Martand Sun Temple

Name : Martand Sun Temple Location : The Martand Sun temple is situated on top of a plateau, near the town of Anantnag. Anantnag is situated at an elevation of 5400 feet above sea level, at a distance of 33 miles from the main stateheadquarters Srinagar in Jammu Kashmir. Description : It is a medieval temple dedicated to Bhaskar, the Sun God. King Lalitaditya, a Kshatriya of Surya (Solar) dynasty, got the Martand Sun temple constructed to commemorate Surya in the middle of the eighth century A.D. This beautiful Martand temple has a colonnaded courtyard, with the shrine in its center, which is 220 feet long and 142 feet broad. Built with 84 columns, the temple offers a magnificent view of the Kashmir valley. Martand temple of Kashmir counts amongst the best and most memorable works of King Lalitaditya. The architecture and style of the Martand Sun temple counts amongst the rare ones in the world. Built up of hard and square limestone, the Martand temple serves as a living proof of the skill and talent of the Hindu Kashmiris of the bygone era. The pillars of the temple are of Greek pattern. Apart from the exquisite architecture, another attraction of the Martand temple is its picturesque surroundings. The temple, standing in a square field with the beautiful snow covered mountains serving as its backdrop, presents an aweinspiring sight. The most memorable and beautiful work of King Lalitaditya is the construction of spacious Martand temple, which the emperor got built in honor of the Sun God or Bhaskar. Lalitaditya was a Kshatriya of Surya (Solar) dynasty. The style of the construction of the temple and the skill exhibited in its construction is rare in the history of the world. Though the cities, towns and the ruins belonging to the era of

Lalitaditya are not to be found so easily, the remnants of the big Martand temple, which the emperor had built at the pilgrimage of the same name, is an example of unique building skill of ancient Hindus. They are praised for their design, beauty and art. Martand holds a very high place in the world's great architectural designs and is considered to be not only an example of the Kashmiri architectural skill but also has pride of having been set up at a prettier spot than those of Parthinan, Taj Mahal and St. Peters. A representative of all such great buildings and monuments or a combination and sum total of all the qualities, the ruins of the huge temple stand in a square field with snow-capped mountains as its backdrop. This temple has been built with strong and square limestones and exhibits the pillars of Greek pattern. Martand temple is said to be a mirror of the art and skill of Kashmiri Hindus. This way Lalitaditya should not be considered only a founder of a vast empire but also a founder of art and skill of Kashmiri Hindus for six centuries. An important historic ruin. As an example of a sun temple in India, it is second only to the Sun Temple of Konark, in Orissa. The most memorable and beautiful work of King Lalitaditya is the construction of spacious Martand temple, which the emperor got built in honor of the Sun God or Bhaskar. Lalitaditya was a Kshatriya of Surya (Solar) dynasty. The style of the construction of the temple and the skill exhibited in its construction is rare in the history of the world. Though the cities, towns and the ruins belonging to the era of Lalitaditya are not to be found so easily, the remnants of the big Martand temple, which the emperor had built at the pilgrimage of the same name, is an example of the unique building skill of the ancient Hindus. They are praised for their design, beauty and art. The first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited this place in 1700 and preached to the hindus about Sikhism. Martand holds a very high place in the world's great architectural designs and is considered to be not only an example of Kashmiri architectural skill but also has the pride of having been set up at a prettier spot than those of the Parthenon, the Taj Mahal or St. Peters. A representative of all such great buildings and monuments or a combination and sum total of all the qualities, the ruins of the huge temple stand in a square field with snow-capped mountains as its backdrop. The temple has been built with strong and square limestones and exhibits the pillars of Greek pattern. Martand temple is said to be a mirror of the art and skill of Kashmiri Hindus. This way Lalitaditya should not be considered only a founder of a vast empire but also a founder of the art and skill of Kashmiri Hindus for six centuries. Mattan is derived from the name Macch(Fish)-Bhawan. There are two springs named Vimal & Kamal Kunds. This place is important among Kashmiri Pandits & Hindus of India as of Haridwar, Uttanchal, India. The Place is also important among pilgrims of Amar Nath, Lord Shiva Jai Martand The majestic Martand temple is one of the important archaeological sites of the country. Its impressive architecture reveals the glorious past of the area. Martand temple is the clear expression of Kashmirs pristine glory.