The short answer
Lakhera's Dera (Jain Temple Ruins): what visitors should know first
Worth the stop, especially if you like architecture. The big sandstone temple is the one to see first. Treat it as ruin: the interest is in carved doorways, sculpture and scale, not in a complete building.
History and context
The story behind Lakhera's Dera (Jain Temple Ruins)
Wikipedia lists three temples under the name Lakhera's Dera at Abhapur: a large two-storey sandstone temple, a brick-and-marble temple and a Nagara-style brick and sandstone temple. They are dated generally to the 15th century, in the period after the Rathores of Marwar took the area.
The sources I opened do not name the builders or patrons.
Useful facts
Lakhera's Dera (Jain Temple Ruins) facts at a glance
- Location
- Abhapur, Polo Forest, Sabarkantha
- Faith
- Jain
- Dedication
- Parshwanatha shown on sanctum lintels
- Visitor note
- Ruins; rough ground and little shade
- Built
- 15th century group (per Wikipedia)
Why it matters
Why Lakhera's Dera (Jain Temple Ruins) is worth your time
Jain and Hindu temples standing side by side in the same abandoned city is the most useful thing the forest teaches. The Lakhera group shows that Polo was a mixed, prosperous settlement, with Jain patrons building at large scale in sandstone and marble.
It also shows how much was lost. Fifty-two shrines around one temple implies a major complex, yet today the ruin stands without a town around it. Visiting helps you read the carving and layout of Jain temple architecture in a setting free of crowds, which is rare in Gujarat, where the best-known Jain sites are busy pilgrimage places.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The large sandstone temple
About 150 by 70 feet and two storeys, with a ring of 52 small shrines once around it.
- 02
Doorframe sculpture
Parshwanatha, Kubera and Indra figures identify each temple and are worth finding.
- 03
Jain goddesses
The Nagara-style temple has images of Chakreshwari, Padmavati and Ambika.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Begin at the largest temple. Wikipedia gives its size as about 150 by 70 feet, a two-storey sandstone structure with Parshwanatha shown on the lintel of the sanctum doorway. It was once surrounded by 52 devkulika shrines, small subsidiary shrines typical of large Jain temples. You will not see all of them standing, but the pattern of low bases around the main building gives you a sense of the plan.
Then move to the smaller temples. One is built of brick and marble, again with Parshwanatha on the lintel and images of Kubera at the threshold. Another is a Nagara-style temple in brick and sandstone, with Indra as a doorframe guardian and images of the Jain goddesses Chakreshwari, Padmavati and Ambika. Look at doorframes and lintels, because that is where the identifying sculpture sits.
The group sits close to the Sharaneshwar Shiva temple, so combine them in one loop. Take your time in the quiet; it is a place for looking, not ticking off.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Visit with the Sharaneshwar temple in a single loop
- Bring water, hat and sun protection
- Do not touch or climb carved lintels
- Respect any worshippers if puja is under way
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Abhapur village, Polo Forest, Sabarkantha district
- Time needed
- 45–60 minutes
- Best time
- Morning light; September to February
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The temples sit on open ground with uneven stone and rubble underfoot, and shade is patchy. It is manageable for steady walkers in cool weather, but there is little seating, so older visitors should pace themselves and bring water.
- Tickets and access
- Entry rules and fees are not clearly stated in the sources I opened. Gujarat Tourism lists the forest as open from sunrise to sunset; confirm locally and keep to any marked paths.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Lakhera's Dera (Jain Temple Ruins)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The temples sit on open ground with uneven stone and rubble underfoot, and shade is patchy. It is manageable for steady walkers in cool weather, but there is little seating, so older visitors should pace themselves and bring water.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Are these Jain temples active?
The sources I opened call them ruins. Ask locally whether any worship takes place now.
How many temples are in the group?
Wikipedia lists three, with the largest once surrounded by 52 smaller shrines.
Can I photograph the carvings?
Generally yes at outdoor ruins, but check for any posted rules and avoid touching the sculpture.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
