05%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 002007 || [[Bengali language|Bengali]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 8,826 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.16%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 004001 || [[Dogri language|Dogri]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 2,505,677 
| style="text-align:right;" | 46.59%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 005018 || [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 2,581 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.05%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 005054 || [[Poonchi dialect|Ponchi]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 13,651 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.25%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 006086 || [[Bhadrawahi language|Bhadrawahi]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 98,159 
| style="text-align:right;" | 1.83%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 006096 || [[Bharmauri language|Bharmauri/Gaddi]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 24,019 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.45%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 006102 || [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 6,455 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.12%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 006125 || [[Bundeli language|Bundeli/Bundel khandi]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 1,303 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.02%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 006142 || [[Chhattisgarhi language|Chhattisgarhi]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 9,287 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.17%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 006173 || [[Dhundhari language|Dhundhari]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 2,073 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.04%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 006195 || [[Garhwali language|Garhwali]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 794 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.01%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 006207 || [[Gojri language|Gojri/Gujjari/Gujar]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 703,049 
| style="text-align:right;" | 13.07%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 006235 || [[Haryanvi language|Haryanvi]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 10,230 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.19%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 006240 || [[Hindi]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 186,204 
| style="text-align:right;" | 3.46%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 006340 || [[Kumauni language|Kumauni]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 946 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.02%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 006376 || [[Magahi language|Magadhi/Magahi]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 1,133 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.02%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 006438 || [[Padari dialect|Padari]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 17,225 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.32%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 006439 || [[Pahari language|Pahari]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 711,587 
| style="text-align:right;" | 13.23%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 006489 || [[Rajasthani language|Rajasthani]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 2,119 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.04%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 007016 || [[Kannada language|Kannada]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 3,445 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.06%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 008005 || [[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 595,290 
| style="text-align:right;" | 11.07%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 008010 || [[Kishtwari language|Kishtwari]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 39,606 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.74%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 008018 || Siraji
| style="text-align:right;" | 77,355 
| style="text-align:right;" | 1.44%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 008019 || Dardi 
| style="text-align:right;" | 3,669 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.07%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 010008 || [[Maithili language|Maithili]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 578 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.01%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 011016 || [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 5,994 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.11%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 012003 || [[Meitei language|Meitei]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 1,195 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.02%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 013071 || [[Marathi language|Marathi]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 11,007 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.20%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 014011 || [[Nepali language|Nepali]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 17,214 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.32%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 015043 || [[Odia language|Odia]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 4,923 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.09%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 016038 || [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 167,602 
| style="text-align:right;" | 3.12%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 020027 || [[Tamil language|Tamil]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 6,984 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.13%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 021046 || [[Telugu language|Telugu]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 7,214 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.13%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 022015 || [[Urdu language|Urdu]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 9,702 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.18%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 024001 || [[Pashto language|Afghani/Kabuli/Pashto]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 559 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.01%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 031011 || [[Ladakhi language|Bauti]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 1,971 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.04%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 040001 || [[English language|English]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 398 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.01%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 053005 || [[Gujari language|Gujari]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 22,063 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.41%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 055007 || [[Khasi language|Khasi]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 1,195 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.02%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 073003 || [[Ladakhi language|Ladakhi]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 596 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.01%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
|| 109005 || [[Shina language|Shina]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 613 
| style="text-align:right;" | 0.01%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" 
| style="text-align:center;" | – 
|| [[Languages of India|Others]] 
| style="text-align:right;" | 91,117 
| style="text-align:right;" | 1.69%
|- style="vertical-align:top;" class=sortbottom 
| colspan=2 | Total 
| style="text-align:right;" | 5,378,538 
| style="text-align:right;" | 100.00%
|-
|}

Hindus of Jammu region are subdivided into various caste groups, and of them [[Brahmin]]s and [[Rajput]]s are the predominant ones. According to the 1941 census, 30% of them were Brahmin, 27% Rajput, 15% [[Thakur (title)|Thakkar]], 4% [[Jat]], 8% [[Khatri]]<ref>[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V15_105.gif&volume=15 Imperial Gazetteer2 of India, Volume 15, page 99 – Imperial Gazetteer of India – Digital South Asia Library]</ref> and 8% [[Bhagat|Megh]] and [[Chamar]] are the most common.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jammu & Kashmir DATA HIGHLIGHTS : THE SCHEDULED CASTES Census of India 2001 |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/dh_sc_jk.pdf |website=censusindia.gov.in}}</ref> [[Other Backward Class]]es comprises 32% of population in Jammu.<ref>{{cite web | title=OBC delegation meets Ambika Soni, demands greater reservation in Jammu and Kashmir | website=The Economic Times | date=2013-08-31 | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/obc-delegation-meets-ambika-soni-demands-greater-reservation-in-jammu-and-kashmir/articleshow/22175115.cms | access-date=2020-08-27}}</ref>

The districts of [[Rajouri district|Rajouri]], [[Poonch district, India|Poonch]], [[Doda district|Doda]], [[Kishtwar district|Kishtwar]] and [[Ramban district|Ramban]] have a Muslim-majority population.<ref name=CEN2011/> The [[Reasi district]] has an almost equal number of Muslims (49.7%) and Hindus (48.9%). The Muslim ethnic groups are, [[Gurjar|Gujjar]] and Bakerwal in Poonch and Rajouri districts who are ethno-linguistically different from the Kashmiri Muslims. There is a substantial presence of Kashmiri Muslims in [[Kishtwar district|Kishtwar]], [[Ramban district|Ramban]] and [[Doda district|Doda]] districts. [[Reasi district]] also has a significant population of Kashmiri Muslims.<ref name=study/><ref name=":1">[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html C-16 Population By Mother Tongue: Jammu and Kashmir], General & Census Commissioner, India, retrieved 14 July 2018.</ref> The [[Jammu district]] also has a significant population of [[Kashmiri Hindus]].
{{See also|List of cities in Jammu and Kashmir}}

