the solar deity Surya located at Modhera village of Mehsana district, Gujarat, India.
The Sun Temple was built during the reign of
Bhima I of Chaulukya dynasty.Earlier, during 1024-25, Mahmud of Ghazni had invaded Bhima's kingdom, Historian A. K. Majumdar theorizes that the Sun Temple might have been built to commemorate this defense. SITE: The temple is situated at Becharaji Rd, Highway, Modhera, Gujarat. It is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati. ARCHITECTURE
The temple complex is built in Māru-Gurjara style
(Chaulukya style). The temple complex has three axially aligned components; the shrine proper (garbhagriha) in a hall (gudhamandapa), the outer or assembly hall (sabhamandapa or rangamandapa) and a sacred reservoir (kunda). The Gudhamandapa measures 51 feet 9 inches by 25 feet 8 inches. It is almost equally divided into Gudhamandapa, the hall and Garbhgriha, the shrine proper. Both are rectangular in plan with one projection on each of the smaller sides and two projections on each of the longer sides. The Garbhagriha, the shrine proper or sanctum sanctorum is square measuring 11 feet from inside. The shrine had two cells; a cell below the level of the upper cell. The floor of the upper cell is now fallen which once housed the image of a deity. The seat of the image is now in a pit. The lower cell was probably used for storage. Section A massive rectanguar stepped tank, for ablutions, comprising a sheet of water contained within a rectanguar arrangment of platforms and terraced interspaces with shrines of various sizes and shapes. On it's western side, a wide flight of steps lead to torana. The temple is resolved into two separate structures connected by a narrow passage. Plan q Although the two structures comprising the temple, differ from each other, as one of them is the form of an open hypostyle hall and other is enclosed within walls, by the skill full adjustment of their mouldings, string courses and horizontal elements. The composition is well harmonized to create a sense of wholeness. SURYA KUNDA
Kunda, a tank or reservoir is known as Ramakunda or Suryakunda. The flight of steps
through kirti-torana leads to the reservoir. It is rectangular, measures 176 X 120 feet. It is paved with stones all around. There are four terraces and recessed steps to descend to reach the bottom of the tank. The main entrance lies on west. The front Mandapa contains 8 columns around a central octagonal nave, DETAILINGS: above which is highly ornamented ceiling. The walls inside the shrine are plain and the outer wall is decorated. The doorway has carved figures of seated Surya in panels surrounded by dancers and amorous couples. The torona I.e., the ceiling's best feature is it’s magnificently carved pillars carrying Torana arches in alternate triangular and semi- circular designs.There are 52 pillars denoting the 52 weeks of a solar year. The heavily carved pillars have scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata & Krishna Leela. It is 23 feet High. MATERIAL: Sandstone. THANK YOU