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Sun Temple, Modhera, Gujarat
The Sun Temple of Modhera was Built in 1026-27 A.D. during the reign of King Bhimdev I of Patan. The temple is dedicated to Surya or the Sun God. Although it bears a dilapidated look, it is still a magnificent specimen of the excellent creativity of Gujarat’s architects of the bygone days. Modhera’s Sun temple is placed in such a manner that at the equinoxes the rising sun strikes the images in the place of worship. It also includes an amusement park, a museum, a cafeteria, picture gallery and library. The canvas on the walls and pillars portray the incidents from the Ramayan and the Mahabharat, and forms of gods and goddesses and the approach to life of the people of that time. An stimulating iconography is one with three heads, three arms and three legs.
The deity:
Lord Surya or the sun god is the primary deity in the Sun Temple.
Sun Temple,Modhera,Gujarat
According to the Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana, the areas near Modhera were known during ancient days as Dharmaranya ( meaning the forest of righteousness). According to these Puranas, Lord Rama, after overpowering Ravana, asked sage Vasistha to show him a place of pilgrimage where he could go and cleanse himself from the iniquity of Brahma-hatyaas. Ravan was a Brahmin by birth. Sage Vasistha showed him Dharmaranya, which was near the contemporary town of Modhera. In the Dharmaranya, he established at a village Modherak and performed a yagna there. After that he established a village and named it Sitapur. This village is about 15 km from Becharaji Modherak village, and it consequently 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 connecting area was ransacked by Mahmud Ghazni and reeled under the paraphernalia of his attack. The Solankis, however, regained much of their lost power and splendour. Anahilvad Patan, the Solanki capital, was restored to glory. Royalty and traders jointly donated to building grand temples. Solankis was considered to be Suryavanshi, Gurjar or progenies of Sun God. The temple was created in such a way that the first rays of the sun fell on the appearance of Surya, the Sun God, at the time equinoxes.
To create the enchantment and splendor of ancient history and rich cultural traditions, Modhera dance festival is scheduled to be held during the third week of January every year, after the festival of Uttarayan for three days in the backdrop of the Sun Temple. The renowned Indian artist performs here and enthralls the audience. The objective is to present traditional dance forms in an atmosphere they were formerly presented in. The festival is organised by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat.
Sun Temple Timings – All days of the week from 6am to 6pm
Location:
23.42°N 72.37°E
Modhera, Mehsana, Gujarat
Nearest Airport is at Ahmedabad 102 km. away. The nearest Railway station is Mehsana.
The temple is a 2 hour dive from Ahmedabad (102kms.) State transport buses and private luxury coaches join various main towns and cities of Gujarat.
