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Ancient temples have always been one of the most amazing threads in the tapestry of Indian culture. The Modhera Sun Temple was made in the early 11th century. The sun temple has a very interesting step well built around the same time to address the scarcity of water, then. The temple is designed in such a way that during every equinox, the first ray of the rising sun enters the sanctum, filling the shrine with a golden glow.
In 2014, Modhera Sun Temple entered the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
In the picture here are the steps to the reservoir. The women in this part of India are known to wear colourful drapes. She made an interesting subject against the stark neutral of the stones. Hardly any tourists in these times made this picture possible.
Le temple de Sūrya de Modhera dans le Gujarat en Inde est un temple dédié au culte de Sūrya, le « Dieu Soleil » dans l’hindouisme. Moins connu que celui de Konârak dans l’Orissa et récemment redécouvert, on connaît encore assez peu de choses sur son histoire. Il est situé sur la rive de la Pushpawati, à 25 km de Mehsana et à 102 km d'Ahmedabad.
The central corbelled dome in the sabha-mandapa (assembly hall), ~5m in diameter.
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The Sun Temple at Modhera, Gujarat, India - a temple dedicated to the Sun - was built around 1026 CE, by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty.
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Pillars, sections of the roof and the corbelled dome in the gudha-mandapa (prayer hall). Eight pillars support the dome.
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The Sun Temple at Modhera, Gujarat, India - a temple dedicated to the Sun - was built around 1026 CE, by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty.
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At the fouth level within the kunda (sacred pond).
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The Sun Temple at Modhera, Gujarat, India - a temple dedicated to the Sun - was built around 1026 CE, by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty.
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The Sun Temple at Modhera, Gujarat, India - a temple dedicated to the Sun - was built around 1026 CE, by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty.
On the right the sabha-mandapa (assembly hall), on the left the gudha-mandapa (prayer hall).
This is the south face of the structures.
The sabha-mandapa, also known as ranga-mandapa (theatre hall) is a parallelogram in plan, its vertices aligned along the east-west and north-south axis. Some say it's an octagen in plan, because the entrances to the structure are at these vertices, giving it the impression of it being 8 sided.
There are 52 intricately carved pillars within the sabha-mandapa, 8 of which hold up a magnificent dome.
The gudha-mandapa is rectangular in shape, measuring 51 feet 9 inches by 25 feet and 8 inches. Within is the garbagriha (sanctum sanctorum) measuring 11 feet square.
The entrace to the gudha-mandapa is from the east.
Album: www.flickr.com/photos/santanu_sen/albums/72157712473119612
Le temple de Sūrya de Modhera dans le Gujarat en Inde est un temple dédié au culte de Sūrya, le « Dieu Soleil » dans l’hindouisme. Moins connu que celui de Konârak dans l’Orissa et récemment redécouvert, on connaît encore assez peu de choses sur son histoire. Il est situé sur la rive de la Pushpawati, à 25 km de Mehsana et à 102 km d'Ahmedabad.
The sabha-mandapa (assembly hall) looks different from different angles. This is the south east face of the structure.
The 2 pillars on the right, each about 5m in height, form a gateway between the kunda (sacred tank) and the eastern entrance to the assembly hall. These were once part of a kirti-torana, or the triumphant arch. The arch is now missing.
Many suggest that these structures were added later to the temple complex.
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The Sun Temple at Modhera, Gujarat, India - a temple dedicated to the Sun - was built around 1026 CE, by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty.
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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 after 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty.
The kunda (sacred pond) is fed by ground water and monsoon rains. The water level varies by season, and sometimes completely dries up during the harsh summer.
The structure measures 53.8 x 37.5m (~176 x 123 feet) at the ground level. The longer length is along the north-south axis. The water basin measures 37.7 x 21.4m (~123 x 70 feet). Four flights of small pyramidal stairways lead from the ground to the water.
Several miniature shrines and niches dot the structure.
Looking north from the south end of the structure.
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The Sun Temple at Modhera, Gujarat, India - a temple dedicated to the Sun - was built around 1026 CE, by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty.
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The north face of the sabha-mandapa (assembly hall). The roof was in shape of the stepped pyramid but it no longer exists.
Students of architecture visit here often, making detailed sketches and notes, learning from past masters.
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The Sun Temple at Modhera, Gujarat, India - a temple dedicated to the Sun - was built around 1026 CE, by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty.
Album:
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 after 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty.
Sculptures on the external walls of the gudha-mandapa (prayer hall).
From the north wall.
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The Sun Temple at Modhera, Gujarat, India - a temple dedicated to the Sun - was built around 1026 CE, by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty.
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Backside of the temple
- 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 after 1026-27 CE during the reign of Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty.
The Sun Temple at Modhera, Gujarat, India - a temple dedicated to the Sun - was built around 1026 CE, by King Bhimdev-I of the Solanki dynasty.
The temple complex has three main structures - the kunda (sacred pond), the sabha-mandapa (assembly hall) and the gudha-mandapa (prayer hall) - aligned in an east-west axis, with the kunda toward the east, the gudha-mandapa to the west, and the sabha-mandapa in between these. The gudha-mandapa also contains within it the garbagriha (sanctum sanctorum).
If you were an ancient visitor to this complex, you would first descend to the water in the kund, wash your hands, and then climb the 50 or so steps to the sabha-mandapa, walk across it and enter the gudha-mandapa to offer your prayers.
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The entrance to the gudha-mandapa - the prayer hall. This faces east.
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The Sun Temple at Modhera, Gujarat, India - a temple dedicated to the Sun - was built around 1026 CE, by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty.
Album:
The Sun Temple at Modhera, Gujarat, India - a temple dedicated to the Sun - was built around 1026 CE, by King Bhimdev-I of the Solanki dynasty.
