Sun Temple, Modhera, Gujarat

Sun Temple, Modhera, Gujarat

Sun Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to the solar deity Surya located in Modhera Village in Becharaji Taluk in Mehsana District, in the Indian state of Gujarat. The Temple is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavathi. It is built on 23.6° latitude (approximately near Tropic of Cancer). This Temple is considered one of the most important Sun Temples built in India. The place was also known as Sita ni Chauri and Ramkund locally. The temple is Monument of National Importance and is maintained by Archeological Survey of India.

Legends

Modhera is also called as Modherapura / Mundera. It is said to have been the original settlement of Modha Brahmans. It is believed that Modha Brahmans received Modhera as a gift on the occasion of the marriage of Rama and Sita.  As per Skanda Purana, after defeating Ravana, Lord Rama consulted Sage Vasishta to get relief from the sin of Brahma Hatya (the slaying of a Brahman). Sage Vasishta advised him to perform Yajna in Dharmaranya to get relief.

The areas near the present day Modhera were known during ancient days as Dharmaranya. Lord Rama came to dharmaranya and settled at a village called Modherak. As advised, Lord Rama performed here a yajna (sacrifice) to purify himself of the sin of having killed a Brahmin, Ravana, the king of Lanka. After performing the Yajna, he established a village and named it Sitapura. It is believed that the village Modherak mentioned above, later came to be known as Modhera. The Sitapura village is located at about 8 Kms from Modhera. 

History

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/06/sun-temple-modhera-history.html

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/06/sun-temple-modhera-temple.html

Festivals

The saints of the Modha ghanchis come here for worship on the Chaitra Purnima day. Fairs are also held on the Sravana Vad 30 and the Adhika Mas Vad 30.  A special fair is also held on the Mahotta Parva i.e. conjunction of Monday, Vad 30 and a particular planet. 

The Tourism Corporation of Gujarat organizes an annual three-day dance festival known as Uttarardha Mahotsav at the temple during the third week of January, following the festival of Uttarayan. The idea is to present classical dance forms in an atmosphere they were originally presented in.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1 Km from Modhera Bus Stand, 14 Kms from Becharaji, 14 Kms from Becharaji Railway Station, 16 Kms from Chanasma Railway Station, 18 Kms from Chanasma, 23 Kms from Dhinoj, 26 Kms from Mehsana, 34 Kms from Patan, 95 Kms from Ahmedabad and 95 Kms from Ahmedabad Airport. The temple is situated on Becharaji to Chanasma route.

Location | Photos