Priya Ramesh Swaminathan
Modhera’s Sun Temple – Brilliant Architecture!
Feb 2020
We hired an auto to travel 105 kms. from Ahmedabad to Mehsana (Modhera). This superb Sun Temple was built in the 11th century A.D. by the Solanki King Bhimdev I. It has a rectangular step-well/tank in the front, known as Rama Kund, which has impeccable geometric design. A wooden railing has been erected around the step-well to protect people from unwittingly falling into the tank.There is a Sabha Mandap, a connecting passage known as Antaraal and the Garbhagruha or the sanctum sanctorum. The walls, pillars, columns and exteriors of the Sabha Mandap and the Garbhagruha are heavily carved with intricate life forms of deities, celestial beings and animals. Twin pillars, again meticulously carved, stand guard in front of the temple. The shikhara of the temple had been destroyed during a Mughal invasion. The Sun Temple, like the one at Konarak, doesn’t have any idol in its sanctum sanctorum which is closed. Legend has it that while returning from Sri Lanka, along with his wife Sita, Lord Rama performed a yagna at this site, to cleanse himself of his sin of killing a Brahmin – Ravana, a devout Shaivite. Since this ritual was performed by a Modh Brahmin, the site/village was named as Modhera. Lord Shiva’s temple stands beside the Sun Temple. Fresh flowers bedecked the Shivaling. A museum with unique specimens of carving, provides us an insight into our rich cultural/architectural heritage. A toilet block stands behind this museum.Tourist buses are needed to visit this unique spot.
Written on 15 March 2020
The copyright of this review belongs to Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.
All the snaps have been clicked by Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.
This review has been published at www.tripadvisor.in.
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