Anantnag

History at a glance

1. 3rd century BCE — CONTESTED
   Kalhana's Rajatarangini says Ashoka built the city of Srinagar; his son Jaluka, around 220 BCE, built Shaivite temples at Naranag in the Wangath valley.
2. Before the 8th century
   A smaller temple stands on the site, later incorporated into the Martand courtyard.
3. 8th century CE
   Lalitaditya Muktapida, third ruler of the Karkota dynasty, commissions the Martand Sun Temple for Surya. He also builds the Wangath complex at Naranag and founds a capital at Parihasapura.
4. 8th century onward
   The Karkotas build Vishnu shrines, permit Buddhism, and leave stupas, chaityas and viharas in their capital. Kashmir becomes 'a centre of culture and scholarship'.
5. 8th to 15th century
   The temple functions as an important pilgrimage site for over seven hundred years.
6. Early 15th century
   The temple is destroyed under Sultan Sikandar — called Sikandar Shah Miri by Wikipedia and Sikandar Butshikan, the idol-breaker, by two other sources.
7. After the 15th century
   The remains suffer further damage from several earthquakes.
8. Present
   The Archaeological Survey of India has undertaken preservation efforts. Incredible India describes the site as currently abandoned due to deterioration.

Best time to visit