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Raghunath Temple, with seven shrines each with its own Sikhara, is one of the largest temple complex of north India, located 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 presiding deity is Rama, an Avatar of Vishnu & the Dogra's patron deity while the surrounding Temples are dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses connected with the epic Ramayana.[1]
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The presiding deity of Raghunath Temples is Rama, called Raghunathji, the Dogra's patron deity[1]. The idol was brought from Ayodhya, the birthplace of Rama. There are many galleries with lakhs of Saligrams. The surrounding temples are dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses connected with the epic Ramayana. The temple is also renowned for its depiction of the Rama Lila and Krishna Lila in paintings.[2] The inner sanctums of the temples contain gigantic statues of Gods and Goddesses, numerous lingams and contains representatives of almost the entire Hindu Pantheon[1] including mages of Vishnu in various incarnations, Siva and Surya.[3]
Daily rituals comprise of a sacred bath, intricate floral decoration and worship of this principal deity of Kullu.[2]
The religious life style of Kullu valley revolves around this sacred idol of Raghunathji. During Kullu Dussera festival in october, the statue of Raghunathji, of the valley, is ceremonially brought down to the valley from the mountains. The God stays in state in the valley for a week, along with other gods who are also present in their festive palanquins. The highlight of the fair is the dance competition held every evening. During this week long Dusshera Lord Raghunath becomes the hub of all religious fervor.[2]
The temple is also renowned for its depiction of the Rama Lila and Krishna Lila in paintings.[2]
The Sanskrit Library here contains numerous rare manuscripts and the temple complex is remarkable for sacred scriptures, one of the richest collections of ancient texts and manuscripts in its library.[3][4]
The temple was built by Raja Jagat Singh of Kullu, on advice of Bairag saing, Shri Kishan Dass ji paihari, who lived at Naggar.[2]
The Raghunath Mandir is situated right in the heart of Jammu on the bank of river Tawi and is bound by Udhampur district in the north and northeast , Kathua district in the east and southeast, Pakistan (Sialkote) in west and Rajauri district and POK (Bhimber) in the northwest.[2]
On 30 March 2002 when 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, fidayeen attack by terrorists took place, when two suicide bombers stormed the temple which resulted in the deaths of 13 devotees and injuries to several devotees.
The militants hurled grenades in the nearby Hari market to divert the attention of the security forces and gain entry into the temple. They blocked the three escape routes from the temple. The flush-out operation lasted two hours. Emotions ran high in the market and huge crowds thronged the near-by streets. Police found it difficult to control the enraged people. Before the people could gain in strength, another group of militants attacked the Shivalya Mandir. It is possible that they simultaneously entered the temple but opened fire a little later than the attackers did in the Raghunath temple.[1]
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