Engrossing ornate Sun temple of Modehra, Gujarat

Sun temple, Modhera, Gujarat. gujarattourism.com

The Hindu Temples of great antiquity have always been been an integral part of the cultural heritage native to that region. Across India there are hundreds of temples of historical value built in various centuries in the past. Such temples showcase the innate skill , talents and workmanship of the sculptors, artisans and masons of by-gone era who were good at giving proper shape to the structures they visualized in their mind. No doubt their amazing works of art are permanently frozen in stone leaving an indelible mark on their capability in stone work and engineering.

11th Century.,Sun temple, Modhera, Gujaratmediaindia.eu

The Modhera Sun Temple of Gujarat constructed by King Bhima I of the Chalukya dynasty in the early 11th century is a richly ornamental temple. You may rightly call it a sermon in stone. Located in Modhera village of Mehsana district on the bank of River Pushpavati, this temple was built to honor the Sun God.

Location map. Modhera, Gujarat. gujaratheadline.com

The following are several interesting facts:

01. The east-facing Surya or Sun Temple at Modhera is the oldest one in Gujarat -having been built in 1026 CE, as per the inscription found at the site.

02. This Hindu temple dedicated to the sun God Surya is not a functional one like the Sun Temple in Konark. No pujas or any other rituals are held here. However, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. It is under the ASI.

03. The temple complex built in the Maha-Gurjara style, has three divisions – Gudha Mandapa (sanctum and the shrine hall), Sabha Mandapa (the assembly hall) and Kunda (the reservoir), each is inter connected.

04. Step-well / tank called Surya kund or Rama kund has a rectangular plan and has 108 miniature shrines at different levels. They have small images of dancing women in different mudras. Access to them is through geometrically constructed stairways all around the tank and they exhibit a definite and fascinating pattern visible from any direction.

05. Three major shrines found in the kund on the three sides are dedicated to Gods Ganesha, Vishnu and Shiva. Shiva in tandava (dancing posture) is facing the main temple.

06. Access to the hall called Ranga mandapa or Sabha mandapa from the kund is through the remains of an ornamentally pillared gateway - Kirti Torna.

Suntemple, Modehra, Gujarat. outlookindia.com

Above image: The entrance to mantap - hall of the Sun Temple at Modhera. At dawn during the equinoxes the rays of the sun shine on the idol of the sun god Surya....

07. The carved pillars in the Sabha mantap are richly ornamental and on them are found twelve representations of Sun God symbolic of twelve months. Adityas (12 in umber) are the sons of ‘Aditi’, the goddess of Infinity that is constant within the universe.

08. Gudha mandapa, has three parts—the assembly hall, the vestibule and the sanctum garbhagriha. On certain days the sun rays fall on the Surya idol and light up the inner part of the sanctum. The ornamented towering ceiling with spirals is missing now.

09. Ancient scriptures like Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana made references to Modhera Sun temple.

10. he old texts also refer to Modhera and its surrounding areas as Dharmaranya or the forest of righteousness.

11. The temple architecture is well planned and executed taking into account the astronomical aspects. It is so conceived that during every equinox, the first ray of the rising sun would fall on a diamond placed on the head of the Sun God. This would light up the sanctum /garbagriha with a golden glow.

12. The richly ornamented Sabha Mandap is being supported by 52 ornate pillars, symbolizing 52 weeks in a year. Besides, episodes of epics and legends carved on the pillars enhance the grace of this temple and its divinity.

13. The importance of Pancha bootha - five natural elements that are essential for humans to survive is emphasized in this temple. The exquisite carvings of the sun on the walls suggest its unity with other important elements - air, water, earth and space without which sustenance of life is difficult.

14. In order to promote tourism and to showcase the artistic talents of sculptors of past period, the Gujarat Tourism conducts a three-day dance festival every year, known as the Uttarardha Mahotsav, at the temple every January after Makar Sankranti / Pongal festival.

15. Though Konark temple , Odisha and Modhera temple, Gujarat dedicated to Vedic god Surya fall more or less in the time- frame, at two different geographical locations of India, one on the west coast and the other on the east coast, the latter is a bit lesser known. Part of the reason is the presence of numerous amazingly ornamental step-wells with many tiers and ornate mantaps - halls inside. These ornamental step wells in Gujarat are quite popular and the Modhera Sun temple does not get the needed attention it is worthy of. At Modhera the richly carved Pillars recount the episodes from the ancient epics of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

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Modhera Sun Temple. Image Gallary: