Union Minister inaugurates 250mm Seer Water supply scheme in Kashmir and visited Martand Sun Temple

What is the News?

The Union Commerce and Industry Minister has inaugurated a 250 mm seer water supply scheme in Kashmir. He also visited the Martand Sun Temple in Kashmir.

About Seer Water Supply Scheme

The scheme aims to benefit around 10000 people in Kashmir and will be completed under the ambit of Jal Jeevan Mission within three months. 

About Martand Sun Temple

Martand Sun Temple also known as Pandou Laidan is a Hindu temple dedicated to Surya (the chief solar deity in Hinduism). The temple is located in Jammu and Kashmir.

Note: Martand is another Sanskrit synonym for Surya.

The temple is one of the earliest known sun temples, much older than Konark and Modhera. The temple was built by the third ruler of the Karkota Dynasty, Lalitaditya Muktapida, in the 8th century CE. 

The temple was built on top of a plateau from where one can view the whole of the Kashmir Valley. 

However, the temple is now in ruins, as it was destroyed by the orders of Muslim ruler Sikandar Shah Miri.

But from the ruins and related archaeological findings, it can be said that the temple was an excellent specimen of Kashmiri architecture, which had blended the Gandharan, Gupta and Chinese forms of architecture.

Moreover, the Archaeological Survey of India has also declared the Martand Sun Temple as a site of national importance in Jammu and Kashmir.

Source: This post is based on the article “Union Minister inaugurates 250mm Seer Water supply scheme in Kashmir” published in PIB on 19th October 2021.

Terms to know:

• Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)