Jammu and Kashmir attracts visitors from all over the world who come to experience its stunning natural beauty. Many of these visitors travel to this special region to visit the magnificent temples that stand in these beautiful landscapes. These temples hold great importance for people who practice Hinduism and other religions.
These temples serve as more than just places where people pray. The temples show us the history and traditions of the people who live in Jammu and Kashmir. For hundreds and hundreds of years, people have honored these sacred spaces with their faith and devotion. Each temple tells a story about the beliefs and values of the communities that built them.
11 Best Temples to Visit in Jammu and Kashmir
You can explore an amazing list of 11 famous temples in Jammu and Kashmir that show you the spiritual heart of India. Read about each of these 11 special temples:
1. Vaishno Devi Temple | Katra
The Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu and Kashmir sits high up in the Trikuta Mountains. This temple holds one of the most sacred places for Hindu believers who worship the goddess Vaishno Devi. Every single year, thousands upon thousands of pilgrims climb the steep mountain path to reach the holy cave sanctuary. The journey tests the strength and dedication of everyone who makes this pilgrimage.
- Best Time to Visit: March to November.
- Temple Timings: 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.- Every day.
- How to Reach: The nearest town is Katra, accessible by road.
- Nearby Railway Station: Udhampur.
- Nearby Airport: Jammu Airport is the nearest to Katra.
- Nearby Bus Station: Katra bus stand.
2. Amarnath Cave Temple | Pahalgam
The Amarnath Cave Temple honors Lord Shiva and rests at a very high elevation of 3,888 meters above sea level. This temple displays something truly remarkable—a naturally formed ice sculpture of a Shiva Lingam that appears each year. Pilgrims undertake a challenging and difficult trek to witness this spectacular natural phenomenon during the Amarnath Yatra religious festival.
- Best Time to Visit: July to August.
- Temple Timings: 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. Every day.
- How to Reach: The nearest town is Srinagar, accessible by road and then trek to Pahalgam.
- Nearby Railway Station: Jammu.
- Nearby Airport: Srinagar is the nearest to Amarnath.
- Nearby Bus Station: Amarnath bus station.
3. Raghunath Temple | Jammu
The Raghunath Temple in Jammu honors Lord Rama, one of the most important figures in the Hindu faith. People built this magnificent temple during the 1800s, and it remains standing today as a beautiful structure. The temple complex features seven different shrines called “shikaras,” and skilled artisans carved beautiful designs into each one. The peaceful surroundings and artistic details make visitors feel calm and spiritual.
- Best Time to Visit: April to June.
- Temple Timings: 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Every day.
- How to Reach: The nearest town is Rishikesh, accessible by road.
- Nearby Railway Station: Rishikesh.
- Nearby Airport: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun.
- Nearby Bus Station: Jammu bus station.
4. Shankaracharya Temple | Srinagar
The Shankaracharya Temple stands proudly on top of a tall hill that looks down over Srinagar’s famous Dal Lake. This temple dedicates itself to Lord Shiva, one of the primary gods in Hinduism. The temple sits 1,000 feet (300 meters) high above the valley ground, giving visitors a stunning view of the entire city of Srinagar below them.
- Best Time to Visit: May to September.
- Temple Timings: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Every day.
- How to Reach: Clim a series of stone steps to reach.
- Nearby Railway Station: Udhampur.
- Nearby Airport: Sheikhul Aalam International Airport Srinagar.
- Nearby Bus Station: Dalgate bus station.
5. Martand Sun Temple | Mattan
The Martand Sun Temple carries history back to the eighth century, making it very ancient and important. This well-known temple in Jammu and Kashmir stands as an architectural masterpiece that shows the skill of ancient builders. Even though parts of the temple now lie in ruins, the detailed stone carvings that remain help us understand how magnificent and grand this temple was when people first built it.
- Best Time to Visit: April to June.
- Temple Timings: 24 hrs – Every day.
- How to Reach: The nearest town in Srinagar can take a cab or taxi.
- Nearby Railway Station: Anantnag Railway Station.
- Nearby Airport: Srinagar Air Force Base Airport.
- Nearby Bus Station: Mattan bus station.
6. Sharika Devi Temple | Srinagar
The Sharika Devi Temple honors the goddess Sharika and sits on the peak of the Hari Parbat hill in Srinagar. Local people consider this goddess to be the main protective deity of Srinagar city. Visitors and followers make pilgrimages to this special shrine hoping to receive blessings that bring peace and good fortune to their lives.
- Best Time to Visit: April to October.
- Temple Timings: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Every day.
- How to Reach: Clim a series of stone steps to reach or take the cable car.
- Nearby Railway Station: Jammu Tawi.
- Nearby Airport: Srinagar International Airport.
- Nearby Bus Station: Srinagar bus station.
7. Peer Kho Cave Temple | Tawi River
The Peer Kho Cave stands as a beloved temple in Jammu on the banks of the Tawi River. This temple honors Lord Shiva and also features the well-known Jamwant cave. Both locals and travelers visit this sacred place to bathe in the waters that believers consider holy. They come seeking spiritual blessings and the favor of a higher power.
- Best Time to Visit: April to August.
- Temple Timings: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Every day.
- How to Reach: A flight of marble steps reach the cave.
- Nearby Railway Station: Jammu Tawi Railway Station.
