Raghunath Temple

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A view of Sikhara of Raghunath Temple, Jammu, India (1988)

Raghunath Temple, with seven shrines each with its own Sikhara, is one of the largest temple complex of north India. It is located in Jammu in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The temple was built during the period 1835–1860 by Maharaja Gulab Singh and his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh. The temple has many gods, but the presiding deity is Rama, an Avatar ofVishnu.

On 30 March 2002 two suicide bombers attacked the temple. Seven persons, including three security forces personnel, were killed and 20 were injured. While the Hindus were performing puja in the temple complex on 24 November 2002, a fidayeenattack by terrorists took place, when two suicide bombers stormed the temple. This attack resulted in the deaths of 13 devotees and injuries to several more.^[1]^[2]

Raghunath Temple, constructed by Maharaja Ranbir Singh and his father Maharaja Gulab Singh; erstwhile kings of Jammu, is one of the prime attractions of the region. The construction of the temple began in the year 1851 and ended in 1857. This pilgrimage site is situated in a temple complex along with the Ranbireshwar Temple and the Panjbakhtar Temple.Seven historical shrines are present at the site of the Raghunath temple. The prime deities of this temple are different incarnations of the Hindu Sun-God, Surya, the Hindu god of destruction, Shiva, and the Hindu god of preservation, Vishnu. The niches, arches, and surfaces of the Raghunath Temple showcase the Mughal architectural style. The statue of the Hindu Monkey-God, Hanuman, and the image of King Ranbir can be found at the entrance. The gold plated interiors of the Raghunath Temple are said to be stunning.The Raghunath Temple enshrines numerous large idols of various Hindu gods and goddesses along with ‘lingams’, the symbolic representation of Shiva. Closer observation will reveal sacred inscriptions on the walls of the temple. A Sanskrit library, holding ancient books and rare collections of manuscripts, is present inside the temple complex. The, temple, therefore not only attracts millions of devotees but also keen historians.