The short answer
Sharaneshwar Shiva Temple: what visitors should know first
Yes, if you came for the ruins. It is one of the larger and better-recognised monuments in the forest, and the carved exterior rewards slow looking. Go in the morning, wear sturdy shoes, and expect rough ground and no facilities beyond what the site offers.
History and context
The story behind Sharaneshwar Shiva Temple
The Wikipedia article on Polo Forest describes the Sharaneshwar temple as a 15th-century Shiva temple at Abhapur with a fortified wall and east and west gates. A hero stone in the compound is dated to Vikram Samvat 1554 and names Rao Bhana as ruler of Idar.
The monuments in the forest are restored and managed by the state archaeology department. Builders and patrons of individual temples are not named in the sources I could open.
Useful facts
Sharaneshwar Shiva Temple facts at a glance
- Location
- Abhapur village, Polo Forest, Sabarkantha
- Experience type
- Heritage ruin in forest setting
- Known for
- Carved exterior, fortified wall, Nandi facing the sanctum
- Built
- 15th century (per Wikipedia)
- Time or schedule
- Forest listed as open sunrise to sunset
Why it matters
Why Sharaneshwar Shiva Temple is worth your time
The temple belongs to the lost city of Polo, the settlement the Parihar kings of Idar are thought to have founded in the tenth century and the Rathores of Marwar took in the fifteenth. Most of what survives dates to that later phase, and the state archaeology department has restored and looks after the monuments.
For a visitor it is useful because it shows scale. Unlike a working temple town, you see a major Shiva temple standing alone in woodland with its wall, gates and carved figures, and you start to picture how large the settlement was before it was abandoned. It is also a calmer way to meet Gujarat's medieval temple architecture than the pilgrimage towns nearby.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The carved exterior
Figures of many deities cover the outer walls, even where the shikhara and roofs have gone.
- 02
Nandi facing the sanctum
A Nandi statue sits opposite the shrine, marking it as a Shiva temple.
- 03
The hero stone
An inscribed stone in the compound names a ruler of Idar and gives the temple a date.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Start by walking the outer wall to understand the layout: Wikipedia describes a fortified enclosure with east and west gates around the temple, which is three storeys high. The shikhara and some roofs have been lost, so what you see is a shell, but the exterior carving is still the draw, with many deities shown on the walls. Look for the Nandi statue positioned to face the sanctum, a small detail that tells you the building was a working Shiva shrine.
Give the compound a slow loop before going close to the walls. Photographs work best in early light, when the sandstone is warm and the forest behind the temple is quiet. A hero stone in the compound carries a date equivalent to the 15th century and names a ruler of Idar, which helps place the temple in the period when the Marwar Rathores held this area.
A four-armed Chamunda temple stands close by, and the other Abhapur monuments are a short walk or drive away. Plan this as part of a loop with the Jain temples and the Trayatan group rather than a stand-alone stop.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Carry drinking water; there is little to buy inside the forest
- Wear closed shoes for broken stone
- Visit early, before the afternoon heat and light
- Do not climb on damaged walls or carvings
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Abhapur village, Polo Forest, Vijaynagar taluka, Sabarkantha district
- Time needed
- 45–60 minutes
- Best time
- Morning; September to February for greenery and walkable temperatures
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The approach is on uneven ground and the monument has broken steps and uneven stone floors, with little or no seating. Fit senior visitors can manage it slowly in the cool hours; anyone with knee or balance trouble should look from the compound edge and avoid climbing.
- Tickets and access
- Entry arrangements are not documented clearly in the sources I could open; Gujarat Tourism lists the forest as open from sunrise to sunset. Ask your driver or a registered local guide on arrival and respect any barriers around damaged structures.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Sharaneshwar Shiva Temple
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The approach is on uneven ground and the monument has broken steps and uneven stone floors, with little or no seating. Fit senior visitors can manage it slowly in the cool hours; anyone with knee or balance trouble should look from the compound edge and avoid climbing.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Sharaneshwar Temple still used for worship?
The sources I opened describe it as a ruined monument. Gujarat Tourism says some temples deep in the forest still hold daily puja, so ask locally about which ones.
How old is the temple?
Wikipedia dates it to the 15th century, supported by a hero stone in the compound.
Do I need a guide?
Not required, but a registered local guide helps you find the scattered monuments. Gujarat Tourism lists registered guides and operators.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
