Martand Sun Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Srinagar International Airport is the nearest airport, about 50 km from Anantnag city.

• By train

  Anantnag railway station (ANT) lies on the Banihal-Baramulla line.

• By road

  The temple is about 9 km east-north-east of Anantnag, and Anantnag is 53 km from Srinagar on NH 44. From Jammu Tawi, a taxi or bus to Anantnag takes around 6 to 8 hours.

Why devotees come here

Martand Sun Temple stands near Mattan, a town close to Anantnag city in Jammu and Kashmir. It is dedicated to Surya, the solar deity, and is described as the oldest of the Sun temples in India. It stands on a plateau above the valley.

Martand Sun Temple is dedicated to Surya, the solar deity, who is also called Martand. It is described as the oldest of the Sun temples in India, and Kashmiri Pandits rank it among their three holiest pilgrimage destinations. The Archaeological Survey of India has declared it a site of national importance.

According to Kalhana, King Lalitaditya Muktapida commissioned the temple in the eighth century CE. Sikandar Shah Miri, whose reign ran from 1389 to 1413, destroyed the temple. Today the temple is in ruins.

The temple is built of intricately carved black stone and stands on a plateau from which the whole Kashmir Valley can be seen. A colonnaded courtyard surrounds the central shrine and 84 smaller shrines, and the court stretches 220 feet long and 142 feet broad. Its style blends Kashmiri building with Gandharan, Gupta, Chinese and possibly Syrian-Byzantine forms.

Festivals

• AnnuallyKashmiri Spring Festival

  Held every year in the surrounding regions, with cultural events and folk performances.

Tips for your visit

• The plateau gives panoramic views of the Kashmir Valley.
• The town of Mattan was originally called Martand.
• The temple site is at Kehribal, south of Mattan.
• Mattan is a town, tehsil and notified area committee near Anantnag city.

Questions people ask