The Sejakpur Navlakha Temple is a ruined 12th-century Shiva temple in Sejakpur village, Sayla taluka, Surendranagar district, in the Saurashtra (Kathiawar) region of Gujarat. Built in the Solanki (Chaulukya) style on a high stone-and-brick platform, it is one of the finest medieval temples in the region and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India as a Monument of National Importance (N-GJ-186). Few travellers reach it, so you usually have its carved sandstone walls and broken hall almost to yourself.
The Navlakha Temple at Sejakpur, in Surendranagar district of Gujarat, is an east-facing Shiva temple of the Solanki period, documented by the Archaeological Survey of India since the 1898-99 survey of Western India. It stands in ruins at the north-west corner of the village, raised on a platform likened by early surveyors to that of the Sun Temple at Modhera, and it is distinct from the better-known Navlakha Sun Temple at Ghumli.
Key takeaways
- The Sejakpur Navlakha Temple is a 12th-century Shiva temple of the Solanki (Chaulukya) period, in Sejakpur village, Sayla taluka, Surendranagar district, Gujarat.
- It is an ASI-protected Monument of National Importance, listed as N-GJ-186; a nearby ancient mound with a Ganesh temple in the village is separately protected as N-GJ-187.
- The temple faces east, is dedicated to Shiva, and stands on a high solid platform; the archaeologist Henry Cousens, who photographed it for the ASI in 1899, compared its base to that of the Surya temple at Modhera.
- It is a Navlakha-type temple of the same class as the Navlakha at Ghumli, with a sanctum and a pillared hall (mandapa); much of the spire (shikhara) has fallen.
- Do not confuse it with the Navlakha Sun Temple at Ghumli (Devbhumi Dwarka), the Navlakha Kothar at Pavagadh, or the Navlakha temple at Anandpur; several Gujarat temples share the name.
- Sejakpur lies about 21 km from Sayla town and about 53 km from Surendranagar city; October to March is the comfortable season. Distances and timings should be reconfirmed locally.
About Sejakpur and the Navlakha Temple
Sejakpur (also spelled Sejakpar) is a small village in Sayla taluka, Surendranagar district, in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Its best-known monument is the Navlakha Temple, a ruined medieval Shiva shrine that stands at the north-west corner of the village. According to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the villageinfo civic listing, Sejakpur sits roughly 21 km from the taluka town of Sayla and about 53 km from Surendranagar city, the district headquarters; the village pincode is 363440.
The temple’s name follows a common Gujarati convention: “Navlakha” means “nine lakh” (nine hundred thousand), a figure local tradition links to the cost of building such temples. Treat that as a naming story rather than an accounting record, because the same name recurs at several unrelated sites in Gujarat. To avoid confusion, this guide always specifies “Sejakpur Navlakha Temple” or the “Navlakha Temple at Sejakpur.” Older survey literature sometimes placed the village in the former Rajkot administrative area and located it about 9.6 km south-east of Dolia railway station; district boundaries in Saurashtra have been redrawn several times, and modern sources, including the ASI monument list, place it in Surendranagar district.
History and dating: the Solanki period
The Sejakpur Navlakha Temple belongs to the Solanki (Chaulukya) era, the period when much of Gujarat’s finest stone temple architecture was built. The archaeologist Henry Cousens, who recorded the temple for the ASI during the Western India survey of 1898-99, described it in the 1899 Progress Report as “one of the finest old temples in Kathiawar,” though already badly ruined. Scholarly surveys, including the standard reference work on the structural temples of Gujarat, group it among temples of the Caulukyan period and note that it was “originally dedicated to Siva.”
The exact date is not firmly settled. Most descriptions, including the ASI photographic record, place it in the 12th century, while some secondary sources suggest the 11th century. A separate, ruined Jaina temple at Sejakpur has been dated by scholars to about the second quarter of the 12th century, but that is a different building and does not fix the Navlakha’s date directly. Given this, it is safest to describe the Sejakpur Navlakha Temple simply as a 12th-century Solanki-period temple, noting that an 11th-century date has also been proposed. The identity of the specific ruler or dynasty branch that commissioned it is not clearly established in the sources consulted, so this guide does not attribute it to a named patron.
Architecture and what to look for
The Sejakpur Navlakha Temple is an east-facing Shiva temple built in the Maru-Gurjara idiom commonly called the “Solanki style.” The ASI’s 1899 record notes that it is “built in reddish-yellow sandstone of uniform tint” and stands on “a high solid brick foundation,” which Cousens compared directly to the platform of the Surya (Sun) temple at Modhera. In plan it follows the Navlakha type: a sanctum (garbhagriha) and an attached pillared hall (mandapa), set on a raised terrace.
