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The most important places to be visited here are:
Srinagar, the state capital, is the most famous tourist destination of Jammu and Kashmir. The Dal Lake, Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh and Chashme Shahi are some of the best-known tourist spots here.
Jammu, the winter capital is the next important tourist center after Srinagar. The shrine of Hindu Goddess Mata Vaishno Devi is a popular pilgrimage center. The dargah of Peer Budhan Ali Shah, who is believed to protect the local people, is also a site of religious interest. The Raghunath Temple Complex, the largest temple in North India devoted to Lord Rama, is the other major tourist attraction here.
The temple of Maha Kali, located in the Bahu Fort, is considered second only to Mata Vaishno Devi in terms of the deity's mystical power. Other temples in the city include the Gauri Kund Temple, Shudh Mahadev Temple, Shiva Temple, Peer Khoh Cave Temple, Ranbireshwar Temple, and the Parmandal Temple Complex.
The Sheesh Mahal is the most spectacular architectural monument in Jammu. The Dogra Art Museum, which has miniature paintings of various hill schools, has been instituted in the Pink Hall of the palace. Handwritten Persian manuscripts of the Shahnama and Sikandernama can also be found here.
The Amar Mahal Palace Museum is another beautiful palace of red sandstone. It is endowed with a beautiful view of the Shivalik range in the north and Tawi River in the south. It was once the residential palace of Raja Amar Singh, but now it has been converted into a museum. Its specialty is a golden throne weighing 120 kg in pure gold!
The historical town of Akhnoor, 32 km southwest of Jammu stands on the banks of the mighty river Chenab, near the majestic ruins of the Indus Valley Civilization. Akhnoor, according to the legends, was home to the estranged lovers Sohni and Mahiwal.
Patnitop, is a popular hill station near the Vaishno Devi Temple, and a good place to enjoy the serenity and beauty of nature.
Ladakh and its center of administration, Leh, have the most beautiful and stark landscapes in the country. They are home to the minority Buddhist community in the state. The Ladakhis have managed to preserve their unique culture and are a distinct community in terms of customs, tradtions and culture. Leh is the headquarters of this region. The major points of attraction here are the Leh Palace, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, Sankar Gompa, Shanti Stupa, and Soma Gompa.
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