Temples in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir are known for their temples, which are beautiful, serene sites of worship that are also well-known religious sites. For believers and anybody interested in history and architecture then these old minutely crafted, and lovingly cared-for houses of worship are must-see. 

Due to their strong religious beliefs, Indians like visiting spiritual locations all around the world. India has the highest number of pilgrimages because of the diverse range of rituals that its citizens adhere to. Many pilgrims from all of the major religions in the nation highlight the amazing holy sites in Jammu & Kashmir. Its breathtaking scenery surrounded by the Pir Pranjal and Himalayan ranges, has earned it the title “India’s Switzerland.” 

Jammu and Kashmir is not only aesthetically stunning in its natural state but also a popular religious travel destination. It has snow-capped mountain peaks, picturesque valleys, and a number of interesting, lovely temples in Jammu and Kashmir that are worth seeing. Every temple in Jammu has a fascinating history which was built by the best artisans in breathtaking settings and has a wonderful spiritual air. Every temple here will transport you to a bygone era or leave you in wonder of the many legendary occurrences. You will, nevertheless, have a fantastic time during your tour to these temples.

Most Famous Temples in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu Region

1. Vaishno Devi Temple

After Tirupati Temple, this shrine receives the second-highest number of visitors nationwide. Known as Vaishnavi or Mata Rati, she is revered in this temple and is thought to be a manifestation of Mother Goddess. It is situated in the Udhampur district, close to the town of Katra. There is a helipad at the summit of the hill, but other than that, there is no contemporary transportation available throughout the 13 kilometer trek to the shrine. At a height of 5,200 feet, pilgrims must ascend to the shrine on foot. Trikuta Hill serves as the pilgrims’ base camp as they travel to the shrine. When the walk becomes too strenuous, pilgrims may opt to horseback riding. Without a doubt, one of the famous Temples in Jammu and Kashmir. 

2. Raghunath Temple

A temple containing thousands of “Saligrams,” said to be Lord Vishnu’s sacred stone. With seven shrines, the Raghunath temple is devoted to Lord Rama, is a holy location in the center of Jammu. The community consider here the eighth avatar of Vishnu, known as “Rama” and worship them. Said to be the largest temple complex in North India, with a cluster of temples in the vicinity, all devoted to the Gods and Goddesses associated with the epic Ramayana. It took 25 years, that is between 1835 and 1860, for Maharaja Gulab Singh and his son, Maharaja Ranbir Singh who worked tirelessly to complete this temple. It gives a glimpse of Mughal architecture. A range of manuscripts pertaining to stories and episodes from the epic Ramayana are available in the temple’s Sanskrit Library.

3. Peer Kho Cave Temple

If you’re looking for a calm spiritual experience, you should definitely visit the well-known Peer Kho Cave Temple. It is devoted to Lord Shiva and is located on the banks of the Tawi River. Said to be the oldest site in the Shivalik area, it is situated approximately 3.5 km from Jammu’s center. Situated on the bustling Circular Road, this temple is easily accessible from all parts of the city. Among its devotees, the sanctuary is also widely recognized as Jamwant Cave. The temple honors a black Swayambhu Shiva Lingam and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is known that Jamvant and this is because Jamwant, a character from the Ramayana who used to meditate in the cave had a deep belief in this. 

The temple is situated between the rocks in an acacia woodland and is revered by thousands of worshippers. The majority of pilgrims are observed coming here, with the exception of Shivaratri, which is observed with great show.

This sanctuary contains two normal caverns, each with a depth of about 30 feet. From the ground level, visitors must ascend a number of marble steps to reach the Shiva Lingam.

4. Mahamaya Temple

Situated directly across from the Bahu Fort, another major tourist destination in Jammu, the Mahamaya Temple is a symbol of the strength and power of Indian women, an attribute that is often underestimated. Visiting the Mahamaya Temple on a sightseeing trip will be a breeze.

The historic Mahamaya Temple is situated on a hill in Jammu, 6 kilometers from the Jammu Railway Station. 

This is devoted to Mahamaya, a local Dogra freedom fighter who gave her life approximately 14 centuries ago to defend her territory from foreign invaders. People still revere her sacrifice and the temple that was constructed in honor of her bravery. Numerous followers of the great heroine visit the temple, which is a singular building with an interesting history, year-round to pay their respects.

The Trikuta mountain ranges and the dazzling blue sky provide an eye-catching backdrop to the white-topped temple encircled by verdant trees. A broad perspective of Jammu, the majestic Bahu Fort, and the winding Tawi River can be seen from this location. The place’s calm atmosphere contributes to guests’ genuine sense of tranquility.