- Nearby Airport: Jammu Airport.
- Nearby Bus Station: General bus stand, Jammu.
8. Ranbireshwar Temple | Shalamar Road
The Ranbireshwar Temple ranks as one of the most important and respected temples throughout Jammu and Kashmir. Maharaja Ranbir Singh ordered the construction of this temple in 1883, and it stands dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple becomes instantly recognizable because of its exceptionally large Shiva Lingam, which impresses visitors with its tremendous size.
- Best Time to Visit: April to September.
- Temple Timings: 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Every day.
- How to Reach: The nearest road is Shalimar, accessible by road.
- Nearby Railway Station: Jammu Railway Station.
- Nearby Airport: Jammu Domestic Airport.
- Nearby Bus Station: Shalamar bus stand.
9. Kheer Bhawani Temple | Tulmulla
The Kheer Bhawani Temple stands in the Tula Mula village near Srinagar and honors Goddess Ragnya Devi. Ancient chinar trees surround the entire temple grounds, creating a natural shelter and sacred atmosphere. Hindu people from Kashmir hold this temple in extremely high regard and consider worshipping at Kheer Bhawani an important religious practice.
- Best Time to Visit: May, June.
- Temple Timings: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Every day.
- How to Reach: The nearest is Mansbal Lake, accessible by road.
- Nearby Railway Station: Jammu Railway Station.
- Nearby Airport: Srinagar Airport.
- Nearby Bus Station: Gundroshan, Lal – Chowk General bus stand.
10. Avantipur Temple | Awantipora
The Avantipur Temple ranks among the most celebrated temples found throughout Jammu and Kashmir. The design and style of this temple show influence from ancient Greek architecture and building methods. The temple honors Surya Dev Ji, the sun god in Hindu beliefs. King Avantivarman ordered the construction of this main temple and planned two additional temples to stand beside it.
- Best Time to Visit: April to September.
- Temple Timings: 24 hrs – Every day.
- How to Reach: The nearest road is Srinagar, accessible by road.
- Nearby Railway Station: Jammu Railway Station.
- Nearby Airport: Srinagar Airport.
- Nearby Bus Station: Awantipora bus station.
11. Sharada Mataji Temple | Sharada Village
The Sharada Mataji shrine holds great importance in Jammu and Kashmir and rests along the banks of the Kishanganga River. Families who moved to this area during India’s partition built this temple. This temple in Jammu dedicates itself to Maa Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom.
- Best Time to Visit: July to August.
- Temple Timings: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. – Every day.
- How to Reach: The nearest road is Srinagar, accessible by road.
- Nearby Railway Station: Train from Jammu to Katra.
- Nearby Airport: Jammu Airport.
- Nearby Bus Station: Matador bus station.
Why These Temples Matter
These temples do much more than serve as places where people worship and pray. They stand as beautiful works of art and architecture, showing the deep traditions and strong beliefs of the people in Jammu and Kashmir. When you visit these sacred places, you experience spiritual growth and take a meaningful journey through the rich history and heritage of this magical region.
Common Questions About Temples in Jammu and Kashmir
Is there any temple above Mata Vaishno Devi temple?
Yes, the Bhairo Baba Temple stands above the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, located just 2 kilometers away. The local people dedicated this temple to a holy saint known as Katra Bhairav.
Are there any restrictions on photography inside temples?
Different temples have different rules about taking pictures. Some temples welcome photographers, while others do not allow cameras or phones. Always ask the people who work at the temple about their photography rules before you take any pictures.
Is there any entry fee to visit temples?
The temples have different policies about entry fees. Some temples require visitors to pay a small fee, while others welcome visitors for free. Check with the temple staff when you arrive to learn about any costs you might need to pay.
How many stairs are there in Vaishno Devi?
The path to the Mata Vaishno Devi temple includes a total of 740 stairs that climb from the bottom all the way to the temple at the top.
What is Sharda Peeth?
Sharda Peeth serves as an important Hindu temple and educational center. This temple currently sits in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, which is now in Pakistan. The name “Sharda” comes from the Kashmiri word for Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge. For many years, Sharda Peeth operated as both a holy temple and a place where people learned and studied.
Which is the biggest temple in Jammu Kashmir?
The Raghunath Temple holds the title of the largest temple in Jammu and Kashmir.
Which region of Jammu and Kashmir is famous for its temples?
Jammu earned the nickname “City of Temples” because it contains so many impressive places of worship. The city houses famous temples including Vaishno Devi, Amarnath, and Raghunath. These sacred locations attract enormous numbers of pilgrims every year because of their tremendous religious importance and spiritual significance.
Why Jammu is called the city of temples?
Jammu holds temples and shrines that honor many different religions and beliefs, including Christianity, Sikhism, and Islam. The city also serves as the main headquarters for the greatly respected Vaishno Devi shrine, which brings the title “City of Temples” to this special place.
Which is the oldest temple in Jammu and Kashmir?
The Martand Sun Temple in Mattan stands as one of the oldest temples located anywhere in Jammu and Kashmir.
Which is the main temple in Jammu?
The Raghunath Mandir ranks as the most well-known and important temple in Jammu. This temple holds the distinction of being Northern India’s largest temple complex. Located in the Raghunath Bazar area right in the center of the city, Maharaja Ranbir Singh ordered people to construct this amazing temple in 1857.
