Key Facts about Maharani Temple

About Maharani Temple:

• It is situated on a small hillock in the heart of Gulmarg town in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Also known as the Rani Temple or Mohineshwar Shivalaya, the temple is dedicated toLord Shivaand his consort, Parvati. 
• It was constructed by Mohini Bai Sisodia, wife of the former ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, in 1915. 
• This temple was once a royal temple of the Dogra dynasty of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. 
• It has been constructed in such a way that it can be seen from all corners of Gulmarg.
• The temple's intricate carvings and designs reflect a beautiful blend of Indian and Persian styles.
• It is an example of religions intertwined with a Muslim priest performing rituals in the temple.

The Indian Army collaborated with local communities in 2021 to restore this106-year-old temple. Apart from renovating the temple structure, the Indian Army also undertook the redesigning of pathways leading to the temple.

Q1: Who was Maharaja Hari Singh?

Maharaja Sir Hari Singh (1895 – 1961) was the last ruling Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. He signed the Instrument of Accession on 26 October 1947, joining the whole of his princely state to the Dominion of India. Pressure from Nehru and Sardar Patel Hari compelled Singh to appoint his son and heir, Yuvraj (Crown Prince) Karan Singh, as Prince Regent of Jammu and Kashmir in 1949, although he remained the titular Maharaja of the state until 1952 when the monarchy was abolished by Nehru's government.

Source: Gulmarg: Iconic 106-year-old Maharani Temple gutted in massive fire