Have you ever felt a sudden urge to understand where you come from? That is exactly what happened to me recently. While searching for information about my Kuldevi (our family deity), I discovered that I belong to the Solanki Dynasty. I found out that my Kuldevi is Bhramani Mata, located in Kamli Village in the Mehsana District of Gujarat.
Even though my native place is Valsad and I was born and raised in the busy city of Mumbai, I felt a deep pull to visit my roots. Since the famous Modhera Sun Temple is only an hour away from my Kuldevi’s temple, I decided to go. This wasn't just a sightseeing trip; it was my second time there, and I wanted to truly understand the richness, power, and liberal nature of Hindu culture. I wanted to see how these ancient structures serve as teachers of life and spirituality.
The Grand Entrance: Ramakunda and the Torana
As I walked towards the temple, which sits beautifully on the bank of the Pushpavati River, the first thing that took my breath away was the Kunda (the sacred stepped tank). It’s a deep, rectangular pool with a symmetrical arrangement of steps. If you look closely, there are 108 miniature shrines tucked into the steps. It’s incredibly peaceful to look at.
Right next to it stands the Torana, a grand ceremonial gateway. The pillars here are so richly decorated with figures and animal motifs that you could spend an hour just looking at one column! It felt like a royal welcome into a different century.
The breathtaking geometry of the Ramakunda.
The Ranga-mandapa: A Lesson in Time and Life
Then, I moved toward the Ranga-mandapa (the assembly hall). This is perhaps the most magnificent part of the whole complex. Did you know it is supported by 52 pillars? They aren't just for support; they represent the 52 weeks of a solar year. It’s amazing how our ancestors blended science and art so perfectly.
The carvings here are like a giant storybook. I saw scenes from the Ramayana, like the Vanar Sena building the bridge to Lanka and the kidnapping of Sita. There were also carvings of Ganesha eating laddoos and Vishnu’s various forms. But what really surprised me was how "real" the art was. There are carvings showing the entire human life cycle—from the moment of conception and birth to death and the final funeral rites. It reminds you that life is a circle and every stage is sacred.
The Main Temple: Science and Secrets
Finally, I entered the main temple, known as the GÅ«dha-mandapa. This place is an architectural and astronomical marvel. The temple is built exactly on the Tropic of Cancer. On the days of the Equinox, the sun’s rays pass through the doors and fall directly on where the deity used to sit. It’s said that the original idol was made of pure gold and had a massive diamond that would light up the entire dark room when the sun hit it!
As I walked around the inner sanctum, I noticed the erotic carvings. In our modern world, we sometimes feel shy about these things, but the 11th-century Solanki builders viewed "Kama" (desire) as a natural part of the human experience. I even saw carvings depicting the five-day menstruation cycle and a woman giving birth in water. It shows how progressive and open-minded our culture was hundreds of years ago.
The "Visual Encyclopedia" on the Outside
Before I left, I took a walk around the exterior walls. It’s like a visual encyclopedia! Around the base, there are 365 carved elephants, representing every day of the year. There are also 12 statues of the Sun God (Adityas) for the 12 months. I even heard that there are 365 different hairstyles carved on the female figures—one for every day! The detail is just mind-blowing.
365 Elephants: Representing every day of the year.
My Reflections
Standing there, I realised that these temples weren't just for prayer; they were built to give us knowledge about how to live.
I believe that as humans, we have a beautiful path to follow. Getting married, living a "householder" life, and raising a family are not just chores—they are part of our spiritual journey. When we create a loving home and contribute something meaningful to society, we are fulfilling our purpose. By leading a balanced, spiritual life, we can make this world a much better and more peaceful place to live.
I would love to hear your thoughts! Have you ever visited a place that changed the way you look at life? Please share your views in the comments and share this blog with your friends and family!
Comments
Post a Comment