Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

Shankaracharya Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Srinagar City in Srinagar District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The  Temple is also known as the Jyesthesvara Temple. It is situated on top of the Shankaracharya Hill (Gopadri Hill) on the Zabarwan Range. The temple is situated at about 1,100 feet above the valley floor and overlooks the city of Srinagar. The temple is frequented by pilgrims during the Amarnath Yatra.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/shankaracharya-temple-srinagar-legends.html

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/shankaracharya-temple-srinagar-history.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/shankaracharya-temple-srinagar-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The temple opens in morning 6.00 AM and the cars are allowed inside from then onwards. It is under the protection of the Army and hence the entrance is guarded by the army personnel. Cars aren’t permitted inside the temple after 5.00 PM, but the temple does remain open till 8.00 PM.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 8 Kms from Srinagar Bus Stand, 18 Kms from Srinagar Railway Station, 20 Kms from Srinagar Airport and 271 Kms from Jammu. The Temple lies across the Nehru Park which is a beautiful island within the Dal Lake. One can either trek to Shankaracharya Temple from the Durga Naag Temple lying in civil lines area or alternatively one can take an automobile up to the footsteps from the Boulevard road. Tourists have to obtain special permission from the army department to visit this temple.

Location

Ranbireshwar Temple, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir

Ranbireshwar Temple, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir

Ranbireshwar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Jammu City in Jammu District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The Linga in this temple is considered as one of the tallest Shiva Linga in India. This temple is one of the oldest temples in the Jammu city. The temple is situated on Shalimar road in front of Jammu Kashmir Civil Secretariat in Jammu City.

History

The Temple was built by the king of Jammu Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1878 CE. The Temple is named after its founder Maharaja Ranbir Singh.

The Temple

The temple is facing towards east. The statue of Maharaja Ranbir Singh is found in this temple complex. Nandi can be seen facing the sanctum. It is located near the statue of Ranbir Singh. The idol of nandi is made of brass and weighs around 1000 kg. The Sanctum is situated on the first floor. It can be accessed through flight of steps. The sanctum houses the presiding deity, Ranbireshwar, in the form of Shiva Linga. The Linga is about 7.5 feet tall and made up of black marble stone. It is considered as one of the tallest Shiva Linga in India.

Utsava Idols of Lord Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha are also found in the sanctum. Paintings of Lord Shiva in various manifestations can be seen in walls of the sanctum. There are 12 Shiva Lingas, made of crystal in the temple. These Shiva Lingas are 18 inches high and 12 inches wide. Shrines of Kali, Pancha Mukha Hanuman, Ganesha and Shanmuka can be seen in the temple premises. There is a slab inside the temple on the right and left side which has around 1.25 lakhs Shivalingas brought from Narmada river.

Festivals

Mahashivaratri is the most famous festival celebrated in this temple with much fanfare.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Jammu Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Jammu Tawi Railway Station, 8 Kms from Jammu Airport and 265 Kms from Srinagar. The temple is situated on Shalimar road in front of Jammu-Kashmir civil secretariat in Jammu City. Jammu is situated on Srinagar to Pathankot route. (NH – 44). Jammu is well connected to rest of India by all means of transport.

Location

Raghunath Temple, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir

Raghunath Temple, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir

Raghunath Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Jammu City in Jammu District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The temple complex is located in the old part of the Jammu city north of River Tawi with an average elevation of 350 m (1,150 ft). It is situated in the main tourist hub of Jammu city and is popularly known as Raghunath Bazar named after this temple.

Legends

Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu:

As per legend, this temple was built by Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu to get rid of a sin committed by him. The Idol housed in the sanctum is believed to brought from Ayodhya, the birthplace of Rama.

Shri Ram Das Bhairagi:

Maharaja Gulab Singh was inspired by an ardent devotee of Lord Rama, Shri Ram Das Bhairagi to build this temple in Jammu. Ram Das Bhairagi came to Jammu from Ayodhya to spread the teachings of Lord Ram.

History

The construction of this temple was started by the first Dogra ruler Maharaja Gulab Singh in1835 CE. It was completed by his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1860 CE. However, according to an inscription in Brahmic script (Takri) at the entrance of the temple, Gulab Singh and his brother Dhyan Singh are credited with building the temple in 1827 in honour of Mahant Jagannath. British officers, C.E Bates and Frederic Drew from colonial India during their visit to Jammu mentions about this temple in their memoirs. The temple was attacked by Islamic terrorists on 30 March 2002 and again on 24 November 2002.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/10/raghunath-temple-jammu-temple.html

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Jammu Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Jammu Tawi Railway Station, 8 Kms from Jammu Airport and 263 Kms from Srinagar. The temple is situated on Raghunath Mandir road in Raghunath Bazar near Hari theatre in Jammu City. Jammu is situated on Srinagar to Pathankot route. (NH – 44). Jammu is well connected to rest of India by all means of transport.

Location

Martand Sun Temple, Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir

Martand Sun Temple, Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir

Martand Sun Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Surya located near Anantnag in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Martand is Sanskrit name for the Hindu Sun god. This Sun Temple is considered as an important historic ruin of Kashmir. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

The Martand Sun Temple was built by the third ruler of the Karkota Dynasty, Lalitaditya Muktipada, in the 8^th century CE. It is said to have been built during 725-756 CE. The foundation of the temple is said to have been around since 370-500 CE, with some attributing the construction of the temple to have begun with Ranaditya.

The temple was completely destroyed on the orders of Muslim ruler Sikandar Butshikan in the early 15^th century, with demolition lasting a year. The Government of India has developed the site as an important tourist site with facilities. The Archaeological Survey of India has declared the Martand Sun Temple as a site of national importance in Jammu and Kashmir. 

