PM Narendra Modi Mentions Gujarat's Modhera Sun Temple In 138th Mann Ki Baat Programme; What Makes This UNESCO World Heritage Site Special?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the Modhera Sun Temple in Gujarat during the 138th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, which was held on Sunday, September 27, 2026. The historic temple is one of India's notable examples of ancient temple architecture and is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. He highlighted the thousand-year history of Gujarat's Modhera Sun Temple, recalling…
During his 138th Mann Ki Baat radio programme on September 27, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned Gujarat's Modhera Sun Temple. The historic temple, dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, is one of India's significant examples of ancient temple architecture. Modi highlighted the temple's thousand-year history, recalling its destruction during invasions, including in 1026 AD when Mahmud Ghazni attacked it.
The temple, built in 1025 during the reign of King Bhimdev I of the Chalukya dynasty, is located in Gujarat's Mehsana district. Modi pointed out that the Modhera Temple was constructed only a year after the destruction of the Somnath Temple by Ghazni. The temple's architecture and intricate stone carvings, including the Surya Kund, Sabha Mandap, and Guda Mandap, showcase the artistic prowess of the period.
The temple's connection with the Sun, through its orientation and design, reflects the importance of the Sun in religious traditions. While the Modhera Sun Temple is a protected heritage monument, it is not yet a UNESCO World Heritage Site, though it is included on India's UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.
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