| FACTS
& FIGURES
Languages : Gujarati,
Hindi, and English
Best Time to Visit : October to March
STD Codes : 0273484
LOCATION
Modhera is located in the western Indian
state of Gujarat. The town extends between the latitude
23.42° in the North to longitude 72.37° in the
East. The place is well connected to other places in
the region with a good network of roads.
PAST
According to the Skanda Purana and Brahma
Purana, the areas near Modhera were known during ancient
days as Dharmaranya. These Puranas mention that after
defeating Ravana, Lord Rama asked Muni 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). Muni Vasistha showed him a 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 8 km from Becharaji
Modherak village and it subsequently came to be known
as Modhera.
The Sun Temple was built by Raja Bhimdev I of Solanki
lineage (who were believed to be Suryavanshis) in AD
1026. The temple bears some resemblance to the more
renowned Sun Temple of Konark, which it predates by
some 200 years. Like the temple at Konark, it 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, but despite the passage
of time, it continues to reveal the architectural genius,
the sculptor's virtuosity, and, of course, the devotional
fervor of the times.
SITES TO VISIT
The Sun Temple at Modhera has been divided
into three main compartments. The first is the Surya
Kund, a fascinating massive rectangular stepped tank.
Because of the restoration work that is being carried
out here by the Archeological Survey of India, the tank
now stands dry; but in the days of yore it was believed
to be full of nirmal jal (holy water). Devotees on their
way to offer prayers to the Sun God would be required
to first stop here for ceremonial ablutions and only
then proceed for worship towards the temple.
Small, miniature shrines dot the steps around the Kund.
There are 108 of them to coincide with the number considered
auspicious by the Hindus.
Besides these, there are four larger shrines dedicated
to Vishnu, Ganesha, Shiva and Sitala Mata, the last
mentioned being the goddess of the dreaded disease smallpox.
And upon letting the imagination wander, one can almost
imagine the intense religious activity that once would
have been the hallmark of the place-air thick with a
soothing incense smell, flowers floating on the water
surface, devotees chanting aloud and offering prayers
hoping to be blessed by the Lord Surya, all against
the backdrop of the benign twin structures.
Several small steps from the Kund lead up to the enchanting
Sabha Mandap commonly described as "a magnificent
style of pillared splendor". This is the place
that was meant for religious gatherings and conferences.
Open on all sides with four doorways, the piece de resistance
is its unique walnut-shaped ceiling supported by 52
spectacular pillars. Each of these is intricately carved
with every inch of available space recounting scenes
form Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Krishna Leela (the
childhood antics of Lord Krishna). One cannot but be
charmed by the artistry and skill of the artisans of
the time and, of course, the Solankis to have recognized
it and given them due patronage.
Based on a lotus-base plinth, the façade of
this structure is also stunning and warrants close attention.
Friezes of gods and goddesses cover the walls, besides
which one can also see various aspects of human life-
the cycle of birth and death and some erotic scenes
from the Kama Sutra.
The Guda Mandap contains yet another incredible structure,
a surang (tunnel), the other end of which is believed
to emerge at Patan, the headquarter of the Solankis.
In case of attacks, these tunnels provided the ideal
escape routes for the kings and members of the royal
family to flee to safety.
SITES NEARBY
Unjha is a little town and a base for
those visiting the Modhera temple. The town of Unjha
is known for the marriage customs of the Kadwakanbis
who live in this region.
Around 10 km from Unjha is Sidhpur where one can find
the very fragmented ruins of an ancient temple.
Mahesena is around 34 km away from Modhera and a popular
base for the tourists visiting Modhera.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
The Sun Temple is the site of an annual
festival of Indian classical dances organized by the
Tourism Corporation of Gujarat. The idea is to present
classical dance forms in an atmosphere they were originally
presented in. The festival is held in the month of January
every year.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation can be a problem in Modhera
with not many quality hotels around. Getting bed during
the festival time can be difficult and travelers should
have prior reservation. However, standard accommodation
is available in Mahesena around 34 km away.
HOW TO REACH
By Air
The nearest airport is Ahmedabad around 102
km away. Ahmedabad is connected by most of the domestic
airlines with other important cities in the country.
By Rail
Becharaji, situated around 16 km from Modhera,
is the nearest railway station. Another convenient railway
station from this place is Mahesena. There are regular
trains to Ahmedabad from this place.
By Road
There are regular buses from Modhera to other
destinations of the region including Ahmedabad and Mahesena.
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