Last Updated on October 12, 2022 by admin
Visiting is the Modhera Sun Temple is one of my favourite places to visit near Ahmedabad for one day. Read why Ahmedabad to Modhera Sun Temple is an easy and must-do trip.
India is famous for its temples; their architecture, their cultural importance and how they existed through centuries declaring them as UNESCO Heritage Sites. Indian temples worship a lot of things and one of them is the Sun! Modhera hosts one of the Sun temples in India. The sun has been so important to the village that now a 6 MW solar plant, coupled with a 15 MWh battery energy storage system, is installed to meet the town’s day and night electricity requirements. Modhera is India’s first solar village.
Table of Contents
Sun God or Surya Dev: Why is the Sun worshipped?
Sun god is worshipped across cultures and for many centuries. Most ancient cultures worshipped the sun in and of itself, regularly bowing before it as the most potent force in the universe, to which they owed gratitude, obedience and adoration. The Egyptians respect the deity Ra (‘sun’), depicted in their sculpture as a falcon-headed god with a solar disk over his head. The Aztecs enchanted sacred poetry to Tonatiuh, the sun god, and the ancient Celts expressed piety to Grannus, god both of the sun and wisdom. In the Native American cultures, such as the Iroquois and Plains peoples, the sun was recognized as a life-giving force. Many of the Plains tribes still perform a Sun Dance each. In MesoAmerican cultures, the sun was associated with kingship, and many rulers claimed divine rights by way of their direct descent from the sun.
In India, according to Hindu mythology, Hindus refer to the sun as unlimited energy storage. Hence in olden times, sun temples were constructed to revere the sun god. Over 10 temples are present in various parts of India for sun salutation. Having been to Konark Sun temple already, I eagerly wanted to visit Modhera Sun Temple.
History of Modhera Sun Temple, Gujarat
The Sun temple of Modhera was built by Rishabh Bhimdev – I of the Solanki dynasty. The Solankis were great architects and their creations are a testament to the bygone era that still stands strong. The Solankis were considered to be the descendants of the Sun God and the Modhera Surya Mandir was constructed as an offering to the Sun God. The temple was designed in such a way that the first rays of the sun illuminate the sanctum during the equinox.
The Surya idol was robbed by Mahmud Ghazni who took the original idol that was carved in gold. And then later the temple was destroyed by Allauddin Khilji. Due to this, no ceremonial worships or offerings take place in the present day. However, the temple walls still maintain a grandeur that is enough to mesmerize visitors.
My visit to Sun Temple Modhera
I knew I had to take a guided tour to know about the architecture in detail. As soon as I entered the complex, I was surrounded by guides who offered themselves to educate me with all the information about the temple. After a good deal, I caved in.
Architecture of Modhera Sun Temple
The guide informed us all about the Modhera Sun Temple. The temple is divided into three parts namely Surya Kund (stepwell), Sabha Mandap (assembly hall) and Guda Mandap (sanctum sanctorum). The main temple faces east so that the rays of the sunlit the idol carved in the main shrine. The temple is a depiction of the sun and its unity with earth’s elements – air, water, soil & space.
The temple is made using lime mortar and is a classic example of art on the wall. The temple follows the principles of Vastu Shilpa. The temple structure is designed in such a way that it resembles a flowering lotus.
We started our exploration of the complex with Surya Kund.
Modhera Sun Temple is a popular spot for photography, painting pre-wedding photoshoots
Surya Kund
Surya Kund – is the perfect example of geometry from the 11th century. Surya Kund is a stepwell which is 4 stories below the ground. This water reservoir’s rectangular design and innumerable steps leading to the water base reminded me of the Panna Meena ka Kund, Jaipur. There are three main shrines on the three sides of the kund dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva’s avatar Natraja. The kund is adorned with 108 miniature temples carved in the corners and in between the steps that are dedicated to gods and demigods.
During its glory when the temple deity was present, devotees were required to perform ablutions before entering the temple.
The guide requested us to spend time at the kund after the entire visit was over.
Sabha Mandap
The pillared hall welcomes the visitors on entering the main temple. Also known as the hall of religious gathering, it is open from all sides and has 52 intricately carved pillars that represent 52 weeks in a year. The carvings are scenes from important events from Ramayana, Mahabharat and Krishna Leela.
Between the Sabha Mandap and the Sanctum Sanctorum is another hall with pillars and arches. The walls depict 12 aspects of Sun God in each month of the year.
Sanctum Sanctorum
By this time I was dumbstruck to imagine an engineer who constructed this wonder in the year 1026 and executed it with such skilled craftsmanship.
Upon entering the Sanctum Sanctorum, the guide informed us that the Lotus flower is considered the Sun God’s flower. This is why the temple design is based on the inverted lotus-base plinth. It was designed in such a way that the sun rays of the rising and setting sun on equinox days (20th March and 21st September) fell on the bejewelled pure gold idol.
Exterior Wall Sculptures
The exterior walls of the temple are extensively carved with idols symbolizing the gods Indra, Varuna and Vishwakarma. There are many erotic carvings on the walls which symbolize the human cycle of birth and death.
