Martand and Avantipora: Kashmir's Ancient Stone Temples

Most visitors drive past Avantipora on the way to Pahalgam without a second glance. That is a pity. These grey stone ruins are more than a thousand years old, older than almost anything else you will see in the valley, and they tell a story of Kashmir long before houseboats and Mughal gardens.

Avantipora

• Built: 9th century by King Avantivarman, who founded the town of Avantipura.
• What remains: two temple complexes, Avantiswami (dedicated to Vishnu) and Avantishwara (dedicated to Shiva), with carved columns, gateways and courtyard walls.
• Getting there: right beside the Srinagar–Pahalgam road, about 30 km from Srinagar. Allow 30–45 minutes.

Martand Sun Temple

• Built: 8th century by King Lalitaditya Muktapida of the Karkota dynasty, dedicated to Surya, the sun god.
• Setting: a high plateau near Mattan with views across the valley to the mountains.
• Architecture: a central shrine within a large colonnaded courtyard; even in ruins, its scale is striking.
• Getting there: a short detour from the Pahalgam road via Anantnag. Check access locally before going.

Visiting tips

• Both sites are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India; a small entry fee may apply.
• Go in the morning for soft light on the stone.
• Respect the monuments: do not climb on carvings.
• Combine with Pampore's saffron fields in late October for a culture-rich drive. See our saffron guide.

Why these temples matter

Martand and Avantipora show the skill of Kashmir's early medieval builders: dressed limestone blocks, trefoil arches and colonnaded courtyards that influenced temple architecture across the region. Standing among the columns, it is easy to imagine how grand these complexes once were, long before the Mughal gardens and houseboats that define Kashmir today.