Sun Temple Modhera, Gujarat

The construction of the beautiful Sun temple of Modhera was overseen by its supreme patron the King Bhima 1 during whose reign the temple was built from scratch. King Bhima 1 of the Chalukya Dynasty ruled over this region in the early eleventh century BC and it was under his watchful supervision that the temple construction was completed from 1026 to 27 CE. The temple although is believed to have been built much earlier and 1026-27 CE the date unearthed from an inscription in the wall of the temple is believed to be commemorative of the date the temple was rebuilt. This is derived from the fact that the inscription in the temple was placed upside down.

History enlightens us that Sun temple was said to witness pillage and plunders under the invasion of Mohammed Ghazni. When Ghazni had to face retaliation and hence retreated, Bhima 1 ordered reconstruction of the temple after he came back to power after successfully stopping Ghazni's invasion. However presently the temple is in a very delicate and fragile condition and is not actively in operation anymore. The Archaeological Survey of India or ASI have undertaken the responsibility for the temple site and have made efforts towards restoration and preservation of this heritage monument. The Modhera Sun temple is no longer an active place of worship and is now a protected monument of national and global interest.