5. Shiv Khori Cave Temple

In the town of Ransoo around 140 kms from Jammu and Kashmir sits a sacred site known as Shiv Khori which is also known as the cave of Lord Shiva. In the cave there is a 4-foot-tall organically formed lingam that is revered and said to be swayambhu, or self-manifested. 

Legend has it that the cave is devoted to Lord Shiva’s invisible, unborn form. The 3-kilometer hike to the cave is quite difficult and is surrounded by beautiful mountains and rich vegetation. The Bull God Nandi, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, and Sheshnag are all honored by additional naturally occurring rock formations within the cave. There are about 33 crore deities in this cave, according to folklore. Another tale claims that a demon by the name of Bhasmasur devoted a great deal of time to in-depth meditation on Lord Shiva thousands of years ago. 

Over time, it is said that Bhasmasur gained the ability to provide someone the ability to end their life by placing his hand on their head by requesting a blessing from the Lord. According to legend, Lord Shiva created this cave with his trishul, or trident, to elude the demon Bhasmasura, who was pursuing him. He lived here for a while with Nandi and the goddess Parvati.

6. Bahu Fort Temple

Like Peer Kho Cave, Bahu Temple is located in Jammu on the banks of the Tawi River. 

The sight of this 3,000-year-old monument and the distinctive “Tawi flowing worship” will astound you. Raja Bahulohan built the fort, which the Dogra emperors later restored. The fort is home to a temple honoring Goddess Kali, constructed in 1822, that receives hundreds of devotees every Tuesday and Sunday. All day long, the thunderous chants of “Bavey Waali Mata KI Jai!!” reverberate throughout the fort. The fort, which is surrounded by hills, terraced gardens (Bagh-e-Bahu), and waterfalls, is a popular tourist destination. 

It’s the perfect place to go on peaceful vacations, the surrounding area. Another popular destination is the Mahamaya temple, which honors Mahamaya, the Dogra heroine, and is located beyond the Bahu Fort.

7. Ranbireshwar Temple

Ranbireshwar Temple, the largest Shiva temple in North India, is a popular destination in the charming city of Jammu which is referred to as the “city of temples,” and the oldest temple there is the Sri Ranbireshwar Temple. A massive triple-story temple located in the heart of Jammu city, directly across from the state office which is frequented by thousands of tourists every day as they go along the famous Shalamar Road. 

The temple was constructed by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1880 AD. The temple was named after Shri Ranbir Singh, who is also known as the Lord of Ranbir. Ranbireshwar is Ranbir plus Ishwar. Still, the statue was not erected by Ranbir Singh rather it was installed some decades later. Inside the main temple, people are drawn to a massive single stone Shivlingam in addition to life-size idols of Lord Shiva, his bride Parvati, and son Ganesha. Facing the main idols, a massive life-size brass metallic Nandi is situated at the entrance of the main temple. Maharaja Ranbir Singh imported the rare Ekadash Lingams from Banaras which are crafted of Safatik, a unique clear white stone especially for the Shiva temples.

8. Sharada Mataji

Situated on the banks of the Kishanganga River lies this old Sharada Mandir. People who were uprooted from this area after India’s division constructed the temple. These people are currently residents of Bantalab, which is in Jammu. An identical temple to the one in Pakistan has been constructed. 

The goddess Saraswati also known as Sarada Devi is mainly worshiped in the temple. It stands for Sati’s right hand’s spiritual position, which she dropped there. It is still regarded as a major work of political and spiritual art.

9. Panchbakhtar Temple

Rupai Wala Mandir which is another name for Panchbakhtar Temple, is one of the oldest Shiva temples in the Jammu region. The temple’s Lingam is self-manifest. The temple, which is located at the meeting point of the Suketi and Beas rivers, draws a lot of tourists from all over the nation because of its tranquil beauty that occupies an area of over twenty-five kanals and is a rare example of antiquity, heritage, and spiritual significance. It has a long history of being associated with the Amar Nath Yatra and is known as Dashnam Akhara.

The temple is extremely well-furnished and sits on a large platform. Lord Shiva’s greatest shrine is the Panchvaktra Temple. The temple is magnificently constructed in the traditional Shikhara architectural style. The five-faced statue of Lord Shiva, of which only three are visible from the front, gave rise to the temple’s name.

