• Site Home
  • Blog Home
  • India
    • Himachal Pradesh
    • Jammu and Kashmir
    • Uttarakhand
    • North East India
    • Goa
    • Rajasthan
    • View All
  • International
    • Mauritius
    • Dubai
    • Thailand
    • Malaysia
    • Singapore
    • Indonesia
    • View All
  • Themes
    • Honeymoon
    • Hill Stations
    • Wildlife
    • Beaches
    • Pilgrimage
    • Heritage
    • Yoga & Ayurveda
    • Offbeat
  • Season
    • Summers
    • Monsoon
    • Winters
  • Travel News
  • Travel by Month
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • November
    • December
    • View All
India Travel Blog
  • Site Home
  • Blog Home
  • India
    • Himachal Pradesh
    • Jammu and Kashmir
    • Uttarakhand
    • North East India
    • Goa
    • Rajasthan
    • View All
  • International
    • Mauritius
    • Dubai
    • Thailand
    • Malaysia
    • Singapore
    • Indonesia
    • View All
  • Themes
    • Honeymoon
    • Hill Stations
    • Wildlife
    • Beaches
    • Pilgrimage
    • Heritage
    • Yoga & Ayurveda
    • Offbeat
  • Season
    • Summers
    • Monsoon
    • Winters
  • Travel News
  • Travel by Month
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • November
    • December
    • View All
Sun Temple Kashmir
Last Updated May 02, 2023 Manmeet Kaur

Do Not Miss Martand Sun Temple in Kashmir, Once Home To Immense Wealth

Built-in the 8th century and destroyed in the 15th century CE, Martand Sun Temple now lies in ruins. To many’s surprise, the temple was featured in a Bollywood movie starring Shahid Kapoor, Haider. Read to know more about it.

Explore the Martand Sun Temple on your next visit to Kashmir, whether you are a history buff or not. This architectural marvel is a ruin now but still attracts many tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir. More than 1200 years old, Martand Sun Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Surya, the chief solar deity in Hinduism. 

You will be surprised to know the story of its construction, who built it, and how it all came crumbling down on the orders of a Muslim ruler. 

Many ruins and archaeological findings suggest that Martand Sun Temple is an excellent specimen of Kashmiri architecture and, thus, is worth a visit during your Kashmir visit. 

Read more about Martand Sun Temple below, and who knows, you might find something that piques your interest to add to your next Kashmir tour.

Why Should You Visit Martand Sun Temple?

Sun-Temple-Martand

If you are a history buff, visiting Martand Sun Temple in Mattan, Jammu and Kashmir, is one of the best things to do in Kashmir. Beautiful carvings and structures in the temple complex narrate the stories of its past. Plus, the views around it are impressive, making it the perfect background for your vacation pictures. 

Before visiting here, let’s know more about Martand Sun Temple history so that you are not clueless about the site you are exploring. 

As per historical records, the first Martand Sun Temple was built by Raja Ramdev of the Pandava dynasty in 3007 BC. He dedicated the temple to Sun God or Surya Dev in Hindi. After him, several kings and monarchs repaired and renovated the temple. But the one name that remained attached to Martand Sun Temple is Maharaja Lalitaditya. He changed the shape of the ancient temple and made it world-famous. 

Timings of the temple: 6 am to 7 pm

Exquisite Architecture of the Sun Temple

Martand Temple Kashmir

Martand, The Sun Temple in Kashmir, is remarkable and striking, covering an area of 32,000 square feet. Its architecture is a fine example of the impressive geniuses born in India over the centuries. The complex has a blend of different architectural styles of Hindu, including Kashmiri, which further comprises the Gupta, Chinese, Strain, Gandharan, Roman, and Greek. 

The temple’s entrance is located in the west and is grandly decorated with intricate carvings of Hindu gods. The courtyard is also massive and is connected to the main shrine where Lord Surya’s shrine was installed. The Martand Sun Temple’s central part has a tank-like structure with descending stairs. 

The main shrine has a smaller antechamber adorned with detailed carvings of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Ganga, Goddess Yamuna, and Sun God, Surya.

Many archeologists had tried to repair an impression of the temple’s main shrine as it was centuries ago before the Muslim ruler finally destroyed it. It is also believed that the main shrine used to have a pyramid-shaped pinnacle, commonly seen in Kashmir temples.

