Polo Forest, also called Vijaynagar Forest, covers about 400 square kilometres of dry deciduous forest near Abhapur village in Vijaynagar taluka, Sabarkantha district. It lies at the foothills of the Aravalli Range beside the perennial Harnav river, and it marks the northern edge of India's teak range.
What brings most visitors are the temple ruins. The Parihar kings of Idar are thought to have founded a town here around the tenth century, and the Rathores of Marwar took it in the fifteenth. The surviving monuments, restored and managed by the state archaeology department, include the Sharaneshwar Shiva temple, the Jain temples known as Lakhera's Dera, the Trayatan Shiva temple with its water tank, and a Shiva-Shakti temple beside a ruined Surya temple.
The forest is also a habitat. Wikipedia reports around 275 bird species and many mammals, and Gujarat Tourism highlights Grey Hornbill and Brown-headed Barbet around fruiting figs. Large animals are seldom seen, so go for birds, walking and quiet rather than a safari.
It works best as a slow day trip, not a checklist. Older travellers should expect uneven ground, little seating and limited facilities, and should keep walks short and start early. Shamlaji, Idar and Ambaji are the natural additions if you want a longer trip through north Gujarat.
Before you plan
Polo Forest at a glance
- Best months
- September to December for the…September to December for the post-monsoon greenery; November to February for comfortable walking. April to June is very hot.
- Ideal trip length
- One full day for the temples and a…One full day for the temples and a short forest walk; two days if you add Idar or Shamlaji
- Airport
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel…Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad (AMD), roughly 3 to 3.5 hours by road
- Railway station
- No station at the forestNo station at the forest. Idar and Himatnagar have rail links; Ahmedabad is the major railhead. Onward travel is by road.
- Getting around
- A hired car or taxi is the practical…A hired car or taxi is the practical choice. Gujarat Tourism says public transport exists but is not always reliable.
- Daily budget
- ModestModest. Costs are mainly car hire, food and any guide; the forest has few paid attractions. Confirm locally.
- Senior comfort
- Moderate: uneven groundModerate: uneven ground, little seating and sparse facilities, but short walks between monuments
- Language
- Gujarati and Hindi locallyGujarati and Hindi locally; English is limited outside tourist-facing operators
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Polo Forest: January, February, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Polo Forest itinerary
One good day
1 day in Polo Forest
Start early from Idar, Himatnagar or Ahmedabad so you reach the forest in the cool morning. Begin with the Sharaneshwar Shiva temple, then walk to Lakhera's Dera Jain temples. After a break, visit the Trayatan temple and kund and the Shiva-Shakti and Surya group. Rest by the Harnav river in the heat of the day and, if you have time, look for hornbills in fruiting fig trees late in the afternoon. Leave before dusk.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Polo Forest
Spend the morning on the Sharaneshwar, Jain and Trayatan temples, rest through midday, and finish with the Shiva-Shakti and Surya temples in afternoon light.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Polo Forest
Do the Abhapur temple circuit at an unhurried pace with a guide, resting at midday.
Day-by-day plan →
