About 100 kilometres north-west of Ahmedabad, in the flat farmland of Mehsana district, stands one of the finest monuments of medieval Gujarat. The Sun Temple at Modhera was built for Surya, the sun god, under the Chaulukya (Solanki) dynasty in the 11th century. No worship takes place here now, and the tower that once rose above the shrine has gone, but what remains is carved in astonishing detail from base to roof.
It is an easy half-day from Ahmedabad and pairs naturally with the stepwell of Rani ki Vav at Patan. We cover Ahmedabad and its stepwells in a separate guide; this one slows down for Modhera itself.
A short history
The Archaeological Survey of India dates the temple to 1026–27 CE, in the reign of Bhima I. Historians note that an inscription with that date is carved upside down in the shrine wall, and read the building’s story as one of destruction and rebuilding around the time of Mahmud of Ghazni’s raids, with the assembly hall added later in the 11th century. The temple is an ASI-protected monument of national importance, and in December 2022 it was added to UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage sites.
What to look for
The complex is laid out on an east–west axis in three parts: the tank, the assembly hall and the shrine.
The Surya Kund
The great rectangular stepped tank in front of the temple is the first thing you see. Terraces of steps descend in geometric patterns to the water, interrupted by small shrines; Gujarat Tourism counts 108 of them. Larger shrines on its sides are dedicated to deities including Ganesh, Vishnu and a dancing Shiva.
The Sabha Mandap
The open-sided assembly hall rests on richly carved pillars, with scenes and figures covering almost every surface. Gujarat Tourism notes carvings of the twelve Adityas, forms of the sun, and links them to the twelve months.
The shrine
Behind the hall stands the main temple, with its hall and inner sanctum. The image of Surya no longer survives. The temple is aligned so that, around the equinoxes, the rising sun’s rays reach into the sanctum; arrive early in March or September if you want to see the effect.
Events: dance and light
- Modhera Dance Festival (Uttarardha Mahotsav): a three-day classical dance festival held against the floodlit temple, usually in the third week of January, after Uttarayan.
- Projection mapping show: a solar-powered 3-D projection and heritage lighting were inaugurated at the temple in October 2022. Check locally for show times.
Combining Modhera with Patan and Adalaj
Most visitors combine Modhera with Rani ki Vav, the 11th-century queen’s stepwell at Patan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014 and about an hour’s drive away. Patan is also known for its Patola silk weaving. On the way back to Ahmedabad, the Adalaj Stepwell makes a good final stop.
Practical information
- Opening hours: Gujarat Tourism lists 7 am to 6 pm.
- Tickets: entry is ticketed by the ASI; check current fees on site or on the ASI ticketing website.
- Getting there: about 26 km from Mehsana, 83 km from Gandhinagar and 99 km from Ahmedabad by road. The nearest railway junction is Mehsana; the nearest airport is Ahmedabad.
- Best time: November to February. In summer, come early or late, as the stone gets very hot underfoot.
- Time needed: allow one to two hours at the temple.
- Etiquette: the stone is fragile. Do not climb on carvings, and follow ASI rules on photography and drones.
Frequently asked questions
Who built the Modhera Sun Temple?
It was built under the Chaulukya (Solanki) dynasty; the ASI dates the shrine to 1026–27 CE, in the reign of Bhima I.
Is the Modhera Sun Temple still used for worship?
No. It is a protected monument and worship no longer takes place; the original image of Surya does not survive.
How far is Modhera from Ahmedabad?
About 99 km by road, usually a two-hour drive. It makes an easy day trip combined with Patan.
When is the Modhera Dance Festival?
Usually in the third week of January, after Uttarayan. Check the current year’s dates with Gujarat Tourism.
Keep reading
- Ahmedabad and its stepwells, with Adalaj and Modhera
- Kutch and the White Rann
- Gir National Park: planning a lion safari
- When to visit West India
See all of our Gujarat guides, or browse the wider West India collection.
Sources and image credits
Facts that can change were checked on 8 November 2026:
- Gujarat Tourism: Sun Temple, Modhera
- Wikipedia: Sun Temple, Modhera
- UNESCO: Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan
Photography: Bigul Malayi via the WordPress Photo Directory (CC0). Stock images, not the author’s own.
Opening hours, ticket prices and event dates can change. Check with the ASI or Gujarat Tourism before you visit.
