Modhera Sun Temple

Modhera Sun Temple

Dedicated to the Sun God, the Sun Temple in Modhera is a relic of the Solanki Dynasty. It was built in the 1026 CE by Raja Bhimdeva I. It is famous for its magnificent architecture, which is still awe-inspiring after so many centuries. It is thought to be one of the best constructed devotional places in western India. Though, it no longer serves any religious purpose, it attracts a huge number of tourists. Presently it is under the supervision of the Archaeology Survey of India.

Night view of Sun Temple

The entrance with carved arches leads to the grounds that houses 108 shrines, a breathtaking sanctum and beautiful carvings on the walls. The temple is built such that the first rays of the sun fall on the Sun God during the equinoxes. The nritya mandap (dancing hall) and the Sabha Mandap are beautifully carved, with 12 niches showcasing the different aspects of the Sun God during each month. Special mention needs to be made of the symmetrical stepped-tank, the Surya Kund, which is the finest example of geometry. The carved stone steps are interspersed with 108 miniature idols.

Carved Pillar at Sun Temple 

The temple can broadly be divided into three sections--the garbhagriha with an ambulatory and an octagonal gudhamandapa, a sabha mandapa with a torana in front and a large tank which is decorated with several miniature shrines. The gudhamandapa contains embellished images of twelve adityas and the sabhamandapa has a grand set of pillars which are adorned with triangular and semicircular arches. The main temple is based on an inverted lotus-base plinth--lotus being the flower of the Sun God. The Solankis had also built an idol of the Sun God made entirely of gold. Unfortunately, the temple was attacked by Mahmood Ghazni and all its riches were looted. Much of the damages have been restored during reconstruction.