Monday, October 5, 2015

Sun Temple, Modhera

Sun Temple at Modhera is one of the architectural marvel in the state of Gujarat. The temple that was built in 1026 AD has a unique architecture is most important Sun Temple in the whole of Gujarat. The temple dedicated to Sun God was built by Rushabh Bhimdev I of Solanki Dynasty. 




The whole structure standing on a basement consisted of the Garbhagrha, Guha Mandapa, Sabha Mandapa. In front of the temple is the sacred pond called the Surya Kunda



The Guha Mandap is the main temple with sanctum is a rectangular structure, with its length inside the walls 51 feet that is almost double of its width of 25 feet. It was designed so that the rays of the rising and setting sun on the day of Summer solstice and not equinox falls on the idol of Sun. Unfortunately there is no idol in the temple as in the olden days it was plundered by Mahmud Gazni. 



The Sabha Mandap is a magnificent pillared hall that has been carved ornately. It is open from all sides and has 52 intricately carved pillars.



The exterior of the temple walls has been carved exquisitely with 12 different postures of Sun God along with various other deities. Between the Sabha Mandapa and the Main Sanctum is a beautiful hall with exquisitely carved pillars and arches.



The Surya Kunda is a large rectangular stepped tank under the east face of the Sabha Mandapa is used to store pure water. Devotees were required to perform ceremonial ablutions here before worshipping the Sun God.

32 comments:

rupam sarma said...

Truly beautiful photos

Ramakrishnan said...

Wow ! Superb architecture and sculpture !

R Niranjan Das said...

Nice shots of the wonderful architecture.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

As always, you have very beautiful photos! Thank hou!

Fun60 said...

Our ancestors knew so much about the position of the sun, it is no wonder it was idolised.

Sylvia K said...

An awesome, incredible temple, Rajesh!! And superb captures, as always!! Thank you for sharing!!

Klara said...

very impressive. i specially like the last photo.

Photo Cache said...

I really enjoy the temple design and all the columns.

D.Nambiar said...

Wow! look at the work on the roof and walls and pillars. Truly amazing!

Linda said...

Wow, this is beautiful!

Indrani said...

Amazing work in stone! Great shots!

Gillena Cox said...

Magnificent.Thanks for sharing. Have a good Tuesday

Much love...

Unknown said...

wonderfulll photosss

have a nice abc-week .....

Trubes said...

What an amazing building from all aspects,
Brilliant photography too.

Best wishes,
Di,
ABCW team,

Roger Owen Green said...

How long did it take to build those structures?
ROG, ABCW

Gattina said...

What a beautiful architecture !

Deepa said...

Very beautiful architecture

Jeevan said...

Truly incredible temple complex! Man had done marvel allover the walls and pillars. Really wonderful compositions and frames on the Mandaps, Rajesh.

photowannabe said...

Truly amazing architecture .I know I keep saying this but it really is.

carol l mckenna said...

Beautiful temple and lovely photographs!

Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol

DeniseinVA said...

Absolutely marvelous!!!

Al said...

I love it - especially in the second shot it looks sunny and bright.

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Astounding! Was this carved out of one rock? The delicateness and intricacy out of rock is mind-boggling.

K V V S MURTHY said...

Salute for the constructors...!

nerdisch_by_natur said...

Beautiful pictures. I never travelled to India so I'm very jealous ^^

Greetings, Dana

Bikramjit Singh Mann said...

SOmething to think about , some of the consturctions done in those days still stand.. whereas cant trust the ones done now 2 years back :)

lovely pictures

Bikram's

namaki said...

Really interesting, thank you for sharing !

Anonymous said...

Incredible India in true sense. Great place, Great architecture and all the above Great pictures. I would like to visit here soon :)

Unknown said...

How incredibly gorgeous. What a beautiful sight to see.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Beautiful building. Have a lovely weekend.

sunaina sharma said...

Stunning architecture....!

Jyotirmoy Sarkar said...

Beautiful place, very nicely taken.