Jammu and Kashmir is home to some of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage destinations in the Himalayas. From the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi and the sacred Amarnath Cave to the ancient Shankaracharya Temple, Martand Sun Temple, and historic temples of Jammu, the region offers a unique combination of devotion, mythology, history and Himalayan landscapes.
Jammu is popularly known as the “City of Temples,” while Kashmir has several ancient Hindu temples and sacred sites associated with Shaivism, Shaktism and the worship of Surya.
🛕 Famous Temples in Jammu and Kashmir
1. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple – Katra
Deity: Mata Vaishno Devi
Location: Trikuta Hills, Katra, Reasi District
One of India's most important Shakti pilgrimage destinations. Devotees undertake the mountain pilgrimage from Katra to the holy cave shrine.
2. Shri Amarnath Cave Temple – Pahalgam/Sonamarg Route
Deity: Lord Shiva
Location: Amarnath, Kashmir
The sacred Amarnath Cave is famous for the naturally formed ice Shiva Lingam and is one of the major Himalayan Shiva pilgrimages.
3. Shri Raghunath Temple – Jammu
Deity: Lord Rama
Location: Raghunath Bazaar, Jammu
One of the most famous temples in Jammu, with a large complex containing several shrines dedicated to Hindu deities. The main shrine is dedicated to Lord Rama.
4. Shri Shankaracharya Temple – Srinagar
Deity: Lord Shiva
Location: Shankaracharya Hill, Srinagar
An important Shiva temple situated on a hill overlooking Srinagar and Dal Lake. The Srinagar district administration describes it as an important Hindu temple of the city.
5. Shri Ranbireshwar Temple – Jammu
Deity: Lord Shiva
Location: Shalimar Road, Jammu
A historic Shiva temple known for its large crystal Shiva Lingam and numerous smaller Shiva Lingas.
6. Bawey Wali Mata Temple – Bahu Fort, Jammu
Deity: Goddess Kali / Mahakali
Location: Bahu Fort, Jammu
One of the important Shakti shrines of Jammu and a major centre of Navratri celebrations.
7. Kheer Bhawani Temple – Tulmulla
Deity: Goddess Ragnya / Kheer Bhawani
Location: Tulmulla, Ganderbal District
One of the most revered sacred places associated with the Kashmiri Hindu tradition.
8. Martand Sun Temple – Anantnag
Deity: Surya, the Sun God
Location: Mattan, Anantnag
An extraordinary ancient Kashmiri Hindu temple dedicated to Surya. Although now in ruins, its monumental architecture makes it one of the most important heritage temple sites in Kashmir.
9. Peer Kho Cave Temple – Jammu
Deity: Lord Shiva
Location: Jammu City
A sacred cave shrine associated with Lord Shiva and traditionally connected with the Jamwant Gufa tradition.
10. Panchvaktar Temple – Jammu
Deity: Lord Shiva
Location: Jammu City
An old Shiva shrine associated with the five-faced form of Shiva and known for its sacred Svayambhu Shiva Lingam.
11. Sudh Mahadev Temple – Udhampur
Deity: Lord Shiva
Location: Sudhmahadev, Udhampur
An important Himalayan Shiva pilgrimage centre associated with Goddess Parvati, Gauri Kund and the sacred Devak stream.
12. Mantalai Shiva Temple – Udhampur
Deity: Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati
Location: Mantalai, Udhampur
A scenic pilgrimage site associated with the traditional belief that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were married here.
13. Purmandal Shiva Temple Complex – Jammu
Deity: Lord Shiva
Location: Purmandal, Jammu
Known as “Chhota Kashi,” Purmandal is an important Shiva pilgrimage centre situated on the sacred Devika River.
14. Uttarbehni Temple Complex – Jammu
Deity: Lord Shiva
Location: Uttarbehni, Jammu
An important pilgrimage centre associated with the Devika River and several Shiva temples.
15. Maha Maya Temple – Jammu
Deity: Maha Maya Devi
Location: Jammu City
A Shakti shrine located on the ridge overlooking Bahu Fort and Jammu city.
16. Diwan Mandir – Jammu
Deity: Lakshmi and Narayan
Location: Kacchi Chawni, Jammu
A historic temple known for its murals, frescoes and traditional Dogra-era architecture.
17. Har-Ki-Temple Complex – Jammu
Deities: Various Hindu deities
Location: Banks of the Tawi River, Jammu
A temple complex containing several shrines and large images of Hindu deities.
