Sun Temple, Kotai, Gujarat

Sun Temple, Kotai, Gujarat

Sun Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Surya located in Kotai Village in Bhuj Taluka of Kutch district of Gujarat, India. The temple is situated on the shore of Greater Rann of Kutch. The Temple is one of the protected monuments in Gujarat declared by Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple is believed to be built during the 10^th century CE. Kotai village has the remains of an old city and several ruined temples dating back to the earlier part of the tenth century CE.

The Temple

This temple is facing towards west and stands over a raised platform. The platform provides ample space for the devotess to circumbulate the temple. The temple consists of sanctum, antrala, sabha mandapa and mukha mandapa. The mukha mandapa is lost completely except the base of the front pillars. The lintel of the doorway of the hall is carved with Navagrahas. The sabha mandapa is supported by four central pillars and six pilasters on the side walls.

The door jamb of the sanctum has two bands of decoration. Ganesha can be seen at the center of the lintel. The shikara resembles the design of the Ambika Mata Temple at Jagat. There are three shrines situated to the west of the temple. Two shrines are facing towards the east and one is facing towards the north. The north facing shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu with only a fragment of the shrine remaining. Of the east facing shrines, the left side shrine has niches enshrining the image of Surya on the west and Varaha on the south.

The lintel has the image of Ganesha The right shrine consists of sanctum and an entrance porch. Only part of the porch remains. The lintel of the sanctum is carved with images of Navagrahas. The sanctum has niches enshrining the image of Narasimha on the north and Vishnu on the west. Both the images are highly eroded. There are remains of two more west facing shrines across a ravine to the north-east of this temple.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 7 Kms from Kunariya, 13 Kms from Lodai, 25 Kms from Bhuj Airport, 25 Kms from Bhuj Railway Station, 28 Kms from Bhuj, 28 Kms from Bhuj Bus Stand, 65 Kms from Bhimasar and 83 Kms from Mundra. The temple is situated on Kunariya to Lodai route.

Location