We left soon after breakfast, the first was Modhera, the drive was longer than I expected and rather boring.
However once we got there the fascinating history and architecture made up for it.
History (from Wikipedia)
According to the Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana, the areas near Modhera were known during ancient days as Dharmaranya (literally meaning the forest of righteousness). According to these Puranas, Lord Rama, after defeating Ravana, asked sage Vasistha to show him a place of pilgrimage where he could go and purify himself from the sin of Brahma-hatya (the sin of killing a Brahmin, because Ravana was a Brahmin by birth). Sage Vasistha showed him Dharmaranya, which was near the modern town of Modhera. In the Dharmaranya, he settled at a village Modherak and performed a yagna there. Thereafter he established a village and named it Sitapur. This village is about 15 km from Becharaji Modherak village and it subsequently came to be known as Modhera.
The Sun Temple was built by Rushabh Bhimdev I of Solanki Dynasty in AD 1026. This was the time when Somnath and the adjoining area was plundered by Mahmud Ghazni and reeled under the effects of his invasion. The Solankis, however, regained much of their lost power and splendour. Anahilvad Patan, the Solanki capital, was restored to glory. Royalty and traders jointly contributed to build grand temples.
Solankis were considered to be Suryavanshi, Gurjar or descendants of Sun god. The temple was so designed that the first rays of the sun fell on the image of Surya, the Sun God, at the time equinoxes.
The temple is partially in ruins after it was also finally destroyed by the Allauddin Khilji.
However, for sure enough has remained of the temple to convey its grandeur.
We drove on to Rani Ki Bhav, this is a world heritage site but we didn't feel brave enough to negotiate the narrow, winding, eleven steps. So we stayed at the top and took a couple of pictures.
It was getting late for lunch and I called the resort, they assured me they would keep lunch saved for us, and they definitely did.
After lunch it was time for the afternoon safari and we decided not go looking for the Bustard anymore since there weren't any other birds or animals in that part of the sanctuary.
We went to the part that we had gone to yesterday morning, and saw many more water birds, wild asses, blue Bulls.
The most interesting sighting was a hyena's den, with the mother and her two cubs crouched inside, and not visible, at least not to me. The guide and Sudip were able to make the outline of the mother.
It was pretty intriguing since we had to park the truck a ways out and walked quietly to the den, good thing the are no large predatory animals in this sanctuary.
We came to the lodge shortly after, had coffee and went to our rooms to look at the pictures from the day until dinner time.
Dinner was the same boring menu, but made up for the tasteless food by the smiling, friendly, and attentive kitchen staff.
Retired for the night, early morning safari tomorrow.
Location:Royal Safari Lodge
No comments:
Post a Comment