Raghunathji Temple, Jammu and Kashmir

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Raghunathji Temple is one of India’s most important Rama temples, located in Jammu city in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also among the largest temple complexes in North India. What truly sets it apart is the sheer range of sacred presences within the complex. The temple houses hundreds and hundreds of icons of Hindu deities. In fact, it often feels like if you name a deity, you will find the corresponding icon here. I have rarely seen another Hindu temple, in India or outside, with such an enormous collection of icons spanning so many traditions.

Construction of this grand temple complex was initiated by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1835 CE, and it was completed by his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1860 CE.

Main shrine of Raghunathji

The sanctum enshrines life-size icons of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita. Rama is worshipped here as Raghunathji, and his icon is in black. A small, circular prakara runs around the main shrine. Along the walls of this inner corridor, you can see bas-relief images of Rahu, Ketu, Shaneeswar, Agni, and representations of the four directions.

Outer corridor and key shrines

The outer corridor of the main temple holds multiple sub-temples. Facing the main shrine of Rama are shrines for Hanuman, and also for the authors of the Ramayana, Valmiki and Tulsidas. Behind the shrine of Rama, there is a shrine for Vaishno Devi.




Eight sub-temples within the complex

Apart from the main sanctum and the shrines mentioned above, the complex includes eight major sub-temples:

  1. Krishna Parivar
    This temple has icons of Krishna in various forms, along with icons of his family and relatives.
  2. Brahma
  3. Vishnu
  4. Satyanarayan
  5. Siva
    This temple includes icons related to Siva and his family.
  6. Dharmaraja
  7. Surya
  8. Badrinarayan

All these sub-temples contain numerous icons of gods, goddesses, saints, kings, and upadevtas. The range is astonishing and includes mythological figures such as Drona, Krupa, Ashwattama, and Manu; various kings and saints; different forms of Siva and Vishnu; Kartikeya; Dattareya; Gayatri; Indra; Yama; vanaras such as Vali and Sugreev; the many avatars of Vishnu; Ramayana-linked figures such as Dashrath, Lakshmana, Bharat, and Vibheeshan; and even representations of the months and stars, among many others. It is genuinely difficult to list every single icon you encounter here.

Another striking feature is the presence of many pindis, symbolic forms associated with the “33 crore devtas,” spread across the structure.





Additional sub-temples in the outermost prakara

In the outermost prakara, you will find even more sub-temples and shrines, including the following:

  1. Ganesha Temple
    This temple has a big icon of Ganesha, and four smaller Ganesha icons as well.
  2. Matsya
    Vishnu’s incarnation as a fish.
  3. Kachchab
    Vishnu’s incarnation as a tortoise.
  4. Varaha
    Vishnu’s incarnation as a boar.
  5. Narasimha
    Vishnu’s incarnation as a lion.
  6. Vamana
    Vishnu’s incarnation as a dwarf.
  7. Bharat
    Rama’s brother.
  8. Shatrughna
    Rama’s youngest brother.
  9. Radha and Krishna
  10. Lakshmi and Narayan
  11. Mahalakshmi
    This temple also has icons of Parvati, Chamundi, Saraswati, Kali, and Vaishno Devi.
  12. Sesha Narayan and Vishnu Temple
  13. Shiv Linga and Surya
    This temple also has icons of Amarnath, Badrinath, Ganesha, and Parvati.
  14. Virat
    An icon with multiple arms and faces.
  15. Hanuman Temple
    Facing the main shrine of Rama.
  16. Gayatri
  17. Very Big Shiv Linga
  18. Dattareya
  19. A Small Shiv Linga
  20. Another Small Shiv Linga
  21. Karaneswar Spastik Linga
    This shrine includes icons of Parvati and Ganesha, and Sivakami–Nataraj. Nandi is positioned facing the shrine. A special highlight here is the main Shiva linga, said to have been presented from Germany. It is described as a reflective stone with light glowing within.

Raghunathji Temple is one of those places that feels larger than the city it stands in. If you are planning a trip to Jammu and Kashmir, make sure this temple is part of your itinerary.

Happy travelling.



Location: Jammu

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