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Modhera :

99 kms from Ahmedabad, the 11th century Sun temple of Modhera is easily one of the finest examples of devotional in western India. Built by the Solanki Rajput kings, the aid of donations from the people, the temple features carved torana arches mounted on kirti stambhas (pillars of victory) as the entrances, a large rectangular stepped with 108 smaller shrines, an exquisite 52 pillared portico, beautiful domed central portion and a sanctum sanctoruim designed so that the sun light fell on the bejewelled statue of the God, specially at sunrise during the equinox. The exterior of temple is carved with traditional erotic scenes, rivalling at Konark and Khajurao, and depictions of various Gods and, while inside are friezes of the Mahabharata and portrayed on the pillars. The temple is framed by a well garden, and sits on the banks of river Pushpawati. There is a cafeteria here run by the Tourism corporation of India tea, and a PWD Guest House.

The golden period of architecture in Gujarat came during the rule of the Solanki dynasty, with some splendid architectural wonders coming up during the 9th-12th century. Forts at Dabhoi and Jhinjwada, the Hindu temples of Modhera, Somnath(earlier incarnation), Ghumli, Gope, Bileshwar, Kera and Shamlaji, the Jain temples of Girnar,Kumbhariyaji,Mt Abu and Taranga, and attractive places for harvesting water-Brahma kund at Sihore, Sahasralings talao at Patan, Munsar tank at Viramgam, the stepwells of Patan and Ghumli-came up during this golden era. The most importanty of this period is Modhera, the Sun temple built in 1026 AD by Bhimadeva of the Solanki Rajput clan which ruled the whole of what is now known as Gujarat and neighbouring parts of Rajputana and Malwa from the 8th to the 13th century, before losing to their relatives the

Sun Temple

Waghelas and later submitting entirely to Muslim rule.The work of building the temple was commissioned to the Silavat stone masons, who did not make any designs on paper but followed certain hereditary principals of architecture and astronomy, and using simple carving tools, they had an amazing ability to make the hardest stone take on the quality of delicate wood carving, as amply demonstrated in the marble temples of Dilwara and the sandstone mansions of Jaisalmer. Their crafts were well guarded secrets, passed on only from father to son, and being secular by nature, they also worked on some of the fabulous Indo-Saracenic mosques of the Ahmed Shahi sultanate in Ahmedabad, combining Islamic architecture with plenty of Hinduistic ornamantation.

The Sun temple is not very large or as imposing as may be supposed by those who have seen other Hindu temples in India, but even from a distance it is obvious that it is covered by intricate carvings of Gods, Goddesses, men, women and animals in numbers out of all proportion to its actual size, and is a true gem in the architectural annals of India. The whole is outclassed by the incredible rectangular step tank or Surya kund, a majestic 100 sq meter rectangular pond, with interesting shrines, said to total 108 in all, the auspicious number of flowers on a garlandLarger shrines to Vishnu, Ganesha and the Natraja incarnation of Shiva in Tandav stand on 3 sides of the Surya Kund, with the Sabha mandap of the principal temple soaring on the fourth side, to remind you that this is the domain of the Sun God.

Patan :

Another fine example of the Solanki period architecture can be seen at Anahilwada Patan, the capital of Gujarat from the 8th century till Ahmed Shah moved his seat of power to the larger and more impressive citadel of Ahmedabad in the 15th century. It saw the The greatest reminder of the golden period of Gujarat under the Solanki kings can be seen at the Rani-ki-Vav stepwell some distance from the town centre. Built in the 1050s and named for Rani Udamati, wife of Maharajah Bhim Deva and daughter-in-law of Mulraja, founder of Solanki rule in Gujarat, the stepwell is the oldest and perhaps the grandest among the 120 plus step wells in Gujarat. It's massive size can best be measured by comparism with the tourists who descend the steps and seen from above look little more than ants swarming an anthill. The stepwell was silted up for centuries, and only a major excavation and restoration work in the 1980s, which has helped resusticate something of its former glory.7 storeys down to the water level. Steps are string-coursed by sculpture of the Avatars of lord Vishnu, Hindu Goddesses, Jain idols and beautiful apsaras. Behind the water are sculpture of lord Vishnu.

Chambers, where the royal families came to rest in summer, the water from the well skimming some of the heat from the breezes, the whole acting as a natural airconditioning There is talk now of excavating the surrounding areas, because there must have been palaces and other royal residences in the vicinity, which used the stepwell as a water source of aircooling system. Sahasra Linga talao, a large lake surrounded by beautiful temples, but these shrines are no longer in good condition, and this form of architecture can be better appreciated at the Musar tank in Viramgam, an hour away from Modhera, where another string of temples was erected by the same family. Hindu temples like the 12th century Maheshwara mandir, Kali mandir and Panchmukhi Hanumana mandir and the Jain temples like Doshiwar mandir and those in Kapur Mehtano pol follow the Solanki architectural tradition. The location of Patan on the banks of river Saraswati, one of the 3 holy rivers of India alongside the Ganga and the Yamuna, and its tributary the Chandrabhaga, has contributed considerably to its religious importance, and this explains the number of temples in this region, besides the fact that it was a major centre for learning and business in medieval times.

Adalaj :

Situated 18 kms North of Ahmedabad main City, at the crossing called Adalaj, which is a tri section, this place cover s a very large area. The entire Vav is split into 5 levels. The Vav has pillars and walls which are ornately carved. There are gaps in each level which take you to the lower level. Leaves, flowers, fishes, birds and other designs fill the walls and pillars. At the entrance of the Vav there is a small Temple of Mata Rani. Everyone who visits this Temple prays for the Spirit of Rani Rudabai whose spirit is supposed to still lurking here.

The uniqueness of Adalaj Ki Vav lies in the fact that there are Islamic Motifs too are carved on the walls of this Hindu Vav. The details of how this Vav was constructed is also written in Sanskrit and Pali language. The Vav also works as a air – conditioner as there is a sharp difference of six degrees between the outside and inside temperature. Water from this Vav was used for irrigation purpose and for drinking water too. Its splendid to see all this.

On the top of the Vav there are Graves of the Workers who built the Vav – not all of them though! This five stories, Indo – Islamic octagonal Step well is one of the main attractions of Ahmedabad City. If you are in Ahmedabad you cannot miss it out. Just like the Chisti Jali and and the Jhoolti Minarets, Adalaj Ki Vav is a reminense of the past.

Location : Ahmedabad

Duration : 8 - 10 hours

Itinerary :

• Pick up at 09:00 AM in morning from Hotel & drive to Adalaj for visit Adalaj Ki Vav

• After Adalaj drive to Modhera for visit Sun Temple

• After Modhera drive for Patan to visit Rani-ki-Vav stepwell, Patan Saree Wiving Mall

• Return back by evening around 18: 00 PM & drop to Hotel

Number of Pax :

• Minimum 1 person

• Group sizes vary from 2-6 persons

Guide Service :

• Optional on Request
• English Speaking or language of your choice subject to availability