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SUN TEMPLE MODHERA

GROUP MEMBERS
-Abhishek
-Nimmi
-Priyanka Ahuja
-Roopanshi Goel
-Siddhant Shrivastav
-Sparsh Jha
-Tushar Tanwar
INTRODUCTION
Location : On the banks of Pushpavati river,
Modhera, Gujarat
Built by : King Bhimdev of Solanki dynasty
Built in : 1026AD
Dedicated to: Lord Surya/ Sun God
Attraction : Marvelous carvings related to
Ramayana & Mahabharata
Significance: One of the few Sun temples across
the country

This ancient temple revives the reminiscences of Sun Temple at Konark in


Orissa. The surrounding area of Modhera used to be known as Dharmaranya (forest of
righteousness) and the place was blessed by Lord Rama. The Sun Temple of Modhera is
dedicated to Hindu God Surya. This temple is designed as first ray of the sun fell on
the image of sun. Modhera's sun Temple's architecture is similar to the Konark Sun Temple.
It is a classic example of the material aspect of Solanki architecture, namely a
mastery over the elegantly intricate carving of stone and the judicious use of lime mortar.
The design element of the temple follows the tenets of Vastu - Shilpa. The kund and the
entrance passageway face east in an aura of welcome to the tantalizing rays of the sun, and
the entire structure floats on a plinth resembling a flowering lotus as an ablution to the sun
god. The design specs of the steps are a stylized mirror image of the temple ‘shikhar’, thus
symbolically linking fire and water, dream and reality.
ARCHITECTURE OF THE TEMPLE

• The brilliant architecture of the temple is one of


its own class.
• The temple encompasses three different yet
axially-aligned and integrated constituents. The
main temple with a Garbhagriha and a mandapa
called Guda Mandapa, a detached
Sabhamandapa, and a stepped water tank.
• As per the Konark Temple, this shrine is
designed in a manner, so that the first rays of the
Sun cast on the image of the Lord Surya.
• The Temple was plundered by Mahmud Ghazni;
still the architectural grandeur is not vanished.
No matter what is left, yet the remnants provide
a great enchantment to be hold.
• The temple is built using the locking system that
is said to be an earthquake resistant method.
• It is erected on a high platform, the Temple appears majestic with its grand structure.
• The spires are out of the scene, but the 'Toranas' (Archways) that lead to the main halls
overshadow the absence of spires or shikharas.
• The exterior walls are engraved with intricate carvings, boasting about the mastery of art in
those times.
• Every single inch of the structure is covered with the sculptural patterns of Gods, Goddesses,
birds, beasts and flowers.
• The temple is built using the locking system that is said to be an earthquake resistant method.
As in the case of an earthquake; the structure would shake but not fall.

PLAN

The Sun Temple complex is divided into three main sections.


1. Surya Kund, which is an intricately carved, stepped tank named after Sun God Surya
2. Sabha Mandap, which is a hall used for religious gatherings and conferences.
3. Gudha Mandap, i.e. sanctum sanctorum, which once housed the idol of Sun God.
SURYA KUND
• The stepwell is on the eastern edge of Sun
temple complex facing the Sabha Mandapa.
• It has pyramid shaped steps forming some
intriguing geometric patterns.
• 108 miniature shrines are carved in between
the steps, which is an auspicious number in
hindu.
• The flight of steps through kirti-torana leads
to the Sabha Mandapa. It measures 176 feet
• There are four terraces and recessed steps to from north to south and 120 feet from east to
descend to reach the bottom of the tank. west. It is paved with stones all around.
• These steps are rectangular or square except the
first step of each flight of steps which is
semicircular.
• The steps of Surya Kund are stylized mirror image
of the Shikhara that unfortunately no longer exists.
• Turtles still live in the waters of this tank. This tank
is also called Ramakund for the legend of Rama
associated with the place.
SABHA MANDAPA
• Sabhamandapa or Rangamandapa, the
assembly hall is parallelogram in plan with
rows of pillars opening entrance on each side
diagonally.
• The extensively carved exterior has series of
recessed corners giving impression of the star
like plan of it.
• There are 52 intricately carved pillars
representing 52 weeks of the year.
• At the centre of the hall is the walnut shaped
ceiling, with its numerous folds of floral
girdles, upheld by two aisles of pillars
arranged on diagonals of the square plan.
• The heavily carved pillars have scenes from
Ramayana & Mahabharata.
• This hall was used for public functions –
religious or otherwise like councils,
performances or public meetings.
GUDHA MANDAPA

• The Gudha mandap forms the third section of


the Sun Temple at Modhera and is not
attached to the sabha mandap.
• The gudha mandap is placed on a lotusbase
plinth.
• The inner half occupies the Garbhagriha
(sanctum sanctorum) and the front one the
Mandapa (hall). Between the outer walls of
the sanctum sanctorum and that of the temple
is the pradakshinapath.
• The pillars are 13 ft high, octagonal at base
and circular on top. They are carved in
horizontal courses.
• The walls inside shrine is plain and outer wall
is decorated.
• The doorway has carved figures of seated
Surya in panels surrounded by dancers
and amorous couples.
• The walls represent the Sun God in his 12
different facets of each month. The carved
walls also depict the aspects of human life
like the vicious circle of birth and death.
• 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.
• The capital supports the toranas on the
top, on which the dome is supported.
• The rim of the dome is 17 ft high and
centre is 23 ft high. The dome is made by
corbelling.
INFERENCES

• The sculptures were intricately carved.


• The temples falls exactly on the line of tropic
of capricorn. So it can be seen how precisely
the design was done.
• The sun exactly falls on the sun idol which is
in the sanctum on the days of equinoxes that
shows the precision taken during
construction of the temple.
• .

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