The carving is the standout feature. The 1899 report remarks that “the temple is covered with carving, and the crispness of the same, after so many years of weathering, is remarkable.” At the same time, the structure is severely damaged: the shikhara, or spire, has largely fallen, leaving the roof open to the sky, and nearly every beam in the mandapa was recorded as cracked. What survives today is therefore a monumental, richly carved base and hall rather than a complete, crowned temple. Standard architectural surveys describe it as “a building of the same class as the temple of the same name at Ghumali,” placing the two Navlakha temples in the same regional tradition of large shrines raised on high terraces with a sanctum, a hall and a porch.
For wider context on Gujarat’s Solanki-era temple building, see our Gujarat travel guide. Because the monument is a protected ruin, visitors should not climb on fragile carved members or displaced masonry.
Which Navlakha? Disambiguating the name
Several temples in Gujarat are called “Navlakha,” which routinely causes confusion. The Sejakpur temple should be distinguished clearly from the others:
| Temple | Where | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Navlakha Temple, Sejakpur | Sejakpur, Sayla, Surendranagar | This guide’s subject: a ruined 12th-century Solanki Shiva temple; ASI N-GJ-186. |
| Navlakha (Sun) Temple, Ghumli | Ghumli, Devbhumi Dwarka | A ruined 12th-century Surya (Sun) temple, often called Gujarat’s oldest Sun temple. |
| Navlakha Kothar, Pavagadh | Pavagadh hill, Panchmahal | A separate ASI monument (N-GJ-115) on the Pavagadh-Champaner complex. |
| Navlakha temple, Anandpur | Anandpur, Gujarat | Another temple that shares the name; a distinct site, not covered here. |
In short, the Sejakpur temple is a Shiva temple in Surendranagar, while the famous Ghumli Navlakha is a Sun temple in Devbhumi Dwarka. When searching online, add “Sejakpur” or “Surendranagar” to your query to avoid landing on the Ghumli pages.
Best time to visit
October to March is the best time to visit Sejakpur, when Saurashtra’s weather is dry and comfortable for walking an open, largely unshaded ruin. Summer (April to June) is hot and glaring with little shade at the site, and the monsoon (roughly July to September) brings rain that can make the surrounding farmland and tracks muddy. The table below is seasonal planning guidance for inland Saurashtra, not measured climate data for the village.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Nov-Feb | Cool, dry and clear; the most comfortable time for the ruins and photography. |
| Early summer | Mar-Apr | Warming up; still manageable if you start early and carry water. |
| Peak summer | May-Jun | Hot and dry with harsh sun and no shade at the site; avoid the middle of the day. |
| Monsoon | Jul-Sep | Rain and humidity; the countryside greens, but rural approach roads can get muddy. |
How to reach Sejakpur
Sejakpur is reached by road through inland Surendranagar district; there is no airport or major railway station at the village itself. Most visitors drive from Surendranagar city, Sayla town or Rajkot. According to civic listings, the village has a local bus service, but there is no direct tourist transport to the temple, so a private car or taxi is by far the easiest option.
By air: The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Rajkot; Ahmedabad’s airport is larger and better connected, and many travellers fly into Ahmedabad and drive across to Saurashtra. If you route through Ahmedabad, see our Ahmedabad travel guide.
By train: Surendranagar is the most convenient major railhead in the district, with services from Ahmedabad, Rajkot and other Gujarat cities; from there continue by road. Historic survey notes mention a small station at Dolia nearer the village, but do not rely on minor-station services without checking current timetables on IRCTC/NTES.
By road: From Surendranagar city the drive is roughly 53 km (about 1.5 hours, varying with road conditions); from Sayla town it is about 21 km. Rural approach roads can be rough, so confirm the final route on a map app and allow extra time.
| From | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sayla | ~21 km | Nearest taluka town; closest base and bus point. |
| Surendranagar city | ~53 km | District headquarters and nearest major railhead; about 1.5 hr by road. |
| Rajkot | ~90-110 km | Nearest airport and a larger transport hub (estimate; verify route). |
| Ahmedabad | ~160-180 km | Main airport; common entry point for Saurashtra trips (estimate; verify). |
The Rajkot and Ahmedabad distances above are approximate planning estimates and should be checked on a current map app, as several routing options exist.
