13 Most Visited Temples of Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is a place of beauty and rich culture. This northern part of India is known for its rivers, lush mountains, mesmerizing lakes, and temples, making it popular among devotees. Also known as the City of Temples, the Jammu region is particularly renowned for two prominent Hindu pilgrimage sites, Vaishno Devi and Amarnath. They attract thousands of visitors from all over the country every year. Similarly, Kashmir, also known as Heaven on Earth, is a very special place. It has beautiful old temples that are like works of art. These places are not just for praying, but they are also very pretty to look at. Let’s learn more about these amazing temples of Jammu and Kashmir. This information will not only help you to get the general information but will also help you to prepare for exams like the UPSC Civil Services examination, State PCS exam, SSC, bank PO, and more.

Temples of Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is a beautiful place with tall and snowy mountains. It is also a special place for many people because of its many holy places. There are many old and amazing temples in Jammu and Kashmir. We have mentioned about some of the most famous temples in Jammu and Kashmir below.

Mata Vaishno Devi Temple

Mata Vaishno Devi is a very sacred site for Hindus. It is a temple on top of a tall mountain called Trikuta, about 62 kilometers from Jammu. To reach the temple, you have to climb up a mountain for about 14 kilometers. It’s a tough walk, but many people like to do it. If you do not want to walk, you can also take a helicopter. Inside the temple, you will see three special formations that are believed to be three different goddesses. Lots of people visit this temple every year to pray and ask for blessings.

• Location: Trikuta Mountains, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, India
• Best time to visit: All year round, but avoid extreme winter months.

Shri Amarnath Temple

The Amarnath Temple is a very special place for Hindus. It a cave high up in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir. People believe that Lord Shiva, a Hindu god, lives there. Inside the cave, there is a sacred shivalinga, made up of ice, that is sacred for the devotees.Every year, lots of people go on a long journey to visit this temple. They walk a long way to see the Shivalinga and pray to Lord Shiva.

• Location: Amarnath Cave, Himalayas, Jammu and Kashmir, India
• Best time to visit: July to August during the annual Amarnath Yatra.

Mamaleshwar Temple

Mamaleshwar Temple is an old temple between  mountains and  river. The word Mamaleshwar means “don’t move.” This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord of Destruction. You can find this temple in Pahalgam, a place known for its beauty.The temple is very old and has a special story behind it. According to the locals, Lord Ganesha, son of Lord Shiva, was the guard of this temple a long time ago.  Many people visit this temple every year to pray and enjoy the peace there. You can even ride a pony to reach the temple, which is a fun way to go.

• Location: Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India
• Best time to visit: Summer months, especially during Amarnath Yatra.

Also Read: Arts of the Mauryan Period

Martand Sun Temple

Martand Sun Temple is a very old and grand temple built to worship the Sun God. It is like a king’s palace for the God Sun. This temple is in Kashmir, not very far from a place called Anantnag. It was built many years ago by a king named Lalitaditya. People say it is even more beautiful than the famous Sun Temple in Odisha. The temple has modern designs, almost like those you see in old Greek buildings.This temple has been damaged by the foreign invaders, but it still reflect its heritage and the architectural legacy 

• Location: Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, India
• Best time to visit: All year round

Shankaracharya Temple

Shankaracharya Temple is a very old temple sitting high up on a hill, looking down at a beautiful city. It’s in Srinagar, a place in Kashmir. This temple was built by a king named Gopaditya and named after a famous wise man called Shankaracharya.

The temple is on top of a hill, so you have to climb some steps to get there. But don’t worry, it is worth all the hardwork you take to reach there. When you reach the top, you can see the whole city of Srinagar spread out like a beautiful picture. It is like being in heaven.Besides being a holy place, the temple also has a special place in the history. You can easily reach there by bus or car. So, if you ever visit Kashmir, don’t forget to see this amazing temple.

• Location: Zabarwan Range, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
• Best time to visit: All year round, but summer months are better.

Also Read: Temple Architecture and Different Styles

Sudh Mahadev Temple

The Sudh Mahadev Temple is a special place for people who worship Lord Shiva. It is located in a place called Chenani. Inside the temple, there is a shivlinga, which is considered sacred by the devotees.Every year, there is a big festival here that many people come to visit. Near the temple, there is a river called Pap Nashni Bowli. People believe that if you take a bath in this river, all your sins will go away.

• Location: Sudhmahadev, Jammu and Kashmir
• Best time to visit: All year round, but summer months are better.

Sharika Devi Temple

The Sharika Devi Temple is a sacred site for many people. It is a home for a goddess named Sharika. This temple is on a hill called Hari Parbat in Srinagar. This goddess is the major deity in Srinagar. Lots of people visit there to pray for good luck and happiness.

• Location: Hari Parbat, Srinagar
• Best time to visit: All year round.

Peer Kho Cave Temple

Peer Kho Cave is a temple in Jammu, right by the Tawi River and is a place dedicated to Lord Shiva. Many people believes that a person named Jamwant, used to reside inside this cave.People love to visit this temple and take a dip in the holy river. This place is crowded during Shivratri, a special day for Lord Shiva.

• Location: Tawi River, Jammu City
• Best time to visit: All year round.

Hazratbal Shrine

Hazratbal is a sacred site for Muslims in Kashmir. It is a beautiful structure near Dal Lake. People believe that there is a special hair of the Prophet Muhammad kept safe inside. That’s why it is so important to them.The name “Hazratbal” means “respected place.” Many people visit here to pray and show respect.

• Location: On the banks of the Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
• Best time to visit: The shrine can be visited throughout the year.

Charar-e-Sharif

Charar-e-Sharif is a very beautiful place in Kashmir. It is famous because Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani, a Muslim leader, is buried there. People call him the “Alamdar-e-Kashmir”.This place used to belong to a friend of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani. He built a mosque where the leader used to pray. After the leader died, it is said that his body flew up and came back to land right where the mosque is.That’s why Charar-e-Sharif is a very special place for Muslims. People have been visiting this place for almost 600 years to pray and remember the great leader.

• Location: Budgam District, Jammu and Kashmir, India
• Best Time to Visit: During the spring and summer months.

Shiv Khori Cave Temple

Shiv Khori Cave Temple is a big cave inside a mountain. This place is dedicated to Lord Shiva. To reach this temple, people have to walk through a long, dark cave. At the end of the cave, there is a Shivalinga, which holds a spiritual importance.

• Location: 5JF9+GWX, Reasi, Sangar
• Best time to visit: All year round

Avantiswami Temple

Avantiswami Temple is a very old temple, built by a king named Avantivarman. This king built many beautiful temples, but sadly, most of them were damaged during all these years.The Avantiswami Temple reflects the skills and craftsmanship of artisans of that time. This temple is in a place called Avantipora in Jammu and Kashmir.

• Location: Awantipora, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India
• Best time to visit: All year round.

Ranbireshwar Temple

Ranbireshwar Temple is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. This temple was built by a king named Maharaja Ranbir Singh in the year 1883. It’s famous because of a huge statue of Lord Shiva, called a Shiva Lingam.Every year, there’s a big festival called Maha Shivaratri at this temple. Lots of people come to celebrate and pray during this time. Inside the temple, there are 12 small statues of Lord Shiva too, each one looking different. 

• Location: Shalamar Road, near the Civil Secretariat
• Best time to visit: All year round.

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