SUN TEMPLE, MODHERA

MODHERA
• Modhera is situated in Mehsana district, 18
miles south of Patan(old Solanki capital)

• In the past modhera was a port on the bank of

River ‘PUSHPAVATI’

• Tha Golden period of Modhera is ‘SUN

TEMPLE’, grandest achievement of Solankies

• The 4th Solanki ruler BHIMDEV has built the

temple in 1026(11th Century)
 How Did Modhera Came Into
Existence?
• According to the Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana, the areas near
Modhera were known during ancient days as Dharmaranya
• After defeating Ravana, Lord Rama asked sage Vasistha to show him
a place of pilgrimage where he could go and purify himself from the
sin of Brahma-hatya
• Sage Vasistha showed him Dharmaranya, which was near the modern
town of Modhera.
• In the Dharmaranya, he settled at a village Modherak and performed a
yagna
• Thereafter he established a village and named it Sitapur.
• This village is about 8 km from Becharaji Modherak village and it
subsequently came to be known as Modhera.
 SUN TEMPLE
• The Sun Temple was built by Raja Bhimdev of Solanki Dynasty
in AD 1026.
• This was the time when Somnath and the adjoining area was
plundered by Mahmud Ghazni and reeled under the effects of his
invasion.
• The Solankis, however, regained much of their lost power and
splendour.
• Anahilvad Patan, the Solanki capital, was restored to glory.
Royalty and traders jointly contributed to build grand temples.
• Solankis were considered to be Suryavanshis, or descendants of
Sun god
• The temple is partially in ruins after it was also finally destroyed
by the Mahmud of Ghazni.
 Architecture
• The Sun temple is of a unique
architecture of its own kind
• The temple comprises three
separate but axially-aligned and
Surya Kund integrate elements
• Surya Kund, which is an
intricately carved, stepped tank
named after Sun god Surya.
• Sabha Mandap, which is a hall
used for religious gatherings
Sabha Mandapa and conferences.
• Guda Mandap, i.e. sanctum
sanctorum, which once housed
the idol of Sun God.

Guda Mandapa
 Surya Kunda
• This is a massive rectangular stepped
tank. A 100 sq meter rectangular pond
believed to be used to store pure water.
Devotees were required to perform
ceremonial ablutions here before
worshipping the Sun God.
• 108 miniature shrines are carved
inbetween the steps, which are on
western side, inside the tank. 108 is a
number considered to be auspicious by
Hindus.
• Huge ornamental arch called Toran
leads one to Sabha Mandap literally
meaning assembly hall........
• Four main temples at four
corners
• Equally beautiful when full
of water…as well when
empty.
• The sun temple is placed on
the raised plinth called
Terrace.It is also known as
“Kharasila”
• All the 3 compartments are
arranged in one line.
• The temple and Kunda are
arranged in such a way that,
when the sun rises 1st ray
falls on the Shikhara and
when it rises completely, the
front faced of the temple
highlights in the water.
 Guda Mandap
• There is an Idol of Lord SHIVA, Sun
God and Agni Dev( the god of fire).
Only in this temple the idol of Sun God
has 6 hands instead of 2 or 4.
• There is a deep ditch like othere Shiva
Temples.
• This is also called the main temple or
the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.
• It is based on a lotus-base plinth. It is
designed such that the rays of the
rising and setting sun on the day of
equinox, fell on the bejewelled idol
built by the Solanki Rajputs in honour
of their ancestral God.
• It was plundered by Mahmud Gazni.
• There is an octagonal
arrangement of 8 pillars in
Guda mandap which is main
character of Mandaps in
Gujarat
• The pillars are 13 ft high,
octagonal at base and circular
on top.
• They are carved in horizontal
courses.
• The capital supports the
toranas on the top, on which the • The rim of the dome is 17 ft high and
dome is supported. centre is 23 ft high. The dome is made
by
corbelling.
• Outer walls are more richly carved than
inner ones.
• The main temple complex is having 5
windows with single entry. Between
sanctuary and Guda Mandap, there is
doorway for sanctuary, which is
beautifully carved.
• The temple complex is 80 ft long and 50
 Garbhagriha

11 ft

7 ft Section
• There is an idol of Lord SHIVA.
• There is a deep ditch in the Garbhagriha like other Shiva Temples.
• It is 11ft deep from ground floor, 10ft long & 7ft breadth, so there are 2
floors.
• There is a Pradakshina Path around the Garbhagriha which is covered
with Shikhara on top.
 Sabha Mandapa
• Main character of Gujarat Architecture.
• Also known as Nrutya Mandap wher the
dance performances were held.
• This hall of religious gatherings is a
magnificeant pillared hall.
• It is connected to Guda Mandap by
narrow corridor.
• It is square with each side of 50 ft and
places diagonally in front of the main
temple complex.
• It is open from all 4 sides and has 52
intricately carved pillars and 4
entrances with decorated toranas.
• Both inner and outer pillars are richly carved.
• The carvings depict various scenes from the Hindu epics of Ramayan,
Mahabharat and Krishna Lila, Narshihavtar.
• Between the Sabha Mandapa and the Sanctum Sanctorium (Guda
Mandapa) is a beautiful hall with pillars and arches, whose facade has
been renovated and partially redone, and the walls have 12 niches
showing the different aspects of the Sun God in each month.
• The reflection of light on carving gives marvellous effect to viewer.
• Two structures i.e. Sabha mandap and Guda mandap differ from each
other:
1) Sabha mandap – Open hypostyle hall
2) Guda mandap – Enclosed within walls
THANK YOU