A travelogue to Modhera Sun Temple in Gujarat with travel tips!

Built in the early 11th Century by the Chalukya dynasty, the Modhea Sun Temple in Gujarat is one of the few temples dedicated to the Sun God in India. Located near the river Pushpawati in Mehsana district, it's not a living temple and no worship is offered here anymore. However, if you are planning a visit to Gujarat, do keep this in your itinerary - it's beautiful and not too far from Ahmedabad. Total paisa-vasool!

Here's a story of my trip to Modhera Sun Temple with a bunch of my friends from NID and their friends from other parts of the country and world. The trip was largely unplanned and was one of the best that I did during my stay in Ahmedabad.

Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography
Modhera Sun temple


The gang!

Before I proceed ahead with the day, here is a little information about the small group that travelled together to the temple.

Anita: Purva's international friend from Singapore, the most sophisticated of us all
Purva: Three years my junior junior in Product Design, an absolute delight to be with
Rushikesh: Purva's close friend and an extremely easy going and fun-to-be-with guy
Bhavin: (Have written enough about him already on the blog) Bhavin is a perfect house mate, always there when needed. even after almost two years, we've never had a serious argument. I think that says a lot :)
Nirjhara: The girl with the magical voice, she has an infectious smile too
Kiran: (Have written enough about him already on the blog) Kiran is the impossible type, but a true friend at heart. Completely dependable.
and I was, of course, the last member.

Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography bus stand
The group, Kiran is sadly missing!

Journey to Modhera Sun Temple

The day (rather the night actually) started with Kiran running around the house in Panic and waking Bhavin and me up at two-thirty so that we can catch the bus at four. As expected, Bhavin paid no heed to his urgent requests and I followed him too and we both slept off again. We did manage to reach the main gate by around three-fourty five, but amazingly the girls were late and we missed the bus at four and also the next bus. The chai-wala at the bus stand also fooled us, we had chai for INR 8.00 at a tapri. Kiran loved it, it had only milk and no water in it. I drank it for the lack of any better options.

We all (except Bhavin) tried sleeping in different positions and ended up twisting our necks and backs in weird and complicated postures. But the morning was extremely pleasant nevertheless. We reached Mehsana in about two and half hours and changed into another bus towards Motera, had another round of chai (way better than the Ahmedabad one) and within 45 minutes reached our destination.

Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography
Modhera Sun Temple entrance

About the Modhera Sun Temple

Motera Sun Temple is located in the Mehsana district of Gujarat at a distance of about 102 km from Ahmedabad. The temple was built by King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty in 1026 CE and was dedicated to the Sun god or Lord Surya. Some other prominent temples dedicated to Sun God include Konark Sun temple (Orissa), Martand Sun temple (J&K) and Katarmal Sun temple (Uttrakhand). The temple consists of three prominent structures - the Surya Kund right in the front, the Sabha Mandap connected to the Kund by stairs and the Guda Mandap which was the seat of Lord Surya.

Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography
Modhera Sun Temple as you enter

Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography
Some beautiful carvings at the temple

Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography monkey
Monkeys having a field day at the complex

Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography water tank
Squirrels are also plenty, often willing to even take food from you

Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography carvings
Temple from a few steps down into the kund
Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography carvings
Toran at the entrance

Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography carvings
Carvings on the walls

I wasn't so keen on going there again as I had visited the temple just last year with my parents, but once we reached I regretted nothing (not even the 2 am Kiran alarm). It was great to walk around the place again and I walked mostly in solitude. I wish I could write more about the temple and its architecture or its history, but I will leave that for some other date. Kiran was keen on a photo-shoot as well and I took some snaps for him, and enjoyed all his expressions.


Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography carvings kiran gaikwad nid
Kiran modelling for me, he still uses the picture as his profile pic :)

Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography carvings sadhu
An old man

Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography carvings
The last old man!
Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography carvings
Anita, Purva, Nirjara and Rushikesh

Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography carvings stepwell water tank
Temple's reflection in the kund
Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography carvings stepwell water tank
Steps at the Surya kund

We spent quite a lot of time sitting on the kund stairs and watched the temple getting filled up with the tourists as the morning progressed. It was a perfect time to sit and laze around, take snaps, pull each other's stories and generally talk and enjoy the winter morning sun!

Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography carvings
The ex-roommates

Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography carvings
And the smiling man himself...

Modhera Sun Temple Gujarat Travel Tourism morning golden photography carvings
And his lady love :)

The sightseeing was followed by a long breakfast session with numerous pohas, teas, vadas and so on at the Toran restaurant just outside the temple complex (actually there are no options for food anywhere close by). Of course, there was a lot of singing, mostly in Marathi, and a lot of noise too.

After much more waiting at the bus stand, bus travel and quite a bit more of singing (we scandalized as well as entertained the fellow passengers and the conductor), we reached Ahmedabad in the mid-afternoon and a very punishing sun. Lunch was an ordeal in itself and all we could wait for was going home and a long sleep session, and that's exactly what we did.

Here's another nice article about Modhera: The Fire Altar


Practical details:

Entry Fee: Rs 5 (though it have changed by now)
Timings: 07.00 am to 6.00 pm
Food: Toran restaurant just outside the temple

Map for directions:

Modehra Sun Temple is conveniently located at about 100 kilometres from Ahmedabad and the best way to come here is in a cab. If you are willing to do a budget trip, you can also come by bus and auto combo - just like we did.

Here's the Google map if you are looking for directions:



Special thanks to Kiran for helping me out (all the way from Detroit) with the pictures which I lost when my laptop crashed recently!

Comments

  1. beautiful pics
    great fun
    YAAT kahi pap nahi

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  2. Looks like you had some fun..Are you the last person on the right in the group photo?.
    Excellent pics and narration Siddharth.
    The temple architecture looks marvellous,especially the Surya Kund with unique steps is a great sight..

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  3. Thank you Sid... for introducing me and my blog in such a beautiful way. The visit will always remain memorable for me and i guess to everyone. The place and temples architecture is awesome and your narration made it more beautiful.

    I wish we would able to visit more places when I was there.

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  4. Sorry to hear about your laptop. Always such a pain when that happens. Seems like such a cool group to be traveling with.

    Finally, what a lovely Sun Temple. Seeing that it isn't so big, its easier to navigate and appreciate the details of this temple. Great post.

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  5. On my list of places to visit .. Thanx for sharing

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  6. Hi Siddhartha! Fabulous temple, magnificent pictures, awesome post!! I'm always impressed with the amount and quality of temples anf forts in India. Amazing!!

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  7. Very beautiful coverage of the trip. Love the lovely architectural designs of the temples.

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  8. That monkey jump was a nice try! Lovely temple.

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  9. Siddarth, Thanks for leaving a comment on my post. I loved your blog too. I loved the beautiful pictures especially the reflection of temple in the tank.Following you, shall check earlier posts.

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  10. @sm: Thanks a lot!

    @Sridharan: I am glad you like the post, and yes that's me on the right :)

    @Kiran: You are most welcome Kiran, and do not worry...once you back we shall see many more places like these :)

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  11. @eye: Guess what the same laptop works even now, its now more than five years old :)

    @Dhiraj: Its am amazing place, you really should visit it!

    @Trotter: Even I am always impressed with the forts and temples, despite the fact that most temples here were actually plundered or destroyed and what remains is only a tiny bit now...

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  12. @Alice: Thanks Alice :)

    @Mridula: :)

    @Chitra: Thanks a lot, hope you enjoy the rest of the posts as well!

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  13. nice shots
    one of my batchmates loved in and worked in ahmedabad for a year and he used to visit these amazing places around the city...modhera was one of them....when he posted the pics, i was just amazed at the artistry!!!

