102 km northwest of Ahmedabad, Modhera is known for it Sun Temple built in the 11th century by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty. The temple is dedicated to Lord Surya, the Sun God and is one of the finest examples of temple architecture in Gujarat. The temple is designed so that the rays at dawn during the equinoxes fall of the image of the Sun God.  Both the interior as well as the exterior of the temple are elaborately carved with magnificent images of Gods and Goddesses, birds, flowers as well as erotic images similar to those at Khajuraho. Unlike the Sun Temple at Konark which rests on 12 wheels of a chariot, the one at Modhera was built on the petals of a lotus which runs the whole length of the temple.

The temple comprises three elements.

Surya Kund, which is an intricately carved, stepped tank named after Sun god
Surya.Sabha Mandap, which is a hall used for religious gatherings and conferences.
Guda Mandap, i.e. sanctum sanctorum, which once housed the idol of Sun God.

The Modhera dance festival is scheduled to be held during the third week of January every year, for three days in the backdrop of the Sun temple.The objective is to present classical dance forms in an atmosphere they were originally presented in.

Getting There:
The nearest airport is at Ahmedabad and the nearest railway station is at Mehsana. Regular buses and taxis are also available from these places as well as other cities nearby like Zainabad and Patan.