Martand Sun Temple: Kashmir's Ancient Ruins Near Anantnag

Most people visit Kashmir and never make it to Martand. This is a mistake. The Sun Temple at Mattan is the finest stone monument in the valley - 84 columns arranged in a peristyle around a main sanctuary, built in a uniquely Kashmiri architectural style that combines Gandharan Buddhist influence with Hindu iconography, sitting on a ridge above the Lidder Valley with a panorama of the entire southern Kashmir valley. Kashmir Pulse is Via Kashmir's editorial channel - written by locals - and we think Martand is one of the most underrated ancient sites in India.

Who built Martand and when?

Martand was built by Lalitaditya Muktapida, the most powerful king of the Karkota dynasty, who ruled Kashmir from approximately 724 to 760 CE. Lalitaditya was an extraordinary figure - a conqueror whose campaigns reached Central Asia, the Indo-Gangetic plain, and possibly Bengal, who built this temple as the crowning monument of his reign. The temple was dedicated to the sun god Martanda (Surya), and the site was chosen on a high plateau commanding maximum sun exposure throughout the day.

• ✓Construction period: c. 725-756 CE, Karkota dynasty
• ✓Architectural style: Kashmiri, combining Gandharan, Gupta, and regional elements into a distinct synthesis not found elsewhere
• ✓Scale: Central temple 24 m x 21 m; surrounding peristyle colonnade of 84 columns
• ✓Status: ASI-protected monument
• ✓Destruction: Partially destroyed by Sultan Sikandar (1389-1413) during his campaign against non-Muslim monuments; the prang (main sanctuary) remains standing

What can I actually see on a visit?

The surviving structure consists of the central prang (main sanctuary) walls - three storeys of stone still intact, including carved niches with eroded but identifiable divine figures. Surrounding the prang are the bases and lower sections of the 84-column colonnade. Some columns are entirely intact to their full height. The entire complex sits within a rectangular enclosure wall, much of which stands. The ridge setting gives views over the Lidder Valley to the southeast and the main Kashmir Valley to the north.

• ✓The prang: The main sanctuary walls, including carved niches showing eroded images of Hindu deities
• ✓The peristyle colonnade: 84 columns in varying states of preservation; some to full height
• ✓The trefoil niches: A distinctive Kashmiri architectural element - trefoil-arched niches in the colonnade walls
• ✓The enclosure: The surrounding rectangular wall, largely intact
• ✓Dawn and dusk lighting: The long horizontal light of early morning and late afternoon brings the carved detail alive in a way midday sun flattens

Martand Temple vs Awantipora ruins - which is more impressive?

• ✓Martand (65 km, Anantnag): More architecturally ambitious; grander scale; plateau setting with panoramic views; 8th century; a full destination in itself
• ✓Awantipora (29 km, on NH44): Two smaller temple complexes; 9th century; easier to access as a roadside stop; less grand but the stonework quality is comparable
• ✓Recommendation: If you have a full day south Kashmir trip, do both - Awantipora in the morning (easy roadside stop on NH44), then Martand in the afternoon. See the Via Kashmir Awantipora guide for the combined itinerary.
• ✓If only one: Martand. It is the more significant architectural achievement and the setting is extraordinary.

Frequently asked questions about Martand Sun Temple

How do I reach Martand Sun Temple from Srinagar?

Drive 65 km south on NH44 (Srinagar-Jammu highway) to Anantnag, then 7 km east to Mattan village. Total drive time approximately 1.5-2 hours from Srinagar. A private cab from Srinagar including waiting time costs Rs 2,500-3,500 for the full day, which allows you to also visit Awantipora on the way and Verinag spring garden if time allows. Via Kashmir's cab service covers this route.

Is there an entry fee for Martand Temple?

No. Martand Sun Temple is an ASI-protected monument with free entry for all visitors. There is no ticket counter or formal entrance fee. An ASI watchman is usually present. No guided tours are offered on-site; bring your own research or read up on the architecture before visiting.

What is the best time of day to visit Martand?

Dawn is exceptional - the long shadows across the colonnade, the carved niches lit obliquely, and the mist in the Lidder Valley below. The walk up from the road takes about 10 minutes. Arrive before 8 AM in summer (when the site opens) for the best light. Late afternoon (4-6 PM) is the second-best option. Avoid midday - the flat light loses all texture in the stone carving.

Is Martand temple connected to the Mattan spring and fish sanctuary?

Yes. Mattan village at the base of the Martand ridge is famous for its sacred spring and fish sanctuary - a pool of clear spring water where large trout are considered sacred and are hand-fed by visitors. The fish sanctuary is a pleasant stop before or after the temple and is 10 minutes' walk from the temple road. The trout reach remarkable sizes due to decades of protection.

Why is Martand not better known as a tourist destination?

Kashmir tourism is heavily concentrated in the Srinagar-Dal Lake-Gulmarg-Pahalgam circuit. South Kashmir's heritage sites - Martand, Awantipora, Verinag - require a full day and a private vehicle, and tour operators rarely include them in standard packages. This is their advantage: on a weekday morning, you can have one of the finest ancient monuments in India entirely to yourself.

The 84 columns of Martand represent the most ambitious building project in 8th-century India outside of the great temple-building dynasties of the south. Lalitaditya Muktapida was simultaneously constructing military campaigns into Central Asia and this monument at the same time - a king of remarkable energy and ambition.

Kashmir Pulse Editorial

Travel Writer, Via Kashmir

Writing about Kashmir from the inside — hotels, culture, seasonal travel, and the stories that don't make it into guidebooks.