The Sun Temple -Modhera (Gujarat)

I visited Modhera sometime in mid-January 2014 and watched the renowned Sun Temple bathed in pale yellow due to the light coming from the setting Sun. The temple is devoted to this natural God of the Hindus which is said to have been partially ruined and the idol of the Sun God desecrated by invaders from across the northwestern frontiers who were the followers of Islam. It is located in district Patan of the State of Gujarat in India and ideally set on the left bank of river Pushpawati. Its architecture is superb by all means and the walls bear many sculptures of various Hindu Gods and Goddesses including auspicious animals and birds. Motifs have also been used for embellishment. The Surya Kund or the Sun Tank in its front is a large structure having a deep and inclined pit with long quays broken by intermittent slabs stones set as stairs for the purpose of going down to the water level. The monument and the premises is looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India who did a magnificent and labor intensive work for several years to recover the monument from falling into total ruins. It is visited by thousands of native people as well as hundreds of foreign nations during the year.

[It has come to be noticed that many a friend post pictures of the Mandapam located in front of the main Sun Temple and facing the water reservoir depicting it to be the principle edifice whereas the actual Sun Temple is in the background and much larger than the Mandapam having a different plan. If pictures from front are taken then the tank comes in the foreground and the Mandapam in the background hiding the main edifice, totally. I have, therefore posted the photo of the main edifice as well as the tank with Mandapam seen in the background. One of the photos on the wall of the Sun Temple depicts God Sun with Usha and Pratyusha standing by his side. The God's sever horses are seen in the front as only the heads could be carved following the principles of iconography.]

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