== Districts ==
As of April 2021, the Jammu Division consists of ten districts:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin-bottom: 0;"
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
!rowspan=2| Name of district 
!rowspan=2 class=unsortable| Headquarters  
!colspan=5| Area 
!rowspan=2| Population <br /> (2001)<ref name=census2011>{{cite report|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/prov_data_products_J&K.html |title=Census of India 2011, Provisional Population Totals Paper 1 of 2011 : Jammu & Kashmir |work=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India}}<br>{{cite report |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/data_files/J&K/Annexure%20V.xls |title=Annexure V, Ranking of Districts by Population Size, 2001 - 2011}}</ref>
!rowspan=2| Population <br /> (2011)<ref name=census2011/>
! colspan="2" |Religious Composition (2011)<ref name=":02">{{cite web|title=C-1 Population By Religious Community|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html|access-date=10 June 2019|publisher=Census}}</ref>
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
!| Total <br /> (km<sup>2</sup>)
!class=unsortable| Total <br /> (sq mile)
!| Rural <br /> (km<sup>2</sup>)
!| Urban <br /> (km<sup>2</sup>)
!class=unsortable|
!Hindu %
!Muslim %
|-style="vertical-align:top;" 
| [[Kathua district|Kathua]] || [[Kathua]] 
| {{convert|2502|km2|sqmi|disp=table|0|adj=ri0}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|2458.84|2}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|43.16|2}} 
|| <ref>{{cite report 
|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/01/0107_PART_A_DCHB_KATHUA.pdf |page=8 |work=Census of India 2011, Part A |title=District Census Handbook Kathua |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref> 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 550084}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 615711}}
|87.6%
|10.4%
|-style="vertical-align:top;" 
| [[Jammu district|Jammu]] || [[Jammu (city)|Jammu]] 
| {{convert|2342|km2|sqmi|disp=table|0|adj=ri0}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|2089.87|2}} <!-- Part A page 116 says 209810.70 hectares (2,098.1070 sq km) Part B page 24 says 2,089.87 sq km-->
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|252.13|2}} 
||<ref>{{cite report |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/01/0121_PART_A_DCHB_JAMMU.pdf |pages=13, 51, 116 |work=Census of India 2011 |title=District Census Handbook Jammu, Part A |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2020}}<br/>{{cite report |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0121_PART_B_DCHB_JAMMU.pdf |pages=13, 24 |work=Census of India 2011 |title=District Census Handbook Jammu, Part B |date=16 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref>
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 1343756}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 1526406}}
|84.3%
|7.5%
|-style="vertical-align:top;" 
| [[Samba district|Samba]] || [[Samba, Jammu|Samba]] 
| {{convert|904|km2|sqmi|disp=table|0|adj=ri0}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|865.24|2}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|38.76|2}} 
||<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/01/0122_PART_A_DCHB_SAMBA.pdf |pages=9, 34, 36, 100 |work=Census of India 2011 |title=District Census Handbook Samba, Part A |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2020}}<br/>{{cite report |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0122_PART_B_DCHB_SAMBA.pdf |pages=10, 12, 22 |work=Census of India 2011 |title=District Census Handbook Samba, Part B |date=16 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref>
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 245016}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 318611}}
|86.3%
|7.2%
|-
| [[Udhampur district|Udhampur]] || [[Udhampur]] 
| {{convert|2637.00|km2|sqmi|disp=table|0|adj=ri0}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|2593.28|2}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|43.72|2}} 
||<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0119_PART_B_DCHB_UDHAMPUR.pdf |pages=12, 22 |work=Census of India 2011 |title=District Census Handbook Udhampur |date=16 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref>
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 475068}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 555357}}
|88.1%
|10.8%
|-style="vertical-align:top;" 
| [[Reasi district|Reasi]] || [[Reasi]] 
| {{convert|1719|km2|sqmi|disp=table|0|adj=ri0}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|1679.99|2}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|39.01|2}} 
||<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/01/0120_PART_A_DCHB_REASI.pdf |pages=9, 37, 88 |work=Census of India 2011 |title=District Census Handbook Reasi, Part A |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2020}}<br/>{{cite report |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0120_PART_B_DCHB_REASI.pdf |pages=9, 13, 24 |work=Census of India 2011 |title=District Census Handbook Reasi, Part B |date=16 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref> 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 268441}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 314714}}
|48.9%
|49.7%
|-style="vertical-align:top;" 
| [[Rajouri district|Rajouri]] || [[Rajouri]] 
| {{convert|2630|km2|sqmi|disp=table|0|adj=ri0}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|2608.11|2}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|21.89|2}} 
||<ref>{{cite report |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/01/0106_PART_A_DCHB_RAJOURI.pdf |pages=11, 107 |work=Census of India 2011 |title=District Census Handbook Rajouri, Part A |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2020}}<br/>{{cite report |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0106_PART_B_DCHB_RAJOURI.pdf |pages=9, 10, 12, 22 |work=Census of India 2011 |title=District Census Handbook Rajouri, Part B |date=16 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref>
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 483284}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 619266}}
|34.5%
|62.7%
|-style="vertical-align:top;" 
| [[Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir|Poonch]] || [[Poonch (town)|Poonch]] 
| {{convert|1674|km2|sqmi|disp=table|0|adj=ri0}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|1649.92|2}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|24.08|2}} 
||<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/01/0105_PART_A_DCHB_PUNCH.pdf |pages=9, 99 |work=Census of India 2011 |title=District Census Handbook Punch, Part A |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2020}}<br/>{{cite report |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0105_PART_B_DCHB_PUNCH.pdf |pages=11, 13, 24 |work=Census of India 2011 |title=District Census Handbook Punch, Part B |date=16 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref>
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 372613}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 476820}}
|6.8%
|90.5%
|-style="vertical-align:top;" 
| [[Doda district|Doda]] || [[Doda, Jammu and Kashmir|Doda]] 
| {{convert|2625.00|km2|sqmi|disp=table|0|adj=ri0}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|2617|2}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|8|2}} 
||<ref>{{cite report |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0116_PART_B_DCHB_DODA.pdf |pages=9, 12, 99 |work=Census of India 2011 |title=District Census Handbook Doda, Part B |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref>
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 320256}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 409576}}
|45.8%
|53.8%
|-style="vertical-align:top;" 
| [[Ramban district|Ramban]] || [[Ramban (Jammu and Kashmir)|Ramban]] 
| {{convert|1329.00|km2|sqmi|disp=table|0|adj=ri0}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|1313.92|2}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|15.08|2}} 
||<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0117_PART_B_DCHB_RAMBAN.pdf |pages=10, 12 |work=Census of India 2011 |title=District Census Handbook Ramban, Part B |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref>
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 180830}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{formatnum: 283313}}
|28.6%
|70.7%
|-style="vertical-align:top;" 
|rowspan=2| [[Kishtwar district|Kishtwar]] 
|rowspan=2| [[Kishtwar]] 
| {{convert|7737.00|km2|sqmi|disp=table|0|adj=ri0}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|7732|2}} 
|style="text-align:right;"| {{round|15|2}} 
||<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/0118_PART_B_DCHB_KISHTWAR.pdf |pages=9, 10, 22 |work=Census of India 2011 |title=District Census Handbook Kishtwar, Part B |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref>
|style="text-align:right;" rowspan=2| {{formatnum: 190843}} 
|style="text-align:right;" rowspan=2| {{formatnum: 231037}}
| rowspan="2" |40.7%
| rowspan="2" |57.8%
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
|}

During the Maharaja's reign before the Independence and Partition of India (and of Jammu and Kashmir), the following districts were also part of Jammu region: Bhimber, Kotli, Mirpur, Poonch (Western parts), Haveli, Bagh and Sudhnati. Today these districts are part of [[Azad Kashmir|Pakistan Administered Jammu and Kashmir]].

== Politics ==
The major political parties in the region are the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]], the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]], the [[Jammu & Kashmir National Conference|National Conference]], the [[Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party]] and the [[Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party]].

Various sections of the society in the region including the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] have been advocating the separation of Jammu region from Kashmir and its inclusion as a distinct entity into the Indian Union, citing largely Kashmir-centric policies in the existing state and neglect of the Jammu region by successive Kashmir dominated administrations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Sehgal|first=Narender|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Wb4wBQAAQBAJ&q=bias+with+jammu+region&pg=PA245|title=A State in Turbulence Jammu & Kashmir|date=2013-01-01|publisher=Prabhat Prakashan|isbn=978-81-8430-242-4|language=en}}</ref>

In November 2020, the organisation [[Ikkjutt Jammu|IkkJutt Jammu]] was launched as a party and demanded Jammu division be separated and given statehood.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ikkjutt Jammu floats political party, vows to fight for 'statehood for Jammu'|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/ikkjutt-jammu-floats-political-party-vows-to-fight-for-statehood-for-jammu/articleshow/79213223.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2020-11-23}}</ref> The then social organisation IkkJutt Jammu campaigned against the [[Roshni Act]], which was declared unconstitutional by the [[Jammu and Kashmir High Court]] in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How J&K's Roshni Act Was Used to Keep the Poor in the Dark|url=https://thewire.in/rights/jammu-kashmir-roshni-act-state-land-evictions|access-date=2020-11-23|website=The Wire}}</ref>

The present arrangement of legislative assembly seats (46 in Kashmir and 37 in Jammu) deprives Jammu region an equal say in decision-making process. This has been the main point of contention behind the strong regional divide. There have been repeated demands for the constitution of a Delimitation Commission to address issues related to electoral arrangements.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Delimitation of J&K Assembly seats will end partisanship that favours Kashmir, turned state into 'rotten borough' of Valley|url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/delimitation-of-jk-assembly-seats-will-end-partisanship-that-favours-kashmir-turned-state-into-rotten-borough-of-valley-6774741.html|date=June 7, 2019|website=Firstpost|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh: Exploring a new paradigm|url=https://www.orfonline.org/research/jammu-kashmir-and-ladakh-exploring-a-new-paradigm-54185/|last=Malik|first=Ashok|website=ORF|language=en-US|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref> After changing the status of the state to Union territory, the Government announced setting up of Delimitation Commission with retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai as its chairman.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-05-28|title=Lok Sabha Speaker nominates 15 MPs to the Delimitation Commission|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lok-sabha-speaker-nominates-15-mps-to-the-delimitation-commission/article31698154.ece|access-date=2020-06-01|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Economy==
'''Jammu Chamber of Commerce & Industry''' is an apex body of traders, industrialists and those associated with commercial activities in the Jammu division.<ref>{{cite web | last=Das | first=Shaswati | title=Infiltration down to a trickle in J&K, but radicalization rampant among locals | website=Livemint | date=2020-01-13 | url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/infiltration-down-to-a-trickle-in-j-k-but-radicalization-rampant-among-locals-11578936644660.html | access-date=2020-08-10}}</ref>

== Places of interest ==

Jammu is known for its landscape, ancient temples, [[Hindu]] shrines, [[Mubarak Mandi Palace]], [[Amar Mahal Palace]] (a castle type) now a Museum, gardens and [[forts]]. Hindu holy shrine Vaishno Devi attracts tens of thousands of Hindu devotees every year. Jammu's natural landscape has made it one of the most favoured destinations for adventure tourism<ref name="bhaderwah.com">[http://www.bhaderwah.com/ Bhaderwah: Welcome to the Heaven of Earth!!!]</ref> in South Asia. Jammu's historic monuments feature a unique blend of Islamic and Hindu architecture styles.

=== Purmandal ===
[[PURMANDAL]], also known as ''Chhota Kashi'' or ''Kashi of Jammu'' , is located 35&nbsp;km from Jammu city. An ancient holy place, it has several temples of [[Shiva]] and other deities. On [[Shivratri]], the town wears a festive look and for three days as people celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva to Goddess [[Parvati]].

