|
Modhera |
|
|
|
|
|
Information about
Modhera
The village of Modhera is situated about 106 kms.
north west of Ahmedabad. Modhera was a site of great
importance at one time. Today, Modhera is a vitually
deserted hamlet. Far more off the beaten track and
much less well known than the Konark Sun temple,
Modhera retains a great deal of its atmosphere and
charm. Modhera is known for the 11th century Sun
temple. In January, Modhera is also the venue for the
three days dance festival.
Festivals in Modhera |
 |
|
|
The main festival of
Modhera is the Modhera Dance Festival. Modhera Dance
Festival is held during the third week of January every
year, after the festival of Uttarayan. This festival is
celebrated at the Sun Temple in Modhera. The decision to
celebrate the annual festival of Indian classical dances was
taken by the Department of Culture, Gujarat, and the West
Zone Cultural Centre at the Sun Temple. The idea was to
present classical dances in an atmosphere similar to that in
which these were originally presented. |
|
|
|
Tourist Attractions in Modhera |
|
The main tourist attraction in Modhera is the
Sun temple. |
|
|
|
Sun Temple
Modhera is known for the 11th century Sun temple. The
11th century Sun temple is situated on a knoll in
Modhera. The Sun Temple was built by King Bhimdev I in
1026-27 AD, two centuries before the Sun Temple at
Konark. This temple is one of the finest Hindu temples
in Gujarat, built by the great Solanki dynasty. This
temple and the Konark Sun temple in Orissa are very
similar. This similarity is that this temple was also
designed in such a way so as to let the dawn sun shine
on the image of Surya, at the time of equinoxes. The
main hall and shrine are reached through a complex,
pillared pavilion. |
 |
|
|
Beautiful columns and
magnificent carvings decorate the hall. The exterior of the
temple is intricately and delicately carved, showing demons
and evolving gods. Despite its partial destruction by Mahmud
of Ghazni and by subsequent earthquakes, it remains an
outstanding monument, set against the backdrop of the barren
landscape. Superb carvings of goddesses, birds, beasts and
blossoms on the pillars decorate the remaining pillars.
Fifty two intricately carved pillars depict scenes from the
Ramayana and Mahabharata. Unlike the exterior, the interior
hall is plain with 12 niches representing the Surya's
different monthly manifestations. Erotic sculptures panels
complete the sensual decoration. |
|
|
|
A large rectangular
pool (kunda) with flight of steps and about 100
shrines face the east front of the temple. The shrines
of Lord Ganesh, Vishnu and an incarnation of Shiva
surround the pool on its other three sides. On the
west side a steep flight of steps leads up to the main
entrance of the temple. The main temple stands well
above the surrounding land, raised by a high brick
terrace faced with stone. Passing through the richly
carved archway, the pillared hall is 15 m square. The
cusped arches became the striking feature of the
Mughal buildings about 600 years later. The roof of
this entry hall is low stepped pyramid. The west part
of the temple contains the inner sanctuary within its
oblong plan. The upper storeys have been completely
destroyed, |
 |
|
|
though it clearly
consisted of a low pyramidal roof in front of the tall
shikhara over the sanctuary itself. Surya's image in the
sanctuary was once illuminated by the first rays of the
rising sun at each solar equinox. Archaeologists are slowly
restoring the building with sandstone.
How to reach Modhera
Modhera is direct connected to various cities in Gujarat.
The nearest railway station is located at Mehsana which is
about 40 kms.
|
