*** Welcome to piglix ***

Modhera Sun Temple

Sun Temple, Modhera
Modhera.jpg
Gudhamandapa, Sabhamandapa and Kunda of temple
Sun Temple, Modhera is located in Gujarat
Sun Temple, Modhera
Sun Temple, Modhera
Location in Gujarat
Alternative names Modhera Surya Mandir
General information
Status Ruined
Location Modhera, Mehsana district, Gujarat
Country India
Coordinates 23°35′1.7″N 72°7′57.67″E / 23.583806°N 72.1326861°E / 23.583806; 72.1326861Coordinates: 23°35′1.7″N 72°7′57.67″E / 23.583806°N 72.1326861°E / 23.583806; 72.1326861
Technical details
Material Sand stone
Designations ASI Monument of National Importance (N-GJ-158)
Sun Temple, Modhera
Plan of temple complex: (from top to bottom) Gudhamandapa, the shrine hall; Sabhamandapa, the assembly hall and Kunda, the reservoir
Plan of temple complex: (from top to bottom) Gudhamandapa, the shrine hall; Sabhamandapa, the assembly hall and Kunda, the reservoir
Culture
Primary deity Surya
Direction and posture East-facing
Temple tank Suryakund
Shrine Ruined
Important festivals Modhera Dance Festival
Architecture
Architectural styles Maru-Gurjara (Chaulukya)
Number of monuments 3
Inscriptions Yes
History and governance
Date built 1026-27
Creator Bhima I
Sun Temple, Modhera
Plan of temple complex: (from top to bottom) Gudhamandapa, the shrine hall; Sabhamandapa, the assembly hall and Kunda, the reservoir
Plan of temple complex: (from top to bottom) Gudhamandapa, the shrine hall; Sabhamandapa, the assembly hall and Kunda, the reservoir
Culture
Primary deity Surya
Direction and posture East-facing
Temple tank Suryakund
Shrine Ruined
Important festivals Modhera Dance Festival
Architecture
Architectural styles Maru-Gurjara (Chaulukya)
Number of monuments 3
Inscriptions Yes
History and governance
Date built 1026-27
Creator Bhima I

The Sun Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the solar deity Surya located at Modhera village of Mehsana district, Gujarat, India. It is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati. It was built in 1026-27 AD during the reign of Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty. No worship is offered now and is protected monument maintained by Archaeological Survey of India. The temple complex has three components: Gudhamandapa, the shrine hall; Sabhamandapa, the assembly hall and Kunda, the reservoir. The halls have intricately carved exterior and pillars. The reservoir has steps to reach bottom and numerous small shrines.

The Sun Temple was built during the reign of Bhima I of Chaulukya dynasty in 1026-1027 (Vikram Samvat 1083). It is built on 23.6° latitude (approximately near Tropic of Cancer). The place was later known as Sita ni Chauri and Ramkund locally. No worship is offered here now. The temple is Monument of National Importance and is maintained by Archeological Survey of India.

The temple complex is built in Maru-Gurjara style (Chaulukya style). The temple complex has three axially aligned components; the shrine proper (garbhagriha) in a hall (gudhamandapa), the outer or assembly hall (sabhamandapa or rangamandapa) and a sacred reservoir (kunda).

The sabhamandapa is not in continuation with gudhamandapa but is placed little away as a separate structure. Both are built on paved platform. Their roofs have collapsed long ago leaving behind few lower-most courses. Both roofs are 15' 9" in diameter but are constructed differently. The platform or plinth is inverted lotus shaped.

The Gudhamandapa measures 51 feet 9 inches by 25 feet 8 inches. It is almost equally divided into Gudhamandapa, the hall and garbhgriha, the shrine proper. Both are rectangular in plan with one projection on each of the smaller sides and two projections on each of the longer sides. This projections on the smaller sides form the entrance and the back of shrine. The three projections of outer wall of Gudhamandapa had windows on each side and the east projection had the doorway. These windows had perforated stone screens; the northern is in ruins and the southern is missing. Pradakshinamarga is formed by the passage between the walls of garbhgriha and the outer walls of gudhamandapa. The roof of passage has stones slabs carved with rosettes. The Shikhara of the it no longer exists.


...
Wikipedia

...