The Martand Sun Temple was an 8th century Hindu temple in Kashmir dedicated to the sun god Surya. It was commissioned by King Lalitaditya of the Surya Dynasty and was designed in a unique Kashmiri architectural style that bore some Greek influences. Though once a spectacular structure over 200 feet long, it now lies in ruins after being destroyed by Sultan Sikander in the 15th century.

1. SUN TEMPLE
KASHMIR
By – Aditya Saharia

2. About Sun Temple
The Martand Sun Temple was a Kashmiri Hindu temple
dedicated to Surya (the chief solar deity in Hinduism) and built
during the 8th century C.E. Martand is another Sanskrit name
for the Hindu Sun-god. Now in ruins, the temple is located five
miles from Anantnag in the Indian state of Jammu and
Kashmir.

3. History
The Martand Sun Temple is highly revered as one of the most
inspiring and memorable masterpiece that was erected during
the reign of King Lalit Aditya who ruled this region during the
ancient era. He ordered the construction of this spacious and
spectacular Martand Sun Temple in Kashmir in honor and
dedication to the Sun God, also referred to as Surya.
The King belonged to the Surya dynasty period, and was a
Kshatriya, considered to be a highly authoritative figure, yet
considerate and gentle leader to his people, during those
times. It was during his era when the Sun, Moon and Holy
entities were greatly worshipped and believed to possess
spiritual and supernatural powers. Built to represent this Solar
or Surya Dynasty, King had the Martand Temple built to
commemorate Bhaskar, known then as the Sun God.

4. Vision of Sun Temple
The vision of King Lalit Aditya
was to create a unique style of
architecture and construction of
this temple structure that will be
remembered for eternity. His
dream and vision was realized
with the skilled exhibition of the
way the Martand Sun Temple
was designed. This is one of the
most rare temple structures that
one would notice nowhere else
in India but only in Kashmir and
probably in the history of the
world as well.

5. Greek Influence
The Ancient Temple Architecture
of Kashmir undoubtedly bears Gre
ek influence. This influence is
starkly visible in the use of stone
Pillars , Columns , Trefoil 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 .

6. How Greek?
Kashmir came under the
occupation of the Greek King
MENADER . He was a devotee
of Buddha but afterwards left the
throne and joined the SANGHA
and at last became an ARHANT
. He built a Vihara which came to
be known as
MILINDVIHARA after the name
of its founder

7. This temple is enclosed in a courtyard of columns and
Arches forming covered passage all round it

8. Accordingly Many three faced Vishnu and some Chaturbhuja
Vishnu figures have been prominently carved on the walls
of this Temple

9. The outer dimension of this temple is approximately about 200
feet by 170 feet rising up-to a height of 75 feet

10. The temple has a colonnaded
courtyard, with its primary
shrine in its center and
surrounded by 84 smaller
shrines, stretching to be 220
feet long and 142 feet broad
total and incorporating a
smaller temple that was
previously built. In
accordance with Hindu
temple architecture, the
primary entrance to the
temple is situated in the
western side of the
quadrangle and is the same
width as the temple itself,
creating grandeur. The
entrance is highly reflective of
the temple as a whole due to
its elaborate decoration and
allusion to the deities
worshiped inside.
Sanctum PeristyleEntrance
Portico
Sun Temple Plan

11. The central place of the sacred stupa is taken up by a shrine of the
Shankaracharya type. The form of the trefoil arch abutment that was the
entrance to the Shankaracharya has been added on all the four sides, and
the temple is set on a high square platform.

12. The perfectly symmetrical design of the Sun Temple also reminds
one of the temple of Deogarh. Also the Entrance pylon to the
rectangular courtyard defined by the niches is, in its architectonics, a
replica of the central shrine.
SYMMETRY

13. These columns shows the rhythm in plan as they are repeated.
Rhythm of Plan

14. Focus of Plan

15. Hierarchy of Plan
This shows the
hierarchy by shape.
This shows the
hierarchy by focus.

16. The Linear line passes through the center of Temple
and indicates the linear focal.
Liner-Focal Of Sun Temple

17. Grid Of Sun Temple

18. Elevation of Sun Temple
Human Scale (Anthro)

19. 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.

20. Form Analysis
Solid-
Voids
Parapet
Ceiling
PlinthDoor/Doorway
Windows/perforations

21. Ruins
Unfortunately this 8th
centaury Marvel faced
Demolition during the rule
of Sultan Sikander ( 1394-
1417 AD ) of Kashmir.
The Temple structure would
have been as imposing as
the Pyramids of GIZA
or ACROPOLIS OF
ATHENS had human hands
not joined in its destruction.

22. Thank You