=== Vaishno Devi shrine ===
{{Main|Vaishno Devi}}
[[File:Vaishno.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The [[Vaishno Devi shrine]] attracts millions of Hindu devotees every year]]

The town of [[Katra, Jammu and Kashmir|Katra]], which is {{cvt|48|km}} from Jammu, contains the Vaishno Devi shrine. Nestling on top of the [[Trikuta Hills]] at a height of {{convert|1700|m}} is the sacred cave shrine of Vaishno Devi, the mother [[goddess]]. The cave is {{convert|30|m}} long and just {{convert|1.5|m}} high. At the end of the cave are shrines dedicated to the three forms of the mother goddess — [[Mahakali]], [[Mahalakshmi]] and [[Sarasvati|Mahasarasvati]]. [[Pilgrims]] start trekking to the cave temple, which is {{cvt|13|km}} from Katra, enter in small groups through a narrow opening and walk through ice-cold waters to reach the shrines. According to legend, the mother goddess hid in the cave while escaping a demon whom she ultimately killed.

=== Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary ===

Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary is in an area of thick forests teeming with wildlife. It is a renowned natural habitat for a significant population of pheasants. Among the other avifauna are [[Indian mynah]], blue [[rock dove|rock pigeon]], [[Indian peafowl]], [[red junglefowl]], [[cheer pheasant]] and [[Chukar partridge|chakor]].

Spread over an area of {{cvt|34|km2}}, the sanctuary is rich in fauna and provides refuge to a wide variety of [[mammals]], chiefly [[leopard]], [[wild boar]], [[rhesus monkey]], [[bharal]] and [[grey langur]].
===Sukrala Mata Mandir===
{{Main|Sukrala Mata Mandir}}
This is an important Mandir of Jammu region dedicated to Goddess Sukrala, a manifestation of Goddess Sharada of Kashmir. It is located in Sukrala village near [[Billawar]] town in [[Kathua district]].<ref name=":2" />

=== Mansar Lake ===
{{Main|Mansar Lake}}
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2012}}
Situated 62&nbsp;km from Jammu, [[Mansar Lake]] is a lake fringed by forest-covered hills, over a mile long by half a mile wide. {{coord|32|41|46|N|75|08|49|E|}} Besides being an excursion destination in Jammu, it is also a holy site, sharing the legend and sanctity of [[Lake Manasarovar]].

On the eastern bank of Mansar Lake is a shrine dedicated to [[Shesha]], a mythological snake with six heads. The shrine comprises a big boulder on which are placed a number of iron chains perhaps representing the small serpents waiting on the tutelary deity of Shesha. Newlyweds consider it auspicious to perform three circumambulations (''Parikarma'') around the lake to seek the blessings of Shesha.

Two ancient temples of Umapati Mahadev and Narasimha and a temple of Durga are situated in the vicinity of the Mansar Lake and which are visited by devotees in large numbers. People take a holy dip in the water of the lake on festive occasions.  Certain communities of Hindus perform the [[Mundan]] ceremony (first haircut) of their male children here.

Mansar Lake also has boating facilities provided by the Tourism Department.

With all the religious belief and heritage behind the Mansar Lake, it is also famous among tourists with all its [[flora]] and [[fauna]].{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} The lake is circled by an illuminated, with viewing decks to observe seasonal birds, [[tortoise]], and fishes of different species.  A wildlife sanctuary houses jungle life, including spotted deer, neelgai, and water birds such as cranes and ducks. One can also witness the traditional and typical distinct lifestyle of [[Gujjar]] and Backarwals wearing ethnic costumes, living in open Kullhas in the hills around Mansar Lake.

The Mansar Lake road joins to another important road that directly links [[Pathankot]] to [[Udhampur]]. Udhampur is a town of strategic importance, on National Highway No. 1A. The shortcut road from Mansar or Samba to Udhampur by-pass the Jammu town. Surinsar Lake, a smaller lake that is linked to Mansar, is {{cvt|24|km}} from Jammu via the by-pass road.

=== Bahu Fort ===
{{Main|Bahu Fort}}

[[File:Bahu Fort, Jammu, India.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Bahu Fort]]]]

Bahu Fort, which also serves as a religious temple, is situated about 5&nbsp;km from Jammu city on a rock face on the left bank of the river Tawi. This is perhaps the oldest fort and edifice in Jammu city. Constructed originally by Raja Bahulochan over 3000 years ago, the fort was improved and rebuilt by Dogra rulers. Inside the fort is a temple dedicated to the Goddess [[Kali]], popularly known as ''Bave Wali Mata'', the presiding deity of Jammu. Every Tuesday and Sunday pilgrims throng this temple and partake in "Tawi flowing worship". Today the fort is surrounded by a terraced garden which is a favourite [[picnic]] spot of the city folk.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

''Bagh-e-Bahu'', located on the banks of Tawi river, is a Mughal-age garden. It gives a nice view of the old city and Tawi river. There is a small canteen on one side of the garden.

On the by-pass road behind Bahu Fort, the city forest surrounds the ancient [[Mahamaya]] Temple overlooking the river Tawi. A small garden surrounded by acres of woods provides a commanding view of the city.

Opposite the Bahu Fort, overlooking the [[Tawi River|River Tawi]] is a temple dedicated to [[Mahamaya]] of Dogra descent, who lost her life fourteen centuries ago fighting foreign invaders. The present temple of Bawey Wali Mata was built shortly after the coronation of [[Maharaja Gulab Singh]], in 1822. It is also known as the temple of [[Mahakali]] and the goddess is considered second only to Mata Vaishno Devi in terms of mystical power.

=== Raghunath Temple ===
{{Main|Raghunath Temple}}

[[File:Raghunath Temple Jammu.JPG|thumb|150px|right|[[Raghunath Temple]]]]

Amongst the temples in Jammu, the '''[[Raghunath Temple]]''' takes pride of place being situated right in the heart of the city. This temple is situated at the city center and was built in 1857. Work on the temple was started by Maharaja [[Gulab Singh]], founder of the [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|State of Jammu and Kashmir]], in 1835&nbsp;CE and was completed by his son Maharaja [[Ranbir Singh (Maharaja)|Ranbir Singh]] in 1860&nbsp;CE. The inner walls of the main temple are covered with gold sheet on three sides. There are many galleries with hundreds of thousands of [[shaligram]]s. The surrounding Temples are dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses connected with the epic [[Ramayana]]. This temple consists of seven shrines, each with a tower of its own. It is the largest temple complex in northern India. Though 130 years old, the complex is remarkable for sacred scriptures, one of the richest collections of ancient texts and manuscripts in its library. Its arches, surface, and niches are undoubtedly influenced by [[Mughal architecture]] while the interiors of the temple are plated with gold. The main sanctuary is dedicated to Lord [[Vishnu]]'s eighth incarnation and Dogras' patron deity, [[Rama]]. It also houses a [[Sanskrit]] Library containing rare [[Sanskrit]] manuscripts.

=== Peer Kho Cave ===

Alongside the same Tawi river are the '''Peer Kho Cave''' temple, the '''Panchbakhtar temple''' and the '''Ranbireshwar temple''' dedicated to Lord [[Shiva]] with their own legends and specific days of worship. Peer Kho cave is located on the bank of river Tawi and it is widely believed that [[Ramayan]] character [[Jambavantha|Jamvant]] (the bear god) meditated in this cave. The Ranbireshwar Temple has twelve Shiva [[lingams]] of crystal measuring {{cvt|12|in|order=flip}} to {{cvt|18|in|order=flip}} and galleries with thousands of ''shaligrams'' fixed on stone slabs. Located on the Shalimar Road near the New Secretariat, and built by Maharaja [[Ranbir Singh (Maharaja)|Ranbir Singh]] in 1883&nbsp;CE. It has one central lingam measuring {{convert|2.3|m}} in height and twelve Shiva lingams of crystal measuring from {{cvt|150|to|380|mm}} and galleries with thousands of Shiva lingams fixed on stone slabs.

=== Shivkhori ===
{{Main|Shivkhori}}
[[File:Shivkhori cave.JPG|thumb|200px|right|The Shivkhori cave]]

The cave shrine of '''Shivkhori''', situated in Reasi District of Jammu and Kashmir, depicts the natural formation of shivlingum.<ref name=shivkhori.in>{{citation |url=http://www.shivkhori.in/shrine.html |title=Introduction |work=Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board |access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref> It is one of the most venerated cave shrines of Lord Shiva in the region. The holy cave is approximately {{convert|150|m|ft|abbr=on}} long, and contains "{{convert|4|ft|m|abbr=on}} high Svayambhu Lingum, which constantly baths in a milky lime fluid dripping from the ceiling."<ref name=shivkhori.in/> The first entrance of the cave is so wide that 300 devotees can be accommodated at a time. Its cavern is spacious enough to accommodate a large number of people. The inner chamber of the cave is smaller. The cave has many natural impressions and images of various Hindu deities and full of divine feelings. That is why Shivkhori is known as "the Home of Gods".

