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. 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.
