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JAIN TEMPLES · 15TH CENTURY · FORESTPolo Jain Temples
Jain shrines among the trees — the Jain temples of the Polo forest, finely carved 15th-century shrines standing in the Aravalli woodland, are among the most evocative monuments of the Polo heritage, where Jain devotion and forest beauty meet in atmospheric ruin.
Carved Jain temples in the forest
Among the medieval monuments scattered through the Polo forest of Vijaynagar are its Jain temples — finely carved 15th-century shrines that stand, like the rest of the Polo heritage, among the trees of the Aravalli woodland, in a setting of great natural beauty and contemplative silence.
The Jain temples of Polo reflect the importance of the Jain community in the medieval settlement that flourished here. Built in the refined architectural and sculptural style of the period — with carved pillars, doorways and decorative work — they are now atmospheric ruins, some substantially preserved, others reduced to fragments, wrapped in forest and reached by walks through the woods.
For the Jain pilgrim and the lover of heritage, the special character of these temples is the encounter with significant medieval Jain architecture not in a museum setting but in living forest, beside the Harnav river. To come upon a carved Jain shrine standing among the trees is a memorable and moving experience — best explored slowly, with a guide, ideally when the forest is green after the monsoon.
Jain temples, Polo forest. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Jain shrines the forest swallowed
Jain temples, Polo. Wikimedia Commons.
A thriving Jain community settled in the medieval town that once flourished in the Polo valley.
Finely carved Jain temples were raised in the refined architectural style of the period.
The settlement was abandoned and its shrines were slowly reclaimed by the Aravalli forest.
The temples survive as atmospheric ruins, reached by walks through the woods beside the Harnav.
Reasons to make the time
Jain temples
15th-century shrines, finely carved and quietly devotional.
Carving
Fine medieval stonework on pillars, doorways and panels.
Forest
Shrines standing among the trees of the Aravalli woodland.
Harnav
The forest river runs beside the Polo monuments.
Hidden
Reached by walks through the woods, best with a guide.
Atmosphere
Jain devotion in a setting of living forest beauty.
What to look for inside
JAIN TEMPLESPolo
Forest shrines — carved Jain temples among the trees.
THE RUINSVijaynagar
Medieval stone from the settlement that flourished here.
SHARNESHWARNearby
The Shiva temple, an easy pairing with the Jain shrines.
CARVINGMedieval art
Fine 15th-century pillars, doorways and decorative work.
FORESTAravalli woods
Atmospheric ruins wrapped in green after the monsoon.
HARNAVRiverside
Shrines reached by forest walks beside the Harnav river.
How to spend an hour or two
Find the Jain temples
Seek out the carved Jain shrines standing quietly among the trees of the Polo forest.
Study the carving
Look closely at the fine 15th-century pillars, doorways and decorative stonework.
Walk through the forest
The temples are reached by walks through the Aravalli woods — take your time.
Combine with Sharneshwar
Pair the Jain shrines with the nearby Sharneshwar Shiva temple for a fuller visit.
Go with a guide
A local guide helps you find every scattered shrine and read its history.
Visit after the monsoon
Come when the forest is at its greenest, from monsoon through post-monsoon.
Jain temples, Polo. Wikimedia Commons.
Carved Jain temples in forest
The Jain temples of the Polo forest are finely carved 15th-century shrines reflecting the importance of the Jain community in the medieval settlement that once flourished here.
Built in the refined style of the period, they now stand as atmospheric ruins wrapped in Aravalli forest, beside the Harnav river, reached by walks through the woods. Some are substantially preserved, others reduced to fragments — Jain heritage temples best explored with a guide, when the forest is green.
Planning more of the area? Our Sabarkantha guide covers the whole district.
If this is what you travel for, browse temples across Gujarat.
Finely carved 15th-century Jain temples
Part of the medieval Polo settlement
Atmospheric shrines wrapped in Aravalli forest
Beside the Harnav river; reached by forest walks
When to go
Cool and clear — ideal. Comfortable all day for unhurried walks among the shrines.
The forest at its greenest. Showers are short and the woods come alive.
Hot; early morning best. Come right at first light to beat the heat.
⏰ The Polo forest temples are most beautiful after the monsoon, when the woods are green.
Timings & entry
- Best visited during daylight, from morning onward
- Allow 30–45 minutes at the Jain shrines
- Go with a guide to find every scattered temple
- Some walking through the forest is required
- No ticket required for the forest temples
- Guide and forest-entry charges may apply separately
- Respect the shrines and carry out all litter
- Best paired with the wider Polo-Vijaynagar heritage
Getting there
By Air
Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is about 85 km away — the nearest major airport, roughly a 2.5-hour drive.
By Rail
Himatnagar is the nearest railway station, from where road transport reaches Vijaynagar and the Polo forest.
By Road
Reached by road from Ahmedabad and Shamlaji via Vijaynagar; a car or taxi is the easiest way in.
Shooting the Polo Jain temples
FOREST HERITAGE
Carved shrines, dappled light and green Aravalli woodland
Best light
Come after the monsoon and shoot in the soft morning light filtering through the trees.
What to shoot
The carved pillars and doorways, the ruined shrines among the trees, and the Harnav river.
Be respectful
These are living Jain shrines — keep quiet, avoid clutter and don't disturb the stonework.
Gear tip
A wide lens frames the temples in their forest setting; sturdy shoes help on the forest walks.
Know before you go
More to see close by
6Guhai Backwaters
A peaceful birding spot off the map
DAMGuhai Dam
Quiet backwaters rich in birdlife
HERITAGEVadali
An old town of saints & shrines
TOWNHimatnagar
The district’s bustling headquarters
HILL FORTIdar Hill & Fort
A granite stronghold over the town
TEMPLESharneshwar Mahadev
A 15th-century Shiva shrine in Polo
Where to eat near Polo Jain Temples
THALIGujarati Thali
Comfort home cooking — an unlimited Gujarati thali near Vijaynagar.
DAIRYSabar Dairy
Sabarkantha's famous cooperative milk and dairy products.
FARSANFarsan
Savoury Gujarati snacks to pick up along the way.
A vegetarian region
Sabarkantha is strongly vegetarian — expect hearty thalis, farsan and fresh dairy.
Polo Jain Temples FAQ
What are the Polo Jain temples?
Finely carved 15th-century Jain temple shrines in the Polo forest of Vijaynagar, Sabarkantha.
How old are they?
Largely 15th century, from the medieval Polo settlement that once flourished here.
Are they ruins?
Some are substantially preserved; others survive only as fragments wrapped in forest.
How do I reach them?
By walks through the forest, ideally with a guide, from Vijaynagar in the Polo valley.
What else is nearby?
The Sharneshwar Shiva temple and other Polo monuments, plus the Polo forest itself.
Best time to visit?
Monsoon and post-monsoon, when the forest is green, through the cool winter months.
Is there an entry fee?
The temples themselves are free, though guide and forest-entry charges may apply.
How much time should I plan?
Around 30–45 minutes at the shrines, more if you explore the wider Polo heritage.
Related places across Gujarat
LAKEAji Dam & Lakes
A scenic reservoir & riverside garden
Kumbhariya Jain Temples
Five exquisitely carved marble derasars
ARTISANSRogan Art of Nirona
Rogan art, copper bells & lacquer woodwork
Subir Temples
Pilgrim shrines deep in the Dangs
HERITAGEPrem Bhavan Palace
A graceful old royal palace
BEACHPorbandar Beach
The city’s breezy seafront & Chowpaty
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026