'Modhera Sun Temple & Ramakunda (11th century A.D.), Gujarat, India. Part-I' - by K. J. S. Chatrath

 

 

 I visited the Modhera Sun Temple and Ramakunda in Gujarat in January 2020 and noted how our ancestors fully understood the need of conserving water and took meaningful action over a thousand years back.........

The Sun Temple of Modhera

The Sun Temple of Modhera which ranks next to the Sun Temple at Konarak Is one of the finest examples of temple architecture of Gujarat. Built in 11th century AD, this temple is located in Bechraji   taluka of Mehsana   District on the left bank of the river Pushpavati, a tributary of river Rupan situated at a distance of  30 kms from  Patan city. 


It is built on a platform (jagati) facing east, in the rule of Solanki ruler Bhimadeva-I (1022 -1063 A.D.). This place finds mention in the Skanda Purana as Bhaskar region. The temple complex is an assimilation of three separate elements i.e. a Sanctum (garbh-ghriha) with an ambulatory (pradarshina-path), a main hall (Gudha Manadama and a detached Assembly Hall (Sabha Mandapa or Nritya Mandapa) with a gateway (Torana).

In front of torana is a large rectangular tank, of 175 X 120 feet decorated with numerous miniature shrines, which is locally known as Ramakunda. It is situated to the east of the sabha-mandapa. This is approached through a grand flight of steps from four sides. The tank has about 108 small temples which contain the relief of various deities like Ganesha, Sheshashayal Vishnu, Nataraja and Sitala Mata.  
 
The Sanctum has an arrangement of elegantly decorated tall pillars with ornamental torana arch. The outer walls of the sanctum are relieved by niches containing the images of twelve adityas, panels of ashtha dikpalas, different forms of Gauri dancing Apsaras, musicians, etc.


The pillared octagonal assembly hall has entrance arches exquisitely carved sculptures on the upper portion of pillar from all sides. While the outer walls are exquisitely carved with the images of various forms of gods, the inner walls are decorated with sculptures and scenes depicted from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The top (shikhara) of the assembly hall exists partially with miniature shikhara.
After the assembly hall is the main hall and the sanctum where 12 images of Sun God are depicted. There is a division (antarala) between the main hall and the sanctum. The temple is devoid of the sculpture of the main deity, i.e., the Sun God. It is engraved with sculptures of Brahma, Sheshashayi Vishnu (man-lion incarnation)etc., some of the sculptures represent saiva cult and Uma-Maheshwara, dancing Ganesha and image of goddess Durga Saptmatrika etc.  
The outer walls of the temple are relieved by the images of various gods  and goddesses, panels of astadikpalas placed in cardinal directions, dancing Apsaras,musicians and amorous figures.
 (Text source; Information boards at the site.).

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