A 3-day Shiv Khori mela takes places annually on Maha Shivratri and thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the state and elsewhere visit this cave shrine to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. The Maha Shivratri festival is usually held in February or during the first week of March every year. Keeping in view the increasing rush of pilgrims to the holy cave shrine, the Shiv Khori Shrine Board has taken up a number of steps to develop this spot in a bid to provide more and more facilities to the devotees, like the construction of a Shrine Guest House at a cost of Rs. 19 lakh at village Ransoo, the base camp of yatra, a reception centre and pony shed at an estimated cost of {{INRConvert|7.959|m}}, tile work of entire a {{convert|3|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} track is nearing completion, plantation of ornamental and medicinal plants on track and development of parks etc. Other arrangements like electrification of the cave with modern techniques, provision of oxygen and electric generators, exhaust fans, construction of shelter sheds for travellers with toilet facilities near the cave site, 15 shelter sheds en route Ransoo to cave shrine, railing from the base camp to cave, additional facility of 15,000/EfnrKing water reservoir, proper sanitation, provision of 25&nbsp;kV capacity electric transformer, clock room, starting of permanent bus services from Katra, Udhampur, and Jammu, police post and dispensary and an STD PCO are under active consideration of the Shiv Khori Shrine Development Board.

Recently, the management and development of the Shiv Khori have been taken over by Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board who is looking after Vaishno Devi pilgrimage.

=== Machail Mata ===
{{Main|Machail Mata}}
[[File:Machail Mata.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Machel Mata|Machail Mata]]]]

[[Machail Mata]] The Chandi Maa temple is located in the village Machel, District Kishtwar, Jammu Region. The place is about {{cvt|290|km}} from Jammu. During 'Chhadi Yatra', thousands of people visit the shrine. The pilgrimage happens in the month of August only every year. The shrine was visited in 1981 by Thakur Kulveer Singh of Bhaderwah, Jammu region. From 1987 onwards, Thakur Kulveer Singh started 'Chhadi Yatra'that happens every year and thousands of people visit the shrine every year during 'Chhadi Yatra'. To reach the shrine, a lot of travel agents arrange buses from Jammu, Udhampur, Ramnagar, Bhaderwah. One can also hire a cab as well. It takes approximately 10 hours by road from Jammu to Gulabgarh. The Gulabgarh is the base camp. From Gulabgarh, the foot journey starts, that is 32&nbsp;km. Usually, people take 2 days to reach the shrine by foot. On the way, there are many villages, where one can stay the night but the chaddi takes three days to reach Machel. Many people organise roadside 'langers' (free food points) on the way to the Gulabgarh. The government of Jammu and Kashmir also arranges basic amenities for the pilgrims.

Another means of reaching the shrine is by helicopter from Jammu and Gulabgarh. The helipad is only {{cvt|100|m}} from the shrine.

=== City centres and attractions ===

One of the major attractions of Jammu is a revolving restaurant named Falak, located on the top of the hotel KC Residency. Ragunath Bazar is the main tourist and shopping districts of the city. The locality of Gandhi Nagar hosts the market areas of Gole Market, on Apsara Road. On any pleasant evening, one can take a stroll in Green Belt Park alongside the magnificent bungalows that adorn Green Belt Road. Rajinder Park on Canal Road is a new development. This park is situated between two canals and features a large fountain which is lit up at night. A children's area is located next to the park.

The city has "Big Bazaar" at Jewel Chowk as one of the shopping centres. A shopping mall named as 'Wave - The Wave Mall' is popular. There is one more shopping mall named as Palm Island near Canal Road. Also, a complex and a new age commercial hub by the name of Bahu-Plaza in Trikuta Nagar area is a common hangout spot for youngsters and young professionals.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} Most of the corporate sector and most of the mobile phone companies like [[Bharti Airtel|Airtel]], [[BSNL]], [[Vodafone]], [[Aircel]] and [[Tata Indicom]] are based in the Bahu Plaza complex. There are many cinema halls, the best out of those are KC Cineplex, Wave Cinema, Palm Cinema, etc. A PVR is also there near KC Cineplex.

=== Cuisine ===
Jammu is known for its chocolate [[barfi]], sund [[panjeeri]], patisa and its exotic local food. [[Rajma]] with rice is one of the specialty dishes of Jammu. Another is {{lang|mis|italic=no|kalaadi}}, which is a processed cheese made by adding calf rennet in the buffalo milk. [[Fiddlehead]] Fern also known as {{lang|mis|italic=no|kasrod}} is a GI Tagged item from he division and is highly prized for its taste and medicinal values and is often consumed as vegetable or pickle. [[Kohlrabi]] knows as {{lang|mis|italic=no|kaddam}} in jammu is also a speciality product and its stew is eaten with rice.

=== Kalari ===
[[Kalari cheese]] is specialty made in the Ramnagar region of Jammu is famous all over the state.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

Dogri food specialties include ambal, khatta meat, kulthein di dal, dal patt, maa da madra, rajma, and {{lang|mis|italic=no|auriya}}. Pickles typical of Jammu are made of kasrod, {{lang|mis|italic=no|girgle}}, mango with saunf, zimikand, {{lang|mis|italic=no|tyaoo}}, {{lang|mis|italic=no|seyoo}}, and potatoes. Auriya is a dish made with potatoes. During weddings it is typical to make kayoor and sund.

== Festivals of Jammu ==

=== Lohri ===
[[File:Happy Lohri.jpg|thumb|100px|right|Lohri bonfire]]
This festival heralds the culmination of cold weather<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dhar|first=Somnath|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z4huAAAAMAAJ&q=Lohri+|title=Jammu and Kashmir|date=1999|publisher=National Book Trust, India|isbn=978-81-237-2533-8|language=en}}</ref> and is celebrated a day before [[Makar Sankranti]]. In rural areas, it is customary for young boys to go around asking for gifts from newlyweds and parents of newborns.

Lohri in [[Dogras|Dogra]] households of Jammu is special because of various additional traditions associated with it like ''Chajja'' making, ''Hiran Dance, Dandaraas'' and preparing Lohri garlands.

Young children prepare a replica of peacock which is known as ''Chajja''<ref>{{Cite book|last=Jeratha|first=Aśoka|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ToONShWeEB0C&q=Chhaja&pg=PA53|title=Dogra Legends of Art & Culture|date=1998|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=978-81-7387-082-8|language=en}}</ref>''.'' They carry this ''Chajja'' and then go from one house to other house celebrating Lohri. A special dance is performed using this ''Chajja'' on the occasion of [[Lohri]]. It makes a striking picture to see boys along with their ''Chajjas'' elaborately decorated with coloured paper and flowers dance on the street in a procession. The whole atmosphere of Jammu comes alive with pulsating drumbeats.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Jeratha|first=Aśoka|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ToONShWeEB0C&q=Lohri+Dogras&pg=PA53|title=Dogra Legends of Art & Culture|date=1998|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=978-81-7387-082-8|language=en}}</ref> Besides, dancing boys strike sticks on rhythm of a drum as in ''Raslila''. This is known as ''Dandaraas''.<ref name="Pathik 1980">{{Cite book|last1=Pathik|first1=Jyoteeshwar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mZc9AAAAMAAJ&q=Lohri|title=Cultural Heritage of the Dogras|last2=Sharma|first2=Diwan Chand|date=1980|publisher=Light & Life Publishers|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Drieberg|first=Trevor|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A7QBAAAAMAAJ&q=Dandaras|title=Jammu and Kashmir: A Tourist Guide|date=1978|publisher=Vikas Publishing House|isbn=978-0-7069-0575-5|language=en}}</ref>

In and around Jammu, special ''Hiran Dance'' is performed. Dancers disguise themselves as deer and dance on tune of ''Hirana'' songs. They visit selected houses which have auspicious ceremonies & have prepared eatables.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Jeratha|first=Aśoka|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ToONShWeEB0C&q=Lohri+&pg=PA53|title=Dogra Legends of Art & Culture|date=1998|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=978-81-7387-082-8|language=en}}</ref> Children wear special garlands made of groundnuts, dry fruits and candies on Lohri day. Special eatable is prepared using sesame, rice and groundnuts which is known as ''Tilcholi''. Pageant of [[Sassui Punnhun|Sassi-Punnu]], two lovers of [[Sindhis|Sindhi]] folk tradition are also taken out on camels during the festival.<ref name="Pathik 1980"/>

The next day, the whole region wears a festive look on [[Makar Sankranti]]. Thousands take a dip in the holy river ''[[Havan]] Yajnas'' are performed in nearly every house and temple in Jammu.

=== Uttarain or Maghi Sangrand (Makar Sankranti) ===

In Jammu, ''Makar Sankranti'' is celebrated as ''Uttarain'' (derived from Sanskrit: [[Uttarayana]]).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k7RjAAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A8|title=Ḍogarī-Hindī-śabdakośa|date=2000|publisher=Je. eṇḍa Ke. Akaiḍamī ôpha Ārṭa, Kalcara eṇḍa Laiṅgvejiza|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Śāstrī|first1=Rāmanātha|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SAASAQAAIAAJ&q=%E0%A4%89%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A8|title=(Rajata jayantī abhinandana grantha).|last2=Mohana|first2=Madana|last3=Langeh|first3=Baldev Singh|date=1970|publisher=Ḍogarī Saṃsthā|language=hi}}</ref> Alternatively, terms ''Attrain'' or ''Attrani'' have also been used to describe this festival. A day before Lohri is celebrated by [[Dogras]] to commemorate end of ''Poh'' ([[Pausha]]) month.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kbNjAAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A3|title=Ḍogarī|date=2003|publisher=Bhāratīya Bhāshā Saṃsthāna, Mānava Saṃsādhana Vikāsa Mantrālaya, Mādhyamika aura Uccatara Śikshā Vibhāga, Bhārata Sarakāra evaṃ Ḍogarī Saṃsthā|language=hi}}</ref> It is also beginning the [[Magha (month)|Magha]] month as per Hindu Solar Calendar, hence also known as ''Maghi Sangrand'' ([[Sankranti]] of ''Magh'' month).

