The Sun Temple at Modhera, India

The Sun temple at Modhera in India was built in 1026-27 AD.  It celebrates Sun worship and is a wonderful example of architecture that unites earth, water, human existence and outer space. 

Getting there

Modhera is located approximately 100 kilometers from the city of Ahmedabad.  The best way to get there is by road.  According the ancient Indian epic Ramayana, Modhera is the mythological spot where lord Rama worshipped here to absolve himself after killing King Ravana.  Another legend says that Modhera is named after a sect of Brahmins known as Modhs who helped Rama with his worship. 

An Indian classical dancer at the Sun Temple ²

The tropic of Cancer

Movement of Sun across the sky played a key role in determining the location of this temple.  The strongest effect of Sun’s heat is felt during the summer solstice when the Sun is directly overhead.  Modhera lies on the tropic of Cancer, where the Sun is directly overhead during the summer solstice.  This cosmic alignment created an ideal setting for a temple to worship the Hindu deity Surya – the Sun God.

Surya Kund with temples ³

The Celebration of Earth, Water and Outer Space

The main feature of the Sun temple is a large water reservoir, which is known as Surya Kunda.  The journey to fetch water on a hot Sunny day is celebrated through a series of steps and shrines where one has ample opportunities to stop, worship, relax and ponder upon the power of Sun God and our place in this cosmos.  That is what makes this reservoir a sacred place.

The Sun Temple ⁴

The Sun temple

In addition to Surya Kunda or the water reservoir, the temple complex has two axially aligned structures – the main temple known as the Garbhagriha and a communal hall known as Gudhamandapa.  One marvelous stroke of architectural brilliance is that on the days of Solar equinoxes i.e. 21st March and 21st September, the first rays of Sun fall on the statue of Surya in Garbhagriha.  Another stroke of splendid architecture is in elaborate carvings on the exterior façade which depict the entire human cycle from conception to death. The carvings include various deities and other erotic figures typical of the temples built in that era.

View of Surya Kund from the Sun Temple ⁵

The Cosmic Architecture

Although the main statue of the Sun God Surya and portions of the roof structure were destroyed centuries ago, the Sun temple remains as a wonderful example of architecture that is in harmony with its geographical location in space and time. The cosmic architecture of the Sun temple continues to inspire architects, engineers and landscape architects from all parts of the world.

• References
• Title Image:  Aashmi Haria, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.  File:Kund at sun temple, modhera.Jpg. (n.d.). Wikimedia.org. Retrieved September 16, 2022, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=93893970
• 2          Sumita Roy Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.  File:Indian classical dancer at sun temple, modhera DSCN4459 1.Jpg. (n.d.). Wikimedia.org. Retrieved September 16, 2022, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76343114
• 3          Nandicmb, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.  File:Lord Surya resides in his temple in Modhera, shining bright and showering his warmth on his devotees.jpg. (n.d.). Wikimedia.org. Retrieved September 16, 2022, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=94586451
• 4          Nandicmb, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.  File:O Lord Surya, I bow to thee!.jpg. (n.d.). Wikimedia.org. Retrieved September 16, 2022, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=94586440
• 5          Rupeshsarkar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.  File:Sun temple – modhera – Gujarat – 0006.Jpg. (n.d.). Wikimedia.org. Retrieved September 16, 2022, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=94094856