Re-building the temples of Kashmir: Five important historic and religious sites that lie in ruins

 Re-building the temples of Kashmir: Five important historic and religious sites that lie in ruins

Key Highlights: 

• Indian Govt has stressed the belief that there were around 50,000 temples that were closed, required restoration or were destroyed entirely in the Valley

• The Martand temple or Sun temple was built in the 8th Century CE by Lalitaditya Muktapida, the 3rd ruler in the Karkota Dynasty

• The Shankaragaurishvara temple was built in dedication to Lord Shiva, and is located at Patan, close to Baramulla

• The two Avantipora temples are located at the small but historic town of Avantipora lies approximately 30km from the state’s capital

• Located just 6km from the city of Srinagar, the Pandrethan temple is a testament to Kashmiri architectural mastery.

Figures released by the J&K government in 2012 show that approximately half of all temples in the Valley had been damaged over the last two decades, with those at Srinagar and Anantnag having suffered the greatest acts of vandalism and destruction. 

Here we look at five historic temples in dire need of repairs:

Martand Mandir

The Martand temple or Sun temple was built in the 8th Century CE by Lalitaditya Muktapida, the 3rd ruler in the Karkota Dynasty. The temple, located in Anantnag, was dedicated to Surya Bhagwan. Although in ruins, the temple, with its huge arches and intricate drawings, is still an impressive and imposing structure, with several communities pleading for its full restoration. It is also believed that the huge edifice at the centre of the temple grounds was built such that sunlight would drench the idol of Surya throughout the day. Most of the temple’s structures were destroyed by Sikandar Butshikan, the Islamic ruler in the 15th century. It is currently overseen and managed by the Department of Archaeology. 

Shankaragaurishvara Temple

The Shankaragaurishvara temple was built in dedication to Lord Shiva and is located at Patan, close to Baramulla. It is believed that the temple was built by Shankaravarman, a monarch from the Utpala Dynasty, during his rule between 883-902 CE. Despite lying in a dilapidated condition, it is still considered one of the most prominent sites of religious tourism in Kashmir. The temple integrates intricately sculpted carving across its interior walls that appear to be quite fresh leading some to speculate that they were made as recently as the 9th century.

Avantiswami and Avantisavara TemplesTe two Avantipora temples are located in the small but historic town of Avantipora, approximately 30km from the state’s capital, Srinagar. The town of Avantipora was founded by another member of the Utpala dynasty, Avantivarman, who ruled between 855 and 883 CE. Avantivarman built two magnificent temples at the site, the first dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the other to Lord Vishnu. The temples were sites of great conflict and destruction as the town constantly contended with the threat of invasion. However, it is believed that an earthquake caused the temples to finally be reduced to the ruins we see today. The two temples are now under the care of the Department of Archaeology, with the Avantiswami temple the better preserved. 

The Pandrethan Temple

Located just 6km from the city of Srinagar, the Pandrethan temple is a testament to Kashmiri architectural mastery. The temple’s domed roof is carved from a single rock, and its walls and ceilings are adorned with impressive designs and drawings. The temple is also known as Meru Vardhana Swami, named after its constructor Meru, a minister in the court of King Partha. It is believed to have been built during Partha’s rule between 921 and 931 AD, in dedication to Lord Vishnu. The entire capital of Pandrethan is believed to have been the site of a catastrophic fire, with only the temple ruins standing as a reminder of King Partha’s legacy.