Among [[Dogras]], there is a tradition of ''Mansana'' (charity) of [[Khichdi]] of [[Urad dal|Maah Dal]]. ''Khichdi'' of ''Maah di Dal'' is also prepared on this day and that is why this day is also referred to as '''Khichdi wala Parva''<nowiki/>'. There is also a tradition of sending ''Khichdi'' & other food items to house of married daughters. Fairs are organised on holy places and pligrimages on this day.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ps61AAAAIAAJ&q=%E0%A4%96%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%BC%E0%A5%80|title=Ḍuggara dā sāṃskr̥taka itihāsa|date=1985|publisher=Je. eṇḍa Ke. Akaiḍamī ôpha Ārṭa, Kalcara, eṇḍa Laiṅgvejiza|language=hi}}</ref> Dhagwal in [[Hiranagar (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Hiranagar]] tehsil is known for Fair on ''Makar Sankranti'' and [[Krishna Janmashtami|Janamashtami]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nirmohī|first=Śiva|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vgo9AAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2+%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0|title=Ḍuggara kī saṃskr̥ti|date=1988|publisher=Narendra Pabliśiṅga Hāusa|language=hi}}</ref>

People of Jammu also take holy bath in Devika river and pilgrimages like ''Uttar Behni'' and [[Purmandal]] on this occasion.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Śāstrī|first=Bī Ke|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L14JAQAAIAAJ&q=%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0+%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF+|title=Duggara ca Devika Nadi da samskrtaka mahatava : On the importance and significance of the Devika River, Jammu region, on the sociocultural life of the people|date=1980|publisher=Ajaya Prakasana|language=hi}}</ref> This day is also celebrated as birth anniversary of Baba Ambo ji, a local deity of Jammu region.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XLv-ch3DeNQC&q=%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%98%E0%A5%80+%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%82|title=University Review: Journal of the University of Jammu|date=1996|publisher=The University|language=hi}}</ref>

At Vasuki temple of [[Bhaderwah]] of Jammu, the idols of Vasuki Nag are covered on ''[[Makar Sankranti|Magh Sankranti]]'' and they are uncovered only after three months on [[Vaisakhi|''Vaisakha Sankranti'']].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nirmohī|first=Śiva|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vgo9AAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF+%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9|title=Ḍuggara kī saṃskr̥ti|date=1988|publisher=Narendra Pabliśiṅga Hāusa|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Jasta|first=Hariram|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9mY4AAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%98+%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF+|title=Bhārata meṃ Nāgapūjā aura paramparā|date=1982|publisher=Sanmārga Prakāśana|language=hi}}</ref>

=== Bhugga (Sankashti Chaturthi) ===

This festival is celebrated on fourth day of [[Krishna Paksha]] of [[Magha (month)|Magha]] month of [[Hindu calendar|Hindu Calendar]]. It is celebrated in reverence to Hindu God [[Ganesha]] and is also known as [[Sankashti Chaturthi]]. [[Dogras|Dogra]] women perform ''Arghya'' to [[Chandra]]ma at night. ''Bhugga'' (Til Jaggery mixture) and Radish are donated and eaten to complete the fast.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ps61AAAAIAAJ&q=%E0%A4%AD%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%BE+|title=Ḍuggara dā sāṃskr̥taka itihāsa|date=1985|publisher=Je. eṇḍa Ke. Akaiḍamī ôpha Ārṭa, Kalcara, eṇḍa Laiṅgvejiza|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Nirmohī|first=Śiva|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vgo9AAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%AD%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%BE+|title=Ḍuggara kī saṃskr̥ti|date=1988|publisher=Narendra Pabliśiṅga Hāusa|language=hi}}</ref>

=== Basant Panchami ===
[[Vasant Panchami|Basant Panchami]] festival is dedicated for worship of [[Saraswati|Goddess Saraswati]], the goddess of learning, arts and music and for welcoming [[Spring (season)|Spring Season]]. People wear yellow or saffron or orange colored clothes on this day. [[Saffron]] colored food items are prepared and offered as [[Naivedhya]] to Goddess Saraswati.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bingley|first=A. H.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gzZJV1Txwk0C&q=Basant+Panchami+Dogras|title=Dogras ...|date=1899|language=en}}</ref> People sing folk songs like Aayi Basant, Paala Udant''<nowiki/>'.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nirmohī|first=Śiva|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UwMiAAAAMAAJ&q=%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4+%E0%A4%A1%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%B0|title=Ḍuggara kā loka sāhitya|date=1988|publisher=Vinoda Buka Ḍipo|language=hi}}</ref> This day is also special for [[Dogras]] because on Basant Panchami of year 1944, '''Dogri Sanstha''' came into existence.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Warikoo|first=Kulbhushan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qvAr6ZJLLuIC&q=Basant+Panchami+Dogras&pg=PA286|title=Cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir|date=2009|publisher=Pentagon Press|isbn=978-81-8274-376-2|language=en}}</ref>

=== Kan Chauth (Gauri Chaturthi) ===
It is observed on fourth day of [[Shukla Paksha]] of [[Magha (month)|Magha]] month of [[Hindu calendar|Hindu Calendar]]<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Nārada-Purāna Part IV |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited |first1=Ganesh Vasudeo |last1=Tagare |year=1997 |location=New Delhi |pages=1448–1449}}</ref> in the hill districts & tehsils of Jammu Division especially [[Bhaderwah]], [[Doda district|Doda]], [[Kishtwar district|Kishtwar]] and [[Ramban district|Ramban]]. A day before [[Parvati|Gauri]] [[Tritiya]] is also observed by some communities. This festival is observed by married woman similar to [[Karva Chauth|Karwa Chauth]], only difference being fast is completed here after [[Parvati|Gauri]] [[Puja (Hinduism)|Puja]] in the day. Goddess Gauri is worshipped for long life and health of husbands by women. The festivity remains for three days. During these three days, ladies go in the neighborhood to offer ‘''Thel''’ (respect) to other women and get in return their blessing ‘''Suhagan Bho''’ (Live long your husband).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-27|title=Kanchoth and Gauri -Tritya festival|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/kanchoth-and-gauri-tritya-festival/|access-date=2021-01-20|website=Jammu Kashmir Latest News {{!}} Tourism {{!}} Breaking News J&K|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Holi ===
[[Holi]] is celebrated in traditional way in Jammu. On the eve of Holi, [[Holika Dahan]] is performed. The next day people enjoy by playing with colors.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Arihant Experts|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NhrzDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA232|title=Know Your State Jammu and Kashmir|date=2019-06-04|publisher=Arihant Publications India limited|isbn=978-93-131-6916-1|language=en}}</ref> Earlier people used to decorate themselves using special headgears which were prepared using colored papers and silver ribbons. These were known as ''Patangi''.<ref name=Jerath>{{Cite book|last=Jerath|first=Ashok|title=Folk Art of Duggar|publisher=Atlantic Publishers and Distributors|location=New Delhi}}</ref>{{rp|75}} A [[Dogras|Dogra]] sweet dish ''Khaste'' (similar to [[Gujia|Gujjiya]]) is prepared on this day. A three-day fair is organised at Narsingh Dev temple in [[Kathua district|Kathua]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-03-17|title=Holi celebrated with fervour, gaiety|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/holi-celebrated-with-fervour-gaiety/|access-date=2021-01-24|website=Jammu Kashmir Latest News {{!}} Tourism {{!}} Breaking News J&K|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Ram Naumi (Rama Navami) ===
[[Rama Navami]], the birth of [[Rama|Shri Rama]] is celebrated with religious fervour & gaiety all across Jammu. The day also coincides with culmination of nine-day long [[Navaratri|Navaratra]] festival. Special function on Rama Navami is held in the historical [[Raghunath Temple]] in Jammu city where large number of devotees pay their obeisance to [[Rama|Lord Rama]]. Even during Dogra rule, the rulers would personally visit Raghunath Mandir and offer worship to Shri Rama, their patron deity. Besides, worship and offerings to the deity inside the temple, there are a number of discourses on [[Rama|Bhagwan Ram's]] life and [[Ramayana]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jammu celebrates Ram Navami festival with religious fervour - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir|url=http://www.earlytimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=228463|access-date=2021-01-23|website=earlytimes.in}}</ref>

On this auspicious occasion, '''Shobha Yatra''' is taken out. Images of [[Rama|Shri Rama]], [[Sita|Mata Sita]] & [[Lakshmana|Lakshman]] and number of tableaux depicting scenes from [[Ramayana]] are taken out in a grogeous procession. Devotees shower flower petals on the Shobha Yatra. Number of market unions and Hindu organisations, organise [[Bhandara (community kitchen)|Bhandaras]] on this occasion.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ganhar|first=J. N.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-0ogAAAAMAAJ&q=Ram+Navmi|title=Jammu, Shrines and Pilgrimages|date=1975|publisher=Ganhar Publications|language=en}}</ref>

===Basoa (Vishuva) or Baisakhi (Mesha Sankranti)===

The name [[Baisakhi]] is taken from the first month of the [[Hindu calendar|Hindu Vikram calendar]]. It is celebrated on the first day of [[Vaisakh]] month and marks the day of [[Mesha Sankranti]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Misra|first=Nityananda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U8yaDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT34|title=Kumbha: Puratan Aur Nutan Ka Mela|date=2019-06-18|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-93-88630-68-9|language=en}}</ref> It is also known as ''''''Basoa'''''<nowiki/>'<ref name="Ḍogarī-Hindī-śabdakośa">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k7RjAAAAMAAJ|title=Ḍogarī-Hindī-śabdakośa|date=2000|publisher=Je. eṇḍa Ke. Akaiḍamī ôpha Ārṭa, Kalcara eṇḍa Laiṅgvejiza|language=hi}}</ref> in [[Dogri language|Dogri]].

