Modhera, Gujarat · 23.5837°, 72.1320°
The Solanki dynasty's sun-masterpiece on the Tropic of Cancer's line: a stepped kund of 108 miniature shrines, a torana-framed dance hall, and a sanctum aligned so equinox sunrise once struck the (long-lost) golden image of Surya. Built the year Somnath fell to Mahmud — Gujarat's defiant answer in stone. The Modhera dance festival and a solar-powered village continue its sun devotion.
The Skanda and Brahma Puranas call this ground Dharmaranya, where Rama halted to purify himself after slaying Ravana — the sun-lineage prince honouring his ancestor Surya on the sun's own latitude.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Chaulukya (Solanki)