This “Dwadasha Lakshna Sthambha” – 12 Elements Pillar is of “Vishnu Kanta” (Octagonal) class of Hindu temple pillars from Surya Mandir, Modhera, Gujarat.
Dwadasha Lakshna Sthambha
1) Ghata/Ahvaana Patta – Base Water pot like Kalasa or Welcome Band generally contains Sri Ganesha or Sri Maha Lakshmi.
2) Simhamukha Patta – Lion Band – represents the Valor & Courage.
3) Dwarapala Patta – Guardian Band – Guardians of the presiding deity in the temple are present.
4) Vadaka/Vadaki patta – Musicians Band singing in reverence of the god.
5) Avatara patta – Manifestation Band – different Avataras of presiding deity.
6) Kalika Patta – Lotus Bud Band – indicates the potentiality of everybody to attain moksha.
7) Khandika/Ghanta Patta – Bell band – signifies the impermanence, transient creation of this universe through sound.
8) Deva Gana Patta – Embodiments of divine features – resembles all good characters of divinity.
9) Gandharva Patta – Geometrical Band basically Vajra or Padma Kulika are present. Vajra indicates indestructibility. Padma Kulika indicates – probability of moksha all human beings.
10) Kirtimukha Patta – Kirtimukha is the embodiment of dedication to his master Mahadev.
11) Kumbhika/Purnakumbha – Kalasa – water pot at the top.
12) Sirsa – Head/Capital of a pillar – represents how important sirsa is in bearing weight like Head takes care of a human body.
Ghata at base is water, Kumbhika at the top is water – is an indication of how life emerges in water and ends in water.
1) घटा/आह्वान 2) सिंह मुख 3) द्वारपाल 4) वादका, वादकी/भक्ता 5) अवतार 6) कलिका 7) खंडिका/घंटा 8) देवगण 9) गंधर्व 10) कीर्तिमुख 11) कुंभिका 12) सीर्षा
The Modhera Sun Temple was made by King Bhima I of the Chalukya dynasty in the early 11th century. It is a temple made to honour the Sun God in Modhera village of Mehsana district on the bank of River Pushpavati. It is a temple made to honour the Sun God in Modhera village of Mehsana district on the bank of River Pushpavati. The temple complex is divided into three parts – Gudha Mandapa (the shrine hall), Sabha Mandapa (the assembly hall) and Kunda (the reservoir).
