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MEDIEVAL RUINS · TREKKING · HIDDEN GEMPolo Forest Ruins Trail
Walking into the Solanki past — the Polo Forest ruins trail, where medieval Jain temples, carved pillars and stone tanks appear among the trees as you walk through one of Gujarat's most atmospherically complete heritage forest sites.
Medieval Jain heritage in a forest
Polo Forest is one of Gujarat’s great walking destinations: a forest tract in the Aravalli hills that hides the remains of a medieval Jain complex — temples, step-tanks, carved pillars and shrines from the Solanki period (11th–13th century CE). What makes Polo special is the way the ruins and the forest coexist, neither one quite winning.
Trees grow straight through carved stone platforms; shikhara towers rise through the canopy; a step-tank holds mirror-still water in the early morning. The effect lands somewhere between Hampi and Angkor — ancient worked stone wrapped in living forest, with birdsong instead of crowds and dappled light instead of floodlamps.
The area is protected and managed, with marked paths and local guides available. The walk takes two to four hours depending on how deep you go. Come at dawn, bring water, and let the ruins reveal themselves one clearing at a time. (Entry fee applies; forest-department rules apply; a guide is recommended.)
Polo Forest, Aravalli — medieval Jain ruins among the trees.
From a riverside experiment to the road to freedom
Polo Forest, Aravalli — Solanki-era Jain ruins.
Under the Solanki dynasty, a Jain temple complex of shrines, tanks and carved pillars rises in this Aravalli valley.
For centuries the site is a living place of Jain worship and pilgrimage, deep in the forested hills.
The complex is gradually abandoned, and the encroaching forest slowly claims its temples and tanks.
Protected and walkable, Polo is now a heritage forest trail where ruins and wilderness meet.
Reasons to make the time
Medieval ruins
Solanki-era Jain temples, shrines and carved stone hidden through the valley.
Forest setting
Trees grow through worked stone — a rare fusion of heritage and wilderness.
A real walk
A 2–4 hour trail that rewards the curious and the patient with each clearing.
Atmospheric ruins
Shikhara towers in the canopy and mirror-still step-tanks at dawn.
Forest wildlife
Birds, butterflies and the occasional mammal share the trail with you.
A genuine discovery
Far from the tour-bus circuit — Polo still feels like something you found.
What to look for inside
Solanki stone temples
Carved pillars, shrines and shikhara towers from the 11th–13th century.
The walking trail
A forest path that threads trees, tanks and temples for two to four hours.
Mirror-still water
An ancient step-tank that holds glass-flat water in the early morning.
Solanki detail
Finely worked stone columns standing among the roots and leaf-litter.
Towers in the canopy
Temple spires rising through the forest cover — the signature Polo view.
Birds & butterflies
A living forest of birdsong, butterflies and dappled, shifting light.
How to spend an hour or two
Hire a local guide
Essential for navigation — the site is large and the best ruins are easy to miss without one.
Walk the main trail
Allow two to three hours for the core loop through temples, tanks and forest clearings.
Find the step-tank
Seek out the ancient step-tank, best seen at dawn when it holds mirror-still water.
See the carved pillars
Look closely at the Solanki stonework — fine carving still legible after centuries.
Walk into the forest
Push a little deeper and let the ruins appear one quiet clearing at a time.
Be there at dawn
Come early for the softest light, the fewest people and the most atmospheric stone.
Polo Forest ruins — medieval Jain stone.
Solanki-period Jain complex in forest
The Polo Forest holds the remains of a Solanki-era (11th–13th century) Jain complex — temples, tanks and carved stone now claimed by forest growth, creating one of Gujarat’s most atmospheric heritage sites. The architecture is unmistakably medieval Gujarat: shikhara towers, pillared mandapas and step-tanks cut into the valley floor.
What sets Polo apart is its setting. Roots prise apart carved platforms, branches frame ruined shrines, and the forest canopy filters the light into something cathedral-like. It is less a restored monument than a place caught mid-reclamation — ancient stone and living forest holding each other in balance. (Entry fee applies; guides available; forest rules apply.)
11th–13th century CE Solanki-period Jain temples
Step-tanks, carved pillars, shikhara towers
Forest growth through and around the ruins
2–4 hour self-guided or guided trail
When to go
Cool and clear — the ideal window. Comfortable all day and perfect for a long, unhurried walk.
Lush and green, but roads may flood and trails turn slippery. Beautiful, with a little planning.
Hot and dry across the Aravalli — only really doable in the early mornings before the heat builds.
⏰ October to March is the ideal season for Aravalli — and dawn is the best hour, for soft light and quiet ruins.
Timings & entry
- A forest-department entry fee applies at the gate
- Forest rules apply — stay on marked paths
- Guides are available and recommended
- Carry out everything you carry in
- The core loop takes roughly 2–3 hours
- Go deeper for the full 4-hour walk
- Start at dawn for light and cooler air
- Wear sturdy shoes and carry water
Getting there
By Air
Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is the nearest hub, about 130 km away — roughly a three-hour drive into the Aravalli.
By Rail
The closest railheads are Himmatnagar and Modasa, with onward taxis and local transport reaching the forest gate.
By Road
Drive via NH-48 and Modasa; the last stretch winds through Aravalli countryside to the Polo Forest site.
Shooting the ruins
DAWN-FRIENDLY
Towers in the canopy, mirror-still tanks and forest light through carved stone.
Best light
Come at dawn — low sun rakes through the canopy and the step-tank lies mirror-still before the breeze picks up.
What to shoot
Shikhara towers rising through trees, carved pillars among roots, and reflections in the ancient step-tank.
Be respectful
Tread lightly on the stone, keep the forest quiet, and follow the forest-department rules on access and drones.
Gear tip
A wide lens captures temples-in-forest; a fast prime handles the low dawn light under the canopy.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Modasa
The bustling district headquarters
Polo Forest
A jungle valley of ruined medieval temples
Dev ni Mori
An ancient Buddhist monastery & stupa site
Shamlaji Temple
◐ Golden hour
Polo Edge Trails
Lesser-walked forest paths into the Aravallis
Shamlaji Carvings
Marvel at the temple's intricate sculptural panels
Where to eat around the ashram
Gujarati Thali
Hearty home-style Gujarati thalis at dhabas and guesthouses near the forest.
Farsan
Gujarat's famous savoury snacks — fafda, khaman and dhokla for the road.
Local dhabas
Simple roadside dhabas serving fresh, warming food on the Modasa route.
Eat before the trail
Carry water and snacks — options inside the forest are scarce, so stock up in Modasa or at the gate.
Polo Forest Ruins Trail FAQ
What is Polo Forest?
A protected Aravalli forest that hides the remains of a Solanki-era Jain complex — temples, tanks and carved stone among the trees.
How long does the walk take?
Two to four hours, depending on your pace and how deep into the forest you go.
Is a guide needed?
Recommended — the site is large and many of the best ruins are easy to miss on your own.
Is there an entry fee?
Yes — a forest-department fee applies; check the current rate at the gate.
When is the best time to visit?
October to March, with dawn the best hour for light, cool air and quiet ruins.
Is there wildlife?
Yes — expect forest birds and butterflies, with the occasional mammal sighting.
How do I get there?
Drive via NH-48 and Modasa, about 160 km from Ahmedabad; Himmatnagar and Modasa are the nearest railheads.
What should I bring?
Sturdy shoes, water, snacks, sun protection and a camera — there are few facilities inside.
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