Modhera Dance Festival
Historically known as the Uttarardh Mahotsav based on the planetary and astronomical configuration of the Sun. The festival also marks the rotation of the sun around the earth when winters come to an end and summers start.
The state government organizes an annual Modhera Dance festival that includes thrilling dance performances and musical programmes overlooking the temple. The Modhera Dance Festival is celebrated in the third week of January after the festival of Uttarayan. It is conducted to celebrate the art, dance form, and culture of India and is a 3 day fair.
The temple is decked up in colourful lights for the festival.
3D Light and Sound show at Modhera Sun Temple
The Indian Prime Minister recently inaugurated the 3D Light and Sound show at Modhera Temple Light Show wherein the entire temple complex including the Surya Kund is illuminated with lights. The history and architecture are explained through 3D lights and sound systems. The Modhera Light and Sound show will run every day between 7 pm to 7.30 pm.
Modhera Surya Mandir timing
Modhera Sun Temple is open from 8 am to 6 pm.
Sun Temple Modhera entry fee
INR 40 for Indian Nationals and INR 600 for Foreign Nationals. Photography is included in this fee but tripods and drones are not allowed. Prior permission needs to be obtained for drone shooting.
Best time to visit Modhera Sun Temple
Mornings and evenings are the best time to visit the sun temple as the weather is very pleasant.
Month wise, Gujarat is extremely hot during summers with temperatures rising up to 45 degrees. Monsoon is humid making it better than summer but still uncomfortable to walk. Winters are the best season to visit Gujarat.
How to reach Modhera Surya Mandir
By road
Ahmedabad to Modhera is well connected through Mahesana. From Ahmedabad, you can get a GSRTC bus from the Bus stand. The best option is to reach the Adalaj crossroad and hire a bus. If you don’t get a direct bus, you can take the bus to Mahesana (Frequency – 15 – 20 mins). From Mahesana, you can hire a Jeep, and Rickshaw to reach Modhera (30 km). Same for Modhera to Ahmedabad.
By train
The nearest railway station to Modhera is Mehsana. From there, visitors can hire a cab or bud till Modhera.
By flight
The nearest airport to Modhera is the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, at a distance of about 94 kilometres. Ahmedabad has good connectivity to many domestic and international airports. From Ahmedabad, visitors can travel by road to Modhera, either by hiring a cab or by bus operated by GSRTC (Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation).
Hotels near Modhera Sun Temple
Since most people prefer a one day trip from Ahmedabad, the accommodation options in Modhera are fewer. Patan is a bigger town and hence has a few mid-range hotels in case you want to extend your stay.
Places to visit near Modhera
Patan
Patan to Modhera is a common travel circuit. Situated only 35 km away from each other it can easily be combined for a visit together.Patan is beautiful offering many places to see. There are temples, such as Panchasara Parshvanath Jain Derasar, the Kapur Mehta Na Pado and Mahavir Swami Derasar. Patan is also famous for Rani-ki-Vav, the stepwell featured on Rs. 100 currency note. Paan is also famous for the heritage Patola saree. One can witness the silk weaving of Patola saree in Patan Patola Heritage Museum.
Vadnagar
Vadnagar is 65 km away and offers many heritage places. The fanous Kirti Toran of Vadnagar,
Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Mehta ni Vav Sharmishtha Lake Vadnagar and Tana Riri Garden are some of the places to visit in Vadnagar. Read more here: Heritage places in Vadnagar
Sidhpur
Sidhpur is a humble little town that has a powerful place in history and mythology. It was here on the banks of the Saraswati River that the great warrior Parasurama performed the last rites of his mother, making Sidhpur a sacred pilgrimage among Hindu devotees honoring their maternal ancestors. Sidhpur has two protected national monuments namely: Ruins of Rudra Mahalaya Temple and the Jami Masjid that attract tourists here.
Vohravad
Built in a distinctive architectural style, the Vohrawad are rows of narrow, deep mansions, about three to four storeys high, along the main street. These houses belong to the Vohra community, a Shia Muslim trading community from Gujaratin. These houses are peculiar as they have a strong European character with gabled roofs, ornate balconies, columns, decorated doors and are painted in pastel shades.
FAQs
Is a combined visit possible to Modhera and Patan?
Yes. Most visitors combine a visit to Modhera and Patan. It is a perfect one day trip from Ahmedabad.
Which is the deity in the Modhera Sun Temple?
The Modhera Sun Temple is dedicated to Sun God. But since the idol was robbed there is no deity in the temple at present. as the name suggests is dedicated to the Sun God.
The Sun temple in Modhera was built during the reign of the Solanki king, Bhima I, however, there is no record of who the architect of the temple was.
Sustainable travel tips for Modhera Surya Mandir
- Being an ancient heritage site which is already dwindling with age, respect the structures by not sitting on them. Sit outside the temple in the garden.
- Do not harm the structures by carving or writing on it
- Do not enter places which are closed off, there’s a reason why they are closed.
- Throw your garbage in the dustbins located at the entrance of each temple.
Read about other posts in Gujarat
- Statue of Unity Guide- Day trip from Ahmedabad
- Bhuj – Gateway to Rann Utsav
- Rann Utsav at Tent City
- Places to visit in Jamnagar
- Things to do in Vadodara
- Girnar Ropeway
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