Must-Visit Lord Shiva Temples in Jammu & Kashmir in Mahashivratri

Published On: February 25, 2025

Mahashivratri is a sacred festival dedicated to Lord Shiva, celebrated with great devotion across India. If you are in Jammu & Kashmir during this auspicious time, you don’t need to travel to the Himalayas or distant Jyotirlingas to seek divine blessings. The region is home to some of the most ancient and spiritually significant Shiva temples, offering devotees a chance to experience divine peace and spiritual energy. Here’s a list of must-visit Lord Shiva temples in Jammu & Kashmir.

1. Ranbireshwar Temple, Jammu

Located on Shalamar Road near the Civil Secretariat in Jammu, the Ranbireshwar Temple is the largest Shiva temple in North India. Built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh between 1863 and 1878, the temple houses an 8-foot-tall black stone Shivling, the largest in India. It also features 12 crystal Shivlings and galleries adorned with 1.25 lakh ‘bona lingams’ sourced from the Narmada River. Devotees also worship the idols of Lord Ganesha, Kartikeya, and Nandi here, making it a must-visit pilgrimage site.

2. Panchvaktar Temple, Jammu

Rupay wala mandir jammu — Rupay wala mandir is situated in a lane off the residency road barely a kilometer from the raghunath bazar in jammu

Situated in Panj Bakhtar, Pakki Dhaki, the Panchvaktar Temple is one of the oldest Shiva temples in Jammu. Believed to be linked to the visit of Adi Shankaracharya in the 9th century, the temple was later built by Raja Guje Singh (1687-1703). The temple enshrines a self-originated (Svayambhuva) Shiva Lingam and represents Lord Shiva in his five-faced Swachananda form. Known as the ‘Rupay Wala Mandir’ due to embedded coins in its flooring, this temple is a revered spiritual site.

3. Peer Kho Temple, Jammu

Situated on Circular Road in Jammu city, the Peer Kho Temple is a significant cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Legend states that Guru Garib Nath, a follower of Guru Gorakhnath, meditated here in the 15th century. The temple’s name, ‘Peer Kho,’ is derived from ‘Kho,’ meaning cave in the local dialect. The sacred Shivling inside the cave is worshipped by thousands of devotees, especially during Mahashivratri.

4. Airwan Temple, Kathua

Located in Airwan village, 15 km from Kathua, the Airwan Temple is a historic Shiva temple believed to have been constructed by King Vikramaditya in the 4th century. The temple is famous for its Shivratri and Baisakhi fairs. Devotees immerse ashes of their loved ones in the sacred Gupt Ganga here, making it a significant pilgrimage site.

5. Shiv Khori Cave Temple, Reasi

The Shiv Khori Temple, nestled in the Ransoo area of Reasi district, is one of the most visited Shiva shrines in Jammu & Kashmir. This natural cave shrine features a naturally formed 4-foot-high Shivling. The temple witnesses a massive influx of devotees during Mahashivratri, with thousands undertaking the trek to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings.

6.Purmandal & Uttarbehni – “Chhota Kashi of Jammu”

Purmandal-shiv temple (chhota kaashi) — Chhota kashi of jammu

Located 40 km from Jammu, Purmandal, also known as “Chhota Kashi” or Mini Varanasi, is a revered pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Umapati. The temple complex is situated on the banks of the sacred Devika River, which primarily flows underground, earning it the name “Gupt Ganga.”

Approximately 3 km from Purmandal lies Uttarbehni, another significant temple complex. The Devika River here takes a rare northward turn, which is uncommon among rivers worldwide. The historic Gadadhar Temple, constructed by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1850, stands as a prominent landmark. Several other temples dedicated to Lord Shiva were later built by his successors, adding to the spiritual and architectural heritage of the region.

7. Sudh Mahadev Temple, Mantalai

Situated 42 km from Patnitop and 112 km from Jammu, Sudh Mahadev Temple is believed to be over 3,000 years old. According to legend, Goddess Parvati worshipped Lord Shiva here after bathing in the nearby Gouri Kund. The temple houses a black marble idol of Shiva and Parvati, along with Lord Shiva’s Trishul. Pilgrims gather in large numbers on the full moon night of Sawan to participate in sacred rituals. The temple is also famous for its underground stream, Devak, considered as sacred as the Ganges.

8. Budha Amar Nath Temple, Poonch

About buddha amarnath poonch — Shivlinga of this temple is not naturally formed and made up of white stone. Buddha amarnath shrine is older than the historical cave shrine of amarnathji in kashmir. This ancient temple is popularly known for raksha bandhan mela and chari mubarak yatra in which every year thousands of devotees from across india participate.

Located in Mandi village, 20 km from Poonch town, Budha Amar Nath Ji Temple is a revered Shiva shrine. Due to its cool climate and spiritual ambiance, Mandi has become a popular pilgrimage and tourist destination, especially during the summer months. The locals primarily speak Kashmiri, adding a unique cultural touch to the religious experience.

9. Shankaracharya Temple, Srinagar

Perched atop Takht-e-Suleiman Hill at an altitude of 1,100 feet in Srinagar, the Shankaracharya Temple is one of the oldest Shiva shrines in Kashmir. Originally built during the reign of King Lalitaditya, the temple has been restored multiple times, including during the reigns of Zain-ul-Abideen and Maharaja Gulab Singh. It offers breathtaking views of the city and Dal Lake, making it a must-visit spiritual and historical site.

10. Shri Amarnath, Anantnag

One of the most revered Hindu shrines, the Shri Amarnath Temple, is located at an altitude of 3,888 meters in the Himalayas. It is famous for the naturally occurring ice Shivling, which waxes and wanes with the moon cycle. Devotees undertake the Amarnath Yatra in the month of Sawan (August), organized by the Amarnath Shrine Board. The pilgrimage follows two routes: one via Pahalgam (96 km from Srinagar) and another via Baltal (14 km from Sonmarg).

11. Mamaleshwar Temple, Pahalgam

Nestled on the banks of the Kolahoi Stream, the Mamaleshwar Temple is an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in Pahalgam. According to legend, Lord Ganesha once acted as the gatekeeper here, leading to its unique name, derived from ‘Mammal,’ meaning ‘do not move.’ This temple is a must-visit for pilgrims and tourists, particularly during the Amarnath Yatra and the summer season. According to history, the original temple was built in the 4th century, it was King Jayasimha who rebuilt this temple in Mamalaka Village during the 12th century and covered the dome of the temple with gold. According to historical records, this was the temple that was mentioned in the Sanskrit works of a poet called Kalhana. The poet composed the Rajatarangini, which consists of several verses, which were written in honor of the kings of Kashmir.

Jammu & Kashmir is home to some of the most sacred and historic Shiva temples, each with its unique legends and significance. Whether it’s the grandeur of Ranbireshwar Temple, the mysticism of Shiv Khori, or the divine aura of the Amarnath Cave, these shrines offer spiritual solace to devotees. This Mahashivratri, plan your pilgrimage to these divine temples and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.

Which of these temples are you planning to visit this Mahashivratri? Share your experience in the comments!