Wangath Temple is a group of ruined stone temples near Naranag in Ganderbal district, dedicated to Shiva and now protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Two clusters of grey stone stand in a meadow at the edge of the village, roofless but substantially intact at wall level. The site was endowed by the eighth-century king Lalitaditya Muktapida.
Duke Kashmir Travels, holding Department of Tourism registration JKTA00003978 since 2011, brings guests here on the way to or from the Harmukh trailhead. Kashmir packages start near ₹6,350 per person, twin sharing.
By Duke Kashmir Travels Team · Reviewed by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, Founder · Published · Updated
Key takeaways
- A group of temples, not one building, in two clusters near Naranag.
- Dedicated to Shiva under the names Bhutesha and Ugresha.
- Tradition credits the earliest foundation to Jaluka; Lalitaditya Muktapida endowed the complex in the eighth century.
- The surviving stonework follows the eighth-century Kashmiri temple style.
- Protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
- Thirty minutes is enough, and it pairs with the Harmukh trailhead.
What is at the site?
Roofless stone temples on high plinths, with fluted columns, trefoil niches and a paved court, in two groups a short distance apart.
The masonry is grey limestone laid in large blocks, the same building language as Martand and Shankaragaurishvara. The setting — meadow, river and mountain behind — does as much as the architecture.
Who built it?
Local tradition ascribes the first foundation to Jaluka, and the historical record credits King Lalitaditya Muktapida with endowing and enlarging the complex in the eighth century.
Worship at the site ended long ago and the temples have stood as ruins for centuries. The ASI protects them today, and there is minimal signage, so a little reading beforehand pays off.
How do you visit?
It is a short walk from the Naranag road head in Ganderbal, roughly two hours from Srinagar.
Most visitors combine it with the walk up towards Gangabal, or see it as a half-day out of Srinagar in its own right. The tour ideas page shows how it fits a longer trip.
Booking this with us
Duke Kashmir Travels works out of Nowhatta Chowk in Srinagar, registered as JKTA00003978 since 2011, IATO allied member since 2016 and a TAAK member. See About Us for the rest.
Share your travel dates and group size and we will price the trip around this stop. Phone +91 9018 44 0000, write to info@dukekashmirtravels.com, or open the contact page.
About the founder
Founder Rayies Ahmad Zargar opened Duke Kashmir Travels in Srinagar in 2011, sits in TAAK, co-founded the JK Tourism Council, and signs off the guides on this site. Find him on LinkedIn.