From #Mahesana we boarded a bus to #Modhera . Bus fare was Rs.22/- per passenger .It took around an hour to reach the Modhera bus depot .


 

Auto rickshaw can be availed from outside the bus depot . They charge around 50 to 60 rupees . From bus stand we started walking towards the ancient temple , it's less than a kilometres walk , but need to walk uphill for few minutes and then descend down. We took the help of Google maps and it perfectly guided the way . Even locals are co operative and helped us with finding the way . After around ten minutes of walk , we finally arrived at the entrance of the ancient Sun Temple. There is ample of Parking space infront of the temple, and a decent eatery is also there . This site is protected by the ASI and the ticket fare is Rs.25/- per person if booked online , (and offline ticket costs Rs.30/- per person) Chilled drinking water and washroom facility is there inside the premises.(after entering in the left hand side , behind the small museum) The #ModheraSunTemple was built by Bhima the first of the Chalukyan dynasty . We have heard his name earlier , in the UNESCO acclaimed World Heritage site of the #Queen'sStepwell that was built in his memory by his wife Rani Udayamati . The beautiful temple was destroyed Mahmud of Ghazni but soon after the attack , Bhima the first again restored and renovated the Temple . In earlier times Rajasthan was locally known as the Marudesh , meaning country of dessert , and Gurjar is another local name of Gujarat . So the architectural style that developed from Marudesh and Gurjar is called as the Maru Gurjara style of architecture. This Sun Temple of Modhera is built in the Maru Gurjara style of architecture which was prevalent during the Solanki reign .

 Generally in South Indian Temples we see the presence of a pond inside the Temple complex . The Modhera Sun Temple , though is one the best examples of temple built in the Nagada style of architecture , houses an artificial water tank . While we are exploring the different cities of Gujarat one common thing we got to see everywhere is the preservation of water . Since water is scarce over here, from the ancient cities of Dholavira to Modhera to Champaner to the stepwells in Ahmedabad , water conservation efforts are seen everywhere. The stairs of the pond is adorned with exquisite carvings and rich Temple work . There are a presence of a large number of tortoises in the pond , a lot of time passed, by staring at the activities of these cute creatures. Moving on to the two temples , they have such rich and ornately carved pillars that the beauty goes beyond any description by words . Stories of Mahabharata and Ramayana are carved on the pillars of the Temple and sculptures of Hindu deities are engraved on the walls .

 


 The temple is built almost on the Tropic of Cancer and during the solar equinox days the first rays of the sun fall on the image of the lord Surya. The idol is gone , and the other sculptures deterioratied but the engineering marvel used to materialise the concept into reality is thrilling. The site is efficiently maintained by the ASI , and is full of birds and squirrels . We went to visit in the afternoon to avoid the harsh heat. At the backdrop of sunset , with the chirpings and twitterings of birds , the Modhera Sun Temple appeared enchanting in the cradle of nature.