Naranag, Sonamarg - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 8 km from Kangan, 52 km from Srinagar, and 60 km from Sonamarg, Naranag is a tourist village located near Ganderbal town in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. Located on the road to Kargil, it is one of the popular places to visit near Sonamarg.

Naranag is a beautiful place tucked cozily in the mountains and encircled by dense forests. The village is well known for its ruins of the ancient Naranag Temple complex. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Naranag Temple was built by Lalitaditya Muktapida, of the Kayastha Naga Karkota Dynasty in the 8th century AD. The site consists of a cluster of temples facing each other at a distance of about 200 m. These temples have the typical Aryan structure that was present in Aryan Kashmir. Today, most parts of the temple lie in ruins for which the government has only constructed walls to protect it from encroachments.

Lies on the left bank of the Wangath River, a tributary of the Sind River, the village is also noted for its scenic meadows, lakes, and mountains. Besides, it serves as a base camp for trekking to Mount Haramukh 16,870 ft and Gangabal Lake. It is also a base for the trekkers to Gadsar Lake, Vishansar Lake, and Krishansar Lake, though it takes 5 to 7 days of trekking. In the winter, Naranag receives heavy snowfall, during which skiing is practiced.
One can hire a private vehicle from Srinagar to Naranag, which is located about 50 kilometers away. Another option is to catch a bus ride from Srinagar to Kangan, a town located about 14 km from Naranag. From there, one can take a shared car to reach Naranag. The last shared car from Kangan to Naranag leaves around 4 PM.

Timings: 6 AM - 5 PM

Entry: Free