On this day, devotees get up early in the morning, throng the rivers, canals, and ponds and take a ritual dip every year on this occasion. In [[Dogras|Dogra]] households, a [[Puja (Hinduism)|Puja]] is performed afterwards and part of food crop is offered to the deities. New fruit of the year is enjoyed on this day.<ref name="Jeratha 1998">{{Cite book|last=Jeratha|first=Aśoka|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ToONShWeEB0C&pg=PA52|title=Dogra Legends of Art & Culture|date=1998|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=978-81-7387-082-8|language=en}}</ref> A Ritual Bath at [[Tawi River|Tawi]] river during Baisakhi is common in Jammu.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cb7UAAAAMAAJ|title=District Census Handbook, Jammu & Kashmir: Jammu|date=1966|language=en}}</ref>

Baisakhi is celebrated at [[Udhampur district|Udhampur]] on the bank of Devika river where for three days devotees enjoy the folk songs. At '''Sudhmahadev''', this festival is celebrated with great pomp and show where folk singers come down and a competition of folk songs is held. Vendors generally install their shops and stalls of eatables.<ref name="Jeratha 1998"/>

Many people go to the Nagbani temple to witness the grand New Year celebration.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sharma|first=Shiv Chander|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uEtuAAAAMAAJ&q=Nagbani|title=Antiquities, History, Culture, and Shrines of Jammu|date=1997|publisher=Vinod Publishers & Distributors|isbn=978-81-85599-46-5|language=en}}</ref> Baisakhi is also considered  "harvest festival" and considered auspicious, especially for marriages. Celebrations of Baisakhi also include [[Dogras|Dogri]] Bhangra<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c4E6AAAAIAAJ|title=Śīrāzā Hindī|date=1988|language=hi}}</ref> which is closely related to Punjabi variant, with respect to actions, costumes and songs.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ghosh|first=Mandira|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SPLZAAAAMAAJ|title=Folk Music of the Himalayas|date=2004|publisher=Shubhi Publications|isbn=978-81-8290-016-5|language=en}}</ref>

The occasion is marked by numerous fairs and people come by the thousands to celebrate Baisakhi. For example, Airwan in [[Kathua district|Kathua]] is known for Baisakhi fair attended by 10,000 people as per Census 1961.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E7vUAAAAMAAJ|title=District Census Handbook, Jammu & Kashmir: Kathua|date=1966|language=en}}</ref> Every year on Baisakhi festival around 15,000 pilgrims pay their obeisance at 700 tear old temple of Subar Nag Devta temple in [[Bhaderwah]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=15,000 devotees visit ancient Subar Nag temple on Baisakhi eve|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/15000-devotees-visit-ancient-subar-nag-temple-on-baisakhi-eve/1027840|access-date=2021-02-10|website=outlookindia.com/}}</ref> Other places where Baisakhi fairs are held are [[Doda district|Doda]] Bridge and [[Ramban, Jammu and Kashmir|Ramban]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6L3UAAAAMAAJ&q=Baisakhi+|title=District Census Handbook, Jammu & Kashmir: Dada|date=1966|language=en}}</ref>

=== Bahu Mela (March–April and September–October) ===

A major festival is held at the [[Kali]] Temple in Bahu Fort twice a year.

=== Chaitre Chaudash (March–April) ===

Chaitre Chaudash is celebrated at Uttar Behni and Purmandal, about {{cvt|25|km}} and {{cvt|28|km}} from Jammu respectively. Uttar Behni gets its name from the fact that the Devak River (locally also known as Gupt Ganga) flows here in the northerly direction.

=== Purmandal Mela (February–March) ===

Purmandal is {{cvt|39|km}} from Jammu city. On [[Shivratri]] the town wears a festive look for three days as people celebrate the marriage of Lord Shiva to the Goddess [[Parvati]]. The people of Jammu also come out in their colourful best to celebrate Shivratri at Peer Khoh Cave Temple, the Ranbireshwar Temple, and the Panjbhaktar Temple. In fact, if one visits Jammu during [[Shivratri]], one finds a celebration going on almost everywhere.

=== Dhamdeh (Dharma Dhihada - Aashada Sankranti) & Nirjala Ekadashi ===
Both of these festivals are celebrated similarly. ''Dhamdeh'' also known as ''Dharma'' ''Dhihada'' or ''Dharma Divas'' is celebrated on [[Sankranti]] of [[Ashadha|Aashadha]] month.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ḍogarā|first=Deśabandhu|title=Kaidī|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LfAzAAAAMAAJ|date=1988|publisher=Vidyā Prakāśana Mandira|isbn=978-81-7135-002-5|language=hi}}</ref> People take a ritual bath and perform ''Mansana'' (charity) of [[hand fan]]s, water pitchers and seasonal fruits like [[melon]]s. These donations are made in name of ''Pitras'' (ancestors).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nirmohī|first=Śiva|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UwMiAAAAMAAJ|title=Ḍuggara kā loka sāhitya|date=1988|publisher=Vinoda Buka Ḍipo|language=hi}}</ref> Major celebration is people offering sweet water drinks and food to poor and needy.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chhabeel organized on Tamdeh|url=https://news.statetimes.in/chhabeel-organized-on-tamdeh/|access-date=2021-01-21|website=State Times|date=15 June 2018 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Similar rituals are observed on [[Nirjala Ekadashi]] ( celebrated on [[Jyeshtha (month)|Jyestha]] [[Shukla Paksha|Shukla]] [[Ekadashi]]) where in addition a strict [[Vrata]] is observed in honour of [[Vishnu|Lord Vishnu]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-06-13|title=Nirjala Ekadashi observed, devotees install Chhabeels to serve sweet water to people|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/nirjala-ekadashi-observed-devotees-install-chhabeels-to-serve-sweet-water-to-people/|access-date=2021-01-21|website=Jammu Kashmir Latest News {{!}} Tourism {{!}} Breaking News J&K|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Nirmohī 1988">{{Cite book|last=Nirmohī|first=Śiva|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vgo9AAAAMAAJ|title=Ḍuggara kī saṃskr̥ti|date=1988|publisher=Narendra Pabliśiṅga Hāusa|language=hi}}</ref>

=== Rutt Raahde & Sakolade (Shravana Sankranti) ===
''Rutt Raahde'' is a festival celebrated by [[Dogras|Dogra]] women of all ages from [[Ashadha|Aashada]] [[Sankranti]] to [[Shraavana|Shravana]] [[Sankranti]]. The last day i.e. Shravana Sankranti is referred to as ''Sakolade'' or ''Minjraan''. Young girls and women collect necks of broken earthen pitchers and insert them into ground. Seeds of [[Kharif crop]]s are sown inside these pitchers. These are known as ''Raahde'' which are then decorated with [[Rangoli|rangoli patterns]] using natural colors. Every Sunday, women would assemble and sing folk songs and enjoy eatables like ''Rutt'', ''Gheur'' & ''Pudas'', at the site where ''Raahde'' are inserted. On the last day of festival i.e. ''Badda Rutt'', women would again assemble, sing folk songs, enjoy eatables and finally immerse the ''Raahde'' in water bodies. The final day i.e. Shravana Sankranti is also known as ''Sakolade'' (named after the ear ornaments that are worn during this day.) In parts of Himachal, ''Sakolade'' are also referred to as ''Minjraan''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-07-14|title=Raade losing importance among Jammuites|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/raade-losing-importance-among-jammuites/|access-date=2021-01-22|website=Jammu Kashmir Latest News {{!}} Tourism {{!}} Breaking News J&K|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kbNjAAAAMAAJ|title=Ḍogarī|date=2003|publisher=Bhāratīya Bhāshā Saṃsthāna, Mānava Saṃsādhana Vikāsa Mantrālaya, Mādhyamika aura Uccatara Śikshā Vibhāga, Bhārata Sarakāra evaṃ Ḍogarī Saṃsthā|language=hi}}</ref>

