An inspirational place of worship for Hindus, Jyeshtheshvara Temple is located in the scenic capital of Srinagar and is a must visit for all domestic and international travelers. This historical temple is dedicated to Goddess Jyestha, who is responsible for protecting mankind and Earth from evil forces and the adversities of nature.

Jyeshtheshvara Temple is visited by thousands of devotees across the year. The best time to visit this temple is from May to June, when an annual festival in honour of Lordess Jyestha paints the beautiful town of Srinagar with festive hues and lot of celebration.

About Jyeshtheshvara Temple

Jyeshtheshvara Temple, a famous shrine of the Hindus, is an architectural wonder set in the tantalizing terrain of Kashmir, appropriately called “Paradise on Earth”.

Devotees from across the globe, flock to Jyeshtheshvara Temple to attain Buddhi, Riddhi and Siddhi in various fields of their lives. Jyeshtheshvara Temple is also known as Zyeshta Matha Temple. An independent organization named Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam organizes havans for the well being of devotees visiting temple.

History

There are many historical myths associated with establishment of Jyeshtheshvara Temple. While some give relevance to Pandavas' relationship to the shrine in 5th century, others believe that Jyeshtheshvara Temple was built by King Gopaditya in 6th century. Some stories even state that the temple was first built by Ashoka’s ‘son’ Jaluka and then remodeled and renovated by King Lalitaditya in 8th century.

Regardless of folklores and tales behind the construction of King Lalitaditya, it remains to exist as an ancient monument which speaks volumes of its rich cultural heritage and historical past.

Getting There and Around

By Air

Srinagar provides easy accessibility to tourists who prefer travelling by air. Srinagar Airport hosts regular flight services and carriers from Delhi, Chandigarh and Mumbai. Srinagar is a favorite haunt for international travelers disembarking at the Delhi International Airport, located 876 km away.

By Rail

Jammu, located a distance of 290 km from Srinagar, is the nearest rail head for devotees traveling to Jyeshtheshvara Temple. Jammu is connected by many trains and broad gauged lines with important cities and towns of the country. With direct connectivity to Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Trivandrum and other important centers of Southern India, Srinagar is linked to the rest of India via Jammu.

After getting off at the railway station of Jammu, tourists and devotees can avail regular bus services and private taxis to Srinagar. The 5-6 hours journey passes through beautiful winding roads and takes commuters through the “Jawahar Tunnel”—the longest tunnel in India.

By Road

The scenic locales of Srinagar can be easily reached by road. Srinagar located at drivable distance from Jammu (290 km), Chandigarh (630 km), Delhi (876 km),Pahalgam (96 km) and Leh (434 km) is well connected with regular tourist buses which ply all through the day. Some tourists prefer to avail private cab facilities which allow them to savor mountainous routes at their own pace.

Jyeshtheshvara Temple - The Annual Festival

Jyeshtheshvara Temple is dedicated to Hindu deity Ragnya Devi. This has made the temple complex home to a lot of festivity and celebrations on Jyesht Ashtami which typically falls in the month of May –June. This annual festival is visited by millions of devotees who flock to the temple to pay their reverence and offerings to the goddess and chant prayers in her fame.

Devotees offer the deity cooked yellowish rice or “tehar “during the Jyestha month. These offerings are made every Thursday and form an integral part of the traditional ways of worshipping the Goddess.

Legends

Jyeshtheshvara Temple stands stoic among tall chinar trees and beautiful mountain streams of Srinagar. The origin of this beautiful temple goes back to days of churning of Kshirasagra—the mighty ocean.

According to mythological stories connected with the episode, both asuras and devtas were desirous of getting their hands on the nectar which was being churned out from the ocean. They were aware that they could mortality through this nectar only if Lord Shiva—who was the owner and protector of Ocean Ksirasagara would allow them to participate in the event. Asuras as well as devtas, started invoking the grace of lord Shiva through devotion and worship. Lord Shiva was pleased and allowed both parties to share all that came out from the ocean--equally.

