The Lakshmi Narayan temple is one of the famous temples of Bhadarwah. This temple was built by a resident of Sarolbagh and Prime Minister of Maharaja Hari Singh Wazir Sobha Ram. This temple was built about a century back. There is a big inn by the side of this splendid temple. It was built for the travelers. In this temple very beautiful statues of Lord Vishnu & Goddess Laxmi made of white marbel were installed. There are many statues of different gods and goddess kept in small almirahs on the outer walls of the temple and a small path round the temple for the devotees who come to pay obeisance to Lord Vishnu & Goddess Laxmi. This all adds the beauty of the temple. There is a big entrance gate, which is very high & wide. This grand gate also adds the beauty of the temple. It is said that about one lac rupees were spent in the construction of this complex in those days when the wage of a labourer was about some

paisa. It is not out of place to mention here that the currency in those days was in silver coins. After the construction of temple and inns when the auspicious time of installation of statues came then Wazir Sobha Ram Ji arranged a grand function of “Yajna” havan and Bhandhara. All the learned brahimins of the area were invited to take part in this auspicious function. Before the start of “Yagna” Wazir Ji came to welcome the learned Pandits and found that Sangan Brahimins of village Chinote were not present there. He inquired from the managing committee the reason of absence of Sangan Brahimins. The managing committee narrated the story of boycott. Wazir Ji said that in the absence of Sangans Brahimins our “Yajna” would be incomplete. Therefore the boycott of these people will have to be done away with. Resolving so he sent a team of dependable senior citizens to visit Chinote to request them to participate in the “ Yajna” . On the request of Wazir Ji when all the Sangans came to participate. WazirJi welcomed them from the core of his heart and promised that he himself would go to the Vasuki Nag Ji temple and apologise for the crime of ending the boycott. On the assurance of Wazir Ji Sangans participated in the “Yajna” and ate the food of "Bhandhara" . In this way centuries old enmity and boycott came to an end.

Jammu, a lovely city on the foothills of the Himalayas has a very interesting past. According to popular legend, this city which now abounds in temples with the Lakshmi Narayan Temple being an important one amongst them was built by Raja Jambu Lochan after he saw a very rare sight.

A tiger and a goat were simultaneously drinking water from the Tawi River and this left him so startled that he decided that this piece of land would indeed be the ideal place for all human beings to coexist in peace and harmony. Hence the decision to raise a city.

The king's prophecy did not prove to be very wrong. Jammu has indeed earned a name for itself as a City of Temples with a very calm, sacred and divine character. People of this land regularly offer their prayers in the innumerous temples that are scattered around the place. The presence of the large number of temples contributes to a holy ambience. These temples are not just places of worship though; they are important tourist attractions just like the Lakshmi Narayan Temple.

The Lakshmi Narayan Temple may not be as well known as the Raghunath Mandir or temple of Bawey Wali Mata but it is definitely well worth a visit. In fact a temple tour of Jammu is incomplete without a visit to the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. You can join the devotees who flock the place and seek the blessings of Lakshmi and Narayan, two important gods of the Hindu Pantheon.

When on a tour to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, do not miss out on the Lakshmi Narayan Temple. You are sure to enjoy the multifarious sights and sounds that are characteristic of any temple premises and obviously of this temple too.