Solar Temples in India should not straightforward to go to. They had been probably the most magnificent temples as soon as upon a time, however at present they lie in absolute ruins. I’ve seen Konark Solar Temple within the East with lacking Garbhagriha. Then, there’s Modhera Solar Temple within the west situated on the tropic of most cancers in Gujarat, with an empty Garbhagriha.
After an extended wait, I received to go to the one within the North – Martand Solar Temple in Anantnag of Kashmir valley. I hope to see the Multan one which I do know is sort of non-existent, however the place should have skilled the worship of Surya Dev as soon as. From the photographs, I knew that Martand temple is in ruins, however I nonetheless wished to see it. I wished to face there and picture the way it should have been in its hay days, greater than 1000 years in the past.
What’s Martand?
Martand is without doubt one of the names of Solar. It comes from Mrit+Anda, which suggests the lifeless egg. Story goes that Solar was born from a dull egg to Rishi Kashyap and his spouse Aditi. Keep in mind he’s additionally referred to as Aditya as he’s the son of Aditi. Martand can be one of many key Bhairavas, however this temple in Kashmir is devoted to Surya Deva.
On the Mattan Surya temple, which is a working towards temple in Mattan village, priest instructed me that that is the place the Surya was born as son of Kashyap Muni. Keep in mind Kashmir is the tapobhumi of Kashyap Rishi and will get its identify from him. That is the place his progeny started and all of us certainly hint our lineage again to him lastly.
Nilamata Purana that talks extensively concerning the Kashmir area, talks about this area because the Martand Tirtha. Contemporary water springs are part of the Tirtha kshetra right here.
Solar worship should have been prevalent throughout India, however sadly all our outstanding Solar temples are in ruins. Hope ASI takes up and revives not less than the massive ones and makes them working towards temples.
Historical past of Martand Solar Temple
Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty constructed the Martand Solar Temple between 724-760 CE. It’s believed that he had put in a Copper Murti of the Surya Deva referred to as Tamra Swami.
In late 11th CE, Kalasa, a Lohara dynasty king changed it with a golden Murti.
The temple was repeatedly worshiped until late 14th CE when it was desecrated and destroyed by Sikandar Miri.
It’s stated that the huge earthquake of 1554 CE didn’t affect the sacred spots of Martanda, Vijayeshwara and Varaha Kshetra. In my view, this must be studied, from a sacred geography perspective.
Abul Fazal mentions the temple in his Ain-e-Akbari a couple of go to of Akbar to the temple. He says the area is stuffed with Brahmins, with an enormous temple and a spring, the water from which is stuffed with fish.
Structure
Martand Solar Temple is situated on a excessive plateau that offers an excellent view of the valley round. Right now, you need to climb a flight of stairs to succeed in the temple entrance.
Martand Solar Temple is an epitome of Kashmiri Structure similar to Kandariya Mahadev Temple is for Nagar model, Lingaraja Temple is for Kalinga model and Brihdeeshwara Temple is for Dravid model of temple structure.
The temple has an oblong construction general, 220 toes lengthy and 142 toes broad. You enter the temple by a double chambered gateway. Â You see grand courtyard surrounded by a colonnaded hall, that are in ruins. There have been 84 smaller temples surrounding the principle temple. I’m wondering who all they had been devoted to. Quite a lot of stones are scattered throughout. A board tells that that is native Devri stone.
Stepwell
A small stepwell stands proper in entrance of the Jagati or the bottom on which the principle temple stands. Standing at this stepwell, offers an excellent vantage level to see the temple throughout and really feel its grandeur.
Temple has a Garbhagriha, which sadly is empty and other people go to it with their footwear on. It’s related to mandapa vis an Antrala or a vestibule. The mandapa has two Gavaksha or home windows on both aspect. If you stand right here, you get an excellent view of the hall surrounding the temple. The pyramidical Shikhara is absent leaving an open roof.
Sculptures
I may see the sculptures of Ganga, Yamuna, and Vishnu on the partitions. They’re in an eroded state. I assume due to the tough climate that features snowfall in winter months. The open roof leaves no safety by any means for the finely carved sculptures.
As I took Parikrama across the temple, I got here throughout giant sculptures throughout the Jagati or the bottom of the temple. A few of these on the southern wall are intact. You see a Gajapatta or a row of elephants carved on the bottom.
I noticed a reduction of Surya Dev, using a horse, sporting excessive boots and holding two lotuses in his two fingers. He’s accompanied by his attendants Dandi and Pingala. This reduction made me really feel my pilgrimage to this temple was full.
I may spot Krishna enjoying flute in not less than two locations. There are Vishnu photographs. Then there are photographs that may very well be both totally different Adityas or totally different Bhairavas. It was troublesome to guage given their state.
It isn’t attainable to go across the 84 temples on the periphery wall of the temple. All you are able to do is admire their pillars and frames remaining, in native ash gray stone. There are two smaller temples behind the principle temples, and a pair of in its entrance making me suppose whether it is was a Panchayatan temple. I’m nonetheless looking for it out.
Visiting Martand Solar Temple
Martand Solar temple is within the village of Mattan in Anantnag district, very near the Anantnag metropolis of Kashmir valley. It took me just a little greater than an hour to succeed in from Srinagar. On the way in which you ass by Pampore well-known for Saffron with outlets promoting saffron and saffron merchandise lining the street. You then cross by the cricket bat making items, generally an odd Apple orchid.
The temple compound was full of faculty kids who had been right here for picnic. Only some households had been there to go to the temple. As soon as we began deciphering the sculptures, they instructed me that there are comparable temples in Rajouri area as effectively.
Regionally, the temple is named Pandava Lari, as they consider that solely Pandavas may have erected such magnificent buildings. It cannot be human work. I puzzled how a lot we now have degraded in thought and motion from our ancestors that we cannot consider we’re the descendants of those that constructed these.
Surya Temple at Matan
Only a few kms from the traditional Martand Temple is a small working towards temple of Martand, situated proper subsequent to an enormous spring fed pond. The pond is the largest aspect right here.
The Solar temple has a reasonably new Murti of Surya in white marble. He’s seen using his seven horses. One other temple has a Murti with 12 Adityas using a horse. Which one is unique or older is troublesome to say. Because the priest stated, the Sthan or the place is essential. It’s the land of Kashyap and Adityas as his sons.
The temple complicated has temples devoted to Durga Ma, Radha Krishna and Rishi Kashyap Murtis. It’s serene to face subsequent to the pond and see a working towards temple within the valley. I may solely think about the Surya Mantras being chanted right here.
Journey Suggestions
You may go to Matrand Solar Temple from both Srinagar or Anantnag. The street is nice. Its about 70 kms from Srinagar and fewer than 10 from Anantnag.
You may simply spend 2 hours on the temple, strolling round and admiring sculptures.
Since it’s below ASI, I assume it’s open from Dawn to Sundown.
There have been no tickets after I visited, both for guests or for cameras.
There aren’t any vacationer services or tour guides. Learn up earlier than you go.
Carry your personal meals and water.