Martand

Martand, also known as the Martand Sun Temple, is a ruined 8th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Surya, located near the city of Anantnag in the Kashmir Valley, in the present-day union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It stands as one of the most important examples of early medieval Kashmiri temple architecture and is noted for its monumental scale and intricate stone carving.

Historically, the temple is attributed to Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty, who is traditionally dated to the mid-8th century. The temple complex was built on a raised platform and originally featured a sanctum surrounded by a colonnaded mandapa, with reliefs and motifs that reflect the region’s distinctive architectural style. The structure faced east and was designed to encircle the central shrine with a peristyle of carved stone columns.

Over the centuries, Martand sustained damage during periods of political upheaval, and the principal sanctum, along with much of the surrounding framework, fell into ruin. Today, only fragments of the outer walls and a ring of columns remain, yet the site is recognized for its archaeological and historical significance.

Preservation and access: Martand is designated as a protected monument and is administered by the Archaeological Survey of India. It is visited by researchers and tourists who come to study its architecture and to glimpse Kashmir’s early medieval religious heritage. The site illustrates the region’s historical religious plurality and the technical prowess of Kashmiri stonecraft.