18. Bandrali Rani Temple – Jammu
Deity: Lord Rama and Goddess Sita
Location: Purani Mandi, Jammu
A historic temple associated with the Dogra royal family and containing shrines dedicated to Rama, Sita, Lakshmi Narayan and Durga.
19. Dau Temple – Jammu
Deity: Lord Balarama
Location: Jammu City
A historic temple dedicated to Lord Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna.
20. Krimachi Group of Temples – Udhampur
Deities: Hindu deities
Location: Krimachi, Udhampur
An ancient group of temples and an important archaeological and religious site in the Udhampur region.
21. Shankri Devta Temple – Udhampur
Deity: Shankri Devta
Location: Meer, Panchari, Udhampur
A hilltop religious site surrounded by the Himalayan landscape.
22. Kapalmochan Mandir – Shopian
Deity: Lord Shiva
Location: Nagbal, Shopian
A Shiva temple associated with natural springs and a distinctive Shiva Lingam.
23. Mattan / Bawan Temple – Anantnag
Deity: Hindu sacred tradition associated with the holy spring
Location: Mattan, Anantnag
An ancient sacred site centred around a highly revered spring and an important pilgrimage location for Kashmiri Hindus.
24. Sharika Devi Shrine – Hari Parbat, Srinagar
Deity: Goddess Sharika
Location: Hari Parbat, Srinagar
A major Shakti tradition site associated with the sacred Hari Parbat hill.
25. Ancient Hindu Temple Sites of Parihaspora – Baramulla
Deities: Vishnu and other Hindu traditions
Location: Parihaspora, Baramulla
Parihaspora is an important archaeological site where remains of ancient Vishnu temples and other religious structures have been identified.
🔱 Important Shiva Temples
- Shri Amarnath Cave Temple – Amarnath
- Shri Shankaracharya Temple – Srinagar
- Shri Ranbireshwar Temple – Jammu
- Peer Kho Cave Temple – Jammu
- Panchvaktar Temple – Jammu
- Sudh Mahadev Temple – Udhampur
- Mantalai Shiva Temple – Udhampur
- Purmandal Shiva Temple – Jammu
- Uttarbehni Shiva Temples – Jammu
- Kapalmochan Mandir – Shopian
- Krimachi Temples – Udhampur
🌺 Important Shakti Temples
- Mata Vaishno Devi – Katra
- Bawey Wali Mata – Jammu
- Kheer Bhawani – Tulmulla
- Sharika Devi – Hari Parbat, Srinagar
- Maha Maya Temple – Jammu
- Gauri Kund – Udhampur
- Naina Devi – Mantalai region
☀️ Ancient & Heritage Hindu Temples
Martand Sun Temple
One of the most important ancient Hindu temple remains in Kashmir, dedicated to Surya.
Parihaspora Temple Complex
An important archaeological site containing remains associated with ancient Hindu temple architecture, including Vishnu temples.
Krimachi Group of Temples
An ancient temple group in Udhampur district and an important part of Jammu's archaeological heritage.
🗺️ Major Pilgrimage Circuits
Jammu Temple Yatra
Raghunath Temple → Ranbireshwar Temple → Panchvaktar Temple → Peer Kho → Bawey Wali Mata → Maha Maya Temple
Vaishno Devi Yatra
Katra → Banganga → Charan Paduka → Ardhkuwari → Bhawan → Bhairon Temple
Kashmir Hindu Temple Yatra
Shankaracharya Temple → Kheer Bhawani → Sharika Devi → Martand Sun Temple → Mattan Temple
Shiva Yatra
Amarnath → Shankaracharya → Peer Kho → Ranbireshwar → Sudh Mahadev → Mantalai
📍 Temples by Region
| Region | Important Temples |
|---|---|
| Jammu | Raghunath, Ranbireshwar, Peer Kho, Panchvaktar, Bawey Wali Mata |
| Katra / Reasi | Vaishno Devi, Ardhkuwari, Bhairon Temple |
| Udhampur | Sudh Mahadev, Mantalai, Krimachi, Shankri Devta |
| Srinagar | Shankaracharya, Sharika Devi, Kheer Bhawani region |
| Ganderbal | Kheer Bhawani, Tulmulla |
| Anantnag | Martand Sun Temple, Mattan/Bawan, Amarnath route |
| Shopian | Kapalmochan Mandir |
| Baramulla | Parihaspora ancient temple sites |
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