History of Sugandesha Temple in Pattan town of Kashmir

Sugandesha Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located in Pattan, Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir, and was built during the reign of Shankarvarman (833-900 AD) of the Utpala dynasty

The temple was named after Shankarvarman's wife, Sugandha, and was part of the city Shankarapurapattana, which he founded Sugandha later ruled Kashmir from 904 to 906 AD before being executed by King Partha.

Historian Kalhana, in his work Rajtarangini, documented the history of Kashmir, including the construction of Sugandesha Temple and the relocation of assets from Parihaspora by King Shankarvarman

The temple's architecture reflects influences from Achaemenian Persia, Greece, and the Sakas, and resembles the sun temple at Martand It features intricate carvings and was built with clayey limestone blocks bonded with lime mortar.

Damage to the temple includes a partial collapse in the 10th or 11th century and significant destruction in an 1885 earthquake The Archaeological Survey of India currently protects and maintains the temple.

The temple's construction was left incomplete, with only the lower part and some of the upper structure surviving Various architectural elements, including trefoil niches and ornate carvings, were never finished.

King Sankaravarman's military campaigns and oppressive taxation led to widespread dissatisfaction and his eventual assassination in 902 AD His son Gopalavarman succeeded him, with Sugandha acting as regent.

The decline of Kashmiri temple architecture began after the early 10th century AD due to political instability and the eventual establishment of Muslim rule in 1339 AD, which ended the tradition of temple construction