The Roda Temple Group is a cluster of small early-Nagara stone shrines between Raisingpura (Roda) and Khed Chandarani villages in Sabarkantha district, Gujarat, about 18 km from Himatnagar. It is one of the oldest surviving temple groups in the state, studied by scholars for more than a century and protected today by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This guide gathers the verified facts a traveller actually needs: what survives, how to reach it, when to go and what to confirm before you leave.
The Roda Temple Group, in Sabarkantha district of northern Gujarat, is a cluster of small eighth-century stone temples built without mortar, protected by the ASI as a Monument of National Importance. It sits near the village of Roda, roughly 18 km from Himatnagar and about two hours by road from Ahmedabad.
Key takeaways
- The Roda Temple Group lies between Raisingpura (Roda) and Khed Chandarani villages, Sabarkantha district, Gujarat, roughly 18 km from Himatnagar and about 65–85 km by road from Ahmedabad (indicative — reconfirm).
- The ASI lists it as the “Roda Group of Temples,” a Monument of National Importance (reference N-GJ-176), cared for by the ASI’s Vadodara Circle.
- Scholars date the group broadly to the eighth–ninth century CE; there is no dated inscription on the temples, so the exact century and dynasty remain debated.
- Of the group traditionally counted as seven temples, six survive; the shrines were built in dry masonry, without mortar, and were restored after the 2001 Gujarat earthquake.
- It is an open, free-to-enter archaeological site best seen in winter (roughly October to March); plan a half-day trip paired with Himatnagar or Idar.
What is the Roda Temple Group?
The Roda Temple Group is a set of small Hindu stone temples, traditionally numbered seven, standing on and near the bank of a seasonal stream that drains towards the Hathmati river in Sabarkantha district, Gujarat. According to the compiled record of the site drawing on the ASI’s Vadodara Circle listing and the Gujarat State Gazetteer, six temples survive today and a seventh is known from older photographs; one more (often called Temple IV) remains only as a plinth.
The shrines are modest in scale. Each is a single-cell sanctum, most with a curvilinear Nagara spire (shikhara), and the whole group was raised in dry ashlar masonry — the stones fitted and held by their own weight, with no mortar. The temples are associated with Shiva, Vishnu, Surya (the sun), Ganesha and the Navagraha (the nine planetary deities). A few hundred metres away is a stepped reservoir, the Ladushah Kund, which once had corner shrines of its own.
The site matters to historians out of proportion to its size. The scholar M. A. Dhaky described it as the “great-grandfather” of the later Solanki (Maru-Gurjara) temple style that produced Modhera and Rani ki Vav, and the group is usually classed within the Anarta school of Maha-Gurjara architecture. For a wider sense of the state’s temple heritage, see our Gujarat travel guide.
| Location | Between Raisingpura (Roda) and Khed Chandarani villages, Sabarkantha district, Gujarat |
|---|---|
| Distance | About 18 km from Himatnagar; roughly 65–85 km by road from Ahmedabad (indicative) |
| What survives | Six of a traditional seven temples, plus the Ladushah Kund (stepped reservoir) |
| Built | Broadly eighth–ninth century CE (debated; no dated inscription) |
| Style | Early Nagara; Anarta school of Maha-Gurjara architecture |
| Protection | ASI Monument of National Importance (N-GJ-176), Vadodara Circle |
| Entry | Open archaeological site; no ticket counter reported (reconfirm locally) |
Name, dating and who studied it
The name “Roda” comes from the Gujarati word for brickbats or rubble, after the brick ruins once scattered at the site; the ASI lists the monument under the twin villages as “Khed & Roda.” This is a small North Gujarat hamlet, not to be confused with other places sharing the name elsewhere in India. On maps and in tourism writing you will also see the group called the “Roda Group of Temples.”
The dating is genuinely unsettled, and honest guides should say so. There is no dated inscription on the temples themselves. Most published accounts place the group in the late eighth to ninth century CE, in the period after Maitraka rule, and attribute the building to either the Gurjara-Pratiharas or the Rashtrakutas, who contested this region. Dhaky, on stylistic grounds, argued for an earlier date in the first half of the eighth century. A loose Shiva-Parvati sculpture found nearby carries a later date equivalent to 1048 CE, which suggests worship continued at the site long after the shrines were first built.
