The Jammu and Kashmir administration will start works to restore the 8th Century temple — Martand Sun Temple — dedicated to the Sun God in Anantnag in South Kashmir. The officials are likely to discuss the installation of the statue of Emperor Lalitaditya Muktapida on the premises of Martand Sun Temple.
Reports suggest that a notification was issued by Neeraj Pandita, Under Secretary to the Government, that outlines a high-level meeting scheduled for April 1 to deliberate on the temple’s preservation and the installation of the statue.
The intention behind restoring the temple is to preserve the cultural and religious heritage of Kashmir. In a symbolic gesture, a ‘Kalash’ from Ayodhya was installed at the Ram Temple on the premises of the Sun Temple before the January 22 consecration ceremony. The ‘Kalash’ was installed by the locals in the presence of devotees from Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The high-level meeting started taking place after J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha visited the Martund Sun temple and offered prayers. He also took part in the ‘Maha Yagya’ organised by Shri Martand Tirath Trust.
History of Martand Sun Temple
The temple, which is protected under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), is believed to be the oldest Sun temple, and was said to be destroyed during the reign of Sikandar Shah Miri during his rule between 1389 and 1413.
It was dedicated to Surya, the chief solar deity in Hinduism; Surya is also known by the Sanskrit-language synonym Martand.
King Lalitaditya Muktapida, belonging to the Karkota dynasty, built the Sun temple in the 8th Century, which symbolises Kashmiri architecture and spirit. In Rajatrangini, historian Kalhana mentions the Lalitaditya’s reign as “a period of prosperity and cultural flourishing in the region”.
Despite the historical significance, the temple was destroyed on the orders of the Muslim ruler, Miri, earning him the title of ‘Sikandar Butshikan’ (idol breaker) from medieval Islamists for his aggression towards non-Muslim temple structures.
Architecture of the Temple
The Martand Sun Temple, located 5,400 feet above sea level, has been built under the patronage of Lalitaditya that incorporates principles of Vastu science to ensure the Sun’s rays illuminate the Sun’s idol throughout the day.
The temple is located on a plateau that gives it a panoramic view of the entire Kashmir Valley. Its grey stone walls, courtyard filled with river water speaks about “the rigidity and strength of the Egyptian temple and something of the grace of Greece”. The temple has Kashmiri style structures, and has a blend of Gandhara, Gupta and Chinese styles, as per the ASI evidence. Greek influence on temple’s architecture is quite apparent.
The temple has 84 smaller shrines surrounding the main one. It stretches 220 feet in length and 142 in breadth. The primary entrance is situated on the western side of the quadrangle in accordance with the ancient Hindu temple architecture.
The temple structure has pillars, columns, symmetrical passageways, ornamental fritters, similar and repetitive patterns of rectangle and triangles, images of Gods carved onto walls, as well as architectural elements, which reflect Greek inspiration. Kashmiri stones have been used in the temple to accommodate the Kashmir’s cold weather.
Several three-faced Vishnu sculptures and some Chaturbhuja Vishnu sculptures have been notably sculpted on the temple’s exterior. A carefully carved figure of Aruna can still be seen in the right panel of the eastern wall of the Ante hall of the Sun Temple. The charioteer devoted to Surya, Aruna, is in charge of his seven horses with whom the God Surya travels around.
Prayers Inside the Temple
In May 2022, more than hundred devotees thronged the temple premises to observe the birth anniversary of Adi Shankaracharya.
According to reports, J&K Lieutenant General Manoj Sinha visited the temple and conducted Navgrah Ashtamangalam Pooja and chanted verses from the Bhagavad Gita and Hanuman Chalisa.
This year too, some members of a religious group tried to hold prayers inside the temple on the same day as the Ram Temple’s consecration ceremony on January 22.
Members of the Rashtriya Anhad Mahayog Peeth tried holding prayers in the nearby Shiv Temple in Mattan, but performed Parikrama (circumambulation) of the temple.
As per the guideline of the ASI and Central government, temples, mosques or sites of any other religion under the protection of the ASI are not open for prayers unless these were functioning places of worship.