Page 424 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

422  WESTERN INDIA

5 Modhera Sun Temple

The Sun Temple at Modhera was built in 1026 by
King Bhima I of the Solanki dynasty. It is so precisely
laid out in an east–west direction that the sun’s
rays course through its chambers and strike the
centre of the inner sanctum at high noon every day.
The carvings, both inside and on the exterior, are
extraordinarily detailed, depicting a pantheon
of Hindu deities as well as scenes from everyday
life. An impressive tank dominates the forecourt. The Entrance Hall
This hall has 12 representations of Surya,
The juxtaposition of a tank with a Sun Temple is the Sun god, that depict the phases of the
inspired by Vedic scriptures, which say that the sun sun in each month of the year.
was born from the depths of a primordial ocean.
Shrines
The magnificent
tank is surrounded
by miniature
shrines, topped by
curved shikharas.

KEY
1 The Kund or tank is shaped
like an inverted pyramid. Flights of
stairs create a ripple effect down to
its base.
2 Sabha Mandapa, the
assembly hall, was reserved for
religious discourses and socio-
cultural ceremonies.

8 Vadodara museums and parks. It is served The Maharaja Fateh Singh
by various state transport buses Museum, also within the
Vadodara district. 106 km (66 miles)
SE of Ahmedabad. * 1,306,100. and private luxury coaches from grounds, has a rare collection of
~ 8 km (5 miles) NE of town centre. all over Gujarat, Maharashtra, paintings by the famous Indian
£ @ n Gujarat Tourism, (0265) Madhya Pradesh, Delhi,
242 7489. 8 Vadodara Municipal and Rajasthan. The Laxmi
Corporation, (0265) 243 3116/3118. Vilas Palace, an Indo-
Saracenic pile, was
Situated on the Vishwamitri designed by the English
river, Vadodara owes much of its architect Major Charles
splendour to Sayajirao Gaekwad Mant (see p472) and
III (1863–1939), a former ruler completed in 1890. It is
who transformed his principality still the residence of the
into a progressive centre of erstwhile ruling family,
culture, education and industry. though there are plans to
Today Vadodara, also known as convert parts of it into a
Baroda, is a vibrant city with luxury hotel. The grounds
many interesting buildings, already host a golf club. The majestic façade of the Laxmi Vilas Palace
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp699–700 and pp713–14

422-423_EW_India.indd 422 26/04/17 11:54 am