MODHERA
SUN TEMPLE - ART & CULTURE
News:
Gujarat Sets Guinness
World Record for Performing Mass Surya Namaskar with Over 4,000 Participants at
Modhera Sun Temple
What's
in the news?
●
In a spectacular display of health and
unity, Gujarat has etched its name in the Guinness Book of World Records for
the most people performing Surya Namaskar simultaneously.
Modhera
Sun Temple:
Location:
●
Modhera Sun Temple is located in Mehsana,
neighbouring Ahmedabad district.
●
Situated on the banks of Pushpavati River.
Dedicated
to:
Lord Surya / Sun God.
Built
by:
●
It was built after 1026-27 CE during the
reign of Bhima I of the Solanki dynasty.
Key
takeaways:
●
It is surrounded by a terra-formed garden
of flowering trees and songs of birds.
●
The remains of the Sun Temples at Modhera
are relics of times gone by when reverence of the natural elements fire, air,
earth, water and sky were at their peak sharing space with myriad
manifestations of Vedic gods.
Invasion:
●
The temple was attacked and invaded twice,
first by Mahmud of Ghazni during his
raid of Gujarat and then by Alauddin
Khilji, a staunch Delhi Sultanate.
●
No
worship is offered now and is a protected monument maintained by the
Archaeological Survey of India.
Architecture:
●
The brilliant architecture of the temple
is one of its own class. The temple complex is built in Māru-Gurjara style (Chalukya style).
○
It is a relic of stone masonry providing the significance of the grand architecture
of the mediaeval period.
●
The temple encompasses three different yet
axially-aligned and integrated constituents.
●
Erected on a high platform, the temple appears majestic with its grand
structure.
○
However, the spires are out of the scene,
but the 'Toranas' (Archways) that lead to the main halls overshadow the absence
of spires or shikhars.
●
The
exterior walls are engraved with intricate carvings, boasting about the mastery
of art in those times.
●
Every single inch of the structure is
covered with the sculptural patterns of Gods, Goddesses, birds, beasts and
flowers.
Surya
Kund:
●
Surya Kund is a deep stepped tank in the front of the temple. The tank was named
after the Lord Surya (Sun God).
●
Not less than 108 shrines mark the steps
of this tank including the shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva,
Sheetala Mata and many others. In front of this tank, a huge 'torana' (archway)
leads to the Sabha Mandap.
Sabha
Mandap:
●
Literally, Sabha Mandap refers to an assembly hall where religious gatherings
and conferences are conducted.
●
This hall is open from all the four sides
and has 52 delicately carved pillars.
●
The intricate carvings depict scenes from
the Ramayana, Mahabharata (Indian Epics) and scenes from the life of Lord
Krishna.
●
In order to get into the Sanctum
Sanctorum, one has to cross the passage with pillars and arches.
Guda
Mandap:
●
Guda Mandap is the sanctum sanctorum that is supported by a lotus-base plinth.
●
Once, this hall used to house the idol of
the Sun God.
●
The designing of the hall was done in a
way, so that the idol gets the first glimpse of the Sun at equinoxes.
●
The carved walls also depict the aspects
of human life like the vicious circle of birth and death.
Festival:
●
Modhera
dance festival is the major festival that is observed by
the Sun Temple.
●
This dance festival is organized to keep
the Indian traditions and culture alive.
●
It is held in the third week of January
every year.
●
The classical dance forms in the premises
of this temple revive the imperial ambiance during the period.
●
Gujarat Tourism organizes this event to
promote tourism at this place.