The temples were not noticed by early archaeologists. P. A. Inamdar first recorded them in 1926 in his survey of the former Idar State, and M. A. Dhaky and U. P. Shah studied the group in the 1960s. Some loose sculptures from Roda, including a Surya image, are now held at the Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery in Vadodara.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Roda Temple Group is the cool, dry season from roughly October to March, when North Gujarat’s daytime heat eases and the open site is comfortable to walk. Summer (April–June) is hot and exposed, with very little shade among the shrines, and the monsoon (July–September) can swell the seasonal stream and make the approach tracks muddy.
| Season | Months | Conditions | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Oct–Mar | Cool and dry; clear light for photography | Best |
| Summer | Apr–Jun | Hot and dry; strong sun, little shade | Early morning only |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | Humid; green setting but muddy tracks | Fair, check access |
Whichever month you choose, go early in the day. Morning light suits the carved doorframes and spires, and you avoid both the heat and the long round-trip from Ahmedabad.
How to reach the Roda Temple Group
Reach the Roda Temple Group via Himatnagar, the Sabarkantha district headquarters about 18 km away; the site has no public transport of its own, so the practical approach is a hired car or taxi from Himatnagar or Ahmedabad. There is no railway station or airstrip at the village.
- By air: The nearest airport is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) at Ahmedabad, roughly 65–67 km from Himatnagar by road (indicative). Ahmedabad has the widest domestic and international connections in the state.
- By rail: Himmatnagar Junction is the nearest railway station, with services to Ahmedabad and beyond. Confirm current trains and timings on IRCTC/NTES before you plan around them.
- By road: Himatnagar is well linked by Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) buses and highways to Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. From Himatnagar, continue by taxi or auto towards Khed Chandarani/Roda; the last stretch is on minor village roads, so carry directions or a local contact.
| From | Distance (road) | Typical mode |
|---|---|---|
| Himatnagar | ~18 km | Taxi / auto |
| Ahmedabad (airport AMD) | ~65–67 km to Himatnagar | Car / taxi |
| Gandhinagar | ~70–90 km (plan via Himatnagar) | Car / bus + taxi |
Ahmedabad is the usual base. If you are already exploring the city, our Ahmedabad travel guide covers where to stay and how to arrange a car for a day trip north.
The temples: what to see
What you see at Roda is a compact group of single-cell stone shrines, each worth a few minutes for its spire, doorframe carving and setting rather than for large sculpture inside. The temples are spread over a short walk, with the Ladushah Kund a few hundred metres on. Below are the main surviving shrines as recorded in the site’s documentation.
| Structure | Association | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Temple I | Shiva | Early shrine with a two-part (bi-partite) plan |
| Temple II (Pakshi Mandir) | None enshrined | The smallest shrine; bird carvings and a pyramidal phansana roof rather than the usual curved spire |
| Temple III | Shiva | Similar to Temple I but with a three-part (tri-partite) plan |
| Temple V | Vishnu | An ornamented doorway with little surviving figure sculpture |
| Temple VI | Navagraha | Named for the nine planetary deities carved on its doorframe |
| Temple VII | Ganesha / Shiva | The largest temple, with a closed hall (gudhamandapa) |
| Ladushah Kund | Reservoir | A large stepped tank about 500 m beyond Temple II, with remains of corner shrines |
Two details reward a slow look. First, the dry masonry: there is no mortar anywhere, and the lower courses are said to be held in place partly by the weight of the spires above. Second, the variety of roofs — the curvilinear Nagara shikhara on most shrines against the stepped phansana roof of the little Pakshi Mandir — which is exactly why architects read this group as a bridge between older Gujarat temples and the later Solanki style.
Temple IV survives only as a base, and the northern side of the Ladushah Kund has collapsed, so treat the site as a ruin to read rather than a working temple complex. There is little signage; a short briefing or a guide from Himatnagar helps.
