The Modhera Sun Temple in Gujarat, India follows the Maru-Gurjara style of architecture. It has three main components aligned on an axis: a shrine hall (gudhamandapa) housing the sanctuary (garbhagriha), an outer assembly hall (sabhamandapa), and a sacred reservoir (kunda). The temple complex uses an earthquake resistant locking system and is decorated with religious imagery including figures of Surya, Shiva, Vishnu, and scenes from the Ramayana.

1. SUN TEMPLE MODHERA
ART AND ARCHITECTURE

2. INTRODUCTION
• The temple is built using the locking system that is said to be
an earthquake resistant method. As in the case of an
earthquake; the structure would shake but not fall.
• The temple complex is built in Maru-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).

3. PLAN OF MODHERA SUN TEMPLE

4. MANDAPAS
• Mandapa- a hall was roofed by a dome which probably rose in
concentric manner. It is supported by eight principal pillars below
arranged in an octagon, four pillars in front of shrine proper and two
each in the recesses of windows and door.
• The Sabhamandapa is not in continuation with gudhamandapa but is
placed little away as a separate structure.
SABHAMANDAPA TORANS INSIDE SABHAMANDAPA

5. VISUALS AND SYMBOLS
• The panels on the Gudhamandapa is decorated with Surya centrally
which indicates that the temple is dedicated to Surya.
• These images wears peculiar West Asian (Persian) boots and belt.
• The other corners and niches are decorated with figures
of Shiva and Vishnu in various forms, Brahma, Nāga and goddesses.
• The depicted scenes
on small flat ceilings and
lintels of sabhamandapa are
from epics like Ramayana.
RELIEF WORK

6. KUNDA
• Kunda, a tank or reservoir is known as Suryakunda.
• It is rectangular. It measures 176 feet
from north to south
and 120 feet from east to west.
• It is paved with stones all around.
• There are four terraces and recessed steps
• Several miniature shrines and niches in
front of terrace-wall have images of gods.
• Step well-
1. The step well `on the
west of Kunda has one
entrance and two
pavilion-towers.
2. It is moderately ornamented.
The door-frame has lotus
and leaves carving.
KUNDA TOP VIEW
ORNAMENTED STEPWELL

7. • Torana -the decorated arches arise
from the lower brackets of the
pillars and touch the lintels in middle.
• Ceiling -The roof was in shape of stepped
pyramid but it no longer exists. It has
numerous floral girdles. It is 23 feet high.
• Pillars –
 Short Pillars: Half of the shaft is square in shape.
 The square part has floral design. Surmounted by a
 capital and a bracket.
 Tall Pillars: Arise from square or octagonal base.
It is highly decorated with standing figures and leaves.

8. MODEL
SABHAMANDAPA
GARBHAGRIHA
GUDHAMANDAPA
ELEVATION
PLAN