History, Importance and Architecture of Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat
Modhera, a small town of Mehsana district of Gujarat, located on bank of river Pushpavati is well known historical and ancient sacred place across the world for its Sun Temple. This temple was built during the Solanki dynasty to offer in sculpture to the lord of light and life, God Surya dev. King Bhimdev I of Solanly dynasty was supporter of art and religion thus during this period excellent stone work observed at Rani Ki Vav at Patan, Rudra Mahal at Siddhpur, Jain temples at Taranga and Sun temple at Modhera. Sun temple of Modhera was built in 1026 by Rishabh Bhimdev 1 from Solanki dynasty. This temple is design in such a way that first ray of Sun fall on idol of Lord Sun. Temple campus comprise of Surya kunda or Ram kunda rectangle shaped water tank, huge garden, sabha mandap, sanctum sanctorum, museum etc. Surya Kund contains 108 shrines of various God and celestial beings carved in between the step inside the tank. Three main shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva in surrounding of tank. Sabha Mandap is the hall for spiritual gathering has 52 intricately carved pillar representing 52 week with carving of episodes of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Krishna Leela. The sanctum sanctorum or main shrine is build based on inverted lotus base plinth and designed in such a way that rays of rising and setting sun on the day of equinox fall on the pure gold idol of Lord Sun.
The temple was destroyed by Allaudding Khilji but many remains of temple found here and gold was robbed by Mahumad Gazni. Now Modhera Sun temple is protected monument under the archaeology survey of India. Visitors and devotee can feel the positive aura of place during the walk around the temple. Government of Gujarat organized the annual Modhera dance festival where lots of artist across the world performed.
