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About
Legend
Structure
Reaching Modhera
Temple timings
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
Location
| | About | | The Sun Temple (dedicated to the Sun God) of Modhera is one of the finest examples of Indian temple architecture, built in 1026 A.D. It has spectacular carvings, fine architecture and traditional erotic sculpture. Modhera, sometimes called Mundera is situated on the banks of the River Pushpavati about 25 kms. from Mehsana
The beautiful and partially ruined Sun Temple of Modhera was built by King Bhimdev I of the Solanki Rajput clan and bears some resemblance to the later, and far better known, Sun Temple of Konark in Orissa. It was designed so, that the dawn Sun shone on the image of Surya, the sun god, at the time of the equinoxes. The main hall and shrine are reached through a pillared porch and the temple exterior is intricately and delicately carved. As with the Temple of Somnath, this fine temple was ruined by Muhammad of Ghazni.
Every inch of the edifice, both inside and outside is magnificently carved with Gods and Goddesses, birds, beasts and flowers.
| | | Legend | | This is an ancient township, traceable to the Puranic age, when it was known as Dharmaranya. These Puranas mention that after defeating Ravana, Lord Rama asked Muni 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.) Muni Vasistha showed him a Dharmaranya, which was near the modern town of Modhera.
It is believed that Lord Rama performed here a sacrifice to purify himself of the sin of having killed a Brahmin - Ravana, the king of Lanka. Rama built "Modherak" which subsequently came to be called "Modhera". It became a pilgrimage centre for hordes of people who thronged to the place to pay homage to Surya. | | | Structure | | The building work was commissioned to the Silvat stonemasons who had the ability to make the hardest stone take on the quality of the delicate woodcarvings. Within the main grounds, the Surya Kund is an extraordinary baoli containing over 100 shrines. Shrines to Ganesh, Vishnu and an incarnation of Shiva surround the tank on three sides while the main temple completes the rectangle and displays 52 intricately carved pillars depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
The outer facades have a string of friezes and above that is the mandovara with excellent carvings of gods and goddesses. Between the Sabha Mandapa and the sanctum sanctorum is a hall with pillars and arches and the walls have 12 niches showing showing the different aspects of the Sun God in each month. The outer walls are filled with sculptures of Surya and other gods. Unlike Konark, which rests on 12 wheels of a chariot, Modhera has built on the petals of a lotus, which runs the whole length of the temple. Elsewhere in the complex, there are extensive panels of erotic sculpture.
The first view of the sun temple is breathtaking, with the pillared portico of the sabhamandap (assembly hall) reflected in the massive tank. Covered with lavish sculptural decoration, these pillars are examples of the perfect craftsmanship of the Solanki artisan. These pillars are geometrically arranged to create an octagonal space at the centre of the hall used quite frequently for ritualistic dance performances.
The sabhamandap is a small independent structure. The four entrances have ornamental toranas (decorative hangings over the entrance), which have a marvelous quality of intricate and precision craftsmanship. At the centre of the hall is the walnut shaped ceiling, with its numerous folds of floral girdles, upheld by two aisles of pillars arranged on diagonals of the square plan. Even at its dimly lit height, the astounding splendor of stone craft shines brightly. It is a visual delight to stand under the 23 feet high ceiling. The structure containing the sanctum is modest in size but a rare gem.
The entire structural complex is aligned to the east, to the rising sun. Kama Kunda, the water tank, meant for ritualistic ablution before offering worship, is one of the most perfectly designed structures of its kind in the country. A regular well-patterned lateral formation of stone steps descends upto the bottom of the tank. The geometrical configuration of steps allows a direct or diagonal descent from all the four sides. | | | Reaching Modhera | | Modhera is 102 kms. north-west of Ahmedabad. There are direct buses, or one can take the train to Mehsana and then catch a bus for the 26 kms. trip to Modhera. | | | Temple timings | | The temple is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm.
Modhera is famous for its Sun Temple, the best example of Solanki temple architecture in the state and one of the most magnificent monuments in Gujarat.
| | | Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary | | About 60 kms from Ahmedabad, is the delightful bird sanctuary visited by millions of magnificently coloured birds in winter and spring. It harbours over 250 species of wetland birds. Winter migrants from the north including Rosy Pelicans, Flamingoes, White Storks, Brahminy Ducks and Herons visit Nal Sarovar.
Between November and February, this 116 sq km lake, is home to vast flocks of indigenous and migratory birds. Ducks, geese, pelicans and flamingos are best seen early in the morning and in the evening and the sanctuary is best visited as a day excursion by taxi, as buses are infrequent and there is no convenient accommodation.
Migrating Bharwad shepherds populates the islands of the lake and on the banks are the Padhars, who are excellent folk dancers, artisans and boatmen. One can hire country boats on the lake for bird viewing, and picnic at shacks the on the islands. If you are making the trip to Nalsarovar you can lunch at the KP farm at Sanand, which has a swimming pool, children's amusement park and other facilities, and enjoy the Goyal waterpark.
It tends to get crowded on Sundays. The sanctuary mainly comprises a huge lake and ambient marshes.
| | | Location | | 60 kms. south-west of Ahmedabad | |
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