A suggested half-day plan
Roda is a half-day outing, not a full day, and pairs best with Himatnagar or Idar. A workable plan from Ahmedabad:
- Early morning: Drive from Ahmedabad to Himatnagar (allow roughly two hours), then on towards Khed Chandarani/Roda.
- Mid-morning: Walk the temple group in cool light — the shrines, the carved doorframes, then out to the Ladushah Kund. Budget about 1–1.5 hours on site.
- Midday: Return to Himatnagar for lunch; optionally detour to Idar for its hill fort and rock scenery.
- Afternoon: Drive back to Ahmedabad, or continue a wider North Gujarat loop.
If you have your own vehicle and an early start, Roda can also be slotted into a longer North Gujarat itinerary that takes in temple and stepwell sites over two or three days.
Where to stay
There is no accommodation at the Roda site itself, so stay in Himatnagar for the closest beds or in Ahmedabad for the widest choice. Himatnagar, as the district town, has simple hotels and lodges suited to a night’s stop; Ahmedabad offers everything from backpacker hostels to heritage havelis and business hotels.
- Budget (indicative, as of 2026 — reconfirm): Simple lodges and guesthouses in Himatnagar, roughly ₹800–₹1,800 a night.
- Mid-range: Standard hotels in Himatnagar or Ahmedabad, roughly ₹2,000–₹4,500 a night.
- Upper/heritage: Heritage and upscale hotels in Ahmedabad, from about ₹5,000 upwards.
These are planning estimates only; book ahead during Gujarat’s winter travel peak and around festivals such as Navratri and Uttarayan (the January kite festival), when Ahmedabad fills up.
Food to try nearby
Expect classic Gujarati vegetarian food around Himatnagar and Ahmedabad rather than anything specific to Roda village. The region’s staples are worth seeking out:
- Gujarati thali (a round platter of rotli, dal, kadhi, shaak or vegetables, rice, farsan and sweets) — the easiest full meal.
- Dhokla (steamed, spongy savoury cakes of fermented gram batter) and khaman (a softer, yellow gram-flour version).
- Thepla (thin, spiced flatbreads, often made with fenugreek) — handy to carry on a day trip.
- Fafda-jalebi (crisp gram-flour strips with a syrupy sweet), a popular breakfast pairing.
Carry water and a few snacks to the site, since there are no reliable shops or restaurants at the temples.
Budget breakdown
A day trip to the Roda Temple Group is inexpensive because the site charges nothing to enter; your main cost is transport. The estimate below is a planning guide for one person on a day trip from Ahmedabad and is indicative only.
| Item | Estimate (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shared car/taxi (round trip) | ₹800–₹1,800 | Lower per head if split between 3–4 people |
| Meals and water | ₹200–₹500 | Thali lunch plus snacks |
| Entry | ₹0 | Open site; no ticket reported (reconfirm) |
| Local guide (optional) | ₹300–₹800 | Arrange in Himatnagar; negotiate |
| Approx. total | ₹1,300–₹3,100 | Day trip, excluding overnight stay |
Assumptions: a single day trip, costs shared in a small group, and no overnight stay. Fuel, taxi rates and meal prices vary — treat the totals as a planning estimate and reconfirm before you travel.
Permits, photography and rules
No special permit is needed to visit the Roda Temple Group: it is not in a restricted or Inner Line Permit area, and Sabarkantha is open to all Indian and foreign travellers. The usual ASI monument etiquette applies — do not climb on or deface the structures, and carry out your litter from this unstaffed site.
Still (handheld) photography is normally allowed at ASI sites; tripods and, in particular, drones usually require prior ASI permission, so do not assume you can fly a drone here. As this is a temple group, dress modestly and treat the shrines respectfully. For anything you cannot confirm on the ground, the ASI’s Vadodara Circle is the authority responsible for the monument.
Practical tips
- Connectivity and cash: Mobile coverage is generally fine around Himatnagar; at the village site it may be patchy. Draw cash and sort UPI in Himatnagar — there are no ATMs or card facilities at the temples.
- Water and sun: The site is open and shadeless. Carry water, a hat and sunscreen, and go in the morning.
