Did you know about these incredible facts about Gujarat’s Modhera Sun Temple?

Ancient temples have always been one of the most amazing threads in the tapestry of Indian culture, and Gujarat surely has an spectacular array of temples to consider when charting out your next trip to the state.
The Modhera Sun Temple was made by King Bhima I of the Chalukya dynasty in the early 11th century.
It is a temple made to honour the Sun God in Modhera village of Mehsana district on the bank of River Pushpavati. The temple complex is divided into three parts – Gudha Mandapa (the shrine hall), Sabha Mandapa (the assembly hall) and Kunda (the reservoir). Here is a quick look at some of the interesting facts related to this heritage structure of India.

• Modhera finds a mention in the ancient scriptures like Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana. The old texts also refer to Modhera and its surrounding areas as Dharmaranya or the forest of righteousness.
• The temple is designed in such a way that during every equinox, the first ray of the rising sun would fall on a diamond placed on the head of the Sun God. This would also light up the shrine with a golden glow.

• The Sabha Mandap stands on 52 pillars, signifying the 52 weeks in a year. There are carvings of the sun on the walls to show its unity with air, water, earth and space.
• Though it is a Hindu temple, no worship is offered here now.
• In 2014, Modhera Sun Temple entered the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• The Gujarat Tourism hosts a three-day dance festival every year, known as the Uttarardha Mahotsav, at the temple every January after Makar Sankranti festival to showcase artistic talent of India.