Raghunath Temple

Raghunath Temple is one of the most prominent Hindu temple complexes in northern India, located in the heart of Jammu city in Jammu and Kashmir. Construction was initiated in 1835 by Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of the Dogra dynasty and the first Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, and the complex was completed by his son Maharaja Ranbir Singh in 1860. The complex comprises a main shrine dedicated to Lord Rama (Raghunath — 'Lord of the Raghus', a name for Rama) flanked by six additional shrines, each dedicated to different Hindu deities including various forms of Vishnu, Shiva, and the Navagrahas (nine celestial bodies). The main temple is built in the Shikhara (North Indian nagara) architectural style, with a distinctive golden spire (shikhara) that is a landmark of the Jammu skyline. The interior walls and ceilings of the seven shrines are lined with gold foil, which catches the light of oil lamps during evening aarti and creates an extraordinary luminous effect. The complex also houses a large library of Sanskrit scriptures, religious texts, and historical manuscripts. Three sides of the outer walls are lined with hundreds of Shaligram stones (fossilised ammonites considered sacred to Vishnu), interspersed with portraits of Hindu deities. Raghunath Temple has survived significant damage: it was the target of terrorist attacks in 2002 (two separate attacks in March and November). The temple was repaired and security was significantly enhanced afterward. It remains one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Jammu region and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, especially during Ram Navami (Rama's birthday) and Diwali.