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HERITAGE · MEDIEVAL TEMPLES · ARAVALLI

Roho Ancient Temples

Medieval stone shrines in the Aravalli hills — the Roho temple cluster, a collection of ancient Hindu and Jain shrines unknown to tourism, still maintained by the communities who have worshipped here for centuries.

AT A GLANCE Quick Facts
📍 DISTRICT Aravalli
🏷️ TYPE Medieval temple cluster
🗺️ REGION North Gujarat
🧭 CATEGORY Temple
☀️ BEST TIME Oct – Mar
🎟️ ENTRY Free
⏱️ DURATION 30–45 min
💡 IDEAL FOR Pilgrimage
ABOUT THE PLACE

A medieval temple cluster

The Roho area of Aravalli district preserves a cluster of medieval Hindu and Jain temples — small stone shrines set among the rolling Aravalli ridges, built in the Gujarat medieval tradition and maintained by local communities who have worshipped here for generations.

The temples are not documented in mainstream heritage circuits. Their carved lintels, shikhara towers and decorated column capitals follow the forms of Gujarat’s medieval temple-building tradition, and their condition ranges from well-maintained to picturesque ruin.

For those who seek out the un-catalogued and the local, the Roho temples are a genuinely satisfying find — a reminder that Gujarat’s heritage extends far beyond the listed monuments. Ask locally; all free; bring good footwear.

The Roho ancient temples, set among the Aravalli ridges.

HISTORY

From a riverside experiment to the road to freedom

Medieval carved stone shrines, still cared for by local communities.

Medieval period

The Roho shrines were raised in the medieval era in the Gujarat temple-building tradition.

Gujarat style

Shikhara towers, carved lintels and decorated capitals follow Gujarat's medieval forms.

Community care

The temples have been kept and worshipped by the surrounding communities for generations.

Unknown

The cluster remains undocumented in mainstream heritage circuits and tourism guides.

WHY VISIT

Reasons to make the time

🏛️

Medieval carvings

Carved shikhara shrines in Gujarat's medieval temple style, at a village scale.

🌿

Aravalli hills

A beautiful setting among the rolling ancient ridges of the Aravalli range.

👁️

No tourists

Off every tourist map — a genuine discovery for the curious traveller.

🙏

Active worship

Still living shrines, maintained and worshipped by local communities.

🧭

Explore

A self-guided find — wander the cluster and read the stones yourself.

📸

Photography

Largely unphotographed stone shrines in an unspoilt hill setting.

HIGHLIGHTS

What to look for inside

THE TEMPLES

Roho

Medieval carved stone — the heart of the cluster of shrines.

THE HILLS

Aravalli

The rolling ridges of the ancient Aravalli range frame the site.

CARVINGS

Medieval stone

Carved lintels, shikhara towers and decorated column capitals.

WORSHIP

Living shrines

Temples still tended and worshipped by local communities.

SETTING

Hill ridges

Small shrines scattered across the rolling Aravalli ridges.

DISCOVERY

Off the map

An un-catalogued cluster unknown to mainstream tourism.

THINGS TO DO

How to spend an hour or two

01

Ask in Modasa

Roho is undocumented — ask locally in Modasa to find the temple cluster.

02

Walk the shrines

Explore the multiple medieval temples spread across the site on foot.

03

See the carvings

Look closely at the medieval stone — lintels, shikhara towers and capitals.

04

Photograph

Capture the shrines in their unspoilt Aravalli hill setting.

05

Talk to worshippers

Speak with the local people who know and care for these stones.

06

Walk slowly

Take a self-guided, unhurried visit — there is no rush here.

An illustrated emblem of the Roho temple cluster; ask locally, all free.

ARCHITECTURE & SETTING

Gujarat medieval temple tradition

The Roho temples represent the medieval Gujarat temple-building tradition at a local, village scale — carved shikhara shrines maintained by communities who have worshipped here for centuries, unknown to mainstream heritage circuits.

Their carved lintels, shikhara towers and decorated column capitals follow the forms of Gujarat’s medieval temple architecture, and their condition ranges from well-maintained to picturesque ruin. Ask locally; all free.