Things to see at and around Sejakpur
The Navlakha Temple is the main draw, but Sejakpur and its neighbourhood hold a small cluster of archaeological remains, and the wider Sayla-Surendranagar area has further Solanki-era and princely-period sights. The highlights below can be combined into a half-day visit built around the temple.
| Site | What it is | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Navlakha Temple | The ruined 12th-century Solanki Shiva temple; the main monument (ASI N-GJ-186). | 45-60 min |
| Ancient mound and Ganesh temple | An ancient site and mound in the village, separately protected by the ASI (N-GJ-187); survey literature notes mounds and ruins of destroyed temples around the village. | 20-30 min |
| Sayla town | A former princely town of the Jhala Rajputs with a traditional old quarter; the nearest base for food and fuel. | 1-2 hr |
| Wadhwan (Ranakdevi Temple) | In the district, a protected old temple (ASI N-GJ-183) worth pairing on a longer Surendranagar circuit. | 1 hr (if routed) |
Because Sejakpur is a working village, treat its lanes and farmland with respect and ask locally before entering private land around the mounds. The temple ruin itself is open ground.
A suggested day plan
Sejakpur works best as a focused half-day or day trip from Surendranagar, Sayla or a wider Saurashtra road route. A simple plan:
- Early morning: Leave Surendranagar or Sayla after breakfast; drive to Sejakpur (about 1.5 hr from Surendranagar, less from Sayla).
- Mid-morning: Explore the Navlakha Temple while the light is soft and the heat low; the carving photographs best in raking morning light.
- Late morning: Walk the village edge to see the ancient mound and Ganesh temple area; carry water, as there is little shade.
- Midday: Return to Sayla for a simple Kathiyawadi lunch.
- Afternoon: Drive back, or continue to Wadhwan or another Surendranagar-district sight on a longer loop.
Where to stay
Sejakpur village has no tourist accommodation, so most visitors stay in Surendranagar or at a heritage property near Sayla and day-trip to the site. The figures below are indicative planning estimates, not quoted tariffs, and should be reconfirmed when you book (as of November 2026).
- Budget: Simple lodges and hotels in Surendranagar town, roughly ₹800-₹1,800 a night (indicative; reconfirm).
- Mid-range: Better hotels in Surendranagar, roughly ₹1,800-₹3,500 (indicative; reconfirm).
- Heritage: Sayla is known for a heritage homestay/hospitality tradition linked to its former royal family; confirm availability and current rates directly before relying on it.
Book ahead around Gujarati festival dates and winter weekends, when Saurashtra towns fill up.
Food to try
Food around Sejakpur is simple Saurashtrian and Kathiyawadi vegetarian fare, found in Sayla and Surendranagar rather than at the site, where there are no reliable eateries. Carry water and snacks for the visit. Look for:
- Kathiyawadi thali (a platter of rotla, shaak, dal, kadhi and chaas) – the regional staple meal.
- Bajra no rotlo (thick pearl-millet flatbread) with white butter and jaggery.
- Chaas (spiced buttermilk), welcome in the dry Saurashtra heat.
- Ganthiya and fafda (fried gram-flour snacks), common Gujarati tea-time bites.
Budget estimate
A Sejakpur visit is inexpensive, because the main cost is road transport to a remote village. The table is an indicative planning estimate for two people on a day trip from Surendranagar; reconfirm all figures (as of November 2026).
| Item | Estimate (₹) | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Site entry | 0 (likely) | No ticketing confirmed at this minor ASI site; reconfirm locally. |
| Taxi (round trip) | 2,500-4,500 | Surendranagar-Sejakpur return with waiting; varies by operator and road. |
| Meals | 400-800 | Two simple Kathiyawadi meals plus snacks, taken in Sayla or Surendranagar. |
| Water/incidentals | 100-200 | Bottled water and small buys. |
| Day total | ~3,000-5,500 | Excludes overnight stay and flights/trains. |
Protection status, timings and rules
The Sejakpur Navlakha Temple is an ASI-protected Monument of National Importance, listed as N-GJ-186 in the Archaeological Survey of India’s records for Gujarat; the nearby ancient mound with a Ganesh temple in the village is separately listed as N-GJ-187. As a protected monument it is covered by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) framework, which prohibits damage, defacement and unauthorised construction or digging within the protected area.
No formal ticketing, fixed timings or on-site staffing could be confirmed for this minor, ruined site from official sources this session. In practice such a monument is an open, largely unstaffed ruin, best visited in daylight, and most likely free to enter; reconfirm on the ground and treat any guidance here as provisional. No special permit, Inner Line Permit or restricted-area clearance applies in this part of Gujarat. Do not climb on carved or displaced stones, remove fragments, or deface the carving, all of which are offences at a protected monument. If any part of the structure is barricaded for safety, respect the barriers. Dress modestly, as a shrine, and carry out all litter, since there are no facilities.
Practical tips
- Start early: The ruin is open and unshaded; morning light and cooler air make it far more pleasant and better for photos.
- Carry essentials: Bring water, sun protection, snacks and cash, as there are no shops, cafes or reliable ATMs at the village (the nearest ATM is several kilometres away).
