A Fun DAY trip to explore the archaeologically enchanting MODHERA-PATAN as well as wilderness of IDAR!
Highlights of the trip:
1. Modhera - Sun Temple, "A Tribute to the creator of life, carved with passion in stone."
2. Patan- Rani Ki Vav, World Heritage site of Gujarat
3. Idar- Idar fort trek
Brief Itinerary:
Trip Starts:
3:00 AM- Departure From Rajkot (Pick up @ KKV Hall)
7:30 AM- Reach Modhera Sun-Temple
8:30 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM- Departure from Modhera and towards Patan
10:00 AM- Reach Patan RAN-KI-VAAV
10:00 AM To 12:30 PM- PATAN (That Includes Ranki Vaav, Shahastraling Talav, Patola House Visit)
1:00 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Departure form PATAN towards IDAR
4:00 PM: Reach IDAR DAULAT CASTLE
5:00 PM TREKKING (HIKING) TO SUNSET VIEW
6:30 PM: Departure from IDAR towards rajkot
1;00 AM: Reach Rajkot
Trip Ends Here.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Start your journey from Rajkot towards the sun temple of Modhera early morning. From rajkot It is a five hours drive.
Post breakfast visit Sun Temple. A walk around the serene temple campus makes you aware of the positively strong aura of energy which the place radiates and through it brings one closer to the environs.
Sun temple
The exclusively carved temple complex and the magnificently sculpted kund are jewels in the art of masonry of the Solanki period apparently which was also known as the Golden Age of Gujarat. Savor your voyage through time to the magnificent eons of the Golden period as you get welcomed personally by the life like icons, narrating stories and legends of Modhera!
Get ready for the next attraction the heritage city of Patan. An hour drive will take you to one of the world heritage sites of India, Rani ki Vav.
Rani ki Vav
Rani (Queen) Udayamati commissioned this vav or stepwell, in 1063 in the memory of her husband King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty. The vav was later flooded by the nearby Saraswati river and silted over until the late 1980s, when it was excavated by the Archeological Survey of India, with the carvings found in pristine condition. Rani Ki Vav is amongst the finest stepwells in India, and one of the most famous legacies of the ancient capital city.
The vavs of Gujarat are not merely sites for collecting water and socialising, but also simultaneously hold great spiritual significance. They were originally constructed quite simply, but became more intricate over the years, perhaps to make explicit this ancient concept of the sanctity of water by carving it out in stone deities. You may thus enter Rani Ki Vav as if it is a subterranean temple. The steps begin at ground level, leading you down through the cool air through several pillared pavilions to reach the deep well below. There are more than 800 elaborate sculptures among seven galleries. The central theme is the Dasavataras, or ten incarnations of Vishnu, including Buddha. The avatars are accompanied by sadhus, brahmins, and apsaras (celestial dancers), painting their lips and adorning themselves. At water level you come to a carving of Sheshashayi-Vishnu, in which Vishnu reclines on the thousand-hooded serpent Shesha, where it is said he rests in the infinity between ages. Open from 8am to 6pm. Entry fee for Indians Rs. 5/-, Foreigners 2 USD
A short excursion to Sahastraling lake and interaction with the famous Patola weavers of Patan.
Patola is the name of the silk saris unique to Patan.
Have a delicious Gujarati thali for Lunch and drive further to one of the most beautiful trekking spots in Gujarat, Idar.
Idar
Reach around four in afternoon to Idar city. A welcome drink to recharge yourself and the start the gradual trek toward the Daulat castle. Spend some time to click photographs and head towards the sunset point. Enjoy breathtaking view from the top of the city. Start descending and reach to the final stop where your vehicle will be ready to take you back home with memories for lifetime!
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