Modhera Sun Temple (Surya Mandir)

Modhera’s Sun Temple was built in the 11th century under the Chaulukya (Solanki) dynasty, with construction of the shrine proper beginning after 1026-27 CE under King Bhima I and further additions made under his successor Karna I. The complex is laid out as three connected structures on a single axis — a small sanctum (garbhagriha), an eight-pillared shrine hall, and a larger assembly hall carried on 52 intricately carved pillars — fronted by the Surya Kund, a large stepped reservoir with terraces and miniature shrines that remains one of the best-preserved stepwell-style tanks from the period. Its Maru-Gurjara sandstone carving, showing both indigenous and Persian-influenced decorative motifs, is considered among the finer examples of Solanki-era temple architecture in Gujarat.

Unlike most temples in this collection, Modhera today functions purely as a heritage monument rather than a living place of worship: no regular puja is conducted, and the site is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India primarily for conservation and tourism, including a widely attended annual sound-and-light show and dance festival held on the grounds. It was added to UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage list in December 2022, a step toward, but short of, full inscription.