Patan and Modhera

PATAN AND MODHERA IN GUJARAT 

Tourism is limping back to normalcy and due to covid restrictions for travelling abroad, domestic tourism is seeing a boom. Gujarat is one state which is always on everyone’s bucket list. Even if you have been to the state many a time, you tempt to go again and again. Patan and Modhera are two places that bring travellers back.

If you plan for Rann Utsav, adding Patan and Modhera to the itinerary will be wise. It takes only 2 days extra and you can tick off 2 significant locations of Indian culture, heritage, history and architectural marvel. Of the two, Patan’s Rani ki Vav is a UNESCO heritage site and has a place in Rupee 100 note of Indian Currency. Another site that has acquired UNESCO status recently is Dholavira, the Harappan Culture site. This is en route and can be clubbed in your itinerary.

PATAN

Patan is accessible either from Ahmedabad or from Bhuj. It takes about 2 and a half-hour by road from Bhuj and about 3 and a half from Ahmedabad. Crossing through various points of interest like Chipper Point, Sunset point, Salt Lakes, you can reach Patan very easily.  The route to Patan from Ahmedabad is unusually beautiful. The highway has salt sea on one side and the water on the other. The journey crossing through the desert, Kutch villages with men and women clad in vibrant colours of Gujarat, a herd of calves silently walking on the roads, heaps of raw salt lying on either side waiting to be processed in various plants.

The main attractions at the Patan are Rani Ki Vav and Patola saree making units. Patola or popularly known as Patan Patola is one of the finest and intricate weaves of India. Several handloom units create these sarees which normally takes about 4-6 months to weave one saree.

Rani Ki Vav or I may say Rani Ki WOW!!!

I was totally in awe seeing this architectural marvel dating back to the 11th century. Rani ki Vav is one of the many UNESCO heritage sites in West India.

A very thoughtfully conceptualised step well attributed to Udayamati, Queen of Bhīma I of Solanki Dynasty dates to the 11th Century. Located on the banks of River Saraswati, Rani Ki Vav was rediscovered in 1940 and restored in the 1980s.
The stepwell is divided into seven levels of stairs with sculptural panels; more than 500 principal sculptures and over a thousand minor ones combine religious, mythological and secular imagery. Rani ki Vav is also a good study for Architectural students. This was also named “India’s Cleanest Iconic Place’ at India Sanitation Conference in 2016.

Rani Ki Vav is just 36 km from Modhera and 125 km from Ahmedabad. The nearest railway station is Mehsana. The beautiful landscape gardens at Rani Ki Vav is a visual treat to the eyes. Sitting under the tree on a hot sunny afternoon waiting for our friends to join us back was so calming.

Takeaway

1. Patan is 36 km from Modhera, 125 km from Ahmedabad and 300 km from Bhuj.

2. The nearest railway station is Mehsana.

3. Patan is famous for its handloom weave Patola. You can buy sarees, dupattas and stoles in silk and cotton.

4. Rani ki Vav is the UNESCO Heritage site in Patan. Visit the place for its architectural and historical importance.

5. Rani ki Vav has won lots of accolades for being the cleanest Iconic Tourist place. Make sure you bring your trash back.

6. Tickets are available at the gate.

7. DSLR Cameras/ Video Cameras are not allowed inside the premises. The photos taken are from a Mobile Phone camera.

MODHERA

The twin town of Patan in Gujarat is famous for its Sun Temple. Just 28 km away from Mehsana, 35 km from Patan and 100 km from Ahmedabad, Modhera is situated on the banks of River Pushpavati.

Sun Temple

The temple is dedicated to Sun God hence no idol inside the temple.
The outer walls of the temple depict the images of various gods and goddesses, dancing apsaras, musicians and other amorous figures.

Located in Gujarat, the Modhera Sun Temple was built between 1026-27 CE. It was built during the rule of Bhīma I of the Chaulukya Dynasty and is currently a popular tourist site in India. The temple is divided into three segments, Gudhamandapa, which is the shrine hall; Sabhamandapa, which is the assembly hall; and the reservoir that is known as Kunda. The architectural style of this temple has been attributed to the Maru-Gurjara style and is located near the Pashupati River.
It has a splendid pillared hall meant for religious gatherings. The hall consists of 52 pillars representing the 52 weeks in a year. Each of these pillars is intricately carved depicting scenes from the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.

As you enter the huge temple complex you will the Kund or a water reservoir. It is believed the water level of this kind never increases or decreases whether it is hot and humid or if it rains. Unbelievable!!!

An archaeological and architectural marvel of Indian history is something one must include in their bucket list.

Modhera Dance Festival

In January after the famous Gujarati Festival ‘Uttarayan’, a Dance Festival is conducted by Gujarat Tourism in Sun Temple premises celebrating the architectural grandeur and rich cultural heritage of the region. Witness a splendour blend of art, culture, history and heritage in the lap of this magnificent illuminated backdrop of Sun Temple.

Takeaway

1. The closest way to reach Modhera by air is via Ahmedabad. It is just 100 km away. Mehsana is the nearest railway station.

2. Modhera is famous for its Sun Temple which is a UNESCO heritage site.

3. Tickets are available at the counter. Rs 40 for Indians, Rs 200 for Foreigners.

4. The temple is open from 7 am to 6 pm.

5. DSLR Cameras/ Video Cameras are not allowed inside the premises. The photos taken are from a Mobile Phone camera.

Lighting image source   Gujarat Tourism