PILGRIMAGE TOURISM

Ramnagar is also known  as “A town of Temples”. Ramnagar is hilly and roughly 90% forested aleit with scrubby, secondary growth in many parts. Local attractions include the pilgrimage sites of Pingla Mata and Chountra Mata to each of which a "AKHAND JYOTI" is carried on the eve of Navratra (which is scheduled twice a year). This yatra (pilgrimage) is carried with great fervour and dedication towards Maa Durga And Maa Kali. These pilgrimages are traditionally performed on foot though a motorable road is now under construction to Chontra Mata.Other points of interest include Marhada Mata, Gurlang ( NARSING TEMPLE) and the Shri Narsing Ji Maharaj temple in central Ramnagar.

Narsingh Temples : Narsingh Mandir is an attraction for the people of the area and other places. It is located near Ramnagar Palace. The people have deepfaith in Narsing Ji Maharaj. The People fulfill their desire when they offer prayers. There is a idol of Narsing ji Maharaj . The temple is managed by a Samiti Known as Narsingh Committee  Ramnagar.

Shiv Lok : It is Situated at Ramnagar-Basantgarh roard at a distance of 1 Kms from Ramnagar towm. Shiv Lok Samiti commences Maha Vishnu Yagaya every year. The people from all over the state and neighbouring state like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, used to visit on the Ocassion. There is forest (BAN) around the temple which makes it more amazing.

Parshotam Dham : It is also  situated at Ramnagar-kulwanta road at Village Bassi at a distance of 4 Kms from Ramnagar town. There are deities of Sita-Ram, Lord Krishan, goddess Vaishno Devi and Parshotam Ji Maharaj. Parshotam Dham trust is developing the place. The trust wants to develop it like Vaishno devi a pilgrimage spot. From the tourism point of view parshotam Dham is also a beautiful pilgrim cetre and to promote though out the county.

Daleshwar Temple: Daleshwar temple is situated at Village Dalsar on Ramnagar-Ghordi road at a Distance of 6 Kms. The temple is very beautiful having lord Shiva Shivling. There is a lake near by it. A fair is celebrated at this place in the month of mach on the occasion of Shivratri. The tourism department has taken up some project in the area I’e Daleshwar lake or Dalsar lake. The execution is going on of dalsar lake

Ancient Vasukinag Temple:    It is a traditional, old temple located at one corner of Basantgarh in Ramnagar tehsil and lots of mythical stories are attached to it. The local deities are worshipped here and lots of people from distant area come here to offer prayers and offer bhandaras after fulfilment of their wishes. The architecture and wood work in this temple are another area of attraction.

Chountra Mata: Ramnagar tehsil of Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir has numerous shrines and places of worship where people professing different faiths and religions come. Among the numerous shrines in the tehsil prominent are Chountra Mata, Pingla Devi, Merhada Mata, Chamunda Mata, Sheetla Mata Temple, Jallandhra Mata, and many others The Pingla Mata and Chountra Mata in Ramnagar despite having local legendary significance attract a large number of visitors particularly during auspicious Navratras in summers and winters every year due to the strong faith and atypical spiritual ambiance surrounding the holy shrines.  These pilgrimages are traditionally performed on foot though a motorable road is now under construction to Chountra Mata. The said yatra is organized under the banner of Mata Chountra Prabandhak committee starting from Narsingh temple every navratras while district administration alongwith the guidance of local MLAs too coordinates to make elaborate arrangements and security for the smooth conduct of the Yatra.
As the name suggests Chountra Mata is the abode of incarnation of Goddess Durga the Shakti. The Goddess has manifested herself here in an artistically carved idol of stone, as per local legends.The holy Shrine of Chountra Mata in-between village Rang Bulandh and village Thail in tehsil Ramnagar around 2000m above sea level is nestled in dense pine meadows and steep mountain slopes," said Vinay Jandial from Ramnagar. He said that nearest bus road is Tyari while devotees of Goddess also opt an alternative route from Sunetar of Ramnagar Tehsil of Udhampur District. The Akhand Jyoti is lit on the first Navratra at Narsinghji temple in Ramnagar which is then carried to Chountra Mata darbar in a procession of devotees, Jandial further said adding, "various social and voluntary organizations hold free langars at the holy dabar during the Navratras.

Pingla Mata is situated at a small hillock in village Pinger in Ramnagar Tehsil, about 20 Kms from Udhampur on Udhampur-Ramnagar Road and has been gaining popularity since last few years. The Holy Shrine is about 6 Kms away from the village Kaua on the Domail-Ramnagar Road and is linked with the track. The Shrine consists of small cave where The divine power lies in the shape of Pindies. The cave of Pingla Mata seems a small hole from outside but it has as much space inside as to accommodate at least 500 people at a time. Though the journey is tough yet it does not tire the devotees because of scenic beauty throughout. The entire track consists of lush green pine trees which inspire the devotees to move on. As per the popular legend, some shepherds of Pinger village used to come to this jungle for grazing their cattle. A girl used to provide them food everyday but had warned them  that this must not be disclosed to anyone. As such they never felt the necessity to take meals at home. Their parents were worried as to why they do not take meal at home. One day the villager followed their children and watched them in the jungle. They saw a girl serving food to the shepherds and then disappeared in a nearby cave. Another legend some hunters came to this jungle for hunting and they saw a lion entering the cave. They collected some firewood and burnt it at the mouth of the cave. But within no time the hunters were astonished to see that the lion came out of the cave after piercing the big rock. Then they entered entered the cave and saw Mata there. Light can be seen coming from this narrow hole in the cave from where the loin had gone out. There are various others Pilgrim destinations in Ramnagar tehsil that’s are promoted by department of tourism in Ramnagar. Local attractions include the pilgrimage sites of Chountra Mata to each of which a "AKHAND JYOTI" is carried on the eve of Navratra (which is scheduled twice a year). This yatra (pilgrimage) is carried with great fervour and dedication towards Maa Durga and Maa Kali. These pilgrimages are traditionally performed on foot though a motorable road is now under construction to Chountra Mata.