The Modhera Sun Temple of Gujarat - its full architectural grandeur was lost due to Turkish invasion,etc

Navrang India September 26, 2024

A Unesco site. Modhera Sun Temple, Modhera,GJ .myavidtravels.com

ornate mandap, Modhera Sun Temple, hrillingtravel.in

full view of Surya Kund, Modhera Sun Temple, Modhera,GJ 
.revv.co.in

Surya Kund,Modhera Sun Temple, Modhera,GJ thehindu.com

The Modhera Sun Temple, located in Modhera village of Gujarat, is not only celebrated for its exquisite architectural grandeur and astronomical precision but is also a tragic symbol of the destruction wrought by foreign invasions on India’s rich heritage. Constructed in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty, this temple once stood as a magnificent testament to Gujarat’s opulence and the devotion of its people to Surya, the Sun God. However, its splendor was brutally diminished during the catastrophic invasions led by barbaric raiders.

Architectural Brilliance and Cultural Grandeur:

The temple, a masterpiece of Maru-Gurjara style architecture, originally consisted of three main structures—each designed to reflect the artistic and scientific prowess of its era:

  1. Surya Kund (Sacred Stepwell):
    The Surya Kund, a massive rectangular tank, was used for ritualistic ablutions. It was adorned with 108 small shrines, each carved with intricate depictions of various deities. This stepwell alone was a marvel, symbolizing the spiritual journey of devotees before they could approach the temple. The sheer number of shrines and the sophistication of carvings illustrated the grandeur of Solanki patronage.

  2. Sabha Mandap (Assembly Hall):
    The Sabha Mandap, an open assembly hall, was an architectural gem with exquisitely carved pillars and arches. Scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the life of Krishna were etched in stone, displaying not just artistic skill but also the temple’s role as a cultural hub. Here, dancers, musicians, and poets would gather, filling the space with the rhythm of life and devotion. This hall was a symbol of the Solanki kingdom’s prosperity and artistic vibrancy.

  3. Guda Mandap (Sanctum Sanctorum):
    The Guda Mandap housed the main idol of Surya, the Sun God. Legend has it that the idol, a golden effigy, stood atop a 15-foot deep pit filled with gold coins—symbolizing both spiritual and material wealth. The temple was aligned such that the first rays of the morning sun illuminated the deity, reinforcing the reverence for Surya as the divine source of light and life.

Invasions and Destruction:

But this amazing  architectural magnificence would soon come crashing down under the boots of invaders.

The Modhera Sun Temple’s opulence made it a prime target for marauding invaders, who sought not just to plunder its wealth but also to destroy the very symbols of Hindu faith and culture. The first blow came in the 11th century with the arrival of Mahmud of Ghazni, the infamous Turkish raider. Known for his unrelenting campaigns against India’s rich temples, Mahmud’s attack on Modhera was marked by utter devastation. He looted the temple, desecrated its sanctum, and toppled its main idol of Surya, taking away unimaginable treasures that included the golden statue and the temple’s wealth of gold coins.

But the story of Modhera’s ruin did not end with Ghazni. In the 14th century, the temple faced the wrath of Alauddin Khilji of the Delhi Sultanate, whose relentless assaults on Hindu temples across North and South India left a trail of destruction. Khilji’s armies not only stripped Modhera of its remaining treasures but also desecrated its sacred spaces, reducing a once-thriving religious center to a mere relic. His reign of terror extended far beyond Gujarat, as he plundered the famous Srirangam Ranganathar Temple and Meenakshi Temple of Madurai in Tamil Nadu and seized the legendary Koh-i-Noor diamond from a temple in the Yadava Kingdom of present-day Telangana. Modhera was left as a stark reminder of the systematic efforts to erase the cultural and religious identity of the subcontinent.

Decline and Loss:

Following these brutal invasions, the Modhera Sun Temple was abandoned as a place of worship. The pit that once held the golden idol of Surya remained empty, and the temple’s sanctity was shattered beyond repair. The damage inflicted by Mahmud of Ghazni and Alauddin Khilji ensured that no regular pujas or rituals could be performed here ever again. Modhera, once a beacon of spiritual and artistic excellence, was reduced to a ruin—a stark testament to the relentless plunder and desecration by foreign forces.

A Lost Glory Preserved:

Despite the temple’s decline, its architectural brilliance still captivates visitors, offering a glimpse into the past glory of the Solanki dynasty and their mastery over art, science, and astronomy. Now a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Modhera Sun Temple is a silent witness to Gujarat’s golden past and the tragic story of its downfall.

Today, the Modhera Sun Temple stands as more than just a historical monument. It is a reminder of the resilience of Indian culture in the face of destruction, the price of heritage lost to greed and fanaticism, and the enduring legacy of a civilization that, despite suffering such immense damage, continues to shine.