Introduction of Modhera Temple
There were numerous temples dedicated to the god Sun in ancient India. Like Konarak temple in Orissa, Martand temple in Kashmir are some of the marvelous structures that give glimpses into the culture, and religion that one practiced at that time
The Sun Modhera Temple, located in the Mehsana district of Gujarat on the bank of the Pushpawati River, is a beautiful monument that has intricately carved exteriors and pillars.
It was built in 1026–27 CE under the reign of Solanki and the Chalukya dynasty of Bhima 1. The Solankis believe that they were the ancestors of Suryavanshis or the descendants of the Sun god. To honor their dynastic deity, they constructed one of the finest temple architectures of medieval India.
Credit: Wikiwand
Layout
The temple complex comprises three aligned axial components named – Garbhgriha( Main shrine), Gudhamandapa(hall), and Sabhamandapa(outer hall).
The Gudhamandapa and Sabhamandapa are separate structures built on the platform of an inverted lotus. The roofs of both mandaps collapsed long ago, leaving only ruins.
Gudhamandapa– The hall and garbhgriha make up the Gudhamandapa. Both are rectangular in shape. the smaller projections from the entrance and back of the shrine. and the remaining long projections form the long sides. The three projections have windows and shadows. The Pradakshina path forms a passage between the walls of the Garbhagriha and Gurumandapa.
Garbhgriha– 11 square feet in size, and it’s the main place where the idols of the main deity were placed on the upper cell. But unfortunately, it was completely destroyed, and the lower cell was used for such storage. Garbhgriha is designed in such a way that when the sun rises on the equinox or solstice days, its rays fall directly above the temple, casting no It shows the complex geometry knowledge of the artisan in architecture.
Gudhamandapa—The elephants known as Gaj Petika are carved into the walls. Above this, the entire human life narrated, from childhood to death, told us the different facets of life. Different images of Surya Devta with armed men holding lotuses and being driven by horses show different manifestations of the sun.
Sabhamandapa: As the name suggests, it was a meeting place with intricately carved structures on the roof and walls. It was most commonly used for public gatherings and functions.
52 pillars in the mandapa signify the 52 weeks of a year. The stories of Krishna, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata are told through various and intricate sculptures. It is mentioned in Hindu texts such as the Bhrama Purana and the Skanda Purana. when Lord Ram returned from Sri Lanka after killing Ravana. He wanted to do penance for killing Ravana because Ravana was a Brahmin. So, to do the uninitiated, guru Guru Vashishtha advised him to perform a yagna.. He then established a village named Sitapura, later known as Modhera.
Suryakunda– A rectangular tank or reservoir is a stepwell on the eastern edge facing SabhaMandpa. The steps, which measured 176 feet north to south and 120 feet east to west, once housed a total of 108 temples. Images of Vaishnavite deities and goddesses, including Shitala, can be found in the remaining temples.
Invasion
It is believed that Temple was rich in diamonds and gold. The idol of Suryadevta inside the Garbhgriha could light up the whole sanctum with its diamond. But now you can see only a pit inside the Garbhgriha. In the medieval period, many Muslim invaders attacked the temple. Mahmud of Ghazni plundered the temple in 1025, defeating the defense of King Bhimdeva. After the temple was rebuilt, it was attacked by Alauddin Khilji. There are many local legends that tell an interesting story about the invasion. When the Muslim invasion came, the brahmin families had hidden the idols.
It’s also believed that there is an underground path that leads from the temple to Patan, the capital city of the Solankis. All of this is hearsay, and not much can be said about it.
How to reach Modhera temple
Airport: Ahmedabad, the nearest airport, is 102 kilometers away.
Train: Modhera is 16 kilometers from the nearest railway station, Becharaji.
Road: There are regular buses from Ahmedabad and Mehsana.
Price
| Indians | Rs15 |
| Foreign | Rs 200 |
Guide facility can be avail at the cost of Rs 300
Timings
Temple is open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm