This Presentation is For BA Students Sem V

1. Sun Temple, Modhera
Dr.Virag Sontakke
Assistant Professor
A.I.H.C. & Archaeology
Banaras Hindu University,Varanasi

2. Sun Temple, Modhera

3. Sun Temple, Modhera

4. Introduction
• Situated in the bank of the river Pushpavati Modhera,
Mehsana District of Gujrat.
• Solanki dynasty is famous for their beautiful temple
architecture and Modhera Sun Temple is one of their
exquisite evidence.
• It was constructed after 1026-27 c. CE during the reign
of Bhima I of Solanki dynasty.
• The inscription is placed upside down, indicated the
destruction and reconstruction of the temple.
• The temple had witnessed the Muslim invasion and
destruction in Medieval period.
• Presently no ceiling, roof or shikhara portion is available.

5. Characteristic Features
• Components of the Temple:
1. The Shrine: Garbhagriha
2. Antrala (Vestibule) : stands on 4 pillars
3. Mandapa: Gudhamandapa)
4. The assembly hall: Sabhamandapa (standing Independently)
5. Kunda: Ramkund
• All the components shares the east-west oriented axis and face the east,
• Both the structures stand on high platform
• The temple is approached by a flight of steps
• Enclosed in compound
• Intricately carved exterior and plain interior
• Pillars are also highly ornate.
• The Kund has steps to go to the bottom (all side)
• Front of the sabhamandapa , two pillars of a torana from which the arch is
missing.
• Temple is surrounded by small shrines.

6. Sun Temple, Modhera

8. Girbhgriha
• Sandhar garbhagriha (With
pradakshinapath)
• Square on plan (11 feet)
• East facing
• No decoration inside
• Lalatbimb has Surya idol
• The doorway has carved
figures of twelve faces of
Aditya
• Pradakshinapath is roofed
with flat slabs Kapota.

9. Gudhamandapa
• The Gudhamandapa has
a rectangular plan
• Has projections on each
side,
• Three niches of shrine
• It is supported by eight
principal pillars below
arranged in an octagonal
• Pillars are decorated
• Interior is plain
• The shikhara no longer
exists.

10. Sabhamandap
• Situated in front of the Gudmandapa (standing separately)
• Entry from four sides
• Sabhamandap has projections from outer
• The assembly hall 32 (52) Pillars (height: 13 feet)
• Size: 50 feet
• Cornice: kapota all side
• No roof survived.
• The ceiling is circular in form, rising in layers which has rich floral patterns in each layer.
• Semi circular arches over pillars to support the ceiling.
• Kakshasana which slopes outwards and forms the back-rests of the bench, asana which runs
around the hall
• The extensively carved exterior has a series of recessed corners is intricately decorated with
motifs and figures.
• Mandovara decorated with large panels of gods, goddesses, and floral designs.
• The base stands on an inverted lotus with richly carved flower patterns.
• Above the base are panels of dancers which lead to figures of gods and goddesses.
• The topmost panels have floral and erotic figures.

11. Sun Temple, Modhera

13. Torana
• Torana: Kirti Toran
• Upper part of torana is not survived
• Presently only two pillars remains.
• Moulding and decoration is similar to Pillars of temple
• Two more kirti-torana on each side of the kunda
• Out of which only one exists without upper part.

14. Sun Temple, Modhera

15. Ramkunda
• The Ramakunda (Surya-kunda) is a rectangular on plan
176 feet north to south, by 120 feet east to west.
• flights of steps on all its sides with four terraces
• While the steps are rectangular and plain
• the main entrance is from the west through the Keerti
Torana.
• Several small shrines on the top terraces. the shrines have a
fair amount of decorations.
• There are temples of Vishnu, Ganesha, Nataraja, and other
deities.
• Total 108 shrines on the steps and niches of the tank
originally,
• The tank is profusely covered with sculpture in relief in
wide bands that run all alongside the length and breadth.

16. Ramkunda

19. The pillars
• The Sabhamandapa and Gudhamandapa are of two types of
pillars.
• Majority are tall and few are short
• The tall pillars rise from the floor, situated at central place
• The short pillars rest on the walls (Kakshasana) and support
the roof.
• Short: The shaft is square in shape to half of its height
followed by the vase and then followed by an octagonal
shaft.
• Tall: They arise from square or octagonal base, kumbhi,
with triangular ornamentation on each face.
• The pillar capital crowned with makara brackets has dwarfs
in the rests

20. Pillars and Decoration of
Sun Temple, Modhera

21. • The tall pillars are square and octagonal
base,
• Circular shaft,
• Largely human figures,
• Dancers,
Pillars

22. • Pillars has two types of Torna
• Semicircular and triangular.
• Both types have a broad band decorated with figures
• Presence of Makara at lower portion gives the name of Makara-Torana
• According to its decoration gives name of chitra-torana.

23. Outer Decorative Elementa
(Pitha, Mandovar & Shikhra)
• Temple stands on adhisthan
• Outer walls are highly decorated
• Pitha
1. Pitha: 4 moulding (nar, ashv, gaj, asur)
2. Cyma recta mouldings
3. Padmaka (inverted lotus)
4. Antarita, a fillet with a sharp edge between two recesses.
5. Patta: thin molding (lower chhaja)
Mandovara,
1. Mandovara is the the wall moldings start with kumbha, a
pitcher.
2. Contains series of mouldings
3. Janga: panels are decorated with figures mostly Surya are
placed

26. Art
• The outer walls of the temple are highly decorated with intricate stone carvings.
• The base lies atop lotus mouldings and rises with a band depicting men from
everyday life.
• The figures of Sun and other gods are prominently depicted on the middle panels
• Also panels of dancers and other forms also present.
• Main god Surya is showed predominantly in a standing position, similar to
Konark,
• North – Kubera,
• North-East – Rudra
• East – Indra
• South-East – Agni
• South – Yama,
• South-West – Nairiti – a form of Shiva
• West – Varun
• North-West – Vayu
• There are erotic figures
• Ceiling is also decorated

30. Conclusion
• Zenith of Temple Architecture of Gujrat
• Evidence of development of Art of Gujrat in Medieval
period.
• Sculptures were masters in all forms of decoration
• Plan and elevation suggest of the temple makes the perfect
harmony.
• Throws lights on the social cultural aspects of the Gujrat.
• Temple though destroyed but survived today because of
immense fight of locals against odds.