🌺Mutilated but still standing tall, the incredible sculptures of Martand Sun Temple, Anantnag, Kashmir.🌺
The research and related archaeological findings done on the ruins of this magnificent temple dedicated to ‘Surya’, suggest that this temple was a pinnacle of
Kashmiri Temple architecture,which is a skilled blending of the Gandharan, Gupta and Greek styles of architecture.
The style of construction of the temple and the artistry exhibited in its construction was considered as rare among contemporary architecture.
The temple was constructed with a colonnaded courtyard with Greek style pillars, stretching 220 feet long and 142 feet wide, incorporating many smaller shrines.
The main shrine (‘Garbhagriha’) is the centralised structure with a possible pyramidal top, the most
common feature of the temples in Kashmir.
The inner walls of the mandapa which leads to the Garbhagriha (now without main deity Surya - The Sun God) is decorated with smaller sub shrines for other gods, such as Vishnu, and river Goddess Ganga and Yamuna on either side.
Some other defaced deities also adorn the inner mandapa.
Many sculptures on the outer walls and basement are not beyond recognition as they were completely mutilated and eroded due to the course of weather.
