Martand Temple, Guru Nanak's visit with Pandit Brahm Das

Guru Nanak in the Kashmir valley

During the historical visit of Guru Nanak in the Kashmir valley, Guru Sahib stayed at the village of Mattan near Anantnag (meaning infinite natural springs) and had a discourse with Pandit Brahm Das at Martand Temple.

Gurudwara Mattan (Srinagar) is near the Martand Temple.

Martand Temple

This temple is situated in the village of Mattan. Also called the Sun Temple.It is the only Sun Temple in Kashmir Valley. It has become a tourist site. The temple was constructed of neatly dressed ashlar slabs of Devari lime stone arranged in horizontal courses with fine joints. Iron dowels were used in binding the stone slabs.

Presently in a ruined condition, it has been preserved as a monument of national importance under the 'Archaeological Monuments, Sites and Remains Act of 1958' and is maintained by the Archaelogical survey of India.

The other Sun Temples in India are

1. The Konark Sun Temple in Orissa.

2. The Katarmal Sun Temple in Katarmal.

3. The Almora Sun Temple in Uttarakhand.

4. The Modhera Sun Temple In Gujrat

Legend

According to local legend, Surya, the Sun God of Hindu Mythology was born of Aditi from a lifeless egg called Martand. Aditi was the wife of Kashyap, the saint from whom Kashmir probably takes its name. Surya was her 13th child, the spring of Mattan is attributed to this legend. Lord Vishnu Surya has been worshipped in his Martand manisfestation. The word Mattan seems to have transformed of Martand in local language with the passage of time.

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