The Temple

The Temple was built on top of a plateau from where one can view whole of the Kashmir Valley. The Temple ruins is an excellent specimen of Kashmiri architecture, which had blended the Gandharan, Gupta, Chinese, Roman, Syrian Byzantine and Greek forms of architecture. The temple has a colonnaded courtyard, with its primary shrine in its center and surrounded by 84 smaller shrines, stretching to be 220 feet long and 142 feet broad total and incorporating a smaller temple that was previously built. 

The temple turns out to be the largest example of a peristyle in Kashmir, and is complex due to its various chambers that are proportional in size and aligned with the overall perimeter of the temple. The primary entrance to the temple is situated in the western side of the quadrangle and is the same width as the temple itself, creating grandeur. The entrance is highly reflective of the temple as a whole due to its elaborate decoration and allusion to the deities worshiped inside.

The primary shrine is located in a centralized structure (the temple proper) that is thought to have had a pyramidal top (a common feature of the temples in Kashmir). Various wall carvings in the antechamber of the temple proper depict other gods, such as Vishnu, and river goddesses, such as Ganga and Yamuna, in addition to the sun-god Surya.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 4 Kms from Mattan, 9 Kms from Achabal Gardens, 10 Kms from Anantnag, 13 Kms from Anantnag Railway Station, 65 Kms from Srinagar and 67 Kms from Srinagar Airport. The Temple is situated on Mattan to Achabal Gardens Route.

Location

Shiva Temple, Payar, Jammu and Kashmir

Shiva Temple, Payar, Jammu and Kashmir

Payar Shiva Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Kakapora Payar village near Pulwama City in Pulwama District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

The temple was identified as Narendrasvami temple, built by Narendraditya (483 – 490 CE) by General Cunningham was incorrect. The temple is believed to be built in 11^th century CE based on its architectural style.

The Temple

The temple is 8 sq. feet internally and is about 21 feet tall including the base. The temple is open on all sides but is reached only by a flight of steps on the eastern side. It houses a Shiva Linga in its sanctum. It consists of a double pyramidal roof with triangular pediments on all the four sides enclosing a trefoil arch. The other sculpted reliefs on the exterior include, geese, bulls and decorative bands.

Lakulisa can be seen in the eastern trefoil niche, six-armed Nataraja carrying trident & Khatanga, dancing to the tune of male drummer and female flute player can be seen in the western trefoil niche, three headed Lord Shiva accompanied by Aghora and Uma can be seen in the northern trefoil niche and Gaja Samhara Moorthy can be seen in the southern trefoil niche.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 5 Kms from Pulwama, 5 Kms from Pulwama Main Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Awantipora Railway Station, 14 Kms from Awantipora, 23 Kms from Shopian, 30 Kms from Anantnag, 34 Kms from Srinagar, 34 Kms from Srinagar Airport and 244 Kms from Jammu. The temple is situated on Pulwama to Awantipora route.

Location

Mantalai Temple, Jammu and Kashmir

Mantalai Temple, Jammu and Kashmir

Mantalai Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Mantalai village near Patnitop hill resort in Udhampur District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The temple is situated on the banks of Mantalai Lake. This temple was built around 80 years ago. The temple is considered as the birth place of Mother Parvathy.

Legends

As per legend, it is believed that Goddess Parvathy was born in this place. It is also believed that the site where the Mantalai lake is located now was used as a Homa Kund for Parvati's marriage with Lord Shiva.

The Temple

The temple is situated at an elevation of 1450 meters from the mean sea level surrounded by deodar trees. The temple is situated on the banks of the Mantalai lake. Though, it is called as lake, it is actually a pond. The temple consists of sanctum only. Presiding deity is called as Aparneswar. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Linga. It enshrines an idol of Parvati as Kanya and idols of Lord Shiva & Parvathy as a couple.

It also enshrines another set of idols of Lord Shiva, Parvati and Ganesha in a corner. Two idols of Nandi can be seen facing towards the shrine. A divine rock (pathar) related to the wedding of Parvati and Lord Shiva is also present in this temple. This temple offers great views of the mountain landscape in the surroundings.

Festivals

Chaudash, Purnima, Amavasya, Punya Jayeshth Purnima and Vyasa Purnima are the festivals celebrated here.

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 8 Kms from Sudh Mahadev Temple, 51 Kms from Patnitop, 57 Kms from Udhampur, 122 Kms from Jammu, 126 Kms from Jammu Airport and 209 Kms from Srinagar.

Location

Manasbal Temple, Jammu and Kashmir

Manasbal Temple, Jammu and Kashmir

Manasbal Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Manasbal village in Ganderbal District in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The temple is situated on the eastern bank of Manasbal Lake on the Jhelum Valley. It is partially submerged in the Manasbal Lake during the greater part of the year. It is stated to be a new pilgrimage attraction for pilgrims who visit the cave shrine at Amarnath and the Kheer Bhawani temple at Tulmulla in Ganderbal district. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

History

The temple was believed to be built in 9^th century CE by Avantivarman (Shankaravarman), founder of Utpala dynasty.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards west. The temple is situated on the eastern bank of Manasbal Lake. The temple had been constructed in local grey stone. It is a submerged stone temple with unique double pyramidal roof with triangular pediment on the western side. The lower half of this temple was buried under earth. The cornice of the lower roof, and the horizontal band which divides it from the upper storey, are decorated with series of dentils and metopes.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 11 Kms from Ganderbal, 29 Kms from Bandipora, 29 Kms from Srinagar, 29 Kms from Pattan Railway Station, 39 Kms from Srinagar Airport, 41 Kms from Srinagar Railway Station and 295 Kms from Jammu. The temple is situated on Ganderbal to Bandipora route.

Location