- Footwear: You will walk on uneven ground and around the kund; wear sturdy shoes.
- Guide and directions: Signage is minimal and the final approach is on village lanes. A driver or guide from Himatnagar who knows the route saves time.
- Health: The nearest hospitals and pharmacies are in Himatnagar; there are no facilities at the site.
- Solo and women travellers: This is a quiet rural spot with few other visitors. Prefer daylight hours, tell someone your plan, and keep a return ride arranged rather than relying on finding transport at the village.
Nearby places
Roda works well as one stop on a North Gujarat heritage loop. The table below lists places commonly combined with it; confirm distances and opening days locally.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Himatnagar | ~18 km | District town; base for food, stay and transport |
| Idar | North of Himatnagar | Hill fort and dramatic rock scenery |
| Nagrani Vav (Khed Chandarani) | At the village edge | A later stepwell (inscribed 1418 CE), a state-protected monument |
| Ahmedabad | ~65–85 km | UNESCO-listed old city; the regional travel hub |
If you are building a wider trip, read our Gujarat travel guide for how Roda fits with the state’s better-known temple and stepwell sites.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Roda Temple Group located?
The Roda Temple Group is in Sabarkantha district, northern Gujarat, between the villages of Raisingpura (Roda) and Khed Chandarani, roughly 18 km from Himatnagar. The nearest city and transport hub is Ahmedabad, about 65–85 km away by road. The site sits near a seasonal stream that drains towards the Hathmati river.
How old are the Roda temples?
The Roda temples are usually dated to the eighth–ninth century CE, making them among the oldest surviving stone temples in Gujarat. There is no dated inscription on the shrines, so scholars differ: some place them in the first half of the eighth century, others in the ninth, and attribute them to the Gurjara-Pratihara or Rashtrakuta period.
Is there an entry fee or ticket for the Roda Temple Group?
No entry fee or ticket counter has been reported at the Roda Temple Group; it is an open, unstaffed archaeological site protected by the ASI. As practices can change, reconfirm with the ASI Vadodara Circle or locally in Himatnagar before you travel. Carry water, as there are no shops or facilities on site.
How do I reach the Roda temples from Ahmedabad?
Drive or hire a taxi from Ahmedabad towards Himatnagar (about two hours), then continue roughly 18 km on minor roads to the Khed Chandarani/Roda site. Ahmedabad airport (AMD) is the nearest airport and Himmatnagar Junction the nearest railway station; there is no direct public transport to the village itself.
How many temples survive at Roda, and to which gods?
Six of a group traditionally counted as seven temples survive at Roda, with one more reduced to its base. The shrines are associated with Shiva, Vishnu, Surya, Ganesha and the Navagraha. A separate stepped reservoir, the Ladushah Kund, lies a few hundred metres beyond the main cluster.
Is the Roda Temple Group worth visiting for non-specialists?
Yes, if you enjoy quiet, early architecture and are comfortable with a ruin rather than a polished monument. The Roda Temple Group is small and sees few visitors, but its mortar-less masonry and early Nagara spires make it a rewarding half-day stop, especially combined with Himatnagar, Idar or a wider North Gujarat temple trail.
Last updated and sources
Who should go: travellers drawn to early temple architecture, archaeology and quiet rural heritage, ideally as a half-day trip from Ahmedabad or Himatnagar. When: the cool, dry months from October to March, in the morning.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Archaeological Survey of India, Vadodara Circle — Roda Group of Temples listed as Monument of National Importance, reference N-GJ-176 (as recorded in the ASI/National Monuments list for Gujarat); Gujarat State Gazetteers: Sabarkantha (Government of Gujarat); P. A. Inamdar, Some Archaeological Finds in the Idar State (1926); M. A. Dhaky on the chronology of Gujarat’s Solanki temples (1961); and the consolidated, citation-backed site record at Wikipedia: Roda Group of Temples and List of Monuments of National Importance in Gujarat, which cite the above. Transport distances are indicative planning figures from travel route aggregators and should be reconfirmed. Accessed September 2026.
