Jammu and Kashmir is adorned with an impressive number of Hindu shrines. Travelers mostly book a Delhi to Jammu flight to explore the history and divine aura of the temples here. Unique surroundingsand recreational activities make them all the more tourist friendly. One of the most charming temples here is the Raghunath Temple.Take a look at why it is the most loved shrine among locals and travelers.
An Important Shrine
This is one of the biggest temples of North Indiaand beautifully reflects the Indian heritage. It is located at the heart of Jammu and carries a strong historical heritage. The construction work had begun way back in 1835, by Dogra ruler Maharaja Gulab Singh. It was later continued by his son, Maharaja Ranbir Singh. It took 25 years to complete the temple complex.
You can plan a one day visit after deboarding your Delhi to Jammu flight since the temple is only 8 km away from the airport. There are seven “shikharas” inside the complex, which have stunning architecture. The presiding deity is Lord Rama or Raghunath. But the walls are also decorated with over 300 icons of other Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Most of them are from the golden chapters of the epic Ramayana. This is one of the prominent reasons why Kashmiris and outsiders love to pay a visit to the temple.
The walls of the main temple are covered with gold sheets. The spiral towers and the interiors are gold plated. This makes it one of the wealthiest temples in the country. You would be surprised to know that the “linga” of 33 crore Hindu deities were constructed in this temple alone, which makes it stand out from the rest of the religious institutions of the country.
What to See at Raghunath Temple
There are 15 panels in the main shrine, well decorated with paintings of themes from the Bhagvad Gita, Mahabharata and Ramayana. The temple looks like 5 kalash arranged in order and one can see the idols of Sita, Ram and Lakshman in the Garba-Graha. The four dhams are established in a manner such that Badrinath, Rameshwaram, Dwarkadheesh and Kedarnath can be seen. The architecture consists of high arches, built under Mughal and Sikh influences.
You can also visit the school and library, which preserve more than 6,000 manuscripts. Taking flights between Delhi to Jammu to witness the grandeur of this glorious temple would be worth every penny.
You can also soak in the spirit of Ramnavami celebrations here. But make sure to reach the airport to board your flights from Jammu to Delhi on time.
