Modhera Sun Temple is a magnificently carved 11th-century temple dedicated to the sun god Surya, its design incorporating a large stepped tank (Surya Kund) in front of the main shrine, its walls lined with dozens of small carved shrines descending to the water. The temple's orientation was carefully calculated so that the rising sun's first rays would illuminate the main deity's image at specific times of year, reflecting sophisticated astronomical knowledge for its era.
Though no longer an active place of worship, Modhera's exceptional stone carving — depicting deities, mythical creatures and scenes of daily life across every surface — makes it one of Gujarat's most significant surviving examples of Solanki-era temple architecture, and an evening light show narrates its history for visitors.
Built in 1026-27 CE under King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty, the same ruler whose queen commissioned the nearby Rani ki Vav stepwell, Modhera represents a golden period of temple architecture in medieval Gujarat.
October to March.
About 100km from Ahmedabad, roughly 2 hours by road.
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