This sun temple was built by King Bhimdev Solanki of Solanki Dynasty in AD 1026-1027 (Vikrama Samvat 1083). It is built near Karkavritta at 23.6° latitude. Earlier this place was known locally as Sitani Chauri and Ramkund. Presently worship in this temple This temple has been declared a monument of national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.Surya Mandir, Modhera is an ancient Sun Temple complex located at Modhera village in Mehsana district in the northern part of Gujarat state. It is situated on the banks of Pushpavati river. It was built by King Bhimdev Solanki of the Solanki dynasty in AD. It was built during 1026-1027. It is no longer worshiped and is a monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The temple complex has three components
Modhera Surya Mandir is situated on the bank of Pushpavati river at a distance of 30 km from Patan, 25 km from Mehsana and 106 km from Ahmedabad.
The architecture of the temple is in the Marugurjara style and consists of three axial structures: the sanctum sanctorum (gabharo) which is in the gudhamandapa (hall), the outer hall known as sabhamandapa or rangamandapa, and the sacred tank.
The construction of Sabhamandap is not in continuity with Gudhmandap but as a separate construction some distance away. Both structures are built on high platforms. Their peaks, except for the upper roof, have collapsed many years ago. The roofs of both have the same diameter of 15 feet 9 inches but are constructed in completely different ways
Goodmandap
The Goodhamandap measures 51 feet 9 inches by 25 feet 8 inches and is equally divided into two parts -- the hall and the sanctum. Both are of rectangular plan. The sanctum sanctorum is 11 feet square inside and its outer wall and the inner wall of the Goodhamandap form a circumambulation. The peak does not exist now and Gabhara is built that wayThe pinnacle does not exist now and the gabhara is constructed so that the first rays of the sun fall on the sun statue at the solstice (the day when both day and night are equal); And during the Dakshinayana (longest day of the year) the sun is directly overhead and no shadow of the Goodhamandap falls on the ground.
Assembly Mandap
The sabhamandap or rangamandap has a quadrangular structure with an entrance from each diagonal point. There are a total of 52 cantilevered pillars in the Sabhamandap.
The cistern
The sacred tank, also called Ramkund or Suryakund, is rectangular in shape. It measures 176 feet from north to south and 120 feet from east to west. It has many deris and a moderately decorated vav on the west side. Two pillars here indicate that there was once a kirti toran too.
Kathak dancer Namrata Rai, Modhera Nritya Mohotsav
Gujarat's tourism account organizes a 3-day dance festival every year in the third week of January after Uttarayan, known as Uttarardha festival. The festival aims to showcase Indian classical dances as they were actually performed.
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