Modhera is famous for the Sun Temple, which is one of the finest examples of Indian temple architecture of its period. Built in 1026AD the temple is dedicated to the Sun-God, Surya and stands high on a plinth overlooking a deep stone- steeped tank.

Every inch of the edifice, both inside and outside is magnificently carved with Gods and Goddesses, birds, beasts and flowers.

The Sun Temple

The Sun Temple was built by Bhimadeva of the Solanki Rajput clan. The building work was commissioned to the Silvat stone masons who had the ability to make to make the hardest stone take on the quality of the delicate wood carvings. The Sun Temple has a rectangular step tank or Surya Kund with about 108 shrines. Larger shrines to vishnu , Ganesha and the Natraja incarnation of Shiva in tandav stand on three sides of the Surya Kund, with the Sabha Mandap of the principal temple soaring on the fourth side with 52 pillars carved in intricate detail depicting tales from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The outer facades have a string of friezes and above that is the mandovara with excellent carvings of gods and goddesses. Between the Sabha Mandapa and the sanctum sanctorum is a hall with pillars and arches and the walls have 12 niches showing showing the different aspects of the Sun God in each month. The outer walls are filled with sculptures of Surya and other gods. In another part of the temple you can see a whole Kama Sutra of traditional erotic sculptures in a style that of Khajuraho and Konark. Unlike Konark which rests on 12 wheels of a chariot, Modhera has built on the petals of a lotus which runs the whole length of the temple.

How to get there ?

Air
Nearest aiorport is Ahmedabad.

Rail
Nearest railway staion is Mehsana.

Road
State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect various centres of Gujarat. It is situated 116kms from Ahmedabad via Mehsana.