The statue features five faces: Aghora, Ishana, Tat Purusha, Vaamdeva, and Rudra, each of whom represents a distinct aspect of Lord Shiv. Rudra is his creative and destructive aspect; Vamadeva is the female facet; Tat Purusha is his ego; Ishana is ubiquitous and almighty; and Angora is the destructive nature. The combination of all of these is known as Panchvaktra.

Popular Temples in Kashmir Region

10. Amarnath Cave Temple

With a history spanning the fifth century and surrounded by somewhat steep hills, the Amarnath temple is regarded as the oldest extant temple in Kashmir. Located approximately 29 kilometers from Pahalgam at an elevation of 3,888 meters, the holy sanctuary of Amarnath Temple is situated. Worldwide, the Shiva Lingam is regarded as the ideal representation of Hinduism. Pahalgam town is the route that will get you there. The ‘Yatra’ to Amarnath, one of the main Hindu Dhams, takes place during Sawan (July to August). The temple is well-known for its ‘Shiva-Lingam,’ a naturally occurring ice creation that appears in these months and is said to wax and wane in accordance with the moon’s cycle.

Large thousands of devotees travel there as part of the Amarnath Yatra, a pilgrimage route that begins in Chandanwari. According to Hinduism, it is thought to be one of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peethas. The surroundings of the Amarnath Temple are breathtaking in addition to being a place to ask for blessings.

For those who follow Lord Shiva, this famous temple in Kashmir is very important. Every year, thousands of Hindu devotees make this journey.

11. Shankaracharya Temple

The Shankaracharya Temple which is situated in Kashmir’s southeast is a beautiful example of the region’s traditional architectural style. This Shiva temple is situated atop Gopadari Hill, a lovely spot. It is built on solid rock and has an octagonal basement with thirteen layers. In 371 BC, the temple was constructed. Although it has undergone numerous repairs and renovations since then, it still proudly displays the architectural design of the era.

With its circular chamber design, the main shrine provides an amazing perspective of the Kashmir Valley which is home to charming lakes and the towering Himalayas. This temple, located in the center of Jammu and Kashmir, is easily accessible by city taxis or scheduled buses. It is renowned for its architectural beauty and spiritual holiness.

12. Kheer Bhawani Temple

The famous Hindu shrine Kheer Bhawani Temple is situated in Tulmulla close to Srinagar. Dedicated to Goddess Raganya Devi, an avatar of Goddess Durga, this temple is situated above a sacred spring that is said to change color. The local deity receives milk and kheer offerings from devotees. Though it is well-liked by all visitors, the Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley hold it in particular high regard. The temple’s construction is made of smooth gray stones and is straightforward but exquisite. 

This temple was constructed in 1912 by Maharaja Pratap Singh and then restored by Maharaja Hari Singh. The shrine features a modest marble shrine with the goddess’ idol put in it, as well as a hexagonal spring. Legend has it that during his banishment, Lord Rama offered prayers to the deity. He asked Lord Hanuman to move the holy seat to Shadipora, and Lord Hanuman complied. After the goddess materialized in the dream of a local pundit called Rugnath Gadroo, the temple was moved to its current location.

Devotees gather at the Kheer Bhawani Temple on the eighth day of the May full moon to observe fasts. On this auspicious day, it is believed that Goddess Ragnya transforms the color of spring. If the color turns black, it is interpreted as a negative omen that the valley would suffer a catastrophe. During its yearly festival and navratri, the temple hosts fairs and yagnas that draw a sizable number of devotees. In this temple, hawans on Shukla Paksh Ashtami are also typical.

13. Mata Sharika Devi Temple (Hari Parbat)

The Sharika Devi Temple is situated on the western slope of the Hari Parvat in Srinagar. The goddess Jagadamba Sharika Bhagwati who is a manifestation of Mata Durga or Shakti is worshiped in the temple. Hindu devotees believe that the 18-armed image inside the temple is the reigning god of Srinagar. Har Navum is observed on this day, and Kashmiri Pandits consider this temple to be among the holiest places on earth.

On Sharika Bhagwati’s birthday, the shrine is crowded with a lot of people. They present the goddess with a unique offering known locally as “Taher Charvan,” which consists of two dishes: one made of roasted goat liver and the other of boiling rice mixed with turmeric, oil, and salt.

14. Chatti Padshahi Gurudwara

In Kashmir, one of the most significant Sikh pilgrimage destinations is the Gurdwara Chatti Patshahi in Srinagar. It is located at Rainawari right outside the Kathi Darwaja of Hari Parbat Fort which is in the center of Srinagar. One of Srinagar’s most popular tourist destinations is this old Gurudwara. It is located at the exact location where Guru Nanak Ji and Gurugobind Singh Ji visited, and it bears the name of the sixth Sikh Guru, Shri Gurugobind Singh. 