=== Thongren Da Vrat (Krishna Janmashtami) ===
[[Krishna Janmashtami|Janmashtami]] in [[Dogri language|Dogri]] is also referred to as ''Thongren'' ''Da Vrat'', meaning [[Vrata]] for Thakur ([[Lord Krishna]]).<ref name="Ḍogarī-Hindī-śabdakośa"/> A fast is observed in honour of Sri Krishna by adults, while kids & youngsters enjoy [[Kite-Flying|Kite flying]] on this day.  Girls and women decorate their palms by applying ''Teera,'' dye of an indigenous plant.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Krishan Leela, kite flying marks Janamashtami|url=https://news.statetimes.in/krishan-leela-kite-flying-marks-janamashtami/|access-date=2021-01-22|website=State Times|date=25 August 2016 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Some families have tradition of keeping cereal grains in name of ''Kul'' ''Devtas'', ''Pitras'' (ancestors) & family members. This is known as ''Deyaa Parna''. These cereal grains are then offered to wood of a holy tree called ''Jhand.'' This is known as ''Jhand'' ''Puja''. The wood is covered in sacred cloth called ''shoaath''. Clay sculptures of a couple and their children are placed on the cloth, and are worshipped. They are offered ''[[Kheer]]'' (without sugar) and ''[[Butter|Makkhan]]''. This is followed by offering ''Dropads'' (kind of ''chapatis)'' to cows. This practice is called ‘''dropad mansnaa''‘. Some people also enjoy swings on tree known as ''peengan.''<ref name="indictoday.com">{{Cite web|date=2020-08-14|title=Janmashtami in Jammu, A Visual Treat|url=https://www.indictoday.com/quick-reads/janmashtami-in-jammu-a-visual-treat/|access-date=2021-01-22|website=Indic Today|language=en-US}}</ref>

At night, people dress up their children like deities. Towns and cities witness several processions. At midnight, [[Panjiri|Sund Panjeeri]] is offered as [[Naivedhya|Naivedya]] to Sri Krishna.<ref name="indictoday.com"/>

=== Bacch Dua (Vatsa Dwadashi) & Drubadi (Durvashtami) ===
[[Govatsa Dwadashi|Vatsa Dwadashi]] in Jammu region is celebrated on twelfth day of [[Krishna Paksha]] of [[Bhadrapada]] month as ''Bacch Dua'' and Durvashtami as ''Drubadi'' on eighth day of [[Shukla Paksha]] of [[Bhadrapada]] month. In both these festivals, women prepare small sized idols/sculptures of calves using wheat dough.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t2AMhbqwbscC|title=Hamārā sāhitya|date=2008|publisher=Lalitakalā, Saṃskṛti, va Sāhitya Akādamī, Jammū-Kaśmīra.|language=hi}}</ref> These are worshipped on water bodies. Soaked [[Chickpea|Black chickpeas]] & [[Durva]] grass is used for Puja. Dogra dishes like ''Rutt'' and ''Dropad'' are used as [[Naivedhya|Naivedya]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-25|title=Dogra Festival: Draburi|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/dogra-festival-draburi/|access-date=2021-01-20|website=Jammu Kashmir Latest News {{!}} Tourism {{!}} Breaking News J&K|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-08-27|title=Dogra mothers pray for their sons as Jammu celebrates 'Bacch Dua'|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/dogra-mothers-pray-for-their-sons-as-jammu-celebrates-bacch-dua/|access-date=2021-01-20|website=Jammu Kashmir Latest News {{!}} Tourism {{!}} Breaking News J&K|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Singh Sankrant (Simha Sankranti)===

It is celebrated on first day of solar month of [[Hindu calendar|Hindu Calendar]] i.e. [[Bhadra (Hindu calendar)|Bhadrapada]]. The festival holds special significance in [[Ramban district]] of Jammu division.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Qazi|first=S. A.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZZh3Zkoqtc4C&q=Singh+Sankranti+Ramban&pg=PA9|title=Systematic Geography of Jammu and Kashmir|date=2005|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-7648-786-3|language=en}}</ref> People visit [[Chenab River|Chandrabhaga]] river and offer floral offerings. It is popularly known by the name ''Singh Sankrant.'' Local tradition traces the origin of festival to [[Pandava]]s.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ganhar|first=J. N.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-0ogAAAAMAAJ|title=Jammu, Shrines and Pilgrimages|date=1975|publisher=Ganhar Publications|language=en}}</ref>

=== Tulsi Puja & Panj Bhikham (Bhishma Panchak) ===
[[Tulsi in Hinduism|Tulsi Puja]] is performed in [[Dogras|Dogra]] families from [[Prabodhini Ekadashi|Kartika Shukla Ekadashi]] till [[Kartik Purnima|Kartika Purnima]]. This five-day period is known as ''Panj Bhikham'' ([[Panchaka|Bhishma Panchak]]).<ref name="Nirmohī 1988"/>

On the occasion of Tulsi Puja, Dogra families would decorate the [[Tulsi plant]] pot and would write ''Ram Ram'' on them. This is known as ''Tulsi Da Chauntra''<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t2AMhbqwbscC|date=2008|publisher=Lalitakalā, Saṃskṛti, va Sāhitya Akādamī, Jammū-Kaśmīra.|language=hi|title=Hamārā sāhitya}}</ref> in [[Dogri language|Dogri]]. They would cover the plant with Red [[Dupatta]] or [[Chunni]]. A fast is also observed on Kartika Shukla Ekadashi in honour of [[Vishnu|Lord Vishnu]] and [[Tulsi in Hinduism|Tulsi Mata]]. Women light up [[Diya (lamp)|Diyas]] from [[Ekadashi]] till [[Full moon|Purnima]] on Tulsi plant. This ceremony is known as ''Deeve'' in Dogri. Some families may also organize [[Tulsi Vivah]] with [[Shaligram]]. It is believed that Tulsi has got affinity with ''Shaligram''.<ref name=Jerath/>{{rp|52–53}}

=== Jhiri Mela (October–November) ===

An annual fair is held in the name of Baba Jitto, a simple and honest farmer who preferred to kill himself rather than submit to the unjust demands of the local landlord to part with his crop. He killed himself in the village of Jhiri, 14&nbsp;km from Jammu. A legend has grown around the Baba and his followers congregate at Jhiri on the appointed day from every corner of North India; they revere him for his compassion, courage, and honesty.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/j-k-lakhs-of-devotees-throng-jammus-famous-jhiri-mela20191116145325/|title=J-K: Lakhs of devotees throng Jammu's famous 'Jhiri Mela'|website=aninews.in|language=en|access-date=2019-12-10}}</ref>

=== Navratri Festival (September–October) ===

Though the [[yatra]] to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is a round-the-year event, a pilgrimage undertaken during the [[Navratras]] is considered the most auspicious. In order to showcase and highlight the regional culture, [[Industrial Heritage|heritage]] and traditions of the area during this period, the State Tourism Department has instituted the Navratri Festival as an annual event to be held during September/October for the nine auspicious days of the Navratras. A large number of tourists pay their obeisance to the deity during this period. This festival showcases the religious traditions as well as the popular culture of the region among the millions of [[pilgrims]] who visit the [[Vaishnodevi]]ji Shrine during this period.

=== Rath Kharda Mela ===
An eight-day fair is organised in Narsingh and Annapurna Temple in Ghagwal of [[Samba district]] of Jammu division. This fair involves taking out procession of deity on a [[chariot]]. Hence named ''Rath Kharda Mela''. Thousands of devotees are drawn from neighbouring states of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] and [[Himachal Pradesh]] and also other parts of Jammu region. People from hilly areas of Jammu like: [[Basholi|Basohli]], [[Doda district|Doda]], [[Kishtwar]], [[Bani, India|Bani]], [[Dudu, Jammu and Kashmir|Dudu Basantgarh]] put stalls in this fair and sell the handicrafts and woolen items like ''Pattus'', blankets & shawls''.''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rath Kardha Mela commences|url=https://news.statetimes.in/rath-kardha-mela-commences/|access-date=2021-01-25|website=State Times|language=en-GB}}</ref>

During this fair, the temple is decorated with flowers and lights. Devotees visit the temple and pay obeisance to the main deity, Bhagwan Narsimha. A [[Bhandara (community kitchen)|Bhandara]] is also organised for the devotees. Local farmers sow their fields in the name of [[Narasimha|Bhagwan Narsimha]] and while harvesting their crops offer a part of it to the temple during this fair.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-28|title=8-day Rath Kardha Mela begins at Narsingh Dass temple Ghagwal|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/8-day-rath-kardha-mela-begins-at-narsingh-dass-temple-ghagwal/|access-date=2021-01-25|website=Jammu Kashmir Latest News {{!}} Tourism {{!}} Breaking News J&K|language=en-US}}</ref>

Besides Ghagwal, ''Rath Kharda Mela'' is also held at other places of Jammu division like: [[Ramgarh, Jammu and Kashmir|Ramgarh]] tehsil of [[Udhampur district|Udhampur]] district, Parnala village in [[Billawar]] tehsil and Hatli village in [[Kathua district|Kathua]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rath Khardha Mela commences at Ghagwal - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir|url=http://www.earlytimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=139243|access-date=2021-01-25|website=earlytimes.in}}</ref>

=== Shivratri (Herath) ===
[[Maha Shivaratri|Shivaratri]] ({{lit|'Shiva's night'}}) is a festival of great significance for Hindus all over the world, especially for those of Kashmiri origin settled in Jammu. On this day, Lord Siva and his spouse Parvati are worshipped with great devotion everywhere in the country. Esoterically, it is symbolic of the mystic union of Jiva (individual soul) with Paramatma (the Supreme Godhead) and it represents the high state of spiritual realization wherein the world of relativity fades away and perfect peace and calm prevail. Along with worshipping 'Shiva' people observe both social and cultural meets on this festival. They rejoice and exchange greetings with friends and relatives.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/ahead-of-mahashivratri-kashmiri-pandits-mark-the-festival-of-herath-as-wishes-pour-in-2054653.html|title=Kashmiri Pandits Celebrate Herath Ahead of Mahashivratri, Wishes Pour in From Across Country|website=News18|date=4 March 2019 |access-date=2019-12-10}}</ref>

== Education ==
Jammu region has many institutes offering higher education. The colleges varies from [[medical college]]s, to [[engineering college]]s, and many other government and private colleges.