- Connectivity and cash: Mobile network can be patchy in rural Surendranagar; keep some cash from Surendranagar or Sayla, as UPI may not work everywhere.
- Footwear: Wear sturdy shoes for uneven stone, rubble and farmland edges around the temple.
- Navigation: Pin “Sejakpur, Sayla” rather than just “Navlakha Temple,” which may route you to Ghumli; confirm the final village track with locals.
- Medical: The nearest well-equipped hospitals are in Surendranagar; Sayla has only basic facilities.
- Driver: Hire a Surendranagar or Sayla taxi that knows the Sejakpur road, and agree on waiting time in advance.
- Respect the monument: It is a fragile, protected ruin; look and photograph, but do not touch or climb the carved stonework.
Nearby places
Sejakpur pairs well with the wider Surendranagar-Zalawad circuit of old temples and princely towns. The table lists practical add-ons.
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Sayla | ~21 km | Nearest town for food, fuel and heritage stays; former Jhala princely seat. |
| Surendranagar city | ~53 km | District headquarters; main base, railhead and hospitals. |
| Wadhwan | ~55-60 km | Historic town near Surendranagar with the protected Ranakdevi Temple (estimate; verify). |
| Rajkot | ~90-110 km | Nearest airport and a major city (estimate; verify route). |
For planning a wider Saurashtra or Gujarat circuit, start with our Gujarat travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Sejakpur Navlakha Temple?
The Sejakpur Navlakha Temple is in Sejakpur village (also spelled Sejakpar), Sayla taluka, Surendranagar district, in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. It stands at the north-west corner of the village, about 21 km from Sayla town and roughly 53 km from Surendranagar city. Older survey records sometimes placed the village in the former Rajkot area, but it is now in Surendranagar district.
How old is the temple and which style is it?
It is a Solanki (Chaulukya) period temple, generally dated to the 12th century, though some sources suggest the 11th century, so the exact date is not settled. It is built in the Maru-Gurjara, or so-called Solanki, style. The archaeologist Henry Cousens recorded it for the Archaeological Survey of India in 1899 as one of the finest old temples in Kathiawar.
Which deity is the Sejakpur Navlakha Temple dedicated to?
It is dedicated to Shiva and faces east, according to the ASI’s 1899 survey record and standard architectural surveys of Gujarat. This makes it different from the Navlakha Temple at Ghumli, which is a Sun (Surya) temple.
Is the Sejakpur Navlakha Temple an ASI-protected monument?
Yes. It is listed as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India, as N-GJ-186 (Navlakha temple, Sejakpur). A nearby ancient mound with a Ganesh temple in the village is separately protected as N-GJ-187. As a protected monument, it is covered by rules that prohibit damage, defacement and unauthorised digging or construction.
How do I reach Sejakpur, and is there an entry fee?
Reach Sejakpur by road, usually from Surendranagar city (about 53 km, roughly 1.5 hours) or Sayla town (about 21 km); the nearest major railhead is Surendranagar and the nearest airports are Rajkot and Ahmedabad. A taxi or private car is easiest, as there is no direct tourist transport to the temple. No ticketing was confirmed from official sources; as an open, minor ruined site it is most likely free, but reconfirm locally.
How is it different from the other Navlakha temples in Gujarat?
Several Gujarat temples are called Navlakha (“nine lakh”). The Sejakpur one is a Shiva temple in Surendranagar district; the famous Navlakha at Ghumli (Devbhumi Dwarka) is a Sun temple; the Navlakha Kothar at Pavagadh (Panchmahal) is a separate ASI monument; and there is also a Navlakha temple at Anandpur. They are distinct sites, so always add “Sejakpur” or “Surendranagar” when searching for this one.
Last updated and sources
The Sejakpur Navlakha Temple suits travellers who value quiet ruins, Solanki-era carving and off-track Saurashtra history over crowds and facilities; come between October and March, pair it with Sayla, Wadhwan or a wider Surendranagar loop, and start early. Reconfirm transport, access and timings close to your trip.
Last updated: 2 November 2026. Access, timings and conditions change – reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Wikipedia – List of Monuments of National Importance in Gujarat (ASI entries N-GJ-186 and N-GJ-187, Sejakpur); British Library – Archaeological Survey of India Collections, “Sejakpur, Kathiawar. Navlakha Temple from south,” Henry Cousens, 1899 (quoting the 1899 Progress Report); Structural Temples of Gujarat – Navalakha temple, Sejakpur (Caulukyan period); Vikaspedia (ASI content) – Navlakha temple, Surendranagar; villageinfo.in – Sejakpar village, Sayla, Surendranagar. Accessed November 2026.