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  14. @shooting star: Thanks! Ahmedabad and surrounding areas are full of such beautiful hidden treasures, I try to catch a few here :)

    @Meena: Thanks a lot!

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  15. Wonderful shots of awesome temple. The sculptures are beautiful. This is in my list for long time now.

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  16. Great post. I was supposed to be in Modhera over the Republic Day holiday, i had to cancel it. Reading your post and seeing the photographs is making me realise just what I am missing. :-(

    BTW, I just voted for you.

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  17. Hi Joshi,

    Lovely photos and a very interesting write up of an exciting trip.I enjoyed it.

    I will sure vote for you.

    Best wishes,
    Joseph

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  18. wow. nice stuff.
    like the candid people shots.

    thanks for dropping by
    Cheers!
    Sneo

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  19. Wow, this is an excellent blog full of beautiful and interesting places and a lot of gorgeous pictures. Congratulations. I now follow your blog and I have added it to my blog roll. Best regards and wishes too.

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  20. @Subramanian: Thanks a lot, and for your vote too :)

    @Rajesh: Knowing from the kind of places you visit from your blog, am sure you will love Modhera!

    @Sudhagee: Do visit it during the winters, its the best time to see the place; and thanks for the vote :)

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  21. @Joseph: Thanks for your compliments and the vote :)

    @Sneo: I also love clicking candid people snap, got addicted to it through a friend :)

    @Phivos: Thanks a lot, I really appreciate your words!

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  22. Excellent company, awesome place & fun filled day. What else anybody can ask for? :-)

    Nisha - Le Monde-A Poetic Travail

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  23. Really really beautiful images !!!

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  24. The carvings are amazing, they always are in every temple I've visited or seen in pics and movies. Love the old men portraits. And of course you have a nice group of friends.

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  25. I've been wanting to go to Modhera for so long now... we almost made it when we went to kutch last to last year. these old temples and ruins are such a joy!

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  26. @Nisha: You are absolutely right there :)

    @deepak: Thanks...

    @JM: They look even more beautiful in reality, at least most of the times :)

    @Ms.N: I wish you had made it back then, or maybe some other time. These are not to be missed at all!

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  27. Great Work Bro. truely inspiring and super snaps of modhera. Proud to be Brahmin.

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    Replies
    1. Oh...I never saw this as anything Brahmin...anyway...

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  28. What is the best time to reach temple ... early in the morning or evening.

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    Replies
    1. I have been there twice, and both the times in the morning. Its really beautiful in the morning and I would certainly recommend morning any day :)

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    2. Can you please let me know the visiting hours! I am planning to go before sunrise tomorrow.

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    3. Hi Prakash...I last visit was years ago, so I do not remember exactly. But I think it opens around six...

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  29. One of the best places to visit in Gujarat and you have got something beautiful shots. Liked it! (Y)

    Suggestion: You would also like to do street photography at Somnath. A wonderful spiritual place to visit.
    URL (https://howvj.blogspot.com/2016/07/somnath-spiritual-journey.html)

    And keep up the good work!

    Cheers! - Vikrant

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  30. I appreciate you and hoping for some more informative posts...Thanks for sharing...

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  31. Modhera sun temple is best option for one day trip in Gujarat. and this temple is really amazing. Thanks for sharing

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  32. Modhera sun temple is best option for one day trip in Gujarat. and this temple is really amazing. Thanks for sharing visit more blog on Modhera sun temple visit on http://www.travelcity.website/modhera-sun-temple-gujarat/

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  33. The Sun Temple at Modhera is a piece of art and is almost 1000 years old. Sun Temple at Modhera, Mehsana. Beautifully designed and splendid stone carvings. There is a large pond with numbers of small temples with some deity inside.
    Thanks for Lovely photos and a very interesting write up of an exciting trip. I enjoyed it.

    ReplyDelete

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