Modhera Sun Temple
Modhera Sun Temple is dedicated to the village of Modhera in the Mehsana district of Gujarat on the banks of the Pushpavati river. This place is located 30 kilometres south of Patan. This Sun Temple is a special example of unique architecture and craft artwork in India. This temple was built in 1028-1024 AD by King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty. At present, it is under the patronage of the Archaeological Department of India and worship is prohibited in this temple.
There are three main parts of this temple complex – Gudhamandapa (main temple), Sabhamandapa and Kunda (reservoir). The exteriors and pillars of its pavilions have been carved very finely. There are stairs to the bottom of the Kund, and some small temples are also there.
Modhera Sun Temple Built By
This temple was built in 1028-1024 AD by King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty. At present, it is under the patronage of the Archaeological Department of India and worship is prohibited in this temple.
History Of Modhera Sun Temple
This Sun Temple complex was not constructed at the same time. The main temple was built during the reign of Bhimdev I of the Chalukya dynasty. Earlier, during 1024–25, Mahmud of Ghazni invaded Bhima’s kingdom, and a contingent of about 20,000 soldiers unsuccessfully attempted to stop him at Modhera. Historian A.K. According to Majumdar, this Sun Temple may have been constructed to commemorate this defence. There is an inscription of “Vikram Samvat 1083” in the Devanagari script written in reverse, corresponding to 1026-1027 CE on the western wall of the complex. No other dates have been found. As the inscription is inverted, it gives evidence of the destruction and reconstruction of the temple. Due to the position of the inscription, it is not strongly considered as the date of manufacture. On a stylistic basis, it is known that the kund with its corner temples was built in the early 11th century. The inscription is considered to be the date of destruction by Ghazni instead of construction. Soon after this, Bhima returned to power. Hence the main temple, the miniature and the main temples at Kund were built shortly after 1026 AD. The dance hall was added much later in the third quarter of the 12th century with gates, temple verandas and temple gates and chamber gates during the reign of Karna.
This place later came to be known locally as Sita ni Chauri and Ramkund. Now there is no worship here. The temple is a monument of national importance and is under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Facts About Modhera Sun Temple
1. Modhera village is an ancient site situated on the banks of Pushpavati river, about 100 km from the famous city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat and 30 km south of a place called Patan.
2. In the village called Modhera, there is the world-famous Sun Temple of Lord Surya Dev, a testimony to Gujarat’s major historical and tourist sites and the ancient glory of Gujarat.
3. Modhera Surya Mandir was built by Suryavanshi Solanki King Bhimdev I in 1026 AD. Now, this Sun Temple now comes under the supervision of the Department of Archeology, and recently there has been a lot of improvement in the maintenance of tourist places here.
4. An outstanding example of Indian architecture and architecture. The biggest feature of this world-famous temple is that lime has not been used anywhere for ploughing in the construction of the entire temple.
5. Built-in Iranian style, this temple in two parts. The first part is of the sanctum sanctorum, and the second is of the sabha mandapa. The length inside the temple’s sanctum sanctorum is 51 feet and 9 inches, and the width is 25 feet 8 inches.
6. Garbhagriha and Sabha pavilions These pillars depict paintings of various deities in addition to Ramayana and Mahabharata with exquisite workmanship.
7. On seeing these pillars downwards, they look octagonal, and upwards they look round.
8. The first ray of the sun This temple was constructed in such a way that in the sunrise, the first ray of the sun illuminates the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. A huge kund is located in front of the sabha mandap, which people know by the name of Suryakund or Ramkund.
9. This Sun Temple of Khujrao Modhera of Gujarat is also known as Khajuraho of Gujarat because there are many sculptures carved like Khajuraho on the stones of this temple. The biggest feature of the architecture of this world-famous temple is that there is no lime at all for the ploughing in the construction of the entire temple.
10. Vikhayat is from ancient times. In ancient times, the whole area around Modhera was known as ‘Dharmarnya’. A garden has been built around this famous temple, and cleanliness has also been taken care of. Since there is no worship and worship etc., there is very less crowd of devotees.
Historical Temple Modhera, Where The Worship Of Lord Surya Is Forbidden
Fine Craft
Modhera Sun Temple is built at Modhera village, 30 km south of Patan in Gujarat. This Surya Mandir is a unique example of unique architecture and craft art. Lime hasn’t been used everywhere to increase the structure of the temple. Built-in Iranian style, this temple was built in two parts in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty. In which the first part is of the sanctum sanctorum, and the second is of the sabha mandap. The inside of the sanctum sanctorum is 51 feet, 9 inches, and the width is 25 feet, 8 inches. There are a total of 52 pillars in the Sabhamandapa of the temple. On these pillars, in addition to paintings of various deities, the Ramayana and Mahabharata episodes are depicted with exquisite workmanship. When you look at these pillars downwards, they look octagonal, and upwards they look round. The temple has been constructed in this manner that at dawn, the first rays of sunlight light the temple’s sanctum sanctorum. Next to the Sabhamandap is a huge tank which is famous as Suryakund or Ramkund.
Fragmented Temple
The Solanki King was Suryavanshi and worshipped Surya as the Kuldevata. That is why he decided to build this magnificent Sun Temple for worshipping his protagonist, due to which the Sun Temple of Modhera was built. During the attack of Alauddin Khilji in the order of the attack of foreign invaders, the temple suffered a lot of damage. He also broke the temple’s idols, so it is prohibited to worship in this temple present. It is believed that the attack by Alauddin Khilji ruined the temple. Filmically, the Indian Archaeological Department has taken this temple under its patronage.
This Temple Is Also Mentioned In The Puranas
The temple of Modhera is mentioned in many Puranas. Such as Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana, which states that in ancient times the entire area around Modhera was known as Dharmaranya. According to the Puranas, it has also been told that Lord Rama asked his Guru Vashishta to tell a place where he could go to self-purification and get rid of the sin of killing Brahma after the destruction of Ravana. Then Guru Vashistha advised Shri Ram to come here.
Modhera Sun Temple Best Time To Visit
Timings: 7 AM – 6 PM
Entry Fee: Rs. 40 for Indians, Rs. 200 for Foreigners & Rs. 300 for Guide
Museum Timings: 10 AM – 5 PM