It enjoys the same significance as other two well known sun-temples in India, at Martand in Kashmir and Konark in Orissa. Though prayers are no longer offered here, the temple has religious significance for many. To me it is a fascinating piece of engineering and art.
The temple complex has three main structures - the kunda (sacred pond), the sabha-mandapa (assembly hall) and the gudha-mandapa (prayer hall) - aligned in an east-west axis, with the kunda toward the east, the gudha-mandapa to the west, and the sabha-mandapa in between these. The gudha-mandapa also contains within it the garbagriha (sanctum sanctorum).
If you were an ancient visitor to this complex, you would first descend to the water in the kund, wash your hands, and then climb the 50 or so steps to the sabha-mandapa, walk across it and enter the gudha-mandapa to offer your prayers.
In this photo you see the kunda, and the sabha-mandapa at the far end, as seen from the east.
A fascinating part of the design is that on the days of the solar equinox, the first rays of the rising sun will light up the
garbagriha having a straight path through the sabha-mandapa and the gudha-mandapa. And on the day of summer solstice, the sun shines directly overhead at noon casting no shadow.
The garbagriha housed an idol of the Hindu Sun God Surya, said to be made in gold. Much was lost, including the idol, when Mahmud of Ghazni from Persia (now Iran) plundered it during one of his repeated invasions of India.
A festival of Indian classical dance is held every January here.
The inner sanctum of Sun Temple , Modhera. The lights played an interesting game here, and I had nice fun seeking it.
© All rights reserved, don´t use this image without my permission. Contact me at debmalya86@gmail.com
Its actually very rare to photograph historical monuments in India without having a deluge of crowd in the frame. On that particular context... Yaay me and the stranger :))
This is a 993 year old Sun temple, constructed bang on the Tropic of Cancer such that it's east facing doorway get morning rays head on in equinoxes, illuminating its diamond decked wall-panels. Built in Modhera village of Gujarat, India, this sandstone marvel, built by the Chaulukya dynasty houses extremely intricate sculptures and carvings on every square inch of its exterior and interior.
© All rights reserved, don´t use this image without my permission. Contact me at debmalya86@gmail.com
The walnut shaped ceiling of 993 year old Sun temple is a sheer treat to behold. Supported on octagonally arranged pillars which are richly and intricately engraved with the mythological stories and religious life-cycles of Hinduism.
© All rights reserved, don´t use this image without my permission. Contact me at debmalya86@gmail.com
A couple cools it off as the sun beats down at Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat.
© All rights reserved, don´t use this image without my permission. Contact me at debmalya86@gmail.com
This is a 993 year old Sun temple, constructed bang on the Tropic of Cancer such that it's east facing doorway get morning rays head on in equinoxes, illuminating its diamond decked wall-panels. Built in Modhera village of Gujarat, India, this sandstone marvel, built by the Chaulukya dynasty houses extremely intricate sculptures and carvings on every square inch of its exterior and interior.
Its actually very rare to photograph historical monuments in India without having a deluge of crowd in the frame. On that particular context... Yaay me :))
© All rights reserved, don´t use this image without my permission. Contact me at debmalya86@gmail.com
The Sun Temple, Modhera, at Modhera in Gujarat, is a temple dedicated to the Hindu Sun-God, Surya. It was built in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty. The sculptures and architecture present in this temple are still magnificent after all these years. The temple comprises three separate, axially aligned and integrated elements: Surya Kund, Sabha Mandap and Guda Mandap. It is built on Tropic of Cancer and hence receives sunrays directly on the deity on the Solstice days. This photo shows the Surya Kund and Sabha Mandap.
THE CRAFT OF ANOTHER CIVILIZATION--
SUN TEMPLE -MODHERA-GUJARAT-INDIA- A THOUSAND ODD YEARS OLD-UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.
Just the fact that this 993 year old Sun temple is constructed bang on the Tropic of Cancer, such that it's east facing doorways get morning rays head on in equinoxes, illuminating its diamond decked wall-panels, left me in awe and wonder. Built in Modhera village of Gujarat, India, this sandstone marvel, built by the Chaulukya dynasty houses extremely intricate sculptures and carvings on every square inch of its exterior and interior. A sheer treat to the eyes, heart and soul.
© All rights reserved, don´t use this image without my permission. Contact me at debmalya86@gmail.com
A view of the inside of the sabha-mandapa - the assembly hall - from the entrance in the east.
At the far end is the entrance to the gudha-mandapa - the prayer hall. The white framed structure in the dark area is actually a screen door serving as a barrier to the garbagriha - the sanctum sanctorum.
There are 52 intricately carved pillars within the sabha-mandapa. 44 of these hold up the roof. The innermost 8 hold up a central corbelled dome.
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The Sun Temple at Modhera, Gujarat, India - a temple dedicated to the Sun - was built around 1026 CE, by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty.
Album:
This is what you see when you enter the gudha-mandapa - the prayer hall.
At the far end is the garbagriha - the sanctum sanctorum or shrine. It had 2 floors, each measuring 3.6 x 3.6 x 3.6m on the inside. The upper chamber housed the image of the diety. The lower one was possibly used as a treasury, mainly for jewels and money belonging to the temple.
The upper chamber along with its roof has completly collapsed, and all that exists today is a dark pit. The entrance is thus shuttered.
Burgess and Cousens in their work The Architectural Antiquities of Northern Gujarat write 'The Muhammadans, not content with defacing the figure sculptures of this Modhera temple, are said to have placed bags of gunpowder in the underground shrine, and blew it up with the upper cell, destroying the Shikara or tower.' These would have been the marauding armies of Mahmud of Ghazni.
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The Sun Temple at Modhera, Gujarat, India - a temple dedicated to the Sun - was built around 1026 CE, by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty.
Album: