MysticTemples in India – The Mystic and Holy Temple of Lord Shiva in the Heart of City Jammu : The Ranbireshwar Temple founded by Maharaja Ranbir singh
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Before going to elaborate more on the glory of Ranbireshwar temple, we should know more on the Maharaja Ranbir Singh who was the founder of this ancient temple with historic importance connected with it.
Maharaja Ranbir Singh, was known as General Shriman Rajrajeshwar Maharaja-dhiraj Sri Sir Ranbir Singh ji, Indar Mahindar Bahadur, Sipar-i-Sultanat, Mushir-i-Khas-i-Kaiser-i-Hind GCSI, CIE, Kaiser-i-Hind, was the head of the Jamwal Rajput clan and also Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir from 1857- 1885.
He was born in August 1830 and belonged to the Dogra Dynasty.
During his reign, the trans-Himalayan regions of Gilgit, Hunza Nagar and Astore were conquered and included in the territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Ranbir Singh was a well known and reputed scholar of classical Persian and learned English, Sanskrit and Pashtu and was also learned in Swedish and English and had great Passion for learning in ancient scriptures and literatures including Jyotish, Tantra and Mantra.
Those manu-scriptural work of Maharaja Ranbir singh are still available in the library of Maharasjas.
Maharaja Ranbir Singh also established a Translation Bureau called “Daarul Tarjumah” under the patronage of a learned Hakim of Turkish Afghan ancestry, Agha (Hakim) Muhammad Baqir who also happened to be the Chief Physician to the Maharaja. It was under this bureau that Maharaja Ranbir Singh got “Tibb-e-Unaani” translated from Arabic and Latin into Persian and Dogri. (wikipedia)
Maharaja Ranbir Singh was also most renowned for his patronage of learning and scholarship and earned the esteem of his subjects.
Even he set up a department for the compilation and publication of significant works on the Hindu Law and Ritual in Sanskrit language; and for the translation of Persian and Sanskrit manuscripts into Hindi language as well including Jyotish, Tantra, Mantra and gathered it from accross all over the india.
This compilation of Sanskrit manuscripts, now preserved in the Raghunath temple library, is amongst the most valuable works in the country.
It was built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh, son of Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of Jammu and Kashmir princely State, in 1882.Currently Temple is managed by Jammu and Kashmir Trust Council. It is located on an elevated platform. The entry to it is from the west and a plain ground spans on the east side. Ranbireshwar Temple offers you panoramic view of the hilly area.
It has a big hall from the Verandah, which gives you Darshans of the two pairs of eleven Lingas and center having Largest Shiva Linga made of Black stone brought from Narmada River. One of Shiva Linga among these is made of crystal stone Shiva Lingam surrounded by small 12 shiva lingas, and rest are made of black stone. The Shiva linga placed in Jalhari is one of the biggest lingas, having height about 7-8 ft high.
Centrally idol of Lord Shiva among Maa Gauri and Lord Ganesha is placed which is very beautiful and is considered to be unique as it is not present anywhere else.
In the temple, stunning images of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati made of marble are also displayed on the walls.
The marble images of Lord Shiva carved on the black wall; big illustrations of Lord Ganesha, Kartikeya and Nandigan in the verandah and idols of Goddess Mahakali made by famous sculptors of Rajasthan are major highlights of the temple. Besides, devotees can find chinar and peepal tree within the premises.
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All major Hindu festivals are celebrated with much excitement at this temple. It’s a time to rejoice and pray to the almighty. To experience the festivities of this temple, one can visit Ranbireshwar Temple in January (Lohri or Makara Sankranti), Maha- Shiv Ratri ( Feb), March (Ram Navami) and October (Deepavali) when the city’s people regale themselves in a celebratory air.
One of the features of the temple is that it is built on first floor and is situated at a big height from the road surface. The devotees have to take stairs to reach to the temple. The main attraction of the temple is the idol and Biggest Shiv linga of Lord Shiva.
There are also idols of Lord Ganesha, Kartikeya and Nandi Placed in the temple. The idol of nandi is made of brass and weighs around 1000 kg.
Beside this huge Idols of Lord Ganesha, Kartikeya Mahakali, and Panch Mukhi Hanuman are also installed in the veranda in front of the entry gate having huge Temple bell in the door.devotees visit this holy Jyotirlinga to acquire the blessings of the divine deity During Sharavan Mass and Maha Shiv Ratri and used to do Rudra Abhisheka among other Biggest Shiva lingam surrounded in temple in two pairs. The temple is highly crowded on the major festivals like Lohri, Shiv- Ratri, Makara-Sakranti, Deepawali and Ram Navami. .
The Maharaja Ranbir Singh laid the foundation stone of this temple in 1882 and all the Deities Idols were procured from Rajasthan and all the sacred linga brought from river Narmada and were brought in trains.
Location: Shalimar road in front of Jammu-Kashmir civil secretariat in Jammu city,
Timing: 6.00 am – 8.00 pm,
Nearest Railway Station : Jammu Tawi, The temple is located at a distance of about approx 3 km from the railway station.
Nearest Airport : Jammu Airport, which is around 8 km away from the temple.
Photography: Not allowed any Camera, Mobile inside the temple.
With thanks and Regards,,
Rakesh Singh Jamwal
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