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Sun Temple of Modhera, during dark and breezy nights of January, create a Chiaroscuro effect of time and space! The Sun Temple of Modhera is a masterpiece of the Golden Age of the Solanki Empire, which hosts the annual Dance Festival and flaunts the glory and splendor of that era. The Modhera Dance Festival which is also prevalently known as the Uttarardh Mahotsavor Modhera Utsavis is one of the most famous celebration of art, music, dance and culture, in this part of the country. This unique occurrence showcases traditional dance forms of the region as well as acts as a platform bringing together the cultural ethos of other regions expressed in form of dance or nritya.
Modhera, the temple of the Sun narrating the history and grandeur of its patrons, the Solankis, is an architectural marvel. This peerless temple space acts as a grandiose backdrop for the vibrant expression of dancers and aesthetical ethnicity of the country. Dance troupes and performers from all regions of the nation bring along a panorama of varied dance forms and styles, interlaced with the essence of their origins. The performers blend in the ambience and bring life to the sandstone figurines carved on the edifice of the temple, singing and narrating legends of times bygone.
History
Modhera Dance FestivalModhera dance festival is termed as ‘Uttarardh’ and the nomenclature bears connection with the sun’s astronomical as well as planetary configurations. The dances are performed at the Sun temple premises in honor of the Sun God. This dance festival follows the Uttarayan festival; a festival that marks the inception of the sun’s journey northward. Next comes the Uttarardh festival that marks the ardh or adha or halfway journey of sun towards north.
In India dance assumes the stature of an aesthetically charged yoga that can be made use of to attain the spiritual in a corporeal way. In Indian history classical dance performances have a deep correlation with the temple set up. Historical as well as literary evidences show a deep connection between divinity and expressional dance forms. Nagar Utsav for instance was one such festival where performances were ideally performed in the temple premises. Modhera dance festival is therefore not a departure from tradition but very much an alliance with tradition in the modern times.
How to reach
The Modhera Dance FestivalThe city of Modhera comes under Gujarat’s Mehsana district and can be reached easily from all other cities of Gujarat by means of public and private buses, cabs etc. The railway station lying in closest proximity to Modhera is Mehsana railway station; nearly 40kms away from the city. Local trains and express trains can make you reach Mehsana station from where you need to avail road transport to reach the festival venue; i.e. the Sun temple. Those who wish to travel by flight may travel to Ahmadabad airport which falls nearest to Modhera and then complete the rest of the journey by means of road transport.
Gujarat fairs and festivals are well known world wide. It is due to the celebration of numerous fairs and festivals in Gujarat that it is also called the 'Land of fairs and festivals' Around 3500 fairs and festivals at Gujarat are celebrated all the year around. The fairs and festivals of Gujarat can be celebrated for the change of season, at harvesting time of a green field, on some religious event. The significance of Gujarat fairs and festivals is that they take you closer to the rich cultural diversity of the people there. You get to see the customs, ethics, values and beliefs of the people of Gujarat. Moreover, you also get to know the regional cuisine, clothes, etc, during the fairs and festivals of Gujarat. All the fairs and festivals at Gujarat are governed by solar and lunar calendars and are mainly religious in nature. One striking feature of the fairs and festivals in Gujarat is that one can experience the cultural and religious diversity of the place. Some of the fairs and festivals which are celebrated in Gujarat throughout the year are International Kite Festival, Diwali, Holi, Janmashtami, Kutch Mahotsava, Navratri, Shamlaji Fair, Modhera Dance Festival, Tarnetar Fair, Bhadra Purnima and Vautha Fair.
