PANDRETHAN TEMPLE
Constructed in the 10th century AD, the Pandrethan Temple is a Vimana type, open on all four sides, comprising a single square chamber. It marks the beginning of an era of architecture that later developed in the Valley. The temple is situated in a natural spring. The plinth of the temple remains submerged for the greater part of the year. Over the plinth of the temple strings a course of elephants, which in turn support the wall of the sanctum. The high-pitched pyramidal roof is divided into two storeys by an ornamental band. The rigidness of the structure is relieved by placing trefoiled ventilations in the middle of all four sides which resemble the Chaitya windows of the Gandhara belt. On the lintel of the entrance, is the seated figure of Lakulisha – a form of Shiva, supposed to be the originator of the Pashupata Sect. The carved figure of Lakulisha confirms the dedication of the temple to Shiva. The interior of the cell is plain except for the ceiling which depicts masterly carving. It consists of nine stones arranged in three overlapping courses, each of which cuts the angles of the squares below, reducing the extent of space to be covered.
The entire complex is thus carved into twelve triangles which are exquisitely adorned with flying Yakshas and Gandharvas or Vidyadhanas holding garlands, discs and lotus stalks in their hands. The figures in the middle course are shown with floating drapery which has added lustre to the workmanship. The remarkable artistic perception is displayed on the topmost square slab representing a full-blown lotus with twelve petals enclosed by a beaded circle. The Shiva Linga enshrined in the temple is a recent installation. The present village of Pandrethan (original Sanskrit word Puranadhisthan) The Shiva Linga enshrined in the temple is a recent installation. The Shiva Linga enshrined in the temple is a recent installation. The present village of Pandrethan (original Sanskrit word Puranadhisthan) was the site where King Ashoka laid down the city of Shrinagari, which remained the capital of ancient Kashmir till the end sixth century A.D. when the capital was shifted further down to the area known as ‘Pravarasenapura’, modern Srinagar.
