Brahma Kund and Surya Kund are two sacred stepped tanks located in Gujarat, India dedicated to Hindu gods. Brahma Kund, located in Sihor, was refurbished in the 12th century by Raja Siddharaj Jaisinh after he was miraculously cured of a skin ailment by bathing in its healing waters. Surya Kund, located in Modhera, was established in 1026 AD and features intricate stone architecture and 108 shrines dedicated to the sun god Surya. Both sites continue to be places of pilgrimage where people visit seeking cures for skin ailments.

3. Brahma Kund

4. SURYA KUND

6. SURYA KUND BRAHMA KUND
Location Sun Temple, Modhera……. 102
kms from Ahmedabad on the
bank of the river Pushpavati.
Sihor……20 kms from Bhavnagar
district in Gujarat along the river
Gautami.
Year of
Construction
1026 AD (eleventh century) 12th century
Established
by
Raja Bhimdev of the Solanki
dynasty
Raja Siddharaj Jaisinh (grandfather of
Raja Bhimdev) of the Solanki dynasty
Dedicated to Lord Surya All Hindu Lords
Beliefs it reflects a belief from the Rig
Veda that the divine sun emerged
from the Cosmic Waters.
In Hindu mythology, it is highly regarded
for its water to have magical healing
powers.
History It is believed that the water from
Brahma Kund is what helped King
Siddharaj recover from his skin ailment
after he was cursed by Ranakdevi.

7. Site Plan of Sun temple

8. Sectional Elevation of Surya Kund

9. SURYA KUND BRAHMA KUND
Architectural
Elements
•a finest example of geometry
•organization of stone into composition
gives shape to a dazzling pattern of art.
•Small arches, which have a marvelous
quality of intricate & precision
craftsmanship, crowning Kirti
Stambhas (towers of fame), erected by
Solanki Rajput kings to commemorate
their victories in battle field.
•It is proportioned with innumerable
stone steps leading devotees down to
its base.
•108 miniature shrines are carved in
between the steps inside the tank.
•Also number 108 considered to be
auspicious by Hindus as Hindu rosary
has same number of beads.
•It is a stepped tank surrounded by
idols of Hindu deities.
•It is a striking display of some
excellent architecture and sculpture.
•Interestingly, water in Brahma Kund,
its source, quality and consistent level
throughout the year, all these have
been a mystery all the time.

10. Kirti
Stambh

11. Plan of
Surya
Kund

13. SURYA KUND BRAHMA KUND
•There are four terraces to descend to
reach the bottom of the tank.
•Small pyramid-shaped steps are for
each terrace.
•God and Goddess depicted in
immortalized stone unfold the
sculpture wealth: Lord Vishnu,
Lord Ganesh, Lord Natraj,
Sitlamata's presence a marvel.
Dimensions massive rectangular stepped
tank, measures 176 feet north to
south, by 120 feet east to west.
Usage •People continue to visit the tank to
cure themselves of skin ailments.

14. •One day, while undertaking a journey with his courtiers, he
reached the area where this tank is situated. Everyone was tired
and thirsty from the long journey.
•On seeing the tank full of water, he ordered the soldiers to stop
there to take rest and quench their thirst.
•The king took a few sips of water from the tank. He immediately
felt a sense of relief and pleasure on the skin. It seemed like a
miraculous recovery. To testify if it were really true, he once again
poured some water on his skin on the other parts of the body.
•After this novel experience, the king decided not to continue with
the journey any further. Instead, he decided to stay put at Sihor.
Story behind the Brahma Kund

15. •His rationale told him that an instant judgment about this situation
cannot be made. So his entire battalion camped there for a few
weeks.
•He visited the Brahma Kund regularly for the next few days.
Regular dips in the tank treated his skin ailment completely. This
recovery prompted him to do up the tank again as an obligation for
the relief and pleasure meted out to him and his courtiers.
•Obliged by the blessings of this place and its miracle, he decided to
refurbish the place and it’s the Brahma Kund of today which boasts
of a renewed architecture (during 12th Century).
•The faith of the healing powers of this tank experienced by the
king in the 12th century remains uninterrupted till today. People
continue to visit the tank to cure themselves of skin ailments.