Sun Temple at Modhera / Rani-vav Stepwell in Patan

Renting another trusty Toyota Innova van (and a driver, of course), myself, Bradd, and 3 of his co-workers took off to the city of Modhera where 1 of only 7 sun temples of the world is located. It's only about a 1.5 hr drive north-west of Ahmedabad but in some ways feels like the other side of India. Passing through villages, fields and farms, we found our way to the temple. I was there earlier in January without Bradd for the annual Modhera Dance Festival at night but wanted to experience it during the daylight and so Bradd could see it.

We arrived early morning around 6:30 am so we could get the light of the rising sun. We were the first people there so it was wonderfully quiet and personal without any other tourists around. As we approached the temple, a troop of monkeys were playing on the rocks next to us and a large number of peacocks were hanging around he main structure. How cool!

The Sun Temple was built in 1026 a.d. and is still magnificent! It's not really a huge structure but has the most elaborate details carved into almost every available surface. Various flora and fauna are represented, decorative filigree, busty women and virile men in a proud array of poses and yes - quite a few sexually explicit scenes as well (India did create the Kama Sutra, you know). All these craving were punctuated by the multitude of common squirrels running rampant and birds tucked into overhangs...even 2 little owls. The front entrance steps lead straight down to a huge, open well that is almost like a reverse ziggarat. Even this structure has hundreds of it's own small shrines and decorative work. A bit dizzying, it's fairly steep and hand rails weren't very big back in 1026 so I personally didn't go down into the well very far. The sight is no longer used as a religious temple but is well-maintained and there has been a small shrine erected right next to the temple for religious offerings. I was lured into the shrine to make an offering, aka- money, in exchange for a blessing. I figured it couldn't hurt and at 10 Rupees (20 cents), I wasn't loosing much. Bradd made me rub off my "blessing" later because he said it looked like I had a dab of mustard between my eyes.

The step well was about a half hour away from Modhera in a decent size town called Patan. It's known mostly for the step well, an old fort that circles part of the town and for it's fine silk weaving. I read they actually dye the silk thread for the pattern before weaving the fabric and it takes 4-6 months to make a sari! I didn't see it but it sounds impressive.

The step well was uncovered in 1986 and is in really impressive condition. It was built around 1050 a.d. for a queen so the carvings are quite amazing. The area surrounding the step well was a sort of strange park with a meandering walkway going in no particular direction. But I was certainly amused by the troops of langur monkeys running all around us and the warning sign for the giant honey bees (just in case one is allergic). I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Dinner with the Prime Minister of Gujarat

"The President of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry
cordially invite you along with your spouse
to
Celebrate the Unprecedental Grand Success
of
Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor's Summit- 2009
along with
Shri Narendrabhai Modi
Hon'ble Chief Minister of Gujarat"

I haven't quite figured out why we were asked to join Bradd's boss & wife to this dinner but we were and of course, we went! Bradd had attended the actual summit which was a really big deal for the whole state of Gujarat. The state actually built a new "city" just for the the Vibrant Gujarat Summit outside of Ahmedabad. The summit was in the newspapers every day for weeks leading up to it and it's purpose (as I understand) was to showcase Gujarat state and it's possibilities to local and especially foreign investors - Japan was a biggie. This particular dinner was held in honor of how well the summit went and so the Chief Prime Minister could expound on the success of the event. It was held at the house of a very influential family of Ahmedabad's, at their "farmhouse" outside of the city which is now considered the farthest suburb. The grounds were beautifully landscaped with lovely greenery and lights and candles. And appropriately catered by a local restaurant owner. After the Prime Minsters speech, which I only understood a few words but apparently very entertaining, everybody lined up to shake his hand...which Bradd and I both did. Very cool considering I've never met the mayor of my home town, let alone the governor!

Better quality and more pics are coming...