The great stepped tank
In front of the Sun Temple at Modhera lies one of the most photographed sights in all of Gujarat — the Surya Kund, a vast rectangular stepped water tank that ranks among the finest temple tanks ever built. Descending to the water on every side in a mesmerising geometric cascade of steps and terraces, the kund is studded with 108 small shrines set into its sides, dedicated to various deities, so that pilgrims could worship as they descended to bathe.
The kund is architecture and instrument at once: its steps descend in mathematical tiers to the water, and the 108 miniature shrines set into them honour deities across the ranks — a devotional catalogue arranged as geometry. Come at first light, when the sun rises on the temple’s axis and the tank’s steps throw their sharpest shadows.
Entry comes with the Sun Temple’s ASI ticket, and the kund is the complex’s first structure inside the gate. Mind the steps themselves — centuries of feet have rounded the edges, and the descent asks for attention as well as admiration.
The Surya Kund is the Sun Temple’s overture: a rectangular tank over fifty metres long whose sides descend in a fractal cascade of steps and terraces, with 108 miniature shrines — the sacred number — set into the geometry. Built with the temple in the 1020s, it held the ritual bathing water and doubled as the complex’s visual foundation; approaching pilgrims saw temple and reflection together, architecture completing itself in water.
Morning light rakes the steps best, and the low sun of the January dance-festival evenings turns the whole kund into an amphitheatre of shadows. Photographers should walk the full rim before choosing a line — every corner reorganises the geometry.
Built in the 11th century as an integral part of the Solanki Sun Temple complex, the Surya Kund (also called Ramakund) is a masterpiece of both engineering and sacred design, its symmetry and rhythm of steps creating an almost hypnotic pattern. It is most beautiful in the soft light of early morning, when the geometry casts long shadows.
A visit to Modhera is, above all, a visit to this extraordinary stepped tank. (Part of the ASI Sun Temple complex; entry by ticket.)
The Surya Kund at Modhera.
A stepped tank lined with miniature shrines
The kund before the temple.
Built with the Solanki Sun Temple.
Miniature shrines line the steps.
Also known by this name.
Modhera's most iconic sight.
Reasons to make the time
Stepped tank
A cascade of steps.
108 shrines
Set into the sides.
Dazzling geometry
Hypnotic symmetry.
Solanki engineering
11th-century skill.
Sublime at dawn
Long shadows and light.
Modhera's icon
The signature sight.
What to look for inside
THE TANKSurya Kund
The great stepwell.
THE STEPS108 shrines
Geometry in stone.
How to spend an hour or two
Descend the steps
Descend into the kund itself, step by interlocking step.
Count the shrines
Find the miniature shrines — all 108 — set into the walls.
Admire the geometry
Absorb the stepped symmetry that photographs cannot exhaust.
Photograph at dawn
Come early or late for the long shadows across the geometry.
See the temple beyond
Frame the temple across the tank, the classic Modhera image.
Study the design
Read it as engineering and faith in one structure.
The geometric Surya Kund.
A cascade of steps
The Surya Kund is a vast rectangular stepped temple tank, descending on all sides in interlocking terraces of steps to the water, with 108 miniature shrines set into its flanks. Built as the entrance feature of the Solanki Sun Temple, it fuses hydraulic engineering with sacred geometry, its rhythmic symmetry creating one of the most striking architectural patterns in India — best seen at dawn. (Part of the ASI Sun Temple complex; entry by ticket.)
See what else is nearby in our guide to Mehsana.
Vast rectangular stepped tank
108 miniature shrines
Interlocking step geometry
Entrance to the Sun Temple
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the ideal season.
Green and atmospheric after rain.
Hot and dry — start early.
⏰ Photograph the Surya Kund at dawn for the long shadows; it is included with the Modhera Sun Temple ticket.
Timings & entry
- Open with the Sun Temple
- Dawn light is finest
- Maintained by the ASI
- Watch your footing on steps
- Included in the Sun Temple ticket
- Take care descending the steps
- Wear sun protection
- Allow time to photograph
Getting there
By Air
Ahmedabad airport (~100 km).
By Rail
Mehsana Junction (~25 km).
By Road
At Modhera, near Mehsana.
At the Surya Kund
STEPS & SYMMETRY
A masterpiece of stepped design
What to shoot
The cascade of steps.
Detail
The 108 shrines.
Best light
Dawn long shadows.
Composition
Symmetry & reflections.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Bahucharaji
◐ Temple detail & ritual
BIRD LAKEThol Lake
A wetland sanctuary of flamingos & pelicans
Hatkeshwar Mahadev
The ornate Nagar Brahmin temple
Unjha Umiya Mata
Sacred vavs across the district
HERITAGEKirti Toran
Soaring 12th-century ceremonial arches
STEPWELLStepwell Country
Gateway to Patan’s Rani ki Vav & Adalaj
Where to eat near Modhera Surya Kund
THALIGujarati Thali
Sweet-savoury full meals.
FARSANDhokla & fafda
Steamed and fried snacks.
STREETChaat & snacks
Lively market-town fare.
Dairy capital
Home of Dudhsagar Dairy & superb milk sweets.
Modhera Surya Kund FAQ
What is the Surya Kund?
The great stepped temple tank in front of the Modhera Sun Temple.
How many shrines does it have?
108 miniature shrines set into its sides.
Is it the same as the Sun Temple?
It is an integral part of the Sun Temple complex, in front of the main shrine.
What is it also called?
Ramakund.
Is there a separate ticket?
No — it's included with the ASI Sun Temple ticket.
When is it most beautiful?
At dawn, when the steps cast long shadows.
Where is it?
At Modhera, about 25 km from Mehsana.
When should I visit?
October to March, in the cooler season.
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026