M
ASI Protected
Martand Sun Temple
Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir
8th Century CE
The grandest Sun temple ever built in Kashmir, commissioned by Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty. Now in ruins, it sits on a high plateau overlooking the Kashmir Valley. The architecture shows a unique blend of Gandhara, Gupta, and local Kashmiri styles with Greek and Roman influences visible in the classical columns and pediments.
Source: Aitihasik heritage database. Use this as a field guide and verify sensitive historical claims before citation.
Details
- Dynasty
- Misc Historic
- Style
- Kashmiri (Gandhara-influenced)
- Primary Deity
- Surya (Sun God)
- Languages
- Kashmiri, Sanskrit
- Scripts
- Sharada, Sanskrit
Historical Significance
Largest and grandest temple ruin in Kashmir. Unique blend of Gandhara, Gupta, Greek and Roman influences. Built by Lalitaditya, one of Kashmir's greatest kings. Important evidence of Kashmiri temple architecture
Architectural Features
Colonnaded courtyard with 84 cellsTrefoil (trilobed) arched nichesClassical columns with Corinthian-like capitalsCentral temple with Surya imagePeristyle courtyard (Greek influence)