The sun temple, Modhera in Gujarat. It is situated on the bank of the river
pushpavati 25km from Mehsana. It was built by Bhimdev Solanki in 1026. Because of
Solankies were considered to be Suryavanshi. In other words descendants of Sun
God. The temple was designed in such a way tht rays of sun fell on the image of
Surya at the time equinoxes. The temple is partially destroyed by the Allauddin
Khilji.
The temple comprises three seprate,Integrated elements:
Surya Kund,Sabha Mandap and Guda Mandap.
Surya Kund: Ramkunda is another name of Surya kund. It is
one of the best example of geometry.The organization of stone into gives shape to a dazzling of
art. It is distributed with multitudinous stone steps leading devotees down to
its base. 108 miniature shries are carves in between the steps inside the tank.
108 also considered to be favorable by Hindus as Hindu rosary has same number
of beads.
Sabha Mandap: It is a mangnificent pillared hall. It is open
from all sides and had 52 complex carved pillars representing 52 weeks in a
year.
Sanctum Sanctorum: It is the main temple. Lotus open with
sunrise and close itself with,it is considered to be the sun’s flower. Therefore
the entire temple is based on an inverted lotus base plinth.Saarthi Arun sits on the fourth. The entire gold idol
including the charioteer, chariot and horses was placed on a pit that was 15
feet deep and filled with gold coins. It was built by the Solankis in honour of
their affiliated God. It was booty by Mahmud Gazni.
The external part of the temple walls has 12 different
postures of Adityas - Sun God along with eight Dikpals, Lord Vishwakarma - who
constructed Golden Dwarka city for Shri Krishna, Varundev - God of Water,
Agnidev - God of Fire, Ganesh - God for starting, Mata Saraswati - Goddess of
Education & Wisdom.
