page_title: Kashmiri Pandit
section_title: Religious beliefs
hierarchical_section_title: Kashmiri Pandit / Religious beliefs
caption_attribution_description: English: Martand Sun Temple
context_page_description: The Kashmiri Pandits are a group of Kashmiri Hindus and a part of the larger Shaivite Saraswat Brahmin community. They belong to the Pancha Gauda Brahmana groups. from the Kashmir Valley, a mountainous region in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmiri Pandits originally lived in the Kashmir Valley before Muslim influence entered the region after which large numbers converted to Islam. They are the only remaining Kashmiri Hindu community native to Kashmir.
context_section_description: Kashmir has also been a land of Sun worship with shrines such as Martand Sun Temple established by Lalitaditya Muktapida. Sun worship is believed to have been brought into Kashmir by Kushan kings from Iran. Lalitaditya's predecessor, Ranaditya, is said to have built the first sun temple. Wanvun singing is an integral part of Kashmiri Pandit religious ceremonies.
caption: Ruins of Martand temple
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