Modhera Sun Temple:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently highlighted the thousand-year history of Gujar Modhera Sun Temple, recalling its destruction during invasions and its subsequent reconstruction, while also highlighting the village’s transformation into India’s first 24×7 s village.
- Modhera Sun Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the solar deity Surya located at Modhera village of the Mehsana district, Gujarat.
- It is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati.
- It was built after 1026-27 CE during the reign of King Bhima I of the Chaulukya dynasty.
- No worship is offered now and is a protected monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
- It entered the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the year 2014.
- The temple complex is built in Maru-Gurjara style (Chaulukya style).
- The temple complex has three components: Gudhamandapa, the shrine hall; Sabhamandapa, the assembly hall; and Kunda, the reservoir.
- Each part is aligned along an east-west axis, reinforcing the temple’s connection to the sun’s movement.
- The halls have intricately carved exterior and pillars.
- Sabha Mandap standing on 52 pillars, depicting the 52 weeks in a year. The intricate carvings on the pillars depict scenes from ancient Indian epics Ramayana, Mahabharata and scenes from the life of Lord Krishna.
- The reservoir has steps to reach the bottom and numerous small shrines.
- On equinoxes, with the perfect planning and precision of the architecture, sun rays enter the main sanctum.
- In those days light was used to further reflect to other idols from the correctly placed diamond on the head of Sun God.
- The exterior walls are engraved with beautiful intricate carvings.
