Fun Ride to Sun Temple

In the Year 2005, along with my MBA hostel mates I planned one day tour from Ahmedabad to Modhera. The Modhera sun temple is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati, 25 km from Mehsana and 102 km from Ahmedabad city in Indian state of Gujarat. We were fortunate enough to visit this magnificent temple located in a remote corner of India.

We reached Mehsana around 9 am. It was breakfast time and as usual we all very hungry and ready to attack all spicy, delicious junk foods available around. Eating hot Bhajjis at one of the roadside cabin shop was truly an unforgettable experience.

We hired a six seated auto rickshaw from Mehsana to reach Modhera Sun Temple. The rickshaw was in very bad state. While running it was making so much noise and vibration that we felt we are sitting in some roller coaster ride not in a vehicle. We tried to do jugalbandi with rickshaw’s engine noise with our Antakshri Songs. I think ultimate sufferer was the driver; poor chap had to bear legitimate ‘besura’ Bollywood songs from 8 worst singers. Truly it was fun ride for all of us but a torture ride for that driver.

We were totally stunned after reaching to Modhera and looking at beautifully carved sculpture of Sun temple there. We clicked photos at almost all possible corners of temple wherever we could reach and give pose. Government should properly develop this kind of tourist places so that more people can have chance to appreciate our grand heritage. This temple is such a wonderful tourist location but there was neither guide nor any good hotel to find a quality food and accommodation around.

One watchman was there around temple who gave us bits and pieces of information about history of the temple. This place is a true example of negligence of tourism department of Government. Watchman told us only during January when Classical Dance show is organized by Gujarat tourism department, officials go there to inspect this place.

Our return journey was also very funny. Same auto rickshaw we took to reach Mehsana. But this time we had few local fellow passengers also along with us riding in same auto. One fat aunty, who was equivalent enough to compete with Japanese Sumo, took almost entire back seat of that overcrowded auto. Result was that few of my friends including me had to shrink ourselves to fit into front row of auto. Rural people in that area are used to this means of commutation. But for all of us it was really an adventure to finish that return journey in crowded auto.

In that awkward position also we were laughing and cracking jokes on each other. Ahhh… carefree college picnic days are those moments of life which always stays close to heart. This trip was truly a delight for us. It gave us chance to visit one of the finest architectural marvels in Gujarat.