MODHERA TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE SUN TEMPLE - GUJARAT [ NAGARA STYLE ARCHITECTURE]

 MODHERA TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

 SUN TEMPLE - GUJARAT [ NAGARA STYLE ARCHITECTURE]

In India, there are two notable Sun temples. One is Konark, which is located on the east coast of Odisha. The other is in Modhera, Gujarat, in western India. King Bhimdev, a Solanki king who reigned from Patan, built the Sun Temple in Modhera in 1026 CE. The Suryavanshi dynasty is represented by the Solankis. Sun's descendants, and so a shrine dedicated to the Sun. This temple is similar to Chola and Chandela temples in the south and north, respectively. This was the pinnacle of Indian temple construction, with numerous examples of the finest sculpted architecture scattered around the country.

• The Sun Temple is divided into three sections. The main temple, which includes a Garbhagriha and the Guda Mandapa mandapa, as well as a detached Sabhamandapa and a tiered water reservoir. It appears captivating when the temple reflects in the tank's waters. 
• The Sun, the Sun's presiding deity, aids in the enhancement of beauty during its magical hours in the morning and evening. 
• The river Pushpavati flows just beyond the temple. On the side of the temple, you may observe some Keerti Torans. There is no idol in the temple, hence it is not a functioning temple.
• The temple was constructed employing a locking system, which is supposed to be earthquake resistant. The structure would vibrate but not fall, as it would in an earthquake. It also lies on the tropic of cancer, which runs through India

Surya Kund

 

• Surya Kund, or water tank, is a stepwell on the eastern edge of Modhera's Sun temple complex, facing the Sabha Mandap. It features pyramid-shaped steps that generate some interesting geometric designs. 
• The presence of large and little temples on the tank's steps, however, distinguishes it from other comparable temple tanks. Vishnu is worshipped on Shesh Shaiya, the step directly opposite the shrine. Ganesha and Shiva as Nataraja have temples devoted to them. 
• Shitlamata - the goddess of Chicken Pox, who rides a donkey and carries a broom in one hand and Neem leaves in the other — has a temple devoted to her.

Surya Kund's stairs are said to be a stylized mirror copy of the Shikhara, which unfortunately no longer exists. It symbolised the coming together of fire and water.This tank's waters are still home to turtles. Because of the Rama legend associated with the location, this tank is also known as Ramakund.

Sabhamandapa

Sabhamandapa

• The Sabhamandapa is a diagonally formed octagonal hall with a magnificent toran that welcomes you. 
• Its most striking feature is a pair of finely carved pillars that support Torana arches in alternate triangular and semi-circular shapes. 
• According to the literature, there are 52 pillars that represent the 52 weeks of a solar year. Scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Krishna Leela are etched onto the pillars.

This hall was used for public functions – religious or otherwise like councils, performances or public meetings.

Main Temple

Ariel view of temple

On the days of the equinoxes, i.e. March 21st and September 21st, the first rays of the sun fall on the idol of Sun at Garbhagriha. Isn't this also an engineering marvel? The main sun temple is set on an inverted lotus-shaped platform. Remember that a lotus flower responds to the sun's rays and lives only as long as the sun's rays are present. A panel carved with elephants called Gaj-Petika sits atop the lotus petals. Above this, the full life cycle of a human being is engraved, beginning with the act of intercourse and ending with final rites Other erotic figures can also be found on the façade, as was customary in temples of the time.

plundering

The primary idol was supposed to be crafted of pure gold and showed the sun riding a chariot drawn by seven horses, with his Sarathi Arun steering the chariot. The statue was placed on a large platform, which was once again brimming with gold coins. All that remains today in Garbhagriha is a deep trench that narrates the story of pillage. The diamonds on the idol are claimed to be able to light up the entire temple. All of this is based on anecdotal evidence, and no one knows where the idol is. Some claim that when the temples were attacked, some Brahmin households took the idols with them and hid them.

 According to the Skanda Purana and the Brahma Purana, when Ram returned from Sri Lanka after slaying Ravana, he wished to atone for his guilt of killing a Brahmin - remember, Ravana was a Brahmin. He begged Vashishth Muni to show him a location where he might do the same, and the sage directed him to Dharmaranya, or the Dharma Forest. Here, Rama did his Yagna and founded the hamlet of Sitapur. Sitapur is the village that eventually became known as Modhera, which literally translates to "mound of the dead," indicating that this location has experienced multiple stages of civilisation.

Another tradition claims that Rama's Yagna was performed here by the Modh community of Brahmins.

 The Sun Temple in Modhera is one of the few ASI-maintained archaeological monuments in the country. 

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