Pandrethan Temple, locally known as "Paani Mandir", is about 5 kms from Srinagar city. The temple is an ancient stone temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu that lies within a square shaped tank to the north of Jhelum River at Srinagar. The ancient temple was built by Meru Vardhana, minister to King Partha who ruled Kashmir from 921-931 AD and is a great example of Kashmiri temple architecture. Pandrethan temple is one of the heritage temples of India that are known for their unique symmetrical designs and geometry involved in construction.
History of Pandrethan
Pandrethan, the ancient capital of Kashmir which was founded by mighty Emperor Ashoka is situated at a distance of 4 miles from Srinagar. The word is derived from the corrupted "Purana" which means old and "Adhisthan" meaning capital. The magnificent stone temple is the major tourist attraction of the place.
Architecture of the Pandrethan Temple
The Pandrethan temple is a piece of excellence and showcase of skilled labour that is involved in building this masterpiece. The roof of the temple was carved out of a single piece of rock and known for its impressive designs and illustrations. The domed roof and arches of the temple are the best examples of classic Kashmiri architecture.
The temple houses a number of deities. Most of the images that are present in temple premises belong to Lord Shiva. Some images are three-headed out of which two symbolize male and the third represents female. The two structures are separated by a colossal Buddhist image. A pillar with figures on four sides is also present in the temple complex. The images of the female deities include Ganga, Chamunda, Vaishnavi, Varahi, and Indrani. Most of these images are multi-armed and are presented in various forms and postures.
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