The Martand Sun Temple is a Hindu temple located near the city of Anantnag in the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir. It dates back to the eighth century AD and was dedicated to Surya, the chief solar deity in Hinduism. Best Book for Current Affairs & General Knowledge Preparation
It was destroyed by Sikandar Shah Miri in the 14th century.
It was an excellent specimen of Kashmiri architecture, which had blended the Gandharan, Gupta and Chinese forms of architecture.
It was once a thriving place of worship, commissioned by Lalitaditya Muktapida.
Lalitaditya was the fifth and the most powerful ruler of the Karkota dynasty of Kashmir. Karkota dynasty was founded by king Durlabhvardana in 625 CE.
The 12th-century chronicler Kalhana characterizes Lalitaditya as a world conqueror in his ‘Rajtarangini’. He built the largest empire after Ashoka
The Archaeological Survey of India has declared the Martand Sun Temple as a site of national importance in Jammu and Kashmir.
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