Chambers in the ancient Indian temple align to the rays of the sun on specific days!

The Modhera Sun Temple in Gujarat stands as a testament to the brilliance of ancient Indian astronomy and architecture. Built 1,000 years ago by King Bhima Deva Solanki, this UNESCO World Heritage site was designed to align perfectly with the Sun's rays during key celestial events like the Spring equinox. The temple’s architecture reflects intricate knowledge of Vedic cosmology, with 52 pillars symbolising the weeks of the year, 12 statues of Surya for the 12 months, 7 horses of the chariot perhaps representing the days in a week, and 24 pillars of Garbha Griha’s for the hours in a day. Its design is influenced by the Surya Siddhanta.

Modhera is almost exactly on the Tropic of Cancer, and the temple’s layout honours Surya, the Sun god, while celebrating ancient Indian achievements in mathematics, astronomy, and geometry. Scholars like Aryabhata and Brahmagupta laid the foundation for the temple's astronomical and mathematical significance, including Aryabhata’s pioneering ideas of a spherical Earth and heliocentricity.

Carved from sandstone, the temple is adorned with intricate sculptures depicting Hindu mythology and life. Its alignment with the Sun and the mysteries of its construction make Modhera a marvel of art, science, and spiritual devotion.

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