Multan Sun Temple
| Sun Temple of Multan | |
|---|---|
 Sun Temple of Multan
Location within Pakistan
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| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 30°11′52″N 71°28′11″E / 30.19778°N 71.46972°ECoordinates: 30°11′52″N 71°28′11″E / 30.19778°N 71.46972°E |
| Location |
Pakistan 
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| Culture | |
| Primary deity | Surya |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Hindu temple |
The Sun Temple of Multan, also known as the Aditya Sun Temple, was an ancient temple that was the base of a solar-cult dedicated to the Hindu Sun God Surya (also known as Aditya), that is located in the city of Multan, modern day Pakistan. While dedicated to a Hindu deity, the solar-cult was derived from Iranian worship of Mithra.
The temple was highly revered, and drew pilgrims from throughout the region even during the first centuries of Islamic rule. The temple's famous Aditya idol was destroyed in the late 10th century CE by Multan's new dynasty of Ismaili rulers.
The temple was noted by the medieval Arab geographer Al-Muqaddasi to have been located in the most populous part of Multan, between the city's ivory and coppersmith bazaars.
Ancient Multan was the centre of a solar-worshipping cult that was based at the ancient Multan Sun Temple. While the cult was dedicated to the Hindu Sun God Surya, the cult was ultimately foreign in origin, and derived from worship of the Persian Zoroastrian worship of Mithra, who is frequently associated with sun. Some of the temple's appeal was derived from the belief that the temple's Aditya idol could cure maladies.
The original Sun Temple at Multan is said to have been built by Samba, son of Krishna, to gain relief from the symptoms of his leprosy. The Sun Temple is also mentioned by Greek Admiral Skylax, who passed through the area in 515 BC. Multan, earlier known as Kashyapapura, and its temple are also mentioned by Herodotus.
Hsuen Tsang is said to have visited the temple in 641 AD, by which time the Multan Sun Temple was the most important sun temple in ancient India. Hsuen Tsang described an idol of the Sun God made of pure gold with eyes made from large red rubies. Gold, silver and gems were abundantly used in its doors, pillars and shikhara. Thousands of Hindus regularly went to Multan to worship the Sun God. Hsuen Tsang is also said to have seen several devadasis ("dancing girls") in the temple. Travelers like Hsuen Tsang, Istakhari and others, mentioned other idols in their travelogue, saying that the idols of Shiva and Buddha were also installed in the temple.
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