Sun Temple of Multan - A LEGEND OF 5000 YEARS

 
Sun Temple of Multan also known as Aditya Sun Temple was an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Surya also called Aditya. This Sun Temple has been mentioned also by Greek Admiral Skylax, who passed through this area in 515 B.C. The Multan and its temple are also earlier known as Kashya-papura is mentioned by Herodotus.
The original Sun Temple at Multan is said to have been build by Samba, son of Krishna, to get relief from disease of leprosy.
Huen Tsang is said to have visited this temple in 641 AD and had described the deity made of pure gold and eyes of whom were made of large red rubies.The gold, silver and gems were abundantly used in doors, pillars and shikhara of temple. Thousands of Hindus regularly went to Multan to worship Sun God. He is also said to have seen several dancing girls (devadasis) in the temple. He further mentions the deities of Shiva and Buddha were also installed in the temple. Even after conquest of Multan by Umayyad Caliphate in 8th Century AD, under Muhammad bin Qasim, the Sun Temple was left intact, as it was a source of great income.Al-Baruni, who also visited Multan in 10th Century AD has also left glowing description of it. However, the temple is said to have been destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 AD.
Multan is the city where Holika was burnt in a bonfire and Prahlad son of king Hiranyashipu was saved. The festival of Holi involves King Hiranyakashyapu his sister Holika and King Son Prahlad. Prahlad father was angry on him and order him to sit on fire with his aunty Holika who was believed to be immune to the fire. When the fire started people watched in amazement as Holika was burnt to death and Prahlad survived . The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi and the place where she was burnt becomes Prahld Temple of Multan where Sun Temple was next to it. There are only 10 oldest cities in the history of the world and Multan is one of them. It is time to urge Government of Pakistan to restore the Prahld Souram Temple of Multan. Once this City was known as one of the Holiest City on the earth and it is time to give it's cultural heritage back to the city and open it's doors to the world .