Information of Ranbireshwar Temple, Katra, Jammu and Kashmir

One of the well known temples consisting of 12 Shiva lingums is the Ranbireshwar temple that is situated in the Shalimar road in Jammu. It was developed by Maharaja Ranbir Singh in the year 1883. Within the Northern India, the temple is considered as the largest Shiva temple. The temple has been built in the 19th century and is filled with various devotees throughout the year who gather in the temple to offer their prayers and attain blessings from Lord Shiva. The people of Jammu tend to celebrate all the main festivals of Hindus in this temple. In order to experience all the festivals the devotees can visit the temple during the Makar Sankranti, Ram Navami and Deepawali where the people of the town tend to delight themselves in the celebratory air.

Ranbireshwar Temple Religious Importance

The temple tends to hold religious importance because of the divine power of the God Shiva. The temple is highly visited by thousands of people during the holy occasion of Shivratri and Rakhsha Bandhan when annual fairs are held. The devotees come to offer their prayers and attain blessings from God.

Ranbireshwar Temple Mythology & History

The temple was constructed by Maharaja Ranbir Singh who was one of the active rulers of the Dogra era in the state of Jammu Kashmir. The idols were brought from Rajasthan and the Shiva Lingums were procured from the river Narmada and these were transported to Ranbirsingh Pura via train. Later on, these idols and the lingums were carried from Ranbirsingh Pura to Jammu in a chariot. It is said that the strings of the chariot was pulled by the Maharaja himself along with his troops. Thousand other people followed him singing bhajans praising Lord Shiva. It took around two years to build the temple. Meanwhile, Maharaja Ranbir Singh had fallen ill. Therefore, the inauguration work of the temple was supposed to be carried out by his younger brother Raja Ram Singh. However, the destiny had not accepted this order of Maharaja Ranbir Singh. Despite several efforts made by Raja Ram Singh and other rulers, it was identified that the Shiva Linga could not be installed in the Jalhari. Thereafter, Maharaja Ranbir Singh had to personally visit the temple in his ailing position. He then prayed Shiva and with his hands installed the lingam in the Holy vedi.

Ranbireshwar Temple Architectural Importance

The temple is located on an elevated platform that can be reached with the help three gateways. The temple tends to have a splendid location and is generally administered by the Jammu and Kashmir Trust Council. The temple is located in the middle of the widespread brick-covered platform. There are twelve lingas measuring from 12 inches to 18 inches and thousalnd of saligrams in the gallery of the temple. One can see beautiful marble images of Lord Shiva as well as Maa Parvati in the black wall. In the main entrance of the temple, there are big images of Lord Ganesha, Kartikeya as well as nandigan. The idols of Hanuman and Mahakali were also added in this temple after some years. The walls have been painted by various panels of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati inside the temples. The painting tries to show how Lord Vishnu prayed Lord Shiva and proffered his eye instead of 101st lotus while the latter offering his Sudarshan Chakra to Lord Vishnu. One can also see how Lord Shiva had darshan of Lord Krishna after his birth. There are many other stories that can be easily understood from those beautiful wall paintings.