Believed to be 2800 years old, the temple of Sudh Mahadev houses a natural black marble Lingam, the Trident (Trishul) of Lord Shiva and mace believed to be that of Bheema, one of the five legendary Pandava brothers. This holy temple near Patnitop is situated at an altitude of 1225 m and is about 120 kms from Jammu.
Sudhmahadev has a spring by the name Pap Nashni Bowli. It is believed that taking bath in it relieves a devotee of all sins. After bath one proceeds towards the holy temple of Lord Shiva.
Pilgrims visit the shrine on Historic Sudhmahadev 3 day Festival (Mela) on the full moon night of 'Sawan' (June -July) to worship the Trident (Trishul) and a mace.
During this 3 day festival, arrangements are made by the state government administration to provide facilities to the visitors. Adequate transport is also provided by the government agencies from various destinations. The government also ensures security arrangements. Good health facilities are also made available. Cultural programs are organized during the 3 day festival; in which the local performers entertain the visitors by showcasing various local dances and singing folk songs.
One can have stay in the temporary tented accommodations provided by J&K Tourism Development Department or even a Sarai maintained by the Dharamarth Trust, beside a few guest houses are also there.
Sudh Mahadev Temple
The temporary shops are also established by the people to provide various things and eatables to the visitors. Langars are also arranged by some devotees to provide free food to the visitors.
Some of the famous food items to eat during the festival are Rajmash Chawal with Desi Ghee, Chatni of Pudina and Anardana. Local food specialties include Klari (a milk preparation like paneer) or Klari kulcha and are very tasty and one must eat there. Those who love sweets have Jlabis and pure Khoya to eat. It is a great fair which provides lot of entertainment, natural scenery, joy and spiritual experience.
Another 8 kms from Sudhmahadev is an enchanting hill resort of Mantalai. Located at the top of a hill and surrounded by tall Deodar trees giving fresh and cool air. It is believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married there. There is a Shiva temple with a pond by its side.
Mantalai
Another 8 kms from Sudh Mahadev is an enchanting Hill Resort of Mantalai. Located at the top of a hill and surrounded by tall Deodar trees giving fresh and cool air. It is believed that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married there. There is a Shiva temple with a pond by its side.
Gauri Kund
Some distance short of Sudh Mahadev is the legendary spring where the Goddess Parvati used to bathe before commencing her daily prayers at Sudh Mahadev. A temple that was constructed at this spring came to be named after her as 'Gauri Kund' (Gaurikund). This picturesque spot is at a steep height from the main road that comes from Chenani town towards Sudh Mahav.
Krimchi Temples
Krimchi, site of three of the oldest temples of Jammu, can be reached by taking a short detour of about 20 kms along a side road that branches off from the National Highway 1-A, about 8 kms short of Udhampur.Krimchi is the site of one of the oldest temple complexes of Jammu. Believed to have been constructed in the 11th - 12th century AD, this group of temples, also locally known as the Pandava Temples. The architecture of the temples shows distinct Greek (Hellenic) influences. Some distance further ahead in the hills is Pancheri, a beautiful hill resort.
Baba Jittoo Temple
A Temple of Baba Jittoo in village Jhiri is located about 20 kms from Jammu, off the Jammu-Akhnoor highway. Baba Jittoo Temple is visited by a large number of devotees from Jammu & Kashmir as well as the neighboring states of northern India.
Legend has it that the zamindar (a landowner, who leased his land to tenant farmer) demanded a major share of the wheat crop from Jit Mal, a poor farmer. Since the peasant had toiled hard to cultivate the crop he did not want to yield to this unjust and oppressive demand of the zamindar. Rather than parting with his crop, Jit Mal preferred to take the extreme step of ending his life over the heap of wheat. He has since been venerated as Baba Jittoo and is revered for standing up against the injustice and unfair treatment meted out to the peasantry during the feudal times.
An Annual Jhiri Mela (festival/ fair) is organised every year during the Karthik Purnima (Late autumn full moon) falling during the last week of October and early November when an Annual Jhiri Mela (festival/ fair) to commemorate the martyrdom of Baba Jittoo.