Mantalai Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The airport listed for the temple is Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (ATQ).

• By train

  The railway station listed for the temple is Jammu Tawi (JAT).

• By road

  Udhampur town lies on NH-44, the only national highway that connects Srinagar to the rest of India.

Why devotees come here

Mantalai Temple stands at 1450 metres in Chenani Tehsil, Udhampur district, Jammu. Devotees believe it is where Parvati's journey began and her bond with Shiva was sanctified. It is a Shiva temple set among deodar trees and mountains.

Devotees believe Mantalai is where Parvati's journey began and where her bond with Shiva was sanctified. The temple sits among towering deodar trees, with mountains behind it. The temple stands at an elevation of 1450 metres in Chenani Tehsil, Udhampur district, in Jammu. The Shiva Lingam is the main deity, and other shrines are also worshipped in the precincts.

Legend says Parvati picked Manta herbs from the area around the lake for her daily prayers. Shiva then created a demon, Andhakasura, and sent him to disrupt them. According to the legend, the pond inside served as a Homa Kund, where the holy fire is lit during Hindu marriage rituals.

Inside, an idol shows Parvati as Kanya, a small child. Two Nandi idols face the Shiva Lingam.

Tips for your visit

• Adventure travellers can visit Peer Ki Gali Pass, located approximately 30 km away from the temple.
• Plan outdoor sightseeing for April to June, the summer months when the weather is pleasant.

Questions people ask