Ranbireshwar Temple: A Guide To Explore The Largest Shiva Temple In North India

Ranbireshwar Temple is the biggest Shiva Temple, located in the beautiful Jammu Valley

JamThe biggest Shiva temple in North India – the Ranbireshwar Temple, is one of the important ancient temples.Built in 1880 AD, Maharaja Ranbir Singh from the Dogra Kingdom was behind the construction of this magnificent temple. The temple has an 8-foot Shiva Lingam made of black stone, and around 1.25 lakh dwarf Shiva lingams of crystal brought from River Narmada. The main temple has the idols of Lord Rama, Mata Sita, and Shri Lakshman ji. The inner walls of the temple are covered with gold sheets on the three sides.

Location

Ranbireshwar Temple is located in the hilly region of Jammu but accessible conveniently

Photo: Syed Hassan Pasha / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

This ancient temple is located on Shalimar Road, near the new Secretariat of Jammu and Kashmir. It is in the heart of Jammu city, around a kilometre from the Raghunath Bazaar. Ranbireshwar Temple’s address is very easy to locate.

Suggested Read: Srinagar Temples

How To Reach The Temple

The railway station in Jammu is the closest railway station to the Ranbireshwar Temple.

Photo: Sanu N / Wikimedia Commons

Jammu is a well-connected city by road, air, and railways. Tourists can easily reach Jammu City by any of these means. The temple is 5.6 km away from Jammu Tawi Railway Station, 7.3 km from Jammu Airport, and 7 km from Jammu Bus Stand. Devotees can reach the temple by public transport or private vehicles.

Places To Visit Near Ranbireshwar Temple

Ranbireshwar temple, Jammu is located very close to some other tourist places as well. People who visit this temple can also go to the following places:

1. Raghunath Temple

It is another popular religious site with the largest shrine of Lord Rama in North India.

Photo: Basavaraj K. Korkar / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

This temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, one of the primary Hindu deities. It is also the largest shrine complex in North India, which consists of seven temples and each temple has its own top (Shikhar). The main shrine has the idol of Lord Rama, which has been brought from his birthplace – Ayodhya. The inside of the temple is decorated with gold-plated materials, paintings, and art. The other shrines consist of various incarnations of Lord Vishnu. It gives immense peace and pleasure to the devotees visiting this temple.

Location: 750 m from the temple
Timings: 6 AM – 8 PM

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2. Bahu Fort

Bahu Fort is a beautiful fort with a temple inside and a piece of architectural brilliance.

Photo: Vedant Sharma / Wikimedia Commons

Bahu Fort is a beautiful example of Dogra architecture and stands on a rock face on the banks of river Tawi. This fortress was constructed around 3000 years ago and today stands as a testament to the lavish life of Dogra kings. There’s a temple inside the fort which is dedicated to Goddess Kali. The view from the fort and temple is panoramic. A visit to this fort is a must to witness the architectural and cultural elegance of ancient times.

Location: 5.4 km from the central part of the city
Timings: 5 AM – 10 PM
Entry Fee: ₹10 (for adults) & ₹5 (for children)

3. Mubarak Mandi Palace

Mubarak Mandi Palace is a place of heritage offering insights into ancient architecture.

Photo: Jehangir / Wikimedia Commons

Mubarak Mandi is a palace in Jammu and was the royal residence of the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir from the Dogra Dynasty. The palace has a mix of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The Pink Hall of this palace has pink walls and the Dogra Art Museum with miniature paintings of various Hill Schools of Jammu, Kangra, and Basohli. The gold-painted bow and arrow in this palace belong to the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan.

Location: 1.4 km from the temple
Timings: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM (except Monday)
Entry Fee/Per Person: ₹20

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4. Amar Mahal Palace Museum

Amar Mahal Palace Museum is a significant place with ancient-style art & paintings.

Photo: Nvvchar / Wikimedia Commons

The Amar Mahal Palace Museum has a unique French-chateau style of architecture with an impressive collection of art and paintings of M F Hussain and Laxman Pai on display. It is located on a hilltop facing the Tawi River. The four rooms of the place have been converted into historic museums and art galleries. The location of this palace is very picturesque and tourists love to witness its architecture and beauty. It is open all days of the weekend except Mondays.

Location: 2.6 km from the temple
Timings: 9 AM – 1 PM & 2 PM – 6 PM (April to September) and 9 AM – 1 PM & 2 PM – 5 PM (October to March)
Entry Fee: ₹20 (for adults) & ₹10 (for children)

5. Peer Kho Cave Temple

Peer Kho Cave Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva attracting several visitors every day.

Photo: Bijay Chaurasia / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Peer Kho Cave Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated in a beautiful acacia forest. The temple has large courtyards and three caves, each dedicated to Lord Shiva, Jambavant, and Navadurga. People throng here in huge numbers during Maha Shivratri, Puranmashi, Ekadashi, and Amavasya.

Location: 1.9 km from the temple
Timings: 5 AM – 7 PM

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Where to Stay

Several hill resorts and budget-friendly stay options are available in Jammu and Kashmir.

Photo: imagedb.com / Shutterstock

Jammu offers some best hotels and accommodations suitable for all budget preferences. Some of the popular accommodations here are – Vivanta Jammu City Centre, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Jammu, Four A Resort Jammu, Radisson Blu Jammu, Lords Inn Jammu, KC Residency, and many more. They offer excellent facilities and a comfortable stay.

Where to Eat

Tourists can find several traditional and popular food options near Ranbireshwar Temple.

Photo: Satishram1810 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

There are some fantastic eating options in Jammu and devotees can have a hearty meal after darshan at the temple. Some of the good eating joints here are – Khana Khazana, The Lime Tree, Blue Coriander – The Restaurant, Mc Donald’s, Chaat & More, The Terrace-SkyLounge Restaurant, Orchid, Tummy Tickles, Sky Bar & Pool Deck, and many more.

Suggested Read: Best Food In Jammu

Other Factors To Consider

Several factors to consider are necessary before planning your trip to Ranbireshwar Temple

Photo: greenaperture / Shutterstock

You must consider the following factors to make the best out of your trip:

  • The best time to visit this temple is from September to March. The weather is very pleasant and the temperature is cool so the devotees can enjoy the darshan and explore conveniently. Ranbireshwar temple timings are from 6 AM-8 PM.
  • Entry to this ancient temple is free of cost. So, the main cost will include only your transportation and accommodation.

Visit the Ranbireshwar Temple to witness the rich cultural heritage of Jammu & Kashmir. This ancient temple in Jammu is a testament to the faith, culture, and history that captivates the devotees with its amazing architecture. It has awe-inspiring carvings & sculptures and is associated with a lot of interesting stories. Plan a trip with TripXL to Kashmir and witness the grandeur of this temple.

Cover Photo: KennyOMG / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

Maha Shivaratri is the main festival, which is celebrated with much enthusiasm, and a huge number of devotees pay homage to Lord Shiva on this auspicious day.
Visitors should dress modestly and avoid wearing revealing clothes to the temple.
Photography and videography are restricted in certain areas of the temple premises.
Devotees can buy the Pooja material at a reasonable rate at a shop on the temple premises.
Yes, devotees can bring buckets of water to offer Abhishek to Lord Shiva’s lingam, pray and attain his blessings.

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