The medieval heart of Gujarat
Patan — historically Anhilwad Patan or Anhilpur — is one of the most historically significant towns in Gujarat, having served for centuries as the capital of the powerful Chavda and Solanki (Chaulukya) dynasties from around the 8th to the 13th century. In its golden age under kings like Bhima I and Siddhraj Jaysinh, Anhilwad was among the great cities of western India — a flourishing centre of trade, learning, art and religion, with magnificent temples, stepwells and the vast Sahastralinga tank.
The town’s living Jain community — a thousand years in residence — keeps the old capital from feeling like a ruin; its derasars, bhandars and festival calendar are the continuity the monuments only imply.
Patan lies two hours north of Ahmedabad by road or rail, with Modhera’s Sun Temple thirty-five kilometres away completing the classic Solanki day; October to February gives the best weather, and January adds Modhera’s dance festival to the pairing.
Anhilwad’s arc is Gujarat’s own: founded by Vanraj Chavda in the eighth century, capital of the Solanki golden age when it ranked among the great cities of the East, sacked repeatedly from Mahmud of Ghazni onward, and finally eclipsed when Ahmedabad rose. What survives makes modern Patan a compact heritage feast — Rani ki Vav’s UNESCO-listed carving, Sahastralinga’s ruined tank, the living Jain quarter with Panchasara at its heart, Hemchandracharya’s manuscript treasury, and the patola looms weaving the old capital’s luxury still.
Give the town a full day: the vav in the morning light, the tank and old walls before lunch, then the derasars, the library and a patola workshop through the afternoon — a thousand years in comfortable walking order.
Though sacked and eclipsed in later centuries, Patan preserves an extraordinary heritage. It holds the UNESCO-listed Rani ki Vav, the ruins of Sahastralinga Talav, dozens of exquisite Jain temples (derasars), the priceless manuscript library of Hemchandracharya, and — uniquely — the living tradition of Patan Patola, the double-ikat silk weaving practised by a handful of master families.
To walk Patan is to walk through Gujarat’s medieval heart. It is a heritage town; its sights are spread across it and freely walkable.
The Panchasara Jain temple, Patan.
Vanraj Chavda's capital, and its eclipse
Around old Anhilwad Patan.
Vanraj Chavda founds Anhilwad Patan.
It becomes the great Solanki capital.
Temples, vavs and learning flourish.
Sacked and eclipsed, but rich in heritage.
Reasons to make the time
Solanki capital
Gujarat's medieval seat.
Rani ki Vav
The UNESCO stepwell.
Sahastralinga
The great tank.
Jain temple town
Dozens of derasars.
Jnan Mandir
Hemchandracharya's library.
Patola weaving
The double-ikat craft.
What to look for inside
TEMPLESPanchasara
The grand Jain temple.
HERITAGEJnan Mandir
The manuscript library.
How to spend an hour or two
See Rani ki Vav
The UNESCO stepwell.
Visit Sahastralinga
The great tank.
Tour the Jain temples
Patan's derasars.
See the library
Hemchandracharya's.
Watch Patola weaving
The living craft.
Walk the old town
Anhilwad's lanes.
The heritage town of Patan.
Temples, vavs and weavers
Patan’s heritage is layered: the UNESCO Rani ki Vav and the ruined Sahastralinga tank from the Solanki golden age; dozens of carved Jain temples and the Hemchandracharya manuscript library; and the living tradition of Patola double-ikat silk weaving.
The old capital of Anhilwad rewards a full day of walking — a town where medieval architecture, Jain devotion and rare craft survive side by side. It is a heritage town; freely walkable.
For everything else the district holds, see our Patan travel guide.
UNESCO Rani ki Vav
Sahastralinga Talav ruins
Carved Jain temples (derasars)
Living Patola weaving
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the ideal season.
Green and atmospheric after rain.
Hot and dry — start early.
⏰ Give Patan a full day: pair Rani ki Vav and Sahastralinga with the Jain temples, the library and a Patola workshop.
Timings & entry
- Sights spread across the town
- Open year-round; cooler is better
- Walkable old quarters
- Allow a full day
- Walking the town is free
- Monuments/sites charge small fees
- Be respectful at temples
- A handy base in north Gujarat
Getting there
By Air
Ahmedabad airport (~125 km).
By Rail
Patan station.
By Road
~35 km from Mehsana.
Around Patan
HERITAGE TOWN
Gujarat's medieval capital
What to shoot
Jain temples and the library.
Heritage
Rani ki Vav and the tank.
Craft
Patola weaving.
Best light
Old lanes at golden hour.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Shankheshwar Parshwanath
Vishnu avatars carved into the stepwell
SACREDBindu Sarovar
A holy tank at Sidhpur (Matru Gaya)
SIDHPURBohra Havelis, Sidhpur
Pastel European-style mansions in Sidhpur
HERITAGEHemchandracharya Library
A treasury of ancient Jain manuscripts
WATER ARTForgotten Vavs
Carved stepwells the tour buses miss
SIDHPURRudra Mahalaya
Ruins of a colossal Shiva temple in Sidhpur
Where to eat near Patan City Anhilwad
THALIGujarati Thali
Sweet-savoury full meals.
FARSANDhokla & fafda
Steamed and fried snacks.
STREETChaat & snacks
Simple market-town fare.
Pure-veg town
Classic North Gujarat veg; Mehsana's milk sweets near.
Patan City Anhilwad FAQ
What is Patan known for?
Being the ancient Solanki capital (Anhilwad), home to Rani ki Vav and Patan Patola.
What does 'Anhilwad' mean?
Anhilwad Patan was the historic name of the capital, founded by Vanraj Chavda.
What are its top sights?
Rani ki Vav, Sahastralinga Talav, the Jain temples, the Jnan Mandir and Patola weaving.
Is it a good base?
Yes — central in north Gujarat, close to Modhera and Mehsana.
How old is the town?
Founded around the 8th century CE.
How do I get there?
Patan railway station; ~35 km from Mehsana by road.
How long should I spend?
A full day to do it justice.
When should I visit?
October to March, in the cooler season.
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MEMORIALSayaji’s Legacy
The reformer-king’s monuments across the city
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Hilltop shrine famed for feeding jackals
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026