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Modhera Dance Festival (Uttarardh Mahotsav) at the Sun Temple
Dancers on the steps of a sun temple lit against the January night
The Modhera Dance Festival, also called the Uttarardh Mahotsav, is a festival of Indian classical dance at the Sun Temple of Modhera in Mehsana district, Gujarat. It is held every year in the second half of January, on the weekend after Uttarayan, over two or three evenings. Dancers perform on a stage by the Surya Kund, the stepped tank in front of the temple, with the floodlit 11th-century temple behind them.
Gujarat's Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department sets the dates each year and announces them in January, a few days ahead.
The legend
The Sun Temple at Modhera was built in the 11th century under King Bhima of the Chaulukya (Solanki) dynasty; its walls and pillars are carved with dancers.
Since 1992 the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat has held a dance festival at the temple every January after Uttarayan: the Uttarardh Mahotsav.
The idea is simple: to show classical dance in the kind of setting it was once performed in, beside the temple's stone dancers.
Customs
By the Surya Kund
In the evenings a stage by the Surya Kund, the stepped tank before the temple, hosts Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak and Kuchipudi, with the temple lit behind.
Dancers from all India
Troupes come from many states, so a couple of evenings can take in several schools of classical dance one after another.
Where to celebrate
Modhera
Two or three evenings of classical dance on a stage by the Surya Kund, the stepped tank of the eleventh-century Sun Temple, with the floodlit temple behind the dancers.
What the festival is
Since 1992 the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat has held a dance festival at the temple every January. The idea is to show classical dance in the kind of setting it was once performed in: the walls and pillars of the temple are carved with dancers, and the performers dance in front of them.
Troupes come from many states, so one evening can take in several schools of classical dance, such as Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak and Kuchipudi, one after another. Gujarat Tourism also describes the festival as a platform for the dance forms of the region.
The name comes from the sun's path. Uttarayan, in mid-January, marks the start of the sun's northward journey; Gujarat Tourism explains Uttarardh as the point when half (ardh) of that northward (uttar) journey is over, which is why the festival follows Uttarayan.
The Sun Temple behind the stage
The Sun Temple of Modhera is dedicated to Surya, the sun god, and stands on the bank of the Pushpavati river. It was built in the 11th century under Bhima I and Karna I of the Chaulukya (Solanki) dynasty: the shrine shortly after 1026 CE, the dance hall later in the same century. The sanctum is aligned so that the first rays of the rising sun light the image of Surya at the equinoxes.
The complex has three parts: the shrine hall, the assembly hall and the kund, a rectangular stepped tank also called Ramakunda or Suryakunda, with terraces of steps and many small shrines along its walls. The temple is no longer used for worship. It is a protected monument of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), so treat the stones with care: do not climb on the carvings.
Seats, tickets and timing
The festival is an evening event; the temple itself is best seen in daylight.
- Evening performances — In the latest edition the performances began at 6:30 pm on both evenings, with seating in front of the stage by the Surya Kund. The evening performances have been free, and the district administration has invited the public to attend.
- The temple by day — Entry to the temple grounds in daytime needs an ASI ticket. Come in the afternoon to see the kund and its small shrines before the programme.
- Late announcements — Gujarat's Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department sets the dates each year and announces them in January, only a few days or weeks ahead. Some editions have been skipped or shortened, so keep bookings flexible.
Getting there and where to stay
Modhera is a village in Mehsana district, 25 km from the town of Mehsana and about 100 km from Ahmedabad. It has very little accommodation, so stay in Ahmedabad or Mehsana and come for the evening; three weeks ahead is usually enough to book.
The festival comes a few days after Uttarayan, the kite festival that fills Ahmedabad in mid-January. If you are combining the two, book flights to Ahmedabad early. Patan, with the Rani ki Vav stepwell, is 35 km further on and makes a natural pair with Modhera.
FAQ
When is the Modhera Dance Festival held?
Every year in the second half of January, on the weekend after Uttarayan, over two or three evenings. The exact dates are announced in January, shortly before the festival.
Where is the Modhera Dance Festival celebrated?
At the Sun Temple of Modhera in Mehsana district, Gujarat, on a stage by the Surya Kund, about 100 km from Ahmedabad and 25 km from Mehsana.
Why is it called Uttarardh Mahotsav?
Gujarat Tourism links the name to the sun's northward journey that begins at Uttarayan: uttarardh is the point when half of that journey is over.
What is Modhera famous for?
For its 11th-century Sun Temple, built under the Chaulukya (Solanki) kings, with a carved assembly hall and a large stepped tank, the Surya Kund.
Is there an entry fee for the festival?
The evening performances have been free. Daytime entry to the temple grounds needs an ASI ticket.
Sources (4)
Facts checked: 21 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.