....Nishant Shah....
The Sun temple of Modhera
The Sun Temple was built by Rushabh Bhimdev I of Solanki Dynasty in AD 1026. This was the time when Somnath and the adjoining area was plundered by Mahmud Ghazni and reeled under the effects of his invasion. The Solankis, however, regained much of their lost power and splendour. Anahilvad Patan, the Solanki capital, was restored to glory. Royalty and traders jointly contributed to build grand temples.
Solankis were considered to be Suryavanshis, or descendants of Sun god. The temple was so designed that the first rays of the sun fell on the image of Surya, the Sun God, at the time equinoxes.
The temple is partially in ruins after it was also finally destroyed by the Allauddin Khilji.However, enough has remained of the temple to convey its grandeur. The Sun temple is of a unique architecture of its own kind. The temple comprises three separate but axially-aligned and integrated elements: Surya Kund, Sabha Mandap and Guda Mandap.
Photograhped here is the Sabha Mandap.
This hall of religious gatherings is a magnificent pillared hall. It is open from all sides and has 52 intricately carved pillars representing 52 weeks in a year. The carvings depict various episodes from the Hindu epics of Ramayan, Mahabharat and Krishna Lila (i.e. story of lord Krishna).
Between the Sabha Mandap and the sanctum sanctorum is a beautiful hall with pillars and arches, whose facade has been renovated and partially redone, and the walls have 12 niches showing the different aspects of the Sun God in each month.
Source: Wikipedia
The Sun temple of Modhera
The Sun Temple was built by Rushabh Bhimdev I of Solanki Dynasty in AD 1026. This was the time when Somnath and the adjoining area was plundered by Mahmud Ghazni and reeled under the effects of his invasion. The Solankis, however, regained much of their lost power and splendour. Anahilvad Patan, the Solanki capital, was restored to glory. Royalty and traders jointly contributed to build grand temples.
Solankis were considered to be Suryavanshis, or descendants of Sun god. The temple was so designed that the first rays of the sun fell on the image of Surya, the Sun God, at the time equinoxes.
The temple is partially in ruins after it was also finally destroyed by the Allauddin Khilji.However, enough has remained of the temple to convey its grandeur. The Sun temple is of a unique architecture of its own kind. The temple comprises three separate but axially-aligned and integrated elements: Surya Kund, Sabha Mandap and Guda Mandap.
Photograhped here is the Sabha Mandap.
This hall of religious gatherings is a magnificent pillared hall. It is open from all sides and has 52 intricately carved pillars representing 52 weeks in a year. The carvings depict various episodes from the Hindu epics of Ramayan, Mahabharat and Krishna Lila (i.e. story of lord Krishna).
Between the Sabha Mandap and the sanctum sanctorum is a beautiful hall with pillars and arches, whose facade has been renovated and partially redone, and the walls have 12 niches showing the different aspects of the Sun God in each month.
Source: Wikipedia