 Modhera is famous for the Sun Temple, which
is one of the finest examples of Indian temple architecture
of its period. Built in 1026AD the temple is dedicated to the
Sun-God, Surya and stands high on a plinth overlooking a deep
stone- steeped tank.
As in the Sun Temple at Konark, this temple was so designed
that the rays of the Sun would fall on the image of Surya at
the time of the equnoxes. Whatever remains of this temple is
grand; the shikharas are notaby absent but the Toranas in the
frontal halls, and the intricate carvings in the exterior speak
of the splendour of this shrine, which still is home to the
Modhera dance festival featuring dance celebrities in performance
in a natural setting. Ruins of the sun temple at Modhera in
Gujarat show a lot of Magha influence. The walls of the temple
have representations of the sun god wearing a peculiar West
Asian belt and boots as in the Sun temple at Gaya. Mention must
also be made of the huge tank in front of the temple with its
multitude of images.
The Structure
Built in 1026 during the reign of King Bhimdev I of the Solankhi
Dynasty, the temple is dedicated to the Sun God. Destroyed by
the Mahmud of Ghazni, the Modhera still retains enough of its
structure to convey the grandeur of its conception. Every inch
of the edifice, both inside and outside, is magnificently carved
with Gods and Goddesses, birds and beasts and flowers. The inner
sanctum, which housed the presiding deity, faces east and was
so designed that the solar equinoxes the first rays of the rising
sun lit up the image of Surya. The Sun Temple at Modhera is
divided into three main sections. The first is the Surya Kund
(Sun tank), a fascinating massive rectangular stepped tank located
in front of the toran that leads one to the temple. Though the
kund now stands dry, it was believed to be full of nirmal jal
(holy water) in the days gone by. Devotees on their way to offer
prayers to the  Sun God stopped here for ceremonial ablutions
and would proceed for worship towards the temple only after
cleansing themselves here. Small, miniature shrines dot the
steps around this kund. There are 108 of them to coincide with
the number considered auspicious by the Hindus. Besides these,
there are four larger shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu (one
of the principle gods in the Hindu pantheon), Ganesh (the God
of knowledge and prosperity and son of Lord Shiva), Natraja
(Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer) and Sitala Mata (the goddess
of the dreaded disease-smallpox). Leading to the temple from
the tank is a huge ornamental gate or toran. From the toran
one reaches the sabha mandap (hall of gathering), which is a
magnificent pillared hall. This hall was meant for religious
gatherings and conferences.
This unique piece of architecture is open on all sides, with
four doorways and 52 spectacular pillars supporting the walnut-shaped
ceiling. Each of these pillars is intricately carved, with every
inch of available space depicting scenes from the Ramayan (a
Hindu epic), the Mahabharat (a Hindu epic) and the Krishna Lila
(the story of Lord Krishna). The architectural plan of this
temple follows the tradition of the time, which was having twin
halls. So, while the sabha mandap was meant for religious congregations,
the main temple or the guda mandap was built to house the sanctum
sanctorum. The guda mandap forms the third section of the Sun
Temple at Modhera and is not attached to the sabha mandap. The
guda mandap is based on a lotus-base plinth. It has friezes
of the Sun God, other gods and goddesses covering its walls.
Besides the depiction of various deities, one can also see on
the walls, various aspects of human life like the cycle of birth
and death and some erotic scenes from the Kama Sutra or the
ancient Indian treatise on love. The sanctum sanctorum, once
housed the magnificent idol of the Sun God. The guda mandap
has been so designed that on solar equinoxes i.e. on March 21
and September 23, the first rays of the rising sun fall directly
on and light up the niche where the idol of the Surya Bhagwan
(Sun God) sits. It is said that the guda mandap had a tunnel,
which could be used by the members of the royal family to flee,
in case of an attack. Though the roof over the Garbhagriha of
this hall has collapsed, the ruined shell gives an idea of the
dimensions of the structure. |
