Udhampur is one of the notable paces, not only of Jammu and Kashmir, but also of the whole nation. This city has the headquarters of Indian Army and is also the most sacred place, as it is abode to many pilgrim spots of India.
Udhampur, which is one of the 10 districts of Jammu, is situated between 74 degrees 16 minutes and 75 degrees 38 minutes longitude and 32 degrees 34 minutes and 39 degrees 30 minutes latitude. The location of this region varies differently in different places and ranges from 600 metres upto 3,000 metres above the mean sea level. This district is situated on the south-eastern part of the state. The Rajouri district lies in its western side, Anantnag is bounded to its northern profile, the district is bounded by Doda in its north-eastern side and Jammu district is bounded to its south-western side. The domain is embraced with the Shivalik ranges and thus faces heavy snowfall and bitter cold during the winter season. However, due to the large variation in its altitudes, the district is exposed to varied climate and temperature. The temperature varies from 1 degree to 42 degrees, throughout the year and thus, accordingly climate also differs. It becomes extreme in this region. The domain also faces heavy rainfall in respective months. Four major rivers, which are Tawi, Chenab, Ujh and Ans are the major sources behind all cultivation and agriculture. The famous of all lakes is the Mansar lake, which is a major tourist attraction and also the most visited picnic spot. Besides the aquatic assets, the region is also richly endowed with forest resources. The forest land comprises of 51.50% of the total area of the district. These jungles are rich in valuable trees such as chir, deodar, fir, kail, kher, timber, firewood, guchhian, banafasha, anardana, kathas, dhoop, santha, resin etc. Other than plants, these lands are also rich in mineral resources which include magnesium, bauxite, lime-stone, gypsum, coal, palaeozi clay etc.
Udhampur is mainly an agricultural based dominion. The major food crops of the district include wheat, mustard, paddy and maize. Fruits and vegetables are also grown which include mangoes, grapes, apple, apricot, papaya, walnut, guava, loquat etc. Although there is not much development in the industrial sector, but this region has witnessed a steady growth and progress in this field covering sectors of textiles, steel, iron etc. Handlooms, handicrafts and Khadi industries are also blooming up rapidly. The department of energy and power is also developing and the Govt. has managed to provide electricity even to the remote areas. Out of 618 villages, 585 have been facilitated with electricity and the Govt. is in constant effort to cover the rest of the parts. The administration has also taken up health care issues seriously and has made sure that, both the urban and remote areas have good medical facilities and that every patient is examined and cured. The Indian Army's northern headquarter is based in this city. All the major military wars which have been fought against Pakistan and China have been planned and executed from this base. Even the soldiers, who are posted and deployed in the Line Of Control are administered and controlled under this base.
Besides these governing bodies, Udhampur is the abode to the most powerful deity of Hindus. Mata Vaishno Devi temple, which is situated on the Trikuta hills, belongs to this region and is one of the oldest pilgrimages of India. The Sudh Mahadev temple, which is situated in the Chenani division, is one of the oldest Shiva temples of the state. It is 2,800 years old and has a deep mythology concept behind this temple. Shiv Khori temple is another supernatural cave, which was discovered 100 years ago. The Shiv Lingam is covered with in-built Jatta and the roof and the walls of the cave are decorated with the natural impressions of Sheshnag.
