2. Sun Temple, Modhera
at Gujrat
The Sun Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to
the solar deity Surya located at Modhera village
of Mehsana district, Gujarat, India.
The Sun Temple was built during the reign of
Bhima I of Chaulukya dynasty.Earlier, during
1024-25, Mahmud of Ghazni had invaded Bhima's
kingdom, Historian A. K. Majumdar theorizes that
the Sun Temple might have been built to
commemorate this defense.
3. SITE:
The temple is situated at Becharaji
Rd, Highway, Modhera, Gujarat.
It is situated on the bank of the
river Pushpavati.
4. ARCHITECTURE
The temple complex is built in Māru-Gurjara style
(Chaulukya style). The temple complex has three axially
aligned components; the shrine proper (garbhagriha) in a
hall (gudhamandapa), the outer or assembly hall
(sabhamandapa or rangamandapa) and a sacred
reservoir (kunda).
The Gudhamandapa measures 51 feet 9 inches by 25 feet
8 inches. It is almost equally divided into Gudhamandapa,
the hall and Garbhgriha, the shrine proper. Both
are rectangular in plan with one projection on each of the
smaller sides and two projections on each of the longer
sides.
The Garbhagriha, the shrine proper
or sanctum sanctorum is square measuring 11 feet from
inside.
5. The shrine had two cells; a cell below
the level of the upper cell. The floor
of the upper cell is now fallen
which once housed the image of a
deity. The seat of the image is now in
a pit. The lower cell was probably
used for storage.
A massive rectanguar stepped tank,
for ablutions, comprising a sheet of
water contained within a rectanguar
arrangment of platforms and
terraced interspaces with shrines of
various sizes and shapes.
On it's western side, a wide flight of
steps lead to torana.
The temple is resolved into two
separate structures connected by
a narrow passage.
Plan
Section
6. q Although the two structures comprising the temple, differ from each other, as
one of them is the form of an open hypostyle hall and other is enclosed within
walls, by the skill full adjustment of their mouldings, string courses and horizontal
elements. The composition is well harmonized to create a sense of wholeness.
7. SURYA KUNDA
Kunda, a tank or reservoir is known as Ramakunda or Suryakunda. The flight of steps
through kirti-torana leads to the reservoir. It is rectangular, measures 176 X 120 feet. It is
paved with stones all around. There are four terraces and recessed steps to descend to
reach the bottom of the tank. The main entrance lies on west.
8. DETAILINGS:
The front Mandapa contains 8 columns around a central octagonal nave,
above which is highly ornamented ceiling. The walls inside the shrine are
plain and the outer wall is decorated. The doorway has carved figures of
seated Surya in panels surrounded by dancers and amorous couples.
9. The torona I.e., the ceiling's
best feature is it’s
magnificently carved pillars
carrying Torana arches in
alternate triangular and semi-
circular designs.There are 52
pillars denoting the 52 weeks
of a solar year. The heavily
carved pillars have scenes
from Ramayana,
Mahabharata & Krishna
Leela. It is 23 feet
High.
