A hilltop fort overlooking the Tawi river, home to the Bawe Wali Mata temple and surrounded by terraced gardens and an aquarium.
325 m2–3 hoursBest: Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec
HeritageGardenPilgrimage
Jammu · Jammu
Raghunath Temple
Seven shrines and a wall of Shiva lingams
- Pilgrimage
- Heritage
- Altitude
- 327 m
- Ideal stay
- 1 hour
- From Srinagar
- 266 km
- From Jammu
- In the city
- Best months
- Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec
Overview
About Raghunath Temple
The Raghunath Temple complex sits in the middle of old Jammu and is the reason the city is called the City of Temples. Construction began under Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1835 and was completed by his son Ranbir Singh in 1860. The main shrine is dedicated to Rama, with six further temples in the compound.
The interiors are the striking part: the sanctum is extensively gold-leafed, and the surrounding galleries hold an enormous collection of saligrams and Shiva lingams — by some counts more than a quarter of a million. The complex also houses a library of Sanskrit and Persian manuscripts.
It takes about an hour and sits within walking distance of the Ranbireshwar temple and the old bazaars, which makes it the natural anchor for a morning in Jammu city.
Also known as: Raghunath Bazaar temple complex
Why people come here
Gold-leafed sanctum
The interior of the main shrine is extensively covered in gold leaf.
Saligram galleries
Surrounding galleries hold an immense collection of saligrams and Shiva lingams.
Seven shrines
A single compound containing seven distinct temples, unusual in north India.
Manuscript library
A collection of Sanskrit and Persian texts assembled under Ranbir Singh.
Things to do in Raghunath Temple
Walk the gallery circuit
The lingam and saligram galleries around the courtyard are the most memorable part.
Visit Ranbireshwar temple
A short walk away, with twelve crystal lingams and a very large central lingam.
Explore Raghunath Bazaar
The old market around the temple is the best place in Jammu for sweets and dry fruit.
Go at opening time
Early morning is cooler, quieter and considerably more atmospheric.
Photographs
Raghunath Temple across the seasons
Open-licence photography so you can see what the place actually looks like at different times of year — not a retouched brochure.
Spring and summer
Jammu regularly exceeds 40°C in May and June. Visit in the early morning.
Autumn and winter
December to February is cool, clear and ideal for walking the old city.
Season by season
What Raghunath Temple is like through the year
Including the months when it is genuinely closed — because knowing that in advance saves a wasted trip.
Spring · Mar–May
OpenPleasant and busy
March and April are comfortable; Ram Navami brings large crowds.
15°C to 31°C
- Temple visit
- Old bazaar walk
- Ranbireshwar temple
Summer · Jun–Aug
OpenVery hot
Jammu regularly exceeds 40°C in May and June. Visit in the early morning.
26°C to 42°C
- Early morning darshan
Autumn · Sep–Nov
OpenFestival season
Navratri and Diwali see the complex at its most atmospheric.
16°C to 32°C
- Festival darshan
- Heritage walk
Winter · Dec–Feb
OpenThe best time to be in Jammu
December to February is cool, clear and ideal for walking the old city.
6°C to 21°C
- Temple visit
- City walk
- Bazaar shopping
Getting there
How to reach Raghunath Temple
By air
Jammu Airport (IXJ) is 7 km away, about 20 minutes.
By rail
Jammu Tawi station is 4 km from the temple.
By road
In the centre of Jammu city, on Raghunath Bazaar.
Nearby
Combine Raghunath Temple with
Places close enough to fold into the same itinerary without adding long drives.
A mile-long lake east of Jammu surrounded by forested hills, with the Sheshnag temple on its shore and a long tradition as a pilgrimage and picnic site.
666 mHalf dayBest: Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec
LakeWildlifeHeritage
A small, deep lake ringed by dense Shivalik forest about forty kilometres from Jammu, paired with Mansar as a Ramsar wetland site.
600 m2–3 hoursBest: Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec
LakeOffbeatWildlife
A cave shrine in the Trikuta hills above Katra, drawing around ten million pilgrims a year to the three natural rock pindis of the Mother Goddess.
1,584 m1–2 daysBest: Mar–May, Sep–Nov
PilgrimageHeritage
Questions
Raghunath Temple FAQs
Something not covered? Ask us directly — we answer every message personally.
What are the Raghunath Temple timings?
The complex generally opens early morning and closes mid-evening with a midday break. Timings extend during festivals.
Is photography allowed inside Raghunath Temple?
Not inside the sanctum. Security screening at the entrance is strict and phones may need to be deposited.
What else can I see near Raghunath Temple?
Ranbireshwar temple, the Raghunath Bazaar, Bahu Fort and the Bagh-e-Bahu gardens are all within a short drive.
Start planning
Planning a trip to Raghunath Temple?
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will put Raghunath Temple into a full itinerary with the right stops around it, and tell you honestly whether your chosen month works.
A reply within hours
A planner in Srinagar reads your enquiry and responds personally, usually the same working day.
An itinerary, not a brochure
You get a day-by-day plan written for your dates, group and pace — then we refine it together.
One clear quote
Every inclusion listed in writing before you pay anything. No surprise charges on the ground.
Prefer to talk? +91 88991 23434 · Every day, 09:00-21:00