The view
From the hilltop across the whole Gulmarg meadow to the forest.
The royal Shiva temple of Gulmarg
Maharani Temple
A red-roofed Shiva temple on a hillock in the middle of Gulmarg, built in 1915 for the Dogra royal family. Visible from all over the bowl and famous from Hindi films.
Baramulla districtIn Gulmarg · about 50 km from Srinagar from Srinagar
The Maharani Temple, properly the Mohineshwar Shivalaya, stands on a small hill in the centre of Gulmarg. It was built in 1915 by Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodia, wife of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last ruling Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, and is dedicated to Shiva.
Its red roof makes it the landmark of the Gulmarg bowl. Older visitors know it from Hindi films of the 1970s, which used it as a backdrop. The temple was restored in recent years.
Visiting
A short climb up the hillock gives you one of the best views over Gulmarg. Combine with St Mary’s Church on a walk around the town.
Things to do
What to see in Maharani Temple
Best time to visit
Year round.
How to reach
- In Gulmarg — a short walk and climb from the main road.
Tour packages
All packagesAdd Maharani Temple to a Kashmir package
Best Seller4N / 5D
Kashmir 4N/5D — Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg & Pahalgam
Srinagar · Gulmarg · Sonamarg · Pahalgam
The complete valley circuit with deluxe stays on MAP plan, a private vehicle throughout and an hour on Dal Lake by shikara.
- Dal Lake Shikara
- Gulmarg
- Sonamarg
- Pahalgam
Starting from₹27,200total, all inclusive
Houseboat Stay5N / 6D
Kashmir 5N/6D with Pahalgam Stay & Deluxe Houseboat
Srinagar · Gulmarg · Sonamarg · Pahalgam · Dal Lake
Adds a night in Pahalgam and a night aboard a deluxe Dal Lake houseboat to the classic valley circuit.
- Deluxe Houseboat
- Pahalgam Stay
- Shikara Ride
- Private Sedan
Starting from₹29,700total, all inclusive
Budget Romance4N / 5D
Glimpse of Kashmir — 4N/5D Honeymoon
Srinagar · Gulmarg · Sonamarg · Pahalgam
Deluxe houseboat, shikara ride, candlelight dinner and cake across the four main valley stops.
- Deluxe Houseboat
- Shikara Ride
- Candle Dinner
- Cake
Starting from₹36,645total, all inclusive
Questions
Visiting Maharani Temple
Gulmarg is about 50 km from Srinagar, a drive of 1.5 to 2 hours via Magam and Tangmarg. After heavy snow in winter the last stretch from Tangmarg can take much longer, or close for a few hours.
Yes, the Srinagar–Gulmarg road is kept open through winter, but heavy snowfall can close the Tangmarg–Gulmarg stretch for a few hours or a day, and after snow the authorities may allow only vehicles with snow chains or four-wheel drive. Keep a spare day in a winter itinerary.
Baramulla district
All destinationsMore places to visit in Baramulla
- GulmargMeadow of Flowers
- KhilanmargThe meadow above Gulmarg
- Alpather LakeThe frozen lake below Apharwat
- St Mary’s Church, GulmargThe Victorian church in the meadow
- Baba Reshi ShrineSufi shrine in the Gulmarg forest
- Drung WaterfallThe waterfall that freezes
- Ningle NallahPicnic stream below Apharwat
- Outer Circle Walk, GulmargThe 11 km forest loop
- Buta PathriMeadow near the LoC beyond Gulmarg
- ParihasporaLalitaditya’s lost capital
- Kaman Post (Aman Setu)The peace bridge at Uri
- WatlabHilltop shrine over Wular Lake
Nearby
Other places in the valley
The Victorian church in the meadow
St Mary’s Church, Gulmarg
Meadow of Flowers
Gulmarg
Sufi shrine in the Gulmarg forest
Baba Reshi Shrine
The 11 km forest loop