Modhera

Modhera Review

The 11th-century sun-temple complex at Modhera is the Solanki dynasty's most striking architectural achievement. The main temple sits on a moderately high plinth, which is now missing its spire, or shikara. Fronting this is the ranga mandapa, or hall for dance and other entertainments, and a large stone bathing tank, which contains some 108 small shrines. The temple, mandapa, and tank were lined up so that on the fall and spring equinoxes, the sun rose to shine directly on the temple's main image of Surya, the sun god. All three structures are embellished with high-quality sculpture reminiscent of the better-known temples at Khajuraho, which date from the same period. The temple is much regarded by the locals, and villagers in colorful traditional clothes pour in and out of the shrine. A guide can point out scenes of the Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana, as well as images of the sun god and numerous erotic scenes. On the east side of the bathing tank, a shrine houses a fine relief of Vishnu reclining on the serpent Anant Nag, preparing for the sleep that follows the cosmic dissolution and precedes the rejuvenation of the universe.