Naranag is the modern name of ancient Sodaratirtha, which has been, since very early times, an important place of pilgrimage in Kashmir. The site probably owes its sanctity to the existence of a large spring, near which groups of temples have been built. At Naranag there are two groups of temples situated on the right bank of the river Krishna Ganga, Kanak Vahini of Rajatarangini, about 6km from the village, Wangath. Both the groups of temples are separated by about 200 m open area and a square pillared platform. In ancient times, the locality of Naranag temples was known by the name ‘Rajadainbal’.
The first group of temples at Naranag consists of eight temples including the large one which is enclosed by an enclosure wall measuring 53.65m long and 39.60m wide. In the group a stone trough measuring 2.90 x 2.00 x 1.0m is also placed on the southwest corner of the complex. The traces of the feeding channel to the tank were also noticed in the uphills.
The lower group or the second group consists of twelve temples including the biggest one. In the group, is it believed that temple no. 3 is the earliest construction commissioned during the Gonandiya dynasty. Facing southwest, the temple is built on a smaller plinth measuring 6.40 x 6.40 on a levelled ground. On plan it is square.
The sanctum of the temple measures 2.60 x 2.60 m and has a semi-circular arched entranceway. The entire superstructure has disappeared except for the entrance wall on the southwestern side. The entrance opening measures 0.90 m and is made in simple mouldings. There are no traces of the trefoil arch and perhaps up to this time the concept of the trefoil arch had not taken any firm root. It is built of smaller stone blocks of granite and marks the beginning of temple activity in the Kashmir valley1.
1 R.C Agrawal, Kashmir and its Monumental Glory (New Delhi: Aryan Books International, 1998), 105-106.