File:SunTemple-Modhera-Gujarat JM24.jpg

English: One of the few significant Sun temples across India, this Sun Temple at Modhera will fascinate with its inverted lotus design on plinth, long and short pillars, semicircular and triangular ‘Torana’ archways..

This Sun Temple constructed using Sand stone is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and features 3 major parts : 1 . The Shrine - ‘Garbhagriha’ is now empty with no worship as the main deity (Surya, believed to be in Gold in a chariot drawn by his seven horses and steered by his charioteer, Arun was plundered by Mahmud Ghazni). The designing of the hall was done in a way, so that the idol gets the first glimpse of the Sun at equinoxes. An equinox occurs twice a year, around 20 March and 22 September. It is the day when daytime and night are of approximately equal duration. 2. The Assembly Hall – ‘Sabhamandapa’ or ‘Rangamandapa’ with 52 pillars in the hall, denoting the 52 weeks of the year) with a platform runs around the sides where musicians sit and perform. 3. The Sacred Tank ‘Kunda’ - Ramakund, built in rectangular form and containing 108 shrines dedicated to various gods and demigods with intricate steps in all four sides of the tank, reminiscent of Gujarat’s famed step wells.

The outer walls with 12 niches representing the months with different images of Surya carved on them. The walls and pillars are decorated with sculptures of the gods, celestial nymphs, animals and scenes from the great epics Ramayana, Mahabharatha and scenes from the life of Sri Krishna.