Teak forest and medieval temples
Polo Forest — officially the Polo Monument Protected Area — is one of Gujarat’s most remarkable destinations: a vast forested valley of the Sabarmati river in northern Aravalli, where a medieval settlement of the Solanki period left behind a cluster of Jain temples that now stand in varying states of picturesque ruin beneath the teak and bamboo.
The temples of Abhapur, Zainpur and other hamlets within the Polo Forest date primarily from the 10th–14th centuries — the great period of Jain patronage in Gujarat — and their carved columns, shikhara remnants and inscribed panels are scattered through the forest like a scene from a fairy-tale of lost kingdoms.
The forest itself is alive: leopards, monkeys, deer and a rich birdlife inhabit the Sabarmati valley, and seasonal waterfalls and streams make the landscape lush and beautiful in and after the monsoon. The Polo Forest is one of those rare places where heritage and nature are equally impressive.
The walking is the visit. From the gate near the campsite, forest tracks lead to the principal groups — the Sharneshwar Shiva temple with its walled court, the Jain derasar cluster at Abhapur’s edge, and the smaller shrines the forest half-hides — with the Harnav’s pools and old stone bridges between them. None of it is far, but all of it is unhurried country: allow half a day on foot, longer with a picnic by the river.
September to February is the season — the monsoon’s green holding into winter’s cool — and weekdays keep the valley quiet. Carry water and food, wear walking shoes, and treat both ruins and forest gently: the carving is unguarded, the wildlife is real, and Polo’s charm depends on visitors leaving it exactly as found.
Jain temple ruins in the Polo Forest, Aravalli.
A settlement the forest took back
Jain temple ruins, Polo Forest, Abhapur.
The Polo valley's temples rose between the tenth and fourteenth centuries, Hindu and Jain together.
Merchant patronage built them; the valley sat on a trade pass through the hills.
When the routes died, the forest took the valley back, temples and all.
The result is a heritage forest — ruins and wilderness in one walk.
Reasons to make the time
Medieval temples
The ruins stand inside genuine forest, reached on foot.
Wild forest
Teak and bamboo close over the trails.
Waterfalls
Seasonal streams thread the valley, full after the rains.
Wildlife
Leopards, bears and a strong bird list share the woods.
History
The Jain shrines carry Solanki-era carving.
Off the trail
Few visitors reach the deeper ruins; solitude is standard.
What to look for inside
THE TEMPLESPolo Forest
Jain ruins in teak.
THE VALLEYSabarmati valley
A beautiful forest.
THE RUINSAbhapur temples
Medieval Jain stone.
THE FORESTTeak & bamboo
A live, wild valley.
THE WATERFALLSSeasonal streams
Lush after monsoon.
THE WILDLIFELeopards & birds
Rich biodiversity.
How to spend an hour or two
See the Abhapur temples
Walk to the main Jain ruins from the Polo campsite gate.
Walk the forest trails
Move through teak and bamboo forest between the temple groups.
Find the waterfalls
Cross the seasonal streams that lace the valley.
Watch for wildlife
Watch for the forest's leopards' signs and its abundant birds.
See the carvings
Study the medieval stone where the forest allows it light.
Picnic by the river
Follow the Harnav through the valley the maps call Vijaynagar.
Jain temple ruins in Polo Forest.
Medieval Jain temple ruins
The Polo Forest contains a cluster of medieval Jain temples from the Solanki period (10th–14th c.) — their carved columns and shikhara remnants now standing in the teak and bamboo, a remarkable palimpsest of history and nature in the Sabarmati valley of Aravalli.
A nominal entry fee applies and guided tours are available, making it easy to find the scattered ruins of Abhapur, Zainpur and the other hamlet temples hidden within this live teak-bamboo forest, home to leopards, birds and deer.
See what else is nearby in our guide to Sabarkantha.
Our Polo Forest and Idar guide covers timings, tickets and how to get there.
Come during the Polo Festival for guided walks, cycling and folk performances among the ruins.
Medieval Jain temples (Solanki period 10th–14th c.)
Abhapur, Zainpur & other hamlet temples
In a live teak-bamboo forest
Rich wildlife: leopards, birds, deer
When to go
Cool & beautiful — the ideal season.
Lush green; some roads can flood.
Hot and dry — early start.
⏰ October to March is the ideal season for Aravalli — cool, clear and beautiful.
Timings & entry
- Open daytime hours
- Cool season preferred
- Morning best
- Check locally
- Small entry fee
- Guided tours available
- Carry water & food
- Best Oct–Mar
Getting there
By Air
Ahmedabad airport (~130 km).
By Rail
Himmatnagar / Modasa.
By Road
NH-48 / Modasa.
Capturing Aravalli
ARAVALLI HILLS
Polo Forest
What to shoot
Temple ruins.
Forest
Teak & bamboo.
Waterfalls
After monsoon.
Wildlife
Leopards & birds.
Know before you go
More to see close by
2Shamlaji Carvings
Marvel at the temple’s intricate sculptural panels
BUDDHISTDev ni Mori
Ancient monastery ruins with Buddha relics
TOWNModasa
The bustling district headquarters
NATUREBhiloda
A forested town in the Aravallis
Roho Ancient Temples
Medieval stone shrines in the Aravalli hills — the Roho temple cluster, a collection of ancient…
Tribal Shrines of Aravalli
Sacred stones and spirit flags — the tribal shrines of Aravalli, where Bhil and Garasia Adivasi…
Where to eat near Polo Forest
THALIGujarati Thali
Hearty home cooking.
FARSANKhaman & farsan
Gujarat's famous snacks.
STREETStreet food
Local dhabas in Aravalli.
Adivasi cuisine
Maize, millets and forest produce from Bhiloda.
Polo Forest FAQ
What is Polo Forest?
Polo Forest — officially the Polo Monument Protected Area — is a vast forested valley of the Sabarmati river in northern Aravalli, where a medieval Solanki-period settlement left behind a cluster of Jain temples that now stand in picturesque ruin beneath the teak and bamboo. The temples of Abhapur, Zainpur and other hamlets date from the 10th–14th centuries, and the living forest is home to leopards, deer and rich birdlife, with seasonal waterfalls and streams.
Where is it?
Polo (Abhapur area), Aravalli.
Is there an entry fee?
Small entry fee.
When should I visit?
October to March, the cool season.
What's nearby?
Shamlaji Temple, Polo Forest, Meshvo Dam.
How long does it take?
Half a day.
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026