The sixth Sikhism guru traveled through Kashmir, stopping periodically to give sermons and remaining for a few days. Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Hargobind both visited the Gurdwara Chhevin Patshahi – Srinagar, which is situated on the banks of the Jhelum River and Dal Lake. A visit by Guru Har Rai is also mentioned in some sources, but the historical Sikh shrine here is dedicated to Guru Hargobind alone, also known as the Chhevin Patshahi or Sixth Master. It is situated outside the Kathi Gate of the Hari Parbat Fort, at the location of Mai Bhagbhari’s home. Mai had long yearned for a glimpse of the Guru, and her wish was granted when Guru Hargobind visited and donned her now-famous gown.

15. Hazratbal Shrine

A Muslim place of worship, Hazratbal Shrine is situated in Hazratbal, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. It is home to the famous Moi-e-Muqaddas relic, which many Kashmiri Muslims consider to be the Islamic prophet Muhammad’s hair. The Kashmiri term “Bal,” which means “place,” and the Urdu word “Hazrat,” which means “respected,” are the sources of the Dargah’s name.

As a result, it represents great regard and a well-respected status in society. This Dargah is regarded as the most sacred Muslim pilgrimage place in Kashmir and is situated in Srinagar on the left bank of Dal Lake. Legend has it that Syed Abdullah, a purported descendent of Muhammad, carried this relic to Kashmir after leaving Medina in 1635 to reside in Bijapur, which is close to Hyderabad. 

16. Sudh Mahadev Temple

A mace thought to be that of Bheema, one of the five fabled Pandava brothers, and the Trident (Trishul) of Lord Shiva are housed in the temple dedicated to Sudh Mahadev, which is thought to be 2800 years old. Situated approximately 120 miles from Jammu, at an elevation of 1225 m, is this sacred temple close to Patnitop.

There is a spring in Sudh Mahadev called Pap Nashni Bawli. It is said that a devotee who bathes in it is cleansed of all sin. Following a bath, one makes their way to Lord Shiva’s sacred temple. 

During the three-day Historic Sudh Mahadev Festival (Mela) in June and July, pilgrims come to the shrine on full moon nights to worship a mace and the Trident (Trishul).

The administration of the state government makes efforts to provide facilities to the attendees during this three-day celebration. The government organizations also offer sufficient transportation from a variety of locations. Security arrangements are also guaranteed by the government. Excellent medical facilities are also provided. Throughout the three days of the festival, cultural events are planned, and local artists enthrall the guests with folk music and a variety of local dances.

17. Gurudwara Nangali Sahib

Located on the banks of Drungali Nallah and nestled in the shade of a magnificent hill, Gurudwara Nangali Sahib is roughly six kilometers away from Poonch Town. It is one of Northern India’s oldest Sikh shrines. Currently, the Gurudwara complex comprises the Gurudwara building, Langar Hall, and over 70 rooms. Every year, a sizable number of devotees from all across the nation, from all faiths, flock to this temple. 

The fourth successor of Sant Bhai Feru Singh ji, Thakur Bhai Mela Singh ji, founded Gurudwara Sahib in 1803 AD. Upon his visit to Gurudwara Nangali Sahib in 1814, Maharaja Ranjit Singh was deeply impressed. He joined the Gurudwara Sahib with an estate. 

In Jammu and Kashmir, this Gurudwara continues to be the center of Sikhism. Pilgrims are given access to a rest house and a 24-hour community kitchen, regardless of their caste, religion, or other characteristics. Even though a sizable crowd gathers on Sundays, this temple receives daily visitors. In addition, the serene surroundings and attractive scenery of the Gurudwara provide pilgrims with both physical and mental comfort. Every year on the eve of Baisakhi, the Gurudwara Sahib hosts a massive event.

18. Avantipur Temple

The magnificent artwork temple is situated southeast of Srinagar. It portrays the magnificent artwork that stays loyal to its aesthetic. It is thought to have been built by King Avantivarman, a follower of Lord Surya, and contains an old history. Lord Surya is the object of the temple’s dedication as a result. Two further minor temples were planned and built in addition to this one. 

One is devoted to Lord Shiva, while the other is devoted to the Avantiswami Temple. The main temple, which reflects a showcase of Greek architecture, is well-known for the exquisite carvings that it features and the beauty that it displays.