Martand Sun Temple Glows in Tricolor | 17 Aug 2024

Source: ET

Why in News?

The Martand Sun Temple in Anantnag district, J&K has been illuminated with the tricolors of the Indian flag as part of the Independence Day celebrations.

• The illumination has filled local residents and tourists with a deep sense of pride and joy, drawing large crowds to witness this historic moment.

What are Key Facts About Martand Sun Temple?

• Construction: The Martand Temple was constructed around 1200 years ago by King Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty, who ruled Kashmir from 725 AD to 753 AD.
  • It was dedicated to Martand, the Sun god, and featured grand architecture with influences from Egyptian, Greek, and Gandharan styles.
  • The temple had massive grey stone walls and a courtyard filled with river water, symbolising its grandeur and significance in Kashmiri architecture.
• Historical Reference: The temple's history is documented in the Rajatarangini, written by Kalhana in the 12th century.
• Architectural Features: The temple had three distinct chambers i.e., the mandapa, garbhagriha, and antralaya, making it unique among Kashmiri temples.
  • The ruins suggest the temple was surrounded by a peristyle of 84 pillars, a characteristic of Kashmiri temple architecture.
  • The use of lime mortar in the construction, unusual for its time, suggests the involvement of immigrant Byzantine architects.
• Cultural Assimilation: The Martand Temple’s architecture shows a confluence of styles, including Classical Greco-Roman, Buddhist-Gandhara, and North Indian, reflecting Kashmir’s historical connections with various cultures and empires.
• Association with Harsha: King Harsha (1089 AD to 1101 AD) of the first Lohara dynasty who looted temples for treasure, is noted for sparing the Martand Temple, unlike other temples which he desecrated for wealth.
• Destruction: The temple is believed to have been partially demolished by Sultan Sikandar Shah Miri, who ruled Kashmir from 1389 to 1413, though this is disputed by some historians.
  • Today, the temple stands partially intact with its impressive grey walls and carved deities still visible.
• Current State: The ruins of the temple have been protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), including during the decade of militancy in the 1990s, as a “monument of national importance”.