Ranbireshwar Temple is in the northern city of Jammu, you simply can’t miss it.
This place is a prime attraction for a reason – it’s got the largest Shivlinga in the country, standing tall at 8 feet and made entirely of black marble. And trust me, it’s a sight to cheer. You’ll be staring in awe at the sheer magnificence of this structure!
Inside the temple, you’ll find a huge brass idol of Nandi that weighs over a tonne. That’s right, a tonne! It’s like someone just put a giant cow inside the temple for good measure. And there are crystal Shivalingas – there are 12 of them, each measuring between 15 and 38 centimetres.
But what really will catch your eye are the 1.25 lakh Shivalingas on display inside the temple. That’s right, 1.25 lakh! One has to do a double-take when you see them all laid out on stone slabs. And apparently, they were all brought from the Narmada river!
The temple itself is over 200 years old and was built by Maharaja Ranbir Singh of the Dogra dynasty. It’s a stunning example of Nagara-style temple architecture and sits atop a vast brick-covered platform that offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the lovely garden that surrounds the temple.
So if you’re in Jammu and you’re a fan of Lord Shiva, you simply can’t miss the Ranbireshwar temple. It’s got everything from giant Shivlingas to crystal Shivalingas to a tonne of brass cow – what more could you ask for?