J&K L-G announces reopening of Naranag Temple in Ganderbal for devotees, tourists

Srinagar, June 20 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday announced the reopening of the historic Naranag Temple in Ganderbal district for devotees and tourists.

The L-G said in a post on X: “After a thorough security review, a decision has been taken to open the Naranag Temple in Ganderbal for devotees and tourists.”

MLA Kangan Mian Mehr Ali had recently called on the L-G and requested that the historic Naranag Temple in the Wangat area of Ganderbal district be reopened for the public.

Following the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, several tourist destinations were closed as a precautionary measure owing to security concerns.

As the security situation continues to improve, and following a comprehensive security audit, places that were closed to visitors in the Valley are being gradually reopened.

Naranag Temple is a tourist destination and an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site near Ganderbal town in the Ganderbal district of the Kashmir Valley.

Known for its ancient temple ruins complex, it is located around 16 km from Kangan and 10 km upstream from the Sind stream.

Noted for its scenic meadows, lakes and mountains, Naranag serves as the base camp for treks to Mount Harmukh, which stands at 16,870 feet (5,142 metres), and Gangabal Lake.

The temple is situated on the left bank of the Wangath stream, a tributary of the Sind stream.

There is a tourism hut at Naranag where officials are available to provide information and assistance. The facility also offers accommodation.

Naranag Temple is the main attraction for visitors and is one of the country’s important archaeological sites.

The site consists of a cluster of temples facing each other at a distance of about 200 metres.

Historians say that the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built by Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty in the 8th century AD.

It is believed that King Awantivarman visited the site and donated a pedestal for bathing at Bhuteshwar (“Bhutsher”).

–IANS

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