Jammu is also Known as the City of Temples for its ancient temples and Hindu shrines. Jammu is the winter capital and the largest city in Jammu district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Lying on the banks of the river Tawi, the city of Jammu, is surrounded by the Himalayas in the north and the northern-plains in the south. Jammu is the second most populous city of the union territory.

The city spreads around the Tawi river with the old city overlooking it from the north (right bank) while the new neighborhoods spread around the southern side (left bank) of the river. There are five bridges on the river. The city is built on a series of ridges. Jammu has historically been the capital of Jammu Province and the winter capital of the princely UT of Jammu and Kashmir (1846–1952). After the partition of India, Jammu continues as the winter capital of the Indian UT of Jammu and Kashmir.