|
The 11th century
Sun temple of Modhera is easily one of the finest examples
of devotional architecture in western India. Built by
Bhima Deva of the Solanki Rajput dynasty, with the aid
of donations from the people, the temple features carved
torana arches mounted on kirti stambhas (pillars of
victory) as the entrances, a large rectangular stepped
with 108 smaller shrines, an exquisite 52 pillared portico,
beautiful domed central portion and a sanctum sanctoruim
designed so that the sun light fell on the bejewelled
statue of the God, specially at sunrise during the equinox.
The exterior of temple is carved with traditional erotic
scenes and images of many gods and goddesses, while
inside are friezes from epics like the Mahabharata portrayed
on the pillars.
The historic township
of Anhilwada Patan was the 8th-14th century capital
of Gujarat,before Ahmed Shah founded Ahmedabad, and
is a highly atmospheric citadel with many havelis and
temples.
The greatest reminder
of the golden period of Gujarat under the Solanki kings
is the Rani-ki-Vav stepwell some distance from the town
centre. Built in the 1050s and named for Rani Udamati,
wife of Maharajah Bhim Deva and daughter-in-law of Mulraja,
founder of Solanki rule in Gujarat, the stepwell is
the oldest and perhaps the grandest among the 120 odd
step wells in Gujarat. Leading down seven storeys to
the water level, the steps are string-coursed by sculpture
depicting the avatars of lord Vishnu, Hindu Goddesses,
Jain idols and beautiful apsaras. Behind the water is
a beautiful sculpture of Lord Vishnu reclining on a
serpent.
Jhinjhwada has the
remains of an old fort of the Solanki dynasty that ruled
the area in the 11th and 12th centuries. The most impressive
relic of the fort is a huge gateway separating the village
from the Rann of Kutch with superb sandstone carvings.
This 12th century
tank on the outskirts of the walled town of Viramgam
is enclosed by scores of intricately carved temples.
One of the most
important archaeological sites in India, Dholawira is
an excellent example of Harappan town planning. Excavations
show that a sophisticated civilisation existed here
from 2900 to 1600 BC. The imposing walled citadel had
an intricate system of water harvesting using tanks,
wells and reservoirs to store water and channels to
distribute it. Some of the many unique finds from the
excavations are on display.
This historic city
was ruled by the Jadeja Rajputs from the 1540s to the
1940s and has a number of historic monuments.
Mandvi has beautiful
beaches set along the northern coast of the Gulf of
Kutch. The Maharao’s Vijay Vilas Palace is located
facing the sea with a private beach. The town has many
historic relics of the time when Mandvi was an important
port and naval base of the Kutch royal family.
Kala Raksha has
a fine collection of heirloom textiles housed at their
centre in this village as guidelines for the artisan
cooperatives. |
