Martand Sun Temple in Anantnag Jammu Kashmir

Here is Some Information about Martand Sun Temple in Anantnag Jammu Kashmir India.

Location: Suriya Mandir Rd, Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir
Built in: 8th century CE
Built By:Karkota dynasty, Lalitaditya Muktapida
Dedicated to: Lord Sun(Surya)
Entry:Free
Photography:Allow
Significance: one of most temple
Temple Timing: All time
Visiting Timing: 1 hour
Best time to Visit: March to Oct
Nearest Railway Station:  Anantnag Railway station
Nearest Airport: Srinagar Airforce Airport

More Information about Martand Sun Temple

Martand sun temple is declared as a site of national importance by the archaeological survey of India. Anantnag is at a height of 5400 feet above sea level and about 33 miles from Srinagar city and easily approachable by road.Martand Sun Temple is located in Suriya Mandir Rd, Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir India.The temple was built in around 8th century CE and built by Lalitaditya Muktapida, king of Karkota dynasty.Martand is another Sanskrit name for the Hindu Sun-god.The temple is dedicated to Lod Sun.It is a medieval temple with a courtyard, colonnaded and with the shrine in the centre. It has 84 - a sacred Hindu digit - columns and affords a commanding view of the valley.Tourists visiting the temple can enjoy a beautiful view of Kashmir valley.This temple provides a proof of the skill and talent of Hindu Kashmiris.

History of  Martand Sun Temple

Anantnag is an ancient city that came into existence as a market town around 5000 BCE making it one of the oldest urban human settlements in the world. Before the advent of Muslim rule in 1320 CE, Kashmir was divided into three divisions, viz., Maraz in the south, Yamraj in the centre and Kamraj in the north of the Valley. Old chronicles reveal that the division was the culmination of the rift Marhan and Kaman, the two brothers, over the crown of their father. The part of the valley which lies between Pir Panjal and Srinagar, and called the Anantnag, was given to Marhan and named after him as Maraj. While Srinagar is no longer known as Yamraj, the area to its north and south are still called Kamraz and Maraz respectively. These divisions were later on divided into thirty four sub-divisions which after 1871 were again reduced to five Zilas or districts. According to old map of British India (1836), Anantnag was called Islamabad by some.

Architecture of  Martand Sun Temple

The Ancient  Temple Architecture of Kashmir  undoubtedly  bears Greek  influence. This influence is starkly visible  in  the use of stone Pillars , Columns , Trefoiled  Doorways , Ornamental  fritters  , Geometrical designs especially the rectangle and  Triangles  , Images of Gods  Carved on stones and  Pediments . Kashmiri  Stone Architects made some amendments to suit Intense winters . This influence is clearly visible in Martanda  and  Awantipora  stone Temple Architecture   .The  majestic Sun Temple of Martand perched amidst the jungles in the plateau of Mattan  in Anantnag District of Kashmir is also known as dream of stones. The temple is made of Devri stones carried possibly by elephants  . Elephants were seen in abundance in Kashmir till 11th centaury which fact is substantiated in some cantos of  Kalhana’s Rajatarangini.

This temple is  enclosed in a courtyard  of columns and Arches  forming covered passage all round it. .Like Chandrapida Vajraditya , illustrious king  Lalitaditya was a sun worshipper and   a Follower of Vaishnava cult  devoted to the worship of Keshva Vishnu.. Accordingly Many three faced Vishnu and some Chaturbhuja Vishnu  figures have been prominently carved on the walls of  this  Temple . A central Water Tank with narrow  water channels  are  existing to this day . In the right panel of the eastern wall of the   Ante chamber of this Temple , an   image of Aruna  carved discerningly is still visible . . Aruna , the charioteer of surya is  holding the reins of his seven horses.

The outer dimension of this temple is approximately about 200 feet by 170 feet rising upto a height of 75 feet.The inner Mandapa measures roughly 18 feet by 18 feet . About 84 stone pillars Ten to twelve feet long in single piece have been used in the construction. Some of them are still erect and the remaining are broken and scattered inside the complex.

List of Sun Temples in India

The Konark Sun Temple in Orissa. The Katarmal Sun Temple in Katarmal.
The Almora Sun Temple in Uttarakhand.
The Modhera Sun Temple in Gujrat
The Borsad Sun Temple in Gujarat

Nearest Tourist Attractration of  Martand Sun Temple  Anantnag 

Awantivarman temple
Mamaleshwar shiva temple
Chandanwari
Tulian lake
Pahalgam
Anantnag mandir
Kheer bhawani

How To Reach Martand Sun Temple in Anantnag 

By Road : There are many public and private vehicles available to reach Martand Sun Temple in Anantnag Jammu Kasmir.Taxis can be hirged from Srinaar which takes around 2 or 3 hours. The pilgrim village is just off the road that leads to famous tourist spot of Phalgham and holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnathji.

By Rail : The Nearest Railway station is Anantnag Railway station.Anantnag railway station is also connected with Kashmir Railway that runs from Baramulla to Qazigund.

By Air :  The nearest airport to Martand Sun Temple is Srinagar air force base airport, srinagar which is 11 KM away from Martand Sun Temple.

Picture Gellery of Martand Sun Temple 

Google Map of  Martand Sun Temple in Anantnag

                                                                    

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