Some of the major higher educational institutes in Jammu Region are:
{{div col begin|colwidth=24em}}
* [[Indian Institute of Technology Jammu|Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu (IIT Jammu)]]
* [[Indian Institute of Management Jammu|Indian Institute of Management Jammu (IIM Jammu)]]
* [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Vijaypur|All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Vijaypur, Jammu (AIIMS Vijaypur)]]
* [[Government College of Engineering and Technology, Jammu]]
* [[Government Medical College, Jammu]]
* [[Government Medical College, Kathua]]
* [[Government Medical College, Rajouri]]
* [[Government Medical College, Udhampur]]
* [[Government Medical College, Doda]]
* [[University of Jammu]]
* [[Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu]]
* [[Govt. MAM PG College, Jammu]]
* [[Govt. Gandhi Memorial Science College]]
* [[Maharaja Harisingh Agricultural Collegiate School]]
* [[Model Institute of Engineering and Technology, Jammu]]
* Mahant Bachittar Singh College Of Engineering and Technology, Jammu<ref>{{cite web |title=MBS College Of Engineering And Technology |url=https://www.mbscet.edu.in/ |website=www.mbscet.edu.in}}</ref>
* [[Sainik School, Nagrota]]
* [[Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University]]
* [[Central University of Jammu]]
* [[Cluster University of Jammu]]
{{end div col}}

== See also ==
* [[List of topics on the land and the people of "Jammu and Kashmir"]]
* [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Jammu–Srinagar]]
* [[Dogri language|Dogri]]
* [[Dogras|Dogra]]
* [[Duggar (region)|Duggar]]
* [[Prakash Singh Chib]]

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{citation |last=Bamzai |first=P. N. K. |author-link=Prithivi Nath Kaul Bamzai |title=Culture and Political History of Kashmir: Ancient Kashmir |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1eMfzTBcXcYC&pg=PA13 |date=1994 |publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. |isbn=978-81-85880-31-0 |ref={{sfnref|Bamzai, Culture and Political History of Kashmir|1994}}}}
* {{citation |last=Jeratha |first=Aśoka |title=Forts and Palaces of the Western Himalaya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l2oZiyOqReoC&pg=PA5 |year=2000 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-7387-104-7 |pages=5– |ref={{sfnref|Jeratha, Forts and Palaces of the Western Himalaya|2000}}}}
* {{citation |last=Hāṇḍā |first=Omacanda |title=Textiles, Costumes, and Ornaments of the Western Himalaya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JFPnh9B5zncC&pg=PA178 |year=1998 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-7387-076-7 |pages=178– |ref={{sfnref|Hāṇḍā, Textiles, Costumes, and Ornaments of the Western Himalaya|1998}}}}
* {{citation |last=Jeratha |first=Aśoka |title=Dogra Legends of Art & Culture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ToONShWeEB0C&pg=PA22 |year=1998 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-7387-082-8 |ref={{sfnref|Jeratha, Dogra Legends of Art & Culture|1998}}}}
* {{citation |last1=Hutchison |first1=J. |last2=Vogel |first2=Jean Philippe |title=History of the Panjab Hill States, Vol. 1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3btDw4S2FmYC |year=1933 |publication-date=2014 |publisher=Asian Education Services |location=New Delhi |ref={{sfnref|Hutchison & Vogel, History of Panjab Hill States, Volume 1 |1933}}|isbn=9788120609426 }}
* {{citation |last1=Hutchison |first1=J. |last2=Vogel |first2=Jean Philippe |title=History of the Panjab Hill States, Vol. 2 |url=https://www.panjabdigilib.org/webuser/searches/displayPage.jsp?ID=3006&page=1&CategoryID=1 |year=1933 |publication-date=2014 |publisher=Asian Education Services |location=New Delhi |ref={{sfnref|Hutchison & Vogel, History of Panjab Hill States, Volume 2|1933}}}}
* {{citation|last=Huttenback |first=Robert A. |title=Gulab Singh and the Creation of the Dogra State of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh |journal=The Journal of Asian Studies |volume=20 |pages=477–488 |number=4 |year=1961 |doi=10.2307/2049956 |url=http://pahar.in/mountains/Books%20and%20Articles/Indian%20Subcontinent/1961%20Gulab%20Singh%20and%20Creation%20of%20Dogra%20State%20of%20Jammu%20Kashmir%20and%20Ladakh%20by%20Huttenback%20from%20J%20Asian%20Studies%20v20%20s.pdf |ref={{sfnref|Huttenback, Gulab Singh and the Creation of the Dogra State|1961}} |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815210807/http://pahar.in/mountains/Books%20and%20Articles/Indian%20Subcontinent/1961%20Gulab%20Singh%20and%20Creation%20of%20Dogra%20State%20of%20Jammu%20Kashmir%20and%20Ladakh%20by%20Huttenback%20from%20J%20Asian%20Studies%20v20%20s.pdf |archive-date=15 August 2016 |jstor=2049956 |s2cid=162144034 }}
* {{citation |last=Kotwal |first=Nek Chand |title=Political and cultural heritage of Bhadarwah, Kishtwar, and Doda |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G11uAAAAMAAJ |year=2000 |publisher=N.C. Kotwal |ref={{sfnref|Kotwal, Political and cultural heritage of Bhadarwah, Kishtwar and Doda|2000}}}}
* {{citation |last=Mohammed |first=Jigar |title=Mian Dedo: The Identity Icon |newspaper=Epilogue |date=April 2008 |pages=51– |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o5OF9LmRkGgC&pg=PA51 |ref={{sfnref|Mohammed, Mian Dedo|2008}}}}
* {{citation |first=K. M. |last=Panikkar |author-link=K. M. Panikkar |title=Gulab Singh |publisher=Martin Hopkinson Ltd |year=1930 |location=London |url=https://archive.org/details/gulabsingh179218031570mbp |ref={{sfnref|Panikkar, Gulab Singh|1930}}}}
* {{citation |last=Sharma |first=Kamal Prashad |title=Maṇimahesh Chambā Kailāsh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qFUa0rH0yUcC&pg=PA67 |year=2001 |publisher=Indus Publishing |isbn=978-81-7387-118-4 |pages=67– |ref={{sfnref|Sharma, Manimahesh Chamba Kailash|2001}}}}
* {{citation |last=Singh |first=Bawa Satinder |title=Raja Gulab Singh's Role in the First Anglo-Sikh War |journal=Modern Asian Studies |volume=5 |pages=35–59 |number=1 |year=1971 |jstor=311654 |ref={{sfnref|Satinder Singh, Raja Gulab Singh's Role|1971}} |doi=10.1017/s0026749x00002845|s2cid=145500298 }}
* {{citation |last=Snedden |first=Christopher |title=Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s5KMCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA172 |year=2015 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-1-84904-342-7 |ref={{sfnref|Snedden, Understanding Kashmir and Kashmiris|2015}}}}
* {{citation |last=Stein |first=M. A. |title=Kalhana's Rajatarangini: A chronicle of the kings of Kasmir, Volume 2. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KzxTkI9iAxkC&pg=PA507 |date=1989 |orig-year=first published 1900 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0370-1 |ref={{sfnref|Stein, Kalhana's Rajatarangini|1989}}}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170915154945/http://jammukashmir.nic.in/ The Official Website of Jammu and Kashmir Government]
* [http://divcomjammu.gov.in/ Official Website of Jammu Division]
* [http://jammu.nic.in/ Official Website of Jammu District]
* {{Wikivoyage inline}}
* [http://www.maavaishnodevi.org/ Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board] – Shrines in Jammu
* [http://www.bhaderwah.com/ Bhaderwah] – Website about Bhaderwah
* [http://www.pinglamata.org/ Mata Pingla] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213164407/http://www.pinglamata.org/ |date=13 February 2017 }}

<!--start of Navigation boxes-->
{{Clear}}
{{Jammu and Kashmir topics}}
{{Regions and administrative territories of Kashmir}}
{{Authority control}}
<!--end of Navigation boxes-->

[[Category:Jammu Division| ]]
[[Category:Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Divisions of Jammu and Kashmir]]