Mumbai, Sept. 30 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the 1,000-year history of Gujarat's Modhera Sun Temple and its transformation into India's first 24x7 solar village during the 138th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday. He linked the site's history with the resilience of India's cultural and civilisational heritage.
Modi recalled that the Sun Temple and the Somnath Temple were attacked during the invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni. He said Modhera was rebuilt under the Chaulukya ruler Bhimdev I after its destruction in 1026, while Somnath was reconstructed repeatedly following successive attacks. He also referred to later attacks on Modhera, including during the period of Alauddin Khilji.
The Prime Minister said the temples' reconstruction reflected enduring public faith and resilience. He noted that Somnath's history included its restoration under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the consecration of the rebuilt temple in 1951.
Modhera's solar village initiative was inaugurated in 2022. The village now operates entirely on solar energy and has become an example of renewable energy use at the village level, while also developing facilities and attractions for visitors. Modi highlighted the Modhera Dance Festival, held in January after Makar Sankranti, as an event showcasing Indian cultural and classical dance traditions.
He encouraged people to visit Modhera to experience its heritage. The remarks came against the backdrop of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, held from January 8 to 11 as a national commemoration of 1,000 years since the first recorded attack on the Somnath Temple in January 1026. The Modhera complex, constructed in the 11th century, is no longer used for regular worship and is maintained as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.