Mantalai

Surrounded by the lush green deodar forests, the historical town of Mantalai is situated in Jammu in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The town is placed at an altitude of 2000 meters and is of mythological importance to the followers of Hindu religion. Manatlai is one of the Jammu and Kashmir popular tourists spots and is frequently visited by the Hindu devotees and tourists.

Legend has it that the powerful God, Lord Shiva was unified in marriage to the Goddess Parvati in the region of Mantalai. A number of temples abound the region. The Sudh Mahadev Temple lies close to the town of Mantalai. The ancient place of worship is said to be 2800 years old. Pilgrims flock in the region in the full moon night in the month of August. Wading through the River Devika that flow by the temple, the pilgrims enter the Sudh Mahadev Temple to offer their prayers to the black marbled Shivling in the temple. The temple is eight kilometers away from the town of Mantalai and the Gauri Kund Spring. The spring is sacred to the Hindu devotees, as it is believed that the Goddess Parvati would bathe in the waters of the spring before offering her prayers to the Lord Shiva.

Some of the other tourists spots closely situated from Mantalai are:

• Patnitop
• Krimchi

The region of Mantalai is situated at an approximate distance of 120 kilometers from the city of Jammu where lies the closest airport and the Jammu Tawi Railway Station. The town can be accessed from the cities of Katra, Udhampur and Jammu through the bus route.