Medieval Gujarat-tradition Hindu & Jain shrines

Not documented in heritage registers

Still actively worshipped by local communities

Beautiful Aravalli hill ridge setting

BEST TIME TO VISIT

When to go

WINTEROct – Feb★★★★★

Cool and clear — the ideal window. Comfortable all day for unhurried exploring.

MONSOONJul – Sep★★★☆☆

Lush and green, but roads may flood. Check conditions before setting out.

SUMMERMar – May★★☆☆☆

Hot in the Aravalli foothills. Come at early mornings if you visit at all.

⏰ October to March is ideal for Aravalli — cool, clear days and comfortable hill walking.

PLANNING ESSENTIALS

Timings & entry

🕗TIMINGSDaytime
  • Open during daytime hours
  • Cool season is best
  • Morning is ideal for light and weather
  • Check locally before visiting
🎟️ENTRYFree
  • Free access — no ticket required
  • Good roads reach the area
  • Easy to combine with nearby sites
  • Best visited October–March
HOW TO REACH

Getting there

✈️

By Air

Ahmedabad airport is about 130 km away — the nearest major air gateway.

🚆

By Rail

Himmatnagar and Modasa are the closest rail access points for the area.

🚗

By Road

Reach via NH-48 and Modasa; the Roho area lies in the Aravalli hills nearby.

NEARBY DISTANCES
Roho area — site · Modasa — 25 km · Shamlaji — 70 km · Ahmedabad — 130 km
PHOTOGRAPHY GUIDE

Shooting the Roho temples

UNPHOTOGRAPHED HERITAGE

Medieval stone shrines in an unspoilt Aravalli hill setting

🌅

Best light

Come in the cool morning hours when the Aravalli light is soft and the air is clear.

🧱

What to shoot

The carved lintels, shikhara towers and decorated capitals — and the hill ridges around them.

🙏

Be respectful

These are living shrines; ask before photographing worshippers and keep prayer spaces calm.

🎒

Gear tip

A standard lens suits the small shrines; go wider for the rolling Aravalli ridge setting.

TRAVEL TIPS

Know before you go

1Roho is undocumented — ask locally in Modasa for directions to the cluster.
2Bring good footwear; the shrines are spread across uneven hill ground.
3Carry water and a hat — the open ridges offer little shade.
4Visit October to March for cool, clear and comfortable weather.
5Come in the morning for the best light and gentlest temperatures.
6Treat the shrines as living places of worship, not just ruins.
7Check road conditions in the monsoon, as routes may flood.
8Pair the visit with Shamlaji, Polo Forest or Modasa town.
NEARBY FOOD

Where to eat around the ashram

THALI

Gujarati Thali

Hearty home cooking — an unlimited Gujarati thali of rotli, dal, shaak and sweets.

FARSAN

Farsan

Gujarat's famous savoury snacks, from dhokla to fafda, found in every town.

STREET

Street food

Local dhabas along the highway serve fresh, simple and satisfying meals.

🍽️GOOD TO KNOW

Rich Aravalli cooking

Expect hearty vegetarian thalis, Gujarat's famous farsan, and local Adivasi forest fare.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

Roho Ancient Temples FAQ

What are the Roho temples?

A cluster of medieval Hindu and Jain shrines in the Aravalli hills, built in Gujarat's medieval temple tradition.

How do I find them?

Ask locally in Modasa — the temples are undocumented and not signposted on tourist maps.

Is there an entry fee?

No. Entry is completely free; these are community-maintained village shrines.

Are the temples still active?

Yes — local communities continue to worship at and maintain the shrines.

When is the best time to visit?

October to March, when the Aravalli weather is cool, clear and comfortable.

How long should I plan?

One to two hours is enough to walk the cluster at an unhurried pace.

How do I get there?

Via NH-48 and Modasa; Ahmedabad airport is about 130 km, with rail at Himmatnagar or Modasa.

What should I bring?

Good footwear, water and a hat — the shrines are spread across open hill ground.

Can I take photographs?

Yes, but treat the shrines as living places of worship and ask before photographing people.

What else can I combine it with?

Shamlaji Temple, Polo Forest, Meshvo Dam and Modasa town all lie nearby in Aravalli.

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