Modhera Sun temple
The Sun temple of Modhera is one of the few temples in India , which are dedicated to God Surya . It is situated on the bank of river Pushpavati , in Modhera Village of Mehsana district, Gujarat, India.
. From - Google maps
. From Google maps
. From Google maps
. From Google maps
. From Google maps
. From Google maps
No worship is offered now in temple is protected monument maintained by Archaeological Survey of India.
About construction:
The temple is said to be built in 1026- 1027 AD during the reign of Bhima Deva 1 of the Solanki / Chalukya Dynasty.
The temple is suspected to have been built to commemorate the defense of Modhera by Bhima 1 against Mahmud of Ghazni.
There is an upside down inscription on the back wall of the shrine that reads " Vikram Samvat 1083" . This roughly depicts the period 1026- 1027 CE , that's it is referred as year of construction.
About the architecture:
The temple complex is completely made of sandstone and built in Maru - Gurjara style / Solanki style of temple architecture.
The temple complex is divided into three components:
1. Main shrine , which include Garbhgriha and Gudhamandapa
2. Sabhamandapa ( the assembly hall)
3. Kunda ( the reservoir)
Main shrine :
The main shrine is built on a paved platform. The platform is inverted Lotus shaped. The Lotus has significance but Lotus bloom in sunlight.
On top of Lotus petals is panel carved with elephants known as Gaj Petika . And above Gaj Petika , the entire human life cycle is carved right from conceived till the time of death.
The Garbhgriha which used to have the image of Surya god ( now missing) is connected with the Gudhamandapa, which has plain interior and intricately carved exterior and pillars.
The doorway is carved with the images of Surya devta surrounding dancers and armorous couples.
There are many eroctic sculptures carved , though many sculptures are mutilated but still there are many which show their grandeur.
Above garbhagriha was Shikhara, which is know missing.
Sabhamandapa :
The Sabhamandapa is a little detached from the Gudhamandapa , it is believed that it was built a little later than the Gudhamandapa.
The Sabhamandapa or known as the assembly hall, was used for assemblage of people and for dancing performances.
It is built on 52 pillars, which are said to represent the 52 weeks of the years.
The pillars are very beautiful carved with sculptures from Ramayana , Mahabharata etc.
The upper portion of the Sabhamandapa is in an arch shaped and it is also very beautifully carved.
Ahead of Sabhamandapa is torana ( which in earlier time were built to commemorate the win of the king in a war) . Now the roof of torana is missing and only the two pillars are standing , ahead of which is the Kunda.
Kunda :
It believed the Kunda was built first , then Gudhamandapa and then Sabhamandapa was built .
The Kunda is also known as Surya kunda an d Rama kunda .
There are entrance steps from east which lead to the reservoir.
The reservoir has pyramidal steps to reach the bottom and numerous small shrines.
There were almost 108 small and large shrines.
Some facts about the architecture:
1. It located near the tropic of cancer in Gujarat.
2. The sanctum sanctorum is designed in a way that the 1st rays of rising sun lit up the image of Surya during Solar equinox days.
3. On Summer solstice day, the sun rays went through the Sabhamandapa and fall on the grabhagriha , which casts no shadow.
4. It is said that the image of God Surya , was made of gold and engraved with diamonds and Surya dev sat on a Chariot but now it is missing.
5. No plaster is used in temple to join the sandstone joints .
The architecture of the temple represents of the scientific knowledge of the people of that time about the Sun and vastness of the structure and sculptures represent their architectural and engineering knowledge and grandeur.
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