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To get a sense of the religious atmosphere and serene ambience, enjoy paying a visit to the temples in Jammu and Kashmir. Because of the wide range of rituals people adhere to, India has the highest number of pilgrimages.There are some amazing holy sites in Jammu & Kashmir, which draw a lot of pilgrims from all of the major national religions. Because of the breathtaking scenery surrounding the Himalayas and Pir Panjal range, it is frequently referred to as India’s Switzerland. Let’s take a look at these temples where you can enjoy the breathtaking views as well.
Top 5 Temples In Jammu And Kashmir
Kashmir is breathtaking in nature, and many people travel there for religious reasons. Here is a list of the top five spiritual locations.
1. Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu
Photo: Porus Stationery / Wikimedia Commons
Vaishno Devi temple is among India’s most famous religious destinations. This stupa is inside a cave and is dedicated to the goddess Vaishnodevi. It is India’s second-largest religious site, with about 8 million pilgrims visiting the temple annually. This place is about 48 kilometres from Jammu city and situated at the height of 5300 feet above sea level in the hills of the Trikuta mountain range. The idol is represented as a stone structure, and it signifies Goddess Saraswathi, Kali, Lakshmi, etc.
Best Time To Visit: March to October
Top Tourist Attractions: Patnitop, Sanasar,
Top Experiences: River rafting at chenab, horse riding from Banganga base camp to Vaishno Devi, trek to Deva Mai, picnic at Jhajjar Kotli
Suggested Read: A Complete Guide To Explore Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Amarnath Temple
Photo: Gktambe / Wikimedia Commons
The Amarnath temple is claimed to have been built in the 5th century and thus is labelled as one of the oldest temples in Kashmir. Located at a height of nearly 4000 metres, this temple of Shiva is in a long and narrow valley just beyond Lidder Valley. The temple is known for hosting a ‘Shiva-Lingam’. The ‘Yatra’ to the shrine of Amarnath, one of the principal Hindu Dhams, starts from Chandanwari, which is 16 kilometres from Pahalgam, in the month of Sawan (July to August). According to mythologies, the cave of Amarnath is associated with certain mythological stories.
Best Time To Visit: April to August during the annual Amarnath Yatra
Top Tourist Attractions: Baltal Valley, ZojiLa Pass,
Top Experiences: Helicopter ride to Panjtarni, camping at Sheshnag Lake, aarti ceremony at Amarnath, holy dip in Amarnath
3. Shankaracharya Temple
Photo: Sanu N / Wikimedia Commons
The Shankaracharya Temple was constructed in 371 BC by King Gopadity, who ruled the area with his original name Gopadri. The temple stands 1100 ft above the city and is one of the biggest temples in Jammu and Kashmir. Being built in honour of Adi guru Shankaracharya, the eighth-century saint, the temple was actively used to establish Lord Shiva Puja in the region. Maharaja Gulab Singh Stairs increased public access and provided visitors with a wonderful aerial view of the city of Srinagar. However, besides religious values, the temple has archaeological significance. This temple is well-connected by scheduled buses/city cabs and is culturally & architecturally significant.
Best Time To Visit: September-October
Top Tourist Attractions: Chashme Shahi, Nagin Lake,
Top Experiences: Boating at Dal Lake, walks at the famous Mughal Gardens
Suggested Read: Waterfalls In Jammu And Kashmir That Will Leave You Enchanted
4. Raghunath Temple, Jammu
Photo: Mudit Maurya / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
The Raghunath temple has seven Kalash shikaras, and each shrine has its own Shikhar. There is a painting of Maharana Ranbir Singh at the entrance, while inside the temple is an idol of Lord Hanuman. The inner shrine is dedicated to Lord Ram, who is a potent deity. Apart from the main shrine mentioned here, there are other shrines and each of these shrines has a different look and form of Lord Vishnu. The interior is also complemented by other shrines that possess massive statues of Hindu deities and goddesses. It also has a museum where most of the ‘lingams’ and ‘calligrams’ are located.
Best Time To Visit: Any day of the week between 6-8 pm
Top Tourist Attractions: Dogra Art Museum, Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary, Mansar Lake, Amar Mahal Palace Museum
Top Experiences: Explore the amazing carvings inside the cave
5. Mamleshwar Temple
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons
Mamleshwar Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, is a historical site amidst the fascinating sceneries of Pahalgam. This religious shrine is located above a hill on the shore of the fresh Kolahoi stream and dates to the Raja dynasty. Renowned for its religious importance, the Mamleshwar Temple draws tourists all year round, which makes this place immensely popular in Pahalgam. The temple carries a great religious and cultural meaning and continues to be a prime focus for tourists during the summer and Christmas holidays.
Best Time To Visit: Summer months, especially during Amarnath Yatra
Top Tourist Attractions: Aru Valley, Gadsar Lake, Chandanwari, Dal Lake
Top Experiences: Ride a pony to the temple
Suggested Read: Exploring The Offbeat Places In Kashmir For Experiencing Raw And Unfiltered Beauty
The temples in Jammu and Kashmir are spiritual and religious locations that have great cultural significance. Tourists can visit these temples during the mega festivals to enjoy the festivities and yatras and watch the massive celebrations. You can also take in the scenic sights of the surrounding areas in Jammu and Kashmir and enjoy the religious importance and ambience here. Plan a trip to these temples with TripXL and celebrate the spiritual vibe.
Cover Photo: Navneet Sharma / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
