The Sun Temple, Modhera, at Modhera in Gujarat, is a temple dedicated
to the Hindu Sun-God, Surya. It is situated on the bank of the river
Pushpavati, 25 km from Mehsana and 102 km from Ahmedabad. It was built
in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty. In the present times,
prayers are not offered in this temple. This temple is now under the
supervision of Archaeological Survey of India.
History
According to the Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana, the areas near
Modhera were known during ancient days as Dharmaranya (literally meaning
the forest of righteousness). According to these Puranas, Lord Rama,
after defeating Ravana, asked sage Vasistha to show him a place of
pilgrimage where he could go and purify himself from the sin of
Brahma-hatya (the sin of killing a Brahmin, because Ravana was a Brahmin
by birth). Sage Vasistha showed him Dharmaranya, which was near the
modern town of Modhera. In the Dharmaranya, he settled at a village
Modherak and performed a yagna there. Thereafter he established a
village and named it Sitapur. This village is about 15 km from Becharaji
Modherak village and it subsequently came to be known as
Modhera.
The Sun Temple was built by Bhimdev I
of Solanki dynasty in 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. Anhilwad Patan, the Solanki capital, was
restored to glory.
Solankis were considered to be Suryavanshi
Gurjar 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.
Architecture
Plan of Temple and Reservoir
The Sun temple is of a unique architecture. The temple comprises three
separate, axially aligned and integrated elements: Surya Kund, Sabha
Mandap and Guda Mandap.
Surya Kund
This Suryakunda, also known as Ramakunda, is a large rectangular stepped tank measuring 53.6 x 36.6 meters
under the east face of sabhamandap used to store pure water. Devotees
were required to perform ceremonial ablutions here before worshiping the
Sun God. The Suryakund is a finest example of geometry. The
organization of stone into composition gives shape to a dazzling pattern
of art. It is proportioned with innumerable stone steps leading
devotees down to its base. 108 miniature shrines are carved in between
the steps inside the tank. Also number 108 considered to be auspicious
by Hindus as Hindu rosary has same number of beads.
Panoramic view of the Surya Kund
Reservoir deities
There are four terraces to descend to reach the bottom of the tank.
Small pyramid-shaped steps are for each terrace. God and Goddess
depicted in immortalized stone unfold the sculpture wealth: Lord Vishnu,
Lord Ganesh, Lord Natraj, Sitlamata's presence a marvel created during
Solanki era.
Two huge ornamental arches called Toran forms a gateway to the Sabha Mandap (assembly hall)/{aztaca}.
Sabha Mandap
The Sabha Mandap with ornately carved pillars and ceiling
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 episodes from the Hindu epics of
Ramayan, Mahabharat and Krishna Lila (i.e., story of Lord Krishna).
Between the Sabha Mandapa and the sanctum sanctorum is a beautiful hall
with pillars and arches, whose facade has been renovated and partially
redone. The walls have 12 niches showing the different aspects of the
Sun God in each month.
Sanctum sanctorum
The Guda Mandap
This is called the main temple or the Sanctum sanctorum. Lotuses open
with sunrise and close itself with sunset; it is considered to be the
sun's flower. The entire temple is therefore based on an inverted
lotus-base plinth. It was designed so that the rays of the rising and
setting sun on the day of Summer solstice 21 June and NOTequinox (20
March and 21 September generally) fell on the bejeweled pure gold idol
of Sun riding on his chariot driven by Saarthi Arun. Sun's chariot has
seven horses and 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 ancestral God. It was plundered by Mahmud
Gazni. The entire gold idol was taken away by him.
Exterior
The exterior 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. Also seen Samundramanthan.
Erotic sculptures
All important religions of India like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism
have presented erotic motifs in their art. It was seen as an act that
brought about fertility. Hence at this temple a most profound depiction
of sexual iconography is displayed, at the exterior walls of the main
temple itself.
Erotic motifs in Indian temples are not meant for
artistic scultures. The errotic motifs were meant for training the minds
of the Jain aspirants. These young aspirants have to be celibates
throughout their lives. Therefore, they must have a knowledge of sexual
acts. The aspirants are given chance to think about remaining celibate.
Various theories are there right from challenging aspirants to not go to
toughest part of celibates to artistic erotic sculptures being seen as
very normal and normal revered human nature which commanded reverence
and admiration.
Detail from Wikipedia
