The short answer
Bavka Shiva Temple: what visitors should know first
Worth an hour if you pass through Dahod and enjoy temple architecture. It is a ruin, not a working temple, so go for the sculpture and setting, in the morning, and confirm access with local sources.
History and context
The story behind Bavka Shiva Temple
The temple is dated to roughly the 12th or 13th century, in the reign of the Chaulukya ruler Bhima II. Some tourism listings give a 10th century date; an inscription dated 1234 CE also appears in the record.
It was built of sandstone in the Maru-Gurjara style and later fell into ruin. The Archaeological Survey of India protects it as a monument of national importance and carried out restoration in 2009.
Useful facts
Bavka Shiva Temple facts at a glance
- Location
- Bavka village near Hirlav lake, about 14 km from Dahod
- Faith
- Hindu, Shaiva
- Deity/dedication
- Shiva
- Visitor note
- Ruined monument; no standing hall or roof
- Built
- About 12th–13th century, Maru-Gurjara style
Why it matters
Why Bavka Shiva Temple is worth your time
Bavka is one of the better surviving examples of the Maru-Gurjara style in eastern Gujarat, a regional temple tradition associated with the Chaulukya period. Even in ruin, the carving shows how rich small hilltop shrines could be before they were damaged and abandoned.
For visitors to Ratanmahal, it adds architectural interest to a trip otherwise centred on forests, and it shows the long human history of this tribal frontier. ASI conservation in 2009 helped stabilise the monument, but the site remains fragile, which is another reason to visit respectfully.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The panchayatana plan
A central shrine with four subsidiary shrines stands on a raised plinth.
- 02
The carved walls
Figures of deities and apsaras decorate the walls and doorway, including erotic sculpture.
- 03
Hirlav lake setting
The knoll overlooks the lake, giving a calm, open setting for photographs.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Start with the temple's overall plan. It is a panchayatana complex, with a central shrine and four smaller shrines at the corners, standing on a plinth. The hall and roof have collapsed and pieces of the spire lie nearby, so what you see is a ruin. Walk around the central sanctum slowly and look at the carved figures on the outer walls and the doorway, including deities, celestial women and the erotic sculptures that earned it the nickname Khajuraho of Gujarat.
The temple stands on a knoll near Hirlav lake, so allow a few minutes for the view. Light is usually best in the morning, when the sandstone is warm and the carvings stand out. Photographs are easier on a weekday when few people are around.
Treat it as a place of both heritage and worship. Dress modestly, keep your voice down and do not touch fragile sculptures. Combine the visit with the road to or from Dahod and give yourself time for tea in town afterwards.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Go in the morning when the light is warm
- Dress modestly and keep to the visitor paths
- Confirm access with local sources before leaving Dahod
- Do not touch or climb on the sculptures
- Carry water; there is little shade
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Bavka village, about 14 km from Dahod town
- Time needed
- About an hour
- Best time
- Morning light; November to February
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The site is a low knoll with a short walk and uneven stone around the ruin. There is little shade or seating, and the approach roads are village roads, so go by car with a driver.
- Tickets and access
- The temple is an ASI Monument of National Importance. Opening arrangements, any entry fee and photography rules are not published; confirm locally and respect the protected monument.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Bavka 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 site is a low knoll with a short walk and uneven stone around the ruin. There is little shade or seating, and the approach roads are village roads, so go by car with a driver.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Bavka a working temple?
It is mainly a protected ruin. The hall and roof are gone, and visitors come mostly to see the architecture and carvings.
Why is it called the Khajuraho of Gujarat?
Its walls carry many erotic sculptures, which led to the nickname in popular writing.
How old is Bavka temple?
Scholarly sources place it around the 12th to 13th century. Some tourism pages say 10th century.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.