The process of churning the ocean started with help of Narayana, Mandara parvata and Vasukinaga. After getting their hands on fourteen gems which included Lordess Laxmi, they were introduced to the poisonous wrath of demons Halahala and Kalakuta. The effect of poison released by them was enough to destroy the entire universe instantly.

The devtas, who were in possession of thirteen gems, were scared the virulent nature of Kalakuta and were left awestricken at the ways in which it engulfed and burnt everything on its way. They rushed to call upon the powers of Lord Shiva who was pleased with their devotion and proceed to drink up all the poison which was spreading in the ocean. This poison was stored in his throat which made it turn blue and earned him the name of “Neelkantha”.

After getting rid of the demons and their wretched powers, the devtas gifted Goddess Laxmi to lord Vishnu. This gave rise to a lot of anger in the minds of the asuras who captured Lord Vishnu and imprisoned in the Guptagara" or Gupkar as it is now called. This dastardly act infuriated Lord Shiva who gave birth to Goddess Jyestha and Vira Vaitala and endowed them with the powers to destroy all the asuras and free the deity from their clutches.

Lordess Jyestha was bestowed with the powers to uplift mankind and protect them from the adversities of nature and other harmful forces. Jyeshtheshvara Temple was built in reverence to Lordess Jyestha and is located in close proximity to the Gupkar.

Best Time to Visit

Srinagar, known for its numerous outdoor activities, landscaped gardens, Dal Lake and snow capped peaks beyond, boasts of two climates. While summers are pleasant and sunny, winters bring along dark chilly nights which can prove to be harsh for many tourists. The months of April to October are the best time to visit Srinagar. Rainfalls are scanty in these parts of India.

Winters in Srinagar last from October to March and boast of temperatures which fall below sub zero levels. Snowfall is a common feature during winters and the region is prone to road blockages, grim nights and very cold weather. However, this is the perfect time for winter sports lovers.

Summers generally last between April to September and provide the best season for sightseeing and enjoying the various bounties of nature. The temperature in this season rarely exceeds 30°C or falls below 14°C.This is the best time to visit temples, enjoy boating in Dal Lake and capture fascinating moments with snowy peaks as their backdrop.

Accommodation

A preferred destination for nature and adventure lovers alike, Srinagar offers the best accommodation facilities for all budgets and tourists from all walks of life. Located on the scenic banks of River Jhelum, Srinagar is the capital of India’s northern most state of Jammu and Kashmir. Tourists love to stay in houseboats and other home stays which provide a wonderful feel of the culture and traditions of the Kashmiri population. Some 0f the best places to stay in Srinagar are:

Hotel Cheshmashahi

Hotel Cheshmashahi, which provides magnificent views of the Dal Lake below and the lush Zabarwan Mountain sides beyond, offers the therapeutic properties of the cool springs of Cheshmashahi Gardens. This accommodation facility is well known for its Cheshmashahi Hutments, which are located 7 km away from TRC.

Along with well appointed rooms, internal dining space and brightly furnished sitting rooms, this venue also provides access to the famous JKTDC Cheshmashahi Restaurant which pampers guests with its delectable menu options and mouth watering dishes.

Hotel Kongposh

Located within walking distance of the Tourist Reception Center and about 15 km from the airport, Hotel Kongposh provides comfortable lodging and boarding facilities in the center of the town. It boasts of affordable tariffs, world class services and all modern amenities required to make tourists feel at home.

Hotel Heemal

This beautiful hotel is located right on the banks of the pretty Dal Lake in the heart of Srinagar. It enjoys the distinction of being one of the most reputed and sought after hotels in the city. Its 72 rooms face the lake and provide all modern amenities and facilities befitting a discerning traveler.

Guests staying at Hotel Heemal like to enjoy various Mughlai and Indian cuisines cooked by experienced chefs. The perfect retreat after a long day of hectic sightseeing, Hotel Heemal also provides conferencing facilities and a well designed garden.