Raghunath temple is the most famous temple in Jammu and Kashmir, a union territory of India. It is a huge temple having seven shrines each with spiral towers on its top. This temple is an abode of 33 crores of Hindu gods and goddesses. It is one of the most worshipped temples in North India. Other than Vaishno Devi temple it is a must to visit the temple here. In this temple the leading deity is Lord Rama the incarnation of Lord Vishnu hence, it is named Raghunath Temple.
This dignifying temple was founded by the first Dogra Ruler of the region in 1835, Maharaja Gulab Singh, and completed in 1860 by his son Maharaj Ranbir Singh. He was the devotee of lord Rama therefore the center shrine here has the idol of Rama. However, the temple got in the glare of the public and news after the terrorist attacks on the temple premises. The recent attack on November 24, 2022, took place in the temple when Hindus were performing some rituals there. And Fidayee terrorist attack took place, in which 10 people died and many were injured.
Interesting history
Raghunath temple has a glorious history and tells the story of Maharaja Gulab Singh and Shri Ram Dass Bairagi. According to the historical records this magnificent temple was built during the 19th century by the Kings of the Jamwal Rajput clan after the prediction of Shri Ram Dass Bairagi. He was a keen devotee of Lord Rama who came to the region for spreading the values of Rama among the country’s people. However, he came here from Ayodhya and got settled in Sui – Simbli where he built a temple of Lord Rama. But he says that this temple was originally founded by Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu, who built this place to convert his bad sines into good.
Therefore, when Maharaja Gulab Singh approached the saint he predicted that he will become a great king if he built a temple. Hence, the king started the construction of the temple in 1835. And after his death, the temple’s construction was completed by his successor Maharaj Ranbir Singh in 1860. The main idol in this temple is of Lord Rama who was earlier bought by Raja Jagat Singh from Ayodhya, the birthplace of Rama. Moreover, the temple was shut down in 2002 after the terrorist attack held on the temple premises. Hence the temple was reopened in 2013 after eleven years.
Structure of Raghunath temple
Raghunath Temple is a huge temple spread over a wide area having seven shrines. This temple house almost all the gods of Hinduism. The structure of the main shrine lies on a 5ft. high platform and has three entrances at the main gate. There you will find the sculpture of Lord Hanuman and Raja Ranbir Singh on either side of the entrance. However, on the premises of the temple, there are many paintings of the Hindu mythologies such as Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Bhagavat Gita on its walls.
Other than the center shrine there is a temple that is devoted to Lord Surya and his different forms. Hence in this room, you can see the calendars of every month with their gods. Here you can also witness various Saligrams and Lingas in the gallery. The inner walls of the temple have gold platting on three sides. However, it is a major tourist attraction in the state and a worshiping place for tourists as well as for locals. This temple is a place where you can honorably admire the four Dham in the same place from all sides.
Best time to visit Jammu
Jammu is a city famous for its incredible landscape and beautiful scenic views. Hence it is good to visit when it is blooming and at its peak of beauty. Therefore, it is good to visit the state in the Autumn season in the months of June – August. During this time the flower field blooms with colorful and charming flowers. This is the best time to visit the city for enjoying its mesmerizing views along with exploring the astonishing handicraft and hidden gems here.
However, you can also visit here in the months of October – March for witnessing the snow-capped landscape of the city. This is the time when the weather is chilling and cold. Hence, these are the months of festivals that you can celebrate here in their regional styles and traditions. The best time to visit Raghunath temple is whenever you want as the temple is open for visitors from 6 AM in the morning to 8 PM in the evening.
Conclusion
Raghunath temple is a complete divine heaven where you will find peace and harmony. However, this place is one of the Moksha stairs for Paradise. Tourists visit the temple to get lost in its mesmerizing and spiritual environment. It is a shrine of a Hindu God and Goddess present near Heaven on the earth. Therefore, it is a beautiful and worth-visiting place in Jammu. The temple is a major attraction and a family destination here.
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