Raghunath Temple

Raghunath Temple is a historic Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Rama located in Sultanpur, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. Established in 1660 by Raja Jagat Singh as penance for past sins, it houses an idol believed to have been brought from Ayodhya. The temple features Pahari and pyramidal architectural styles and sits at an elevation of approximately 2050 meters. It serves as the presiding deity site for the Kullu Valley and is the focal point of the annual Kullu Dussehra festival.

Visitors can expect to see a white marble temple structure blending Pahari and pyramidal architecture with carved pillars and a vimana above the main hall. The sanctum houses a small Ashtadhatu idol of Lord Rama in royal form. The temple offers panoramic views of the Kullu Valley from its hillock location. Devotees perform daily worship rituals, and during October, the grounds host the Kullu Dussehra festival featuring processions of hundreds of local deities.

The temple was established in 1660 CE by King Jagat Singh of Kullu as penance for the sin of Brahmahatya after he caused the death of a Brahmin family. On advice of saint Krishnadas Payahari, the king had idols of Rama, Sita, and Hanuman brought from Ayodhya's Tretanath Mandir. After installing the idols and consuming Charanamrit, the king was cured of leprosy and offered his kingdom to Lord Raghunath, making him the presiding deity of Kullu Valley.

Raghunath Temple is the spiritual center of Kullu Valley where nearly 500 local deities acknowledge Lord Raghunath as their chief. It hosts the International Kullu Dussehra Festival, attracting over half a million visitors annually, where more than 300 deities gather in procession to pay homage. The festival begins on Vijayadashami and includes unique traditions like chariot processions and symbolic burning of thorn bushes representing Lanka.