Features of Kashmir Temples

Published on 12 Sep 2025

The Kashmiri temple architecture has its unique features suited to local geography and is renowned for its exquisite stone carvings. Due to its location on the important trade routes, the architectural style is inspired by many foreign sources. Temple making reached a great height under the rulers of Karkota dynasty and Utpala dynasty. The main features of Kashmir style of architecture are:

• Trefoil arches (Gandhara influence)

• Example: Martand Sun Temple

• Layout: Cellular layout and enclosed courtyard

• Example: Temples at Awantipora

• Roof: Straight-edged pyramidal roof

• Example: Pandrethan Temple, Kashmir

• Wall: Column walls

• Example: Temples at Awantipora

• Pediments: Triangular pediments (Greek influence)

• Example: Martand Sun Temple

• Steps: Relatively a greater number of steps

• Example: Martand Sun Temple

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
Features of Kashmir Temples temple temple architecture Indian architecture Kashmir Temple Karkota Utpala Martand Sun Temple Awantipora Pandrethan Temple pediments pyramidal roof Trefoil arches

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Art and Architecture