Aravalli's prosperous capital
Modasa is the headquarters of Aravalli district — a prosperous, quiet town at the edge of the Aravalli hills and the fertile agricultural plains of central Gujarat. The town has a pleasant lake (Odhari Lake), some handsome colonial-era civic buildings, a lively weekly market and the warm, unhurried atmosphere of a small Gujarati town where most visitors are on their way to Shamlaji or the Polo Forest.
Modasa’s history runs deeper than its easy manner suggests: the town appears in medieval records as a garrison and trade post on the Ahmedabad–Rajasthan road, an old stepwell and mosque quarter survive from those centuries, and the surrounding district was busy enough in antiquity to leave Buddhist remains in the nearby Shamlaji region. The market tradition never lapsed — today’s town deals in the plains’ cotton, groundnut and grain, and its weekly haat pulls villages from across the district.
For the traveller, Modasa works as Aravalli’s practical hinge: Shamlaji’s temple is half an hour east, the Polo forest under an hour north, Idar’s rock hills forty minutes west, and the town’s dhabas — justly proud of their thalis — feed all three excursions. Give the lake its evening hour, the bazaar a morning wander, and the road onward whatever remains; October to March is the comfortable season.
For travellers passing through Aravalli, Modasa is a good base: its dhabas serve excellent Gujarati thali, its market is animated and authentic, and the lake is a pleasant place to spend an hour. A free, open town — worth a morning.
Odhari Lake, Modasa, Aravalli.
A market hub raised to district headquarters
Odhari Lake, Modasa.
The town's handsome colonial-era civic buildings were laid out in this period.
Modasa grew as a market hub serving the rich farming plains around it.
Modasa became the administrative headquarters of the new Aravalli district.
It remains a busy, living Gujarati market town to this day.
Reasons to make the time
Odhari Lake
A serene town lake.
Market town
Authentic Gujarat.
Colonial era
Heritage buildings.
Market
Local bazaar.
Great food
Gujarati thali.
Quiet
An unhurried stop.
What to look for inside
ODHARI LAKEModasa
Odhari Lake, the town's evening gathering place.
THE TOWNModasa
Heritage & market.
LAKEOdhari Lake
A pleasant place to spend an hour.
BAZAARWeekly market
Animated and authentic local trade.
CIVICColonial buildings
Handsome colonial-era civic architecture.
PLAINSAgricultural town
Set in the fertile central Gujarat plains.
How to spend an hour or two
See Odhari Lake
A peaceful stop by the serene town lake — a pleasant place to spend an hour.
Walk the market
Wander the animated, authentic local bazaar in the heart of town.
Eat Gujarati thali
Modasa's dhabas serve excellent, hearty Gujarati thali — a great dhaba stop.
See the buildings
Look out for the handsome colonial-era civic buildings around town.
Explore the town
Stroll the lanes and markets of this living Gujarati market town.
Use as a base
Modasa makes a convenient base for Polo Forest and Shamlaji Temple.
Odhari Lake, Modasa.
A Gujarat district headquarters
Modasa is the headquarters of Aravalli district — a prosperous Gujarati market town with the Odhari Lake, colonial-era buildings and excellent thali restaurants, a convenient base for Shamlaji Temple and Polo Forest. Free; a morning is enough.
The rest of the district is covered in our Aravalli travel guide.
District headquarters of Aravalli
Odhari Lake — a serene town lake
Colonial-era civic buildings
A convenient base for Shamlaji & Polo Forest
When to go
Cool & beautiful — the ideal season for Aravalli, comfortable all day.
Lush green; some roads can flood, but the countryside is at its best.
Hot and dry — make an early start if you visit in these months.
⏰ 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
- Free access
- Good road links
- Pair with nearby sights
- Cool months best
Getting there
By Air
Ahmedabad airport is about 130 km away — the nearest major airport, with flights from across India.
By Rail
Reach Modasa via Himmatnagar or the Modasa railhead, on the regional network.
By Road
Modasa sits off NH-48, with good road links from Ahmedabad and across Aravalli.
Capturing Aravalli
ARAVALLI HILLS
Modasa — a Gujarati market town set against the ancient Aravalli ranges
What to shoot
Odhari Lake — the serene town lake catches lovely morning light.
Detail
The town buildings — handsome colonial-era civic architecture.
Setting
The market — animated, authentic and full of everyday colour.
Best time
Morning is best, for cool, clear light over the lake and town.
Know before you go
More to see close by
BUDDHISTDev ni Mori
Ancient monastery ruins with Buddha relics
HERITAGEHarishchandra Chori
A finely carved old monument at Shamlaji
Shamlaji Kartik Fair
Gujarat’s most spectacular tribal fair — the Kartiki Purnima at Shamlaji, when tens of thousands of…
PILGRIMKartik Fair Ground
Site of the great riverside mela
Roho Ancient Temples
Medieval stone shrines in the Aravalli hills — the Roho temple cluster, a collection of ancient…
Trimandir Modasa
A serene modern three-in-one temple
Where to eat near Modasa
THALIGujarati Thali
Hearty home cooking — the staple of any Modasa dhaba.
FARSANKhaman & farsan
Gujarat's famous light, savoury snacks.
STREETStreet food
Tasty bites from the local dhabas across Aravalli.
Adivasi cuisine
Maize, millets and forest produce from the Bhiloda area.
Modasa FAQ
What is Modasa?
Modasa is the headquarters of Aravalli district — a prosperous, quiet town at the edge of the Aravalli hills and the fertile plains of central Gujarat, with a pleasant lake, colonial-era civic buildings and a lively weekly market. It makes a good base for visitors on their way to Shamlaji or the Polo Forest.
Where is it?
Modasa, in Aravalli district, Gujarat.
Is there an entry fee?
No — it is a free, open town.
When should I visit?
October to March, the cool season.
What's nearby?
Shamlaji Temple, Polo Forest and Meshvo Dam.
How long does it take?
A morning is enough.
Related places across Gujarat
PALACEBalaram Palace
A regal heritage retreat near Palanpur
NATURETapi Wetlands
Birdlife along the river’s edges
Mahudi Jain Temple
A revered Jain pilgrimage site nearby
COLONIALConnaught Hall
Stately British-era civic architecture
Roho Ancient Temples
Medieval stone shrines in the Aravalli hills — the Roho temple cluster, a collection of ancient…
GARDENSayaji Baug
Western India’s largest park, with a zoo & museum
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026