Martand Sun Temple

The Martand Sun Temple is a ruined stone temple complex in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, attributed to the 8th century and associated with the Karkota dynasty ruler Lalitaditya. The temple is an early medieval monumental complex notable for its scale and stone sculptural decoration.

The surviving remains include a raised rectangular platform, portions of colonnaded galleries and sculptural fragments that indicate a multi-tiered, centrally focused shrine plan. Visitors commonly view the elevated plinth, scattered columns and carved stonework that remain on the site.

Historical sources and inscriptions attribute construction to a Karkota-period patron in the 8th century; the complex stood as a major religious building until it fell into ruin in the medieval period. Its current ruined state reflects both deliberate destruction and long-term decay.

The temple sits near the village of Mattan in Anantnag district, on the south Kashmir plain, within the greater Kashmir Valley.

• Location note: Located near the village of Mattan in Anantnag district, about 15-25 kilometres southeast of the city of Srinagar depending on route taken.
• Architectural significance: The ruined temple is an important example of early medieval Kashmiri stone architecture, with surviving colonnades and sculptural fragments.