HISTORY MEETS TECHNOLOGY Solar Valley – Modhera temple complex Ancient solar culture, modern context proposal by: suril desai www.sixofusdesign.com GLORIOUS MODHERA SUN TEMPLE The Sun temple of Modhera, is an emblem of the golden era of temple architecture in India. The grandeur of architecture and finesse of sculpture are visually striking. This temple built in the 11th century tells several stories, philosophical and historical. Every sight resounds with tales of the years gone by. The “Surya Kund” a massive A pleasant drive from Sights and Spirituality water tank invites you to the Ahmadabad through picturesque • The temple shrine is bisected Temple complex. It emanates fields, the Modhera Sun Temple by the Tropic of Cancer the grandeur of the home deity complex is an attraction which • The first dawn ray of sun on the “Surya”, riding a chariot with can hold a tourist’s attention equinoxes shines directly onto seven white horses and having across several days if planned the center of Surya’s gold crown hair and arms of pure gold! The correctly. With some guidance, • The priest is a reservoir of lore elegance of this visual is seen in a visitor would be immersed and your key to the pictorial the delicacy of stone carving and in the intrigue of the moods puzzles of history vibrancy of architecture. Trees, and rendering of the temple • The room with the idol is lit from witnesses to temple history and architecture across the cycles of sunrise to sunset every day of the an inviting lawn with the river the day and the year. year and wherever you stand, the pushpavati ambling by, complete shadow will be cast on the walls the story that is vividly etched in “Turn your face to the of the room, never on the idol sun and the shadows fall the fifty-two pillars and hundred behind you.” and eight shrines that adorn the temple complex. “We will pool all our scientific, technical and managerial talents, with financial sources, to develop solar energy as a source of abundant energy to power our economy and to transform the lives of our people.“ Manmohan Singh (Prime Minister of India) Surya Yantra (Left) It is no longer in the future, it is no longer a dream. World energy needs are here and now. A technology revolution is required HERE and NOW. The world recognizes this, leaders recognize this! And brand “SOLAR” has a penetration that could compete SOLAR with any international brand. We have forgotten that the Sun is REVIVAL the “giver of life”, and every ancient • Solar deployment is the global agenda civilization has had a prominent • Solar innovation is recognized with solar technology awards solar culture. The sun provides • Solar companies are seen as technology leaders and growth leaders more than energy, it is a solution for • Solar energy meets the needs of quick deployment in Rural Areas sustainable living! Today we look at • Solar energy is clean energy with a minimal working carbon footprint the sun as a means of energy, but not as a “culture” , understanding the philosophy and drawing from the myths, the folklore to step beyond science. MODHERA SOLAR VALLEY The solar valley represents the solar culture revived through technology, research, education and implementation. Solar Summit • 3-5day annual Solar Summit • All about solar technology, solar culture, solar business and Solar Life • Discussion on anthropology, philosophy, economics, technologies and ethics • Topical conferences, cultural presentations and glimpses of Solar Life As a site for the Solar Summit, Modhera will get recognition for the concept of a Solar Life. We look to build an environment for solar revival, maintaining the exclusivity and mystery, while becoming a centre for disseminating our vision. • Setup a solar research facility which conducts primary and secondary research taking forward the outcome of the annual summit and setting the context for the next summit Destination : Modhera A high end hospitality and luxury destination conceived around the solar concept offering all year “destination shopping” and “experience tourism” • A hospitality industry as a demonstration of a large-scale solar deployment and serviced as Solar Life • A high-end shopping destination offering theme shopping for weddings and special occasions • A destination for weddings, ceremonies and other sacred occasions • An International destination for meetings and conferences related to energy, technology and inspiration Solar Life - Modhera • A live museum of solar tech and cultural deployment; cultural subtleties related to the Sun • A thriving all year tourist destination and restoration of the sun temple to its former glory • Several exclusive cultural and international events to dot the annual calendar Gujarat - The ideal venue • A business friendly environment and proactive governance • Favored by prominent Indian business houses and a growth of over 20% p.a. since 2002 • The government has a positive outlook towards solar projects, and is considering large scale solar business proposals • The weather is conducive to harness solar energy the Vision We at Sunage have no doubt that we can muster private partnership SUNAGE OF INDIA : ABOUT US to realize Solar Valley : Modhera. But a project with people and culture Sunage is a consulting organization facilitating at its heart can never be implemented without a solid government public-private partnerships to deliver high backing and participation. growth entrepreneurial ventures. Sunage partners with a host of financial, legal, Our vision for the project is: corporate, research, non-profit and educational institutions for execution of their projects. Gujarat State: Policy, fast-track bureaucracy, investment in education and Sunage is the brainchild of Hans Reitz infrastructure, allocation of land bank and commitment to the project a German with a passion for India and Suril Desai an entrepreneur with a keen interest Sunage: Conceptualization and project management, public-private in world philosophy. Sunage is a young organization incorporated in 2008 and is partnership and development of design and intellectual property. currently incubated by three organizations: Sunage would operate as a consultant to the government Nishith Desai Associates - A leading law firm headquarted in Mumbai with offices in Private Partnership: Private partnership local and international would Bangalore, New Delhi, Silicon Valley, Singapore, be the means to implement and garner interest in the intitiative and Switzerland www.nishithdesai.com Circ is a german creative agency with an emphasis on delivering experiences. They have an enviable collection of awards and client testimonials endorsing their services They’ve worked with the likes of Adidas, Audi and BASS Bridge to India - An organization that partners PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. DO NOT DISTRIBUTE WITHOUT PRIOR CONSENT. with international companies with Indian aspirations. www.bridge-to-india.com Suril Desai Sunage (India) Consultancy Pvt. Ltd +91 99670 93941 [email protected] 93-B Mittal Court, Nariman Point Redesign of the Kerela houseboat : Solar Powered www.sunageconsultancy.com Mumbai 400021, India Concept, design and development: Sunage www.sixofusdesign.com.