The short answer
Devni Mori Buddhist Site: what visitors should know first
For serious history readers only. The site is reported submerged beneath the reservoir, so there is little to see in person; the real interest is the story and the finds. See the reservoir and read up before you go rather than expecting excavated ruins.
History and context
The story behind Devni Mori Buddhist Site
Excavations between 1960 and 1963, led by the archaeology department of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, revealed two viharas, a mahastupa, Buddha statues and coins. Three relic caskets came from the stupa. The site is dated to the third or fourth century CE, with repairs in the sixth. It was submerged when the Meshwo reservoir was completed in 1971 to 1972.
The finds are held at the Shamlaji Museum and the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery.
Useful facts
Devni Mori Buddhist Site facts at a glance
- Location
- About 2 km from Shamlaji, under the Meshwo reservoir
- Type
- Buddhist monastery and stupa complex
- Period
- Third to fourth century CE; repairs in the sixth
- Excavated
- 1960 to 1963
- Finds held at
- Shamlaji Museum; Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery
- Visitor note
- Site is submerged; do not expect open ruins
Why it matters
Why Devni Mori Buddhist Site is worth your time
Devni Mori is the best evidence that Shamlaji was a place of religious importance long before the present Vishnu temple. The monastery dates from the early centuries CE, and its terracotta sculptures are described as among the earliest found in Gujarat.
It also offers a rare lesson in how modern infrastructure erases heritage. The Meshwo reservoir irrigates farmland but covers an archaeological site. Understanding this tension explains why museum holdings, not the ground, are the way to meet Devni Mori today.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The story, not the ruins
The monastery layout and the relic caskets are the main interest, and they are best understood through museum displays.
- 02
Early Gujarat sculpture
Terracotta Buddhas from here are among the earliest sculptures found in the state.
- 03
The reservoir viewpoint
Looking over the water, you can picture the site beneath it and see why it was lost.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Be realistic about what is on the ground. Wikipedia records that Devni Mori was a Buddhist monastery and stupa complex of roughly the third to fourth century, excavated between 1960 and 1963, and that it was later flooded when the Meshwo reservoir was completed around 1971 to 1972. Visitors should not expect to walk through open ruins.
Instead, use the reservoir viewpoints to picture the layout: two viharas and a large stupa near the river, with a casket of relics found inside. The Aravalli district site says the stupa stood a little over seven feet and that 36 rooms for monks were identified.
To understand the finds, spend time at the Shamlaji Museum, which holds part of the material, and read about the terracotta Buddhas now also held in Baroda and in museum collections overseas.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Do not expect visible ruins; the site is under the reservoir
- Read about the finds before visiting the museum
- Check reservoir access locally
- Carry water; there is little shade
- Combine with the Meshwo reservoir stop
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- About 2 km from Shamlaji, near the Meshwo reservoir
- Time needed
- 30 minutes at the reservoir; longer to read about the finds
- Best time
- Winter months for comfortable viewing of the reservoir
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- There is little to walk to, as the site is covered by water. The reservoir edge can be viewed from a car or short walk, with limited shade and facilities.
- Tickets and access
- No ticket is reported. Access to the reservoir and the former site area varies with season and water levels, so check locally.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Devni Mori Buddhist Site
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.
Travelling with parents?
There is little to walk to, as the site is covered by water. The reservoir edge can be viewed from a car or short walk, with limited shade and facilities.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can I see the Devni Mori ruins?
Not directly. Wikipedia records that the site was flooded by the Meshwo reservoir, so the finds are viewed in museums.
How old is Devni Mori?
It is dated to the third or fourth century CE, with later repairs around the sixth century.
Where are the relics now?
Wikipedia lists the Shamlaji Museum and the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery as holding the finds.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
