Modhera Sun Temple

Modhera Sun Temple is hailed as the most fascinating of all the Sun temples in India. As suggested by its name, it is dedicated to the Sun God, a much revered God in Hinduism. While prayers are no longer offered in the temple, it serves as a major pitstop for its religious as well as architectural significance. It was built by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty in 1026 AD following a rather unique architectural pattern consisting of three main structures - Surya Kund, Sabha Mandap and Guda Mandap or the sanctum sanctorum. A cluster of 108 shrines in Surya Kund is a major highlight of this temple. It once houses an idol of the Sun that was made out of gold and placed on a 15 ft deep pit, filled with gold coins. The temple lost much of its splendour and wealth, including the gold statue, when it was plundered by Mahmud Gazni during one of his repeated invasions of India. It lies at some 102 km from Ahmedabad and stands by the banks of River Pushpavati.