Report on Educational Tour at Modhera Sun Temple.
20th July, 2019,
Ahmedabad
Last Wednesday was a memorable day for us because on that day we had our educational tour. On that day we visited many places one by one and the second place for our educational tour was Modhera Sun Temple, (which is only in Gujarat). I and my friends were very excited. We got the full history about the sun temple of Modhera by Dinesbhai who was there as local guide.
Modhera Sun Temple
Here is the information, which we got about the sun temple. About 2 km west of the town towards Pushpavati River stands the striking Sun Temple, dedicated to the God Sun. Like most structures built during the Solanki period, the stone blocks were fit without mortar. Commissioned in 1027 AD by Bhimdev 1, the temple consists of three parts: the suryakund, the pavilion and the temple.
Pavilion in Sun Temple
Traditionally, pilgrims would bathe in the ‘Kund’ before entering the temple. The Kund was known as ‘Ram- Kund’ or ‘Surya Kund’ in local diction. Along the Kund steps are 108 shrines, which were adorned by various statues like goddess Shitala, Lord Ganesha, Lord Natraj, Sheshayi Vishnu, etc. Steps ascending to the pavilion lead to two beautifully carved pillars which belong to a ‘Toran’ that once stood here. Along the wall of the pavilion are twelve images that depict the Sun. Take note that the sun idol is shown wearing boots. The main temple stands post pavilion. It is believed that the central area was once crowned by a dome.
Lord Sun Many claim that it was damaged during a natural calamity or destroyed by Alauddin Khilji’s invasion during the reign of Bhimdev 1 and this king renovated this temple. The temple was built facing the east so that at the equinox, the first rays of the sun would penetrate the sanctum on only 21st March & 23rd September. The temple’s exterior is clad in carvings of the twelve forms of Surya, Agni, dancing Apsaras and litigants, in addition to several erotic images. The whole temple was stood on inverted lotus leaves sculpture. We saw there more than 1000 years old Shiva Temple which was stood on wheel like a ‘rath’. There was one Archaeology department, in which, we saw many broken or ruined statues or sculpture like Lord Chandra, Apsara, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Durga, etc. We took many pictures from there for our sweet memory. Really, the educational tour was a memorable one for us.
Photos of the one-day Educational tour By Department of English...