You will notice about 83 smaller shrines around the main Surya Temple. They are lined along the perimeter of the complex, connected by Greek-influenced limestone colonnades. 

Today, Martand Sun Temple shows weathered Sanskrit inscriptions, eroded sculptures, and carvings displaying traditional music events, dance postures, and more deities. 

Who Destroyed Martand Sun Temple?

Martand Sun Temple

Among the oldest temple ruins, Martand Sun Temple is known as ‘Shaitan ki Gufa’ or simply Devil’s Cave by Kashmiri Muslims. A part of the Karkota Empire, a Naga Kingdom, constantly battled with Gandhara’s Suparna, a Garuda Kingdom. Therefore, even today, an eagle is taken as a sign of the devil in Kashmiri folklore.

Martand Sun Temple shaitan ki gufa was an architectural masterpiece that impressed everyone who saw it. But in the 15th century CE, Muslim ruler Sikander Butshikan or Sultan Sikander attacked and destroyed the temple. 

It is believed that the temple’s structure was so strong that it took days to tear it apart. Today, it lies in ruins near the Anantnag district in Kashmir. 

What efforts are taken to conserve the temple?

Do Not Miss Martand Sun Temple in Kashmir, Once Home To Immense Wealth

As a site of national importance, Martand Sun Temple restoration is undertaken by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI). The name of the temple in its registry of centrally projected sites (Sun Temple) is Kartanda.

How to reach Martand Sun Temple?

Take a cab after you land to Srinagar to Martand Sun Temple. The journey is beautiful, with scenic views. It takes about an hour and a half to reach the temple. It can also be reached from Anantnag, about 9.5 km away. Taxis also run from Pahalgam to Martand Sun Temple, which takes about an hour.

Explore one of the best archeological sites in Kashmir, Martand Sun Temple. Know about its history, structure, architecture, destruction, and conservation efforts made by the Archeological Survey of India. Add this attraction to your Kashmir tour packages and learn about this masterpiece. Make your Kashmir holiday hassle-free by contacting Indian Holiday, who will design a customizable Kashmir package for you as per your needs and preferences. Contact today!

Post navigation

Experience Dining At The World’s Largest Igloo Cafe “Snowglu”
8 Best Treks In Kashmir Every Adventure Enthusiast Must Take

Related Posts

  • Places to work remotely

    10 Offbeat Places For Working Remotely in India With Reliable Wifi

    Manmeet Kaur May 10, 2023
  • Rohru to Chanshal Pass

    Experience Rohru To Chanshal Pass Off-Roading Just 100 Kms From Shimla

    Manmeet Kaur May 08, 2023
  • Maalhos Island Maldives

    Ditch The “Touristy” Maldives To Stay With Locals At Maalhos Island. Here’s Why.

    Manmeet Kaur May 05, 2023

Leave a Comment

Cancel reply

15 + nineteen =

SEARCH

  • Best Places to Visit in Summer in India 2023
  • Himachal Pradesh Tour Packages
  • Uttarakhand Tour Packages
  • Ladakh Tour Packages
  • Popular Ooty Holiday Packages
  • North East India Tourism
  • Char Dham Yatra 2023

Holiday Your Way with Indian Holiday!
processing
  • Adults
    ( Ages 13 above )
  • Children
    ( Ages 2–12 )

Query Form

Recent Posts

  • Facts about Paris
    Interesting Facts About Paris That Will Leave Your Eyes Wide Open July 4, 2023
  • Exciting Adventure Activities In Switzerland For The Thrill Seekers
    Exciting Adventure Activities In Switzerland For The Thrill Seekers July 3, 2023
  • Top 10 Most Beautiful Swiss Villages That Looks Like A Different Planet
    Top 10 Most Beautiful Swiss Villages That Looks Like A Different Planet June 29, 2023
  • Beyond Taj: Offbeat Things To Do In Agra To Truly Enjoy Your Visit
    Beyond Taj: Offbeat Things To Do In Agra To Truly Enjoy Your Visit June 28, 2023
Copyrights © Indian Holiday Pvt. Ltd.
Holiday Your Way with Indian Holiday!
* required field
  • Adults
    Ages 13 or above
  • Children
    Ages 2–12
Close