Boria Stupa (Lakha Medi)
Somnath, Gujarat · monument
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
On the plains below the great cliffs of Girnar, a short way out from Junagadh, a low grassy hillock known locally as Lakha Medi conceals one of Gujarat's oldest sacred structures — the ruined brick stupa of Boria. To the passing eye it reads as little more than a rounded mound of earth and rubble, but beneath the turf lies the core of a Buddhist reliquary monument raised many centuries ago, when Girnar and its surrounding hills formed an important centre of monastic life along the trade routes of ancient Saurashtra. The stupa belongs to the same early-historic world that produced the nearby rock-cut caves of Uparkot, Khapra Kodiya and Baba Pyare, and the celebrated Ashokan rock edict on the Girnar road, together sketching a landscape where Buddhist, Jain and Hindu traditions long flourished side by side.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Pure-veg Gujarati thali restaurants near Kalwa Chowk, Junagadh
- ✦Pure-veg Kathiyawadi thali houses near Junagadh railway station
- ✦Junagadh sweet and farsan shops (ganthiya, fafda, jalebi)
- ✦Temple-belt pure-veg bhojanalayas in Junagadh town
About
On the plains below the great cliffs of Girnar, a short way out from Junagadh, a low grassy hillock known locally as Lakha Medi conceals one of Gujarat's oldest sacred structures — the ruined brick stupa of Boria.
- To the passing eye it reads as little more than a rounded mound of earth and rubble, but beneath the turf lies the core of a Buddhist reliquary monument raised many centuries ago, when Girnar and its surrounding hills formed an important centre of monastic life along the trade routes of ancient Saurashtra.
- The stupa belongs to the same early-historic world that produced the nearby rock-cut caves of Uparkot, Khapra Kodiya and Baba Pyare, and the celebrated Ashokan rock edict on the Girnar road, together sketching a landscape where Buddhist, Jain and Hindu traditions long flourished side by side.
- Boria's modern fame rests on a late-nineteenth-century excavation, when archaeologists opened the mound and recovered a relic casket from within its heart — a small container of the kind used to enshrine sacred ashes or offerings at the stupa's foundation.
- That discovery confirmed the mound's identity as a genuine dhatu-garbha (relic chamber) rather than a natural rise, and cemented its place in the archaeological record of Junagadh district.
- Today the site is unreconstructed and largely undeveloped: there is no grand shrine, no ticketed enclosure, only the eroded brick heart of the stupa, low walls, and a wide view back toward the Girnar massif.
- For travellers this is a place for slow, contemplative visiting rather than spectacle.
- It rewards those curious about India's deep Buddhist past and the layered heritage of Junagadh — historians, students, and pilgrims of the imagination.
- Wear sturdy shoes, carry water and sun protection, and treat the mound gently, as an ancient monument.
- Combine it with the Uparkot cave complex and the Ashokan edict for a full half-day tracing Girnar's early-historic story.
- For food, Boria itself has no eateries, so plan to eat back in Junagadh town a few kilometres away, where pure-vegetarian Gujarati and Kathiyawadi kitchens are plentiful.
- Look for the classic unlimited pure-veg Gujarati thali houses near the Kalwa Chowk and station areas, laden with rotli, shaak, dal, kadhi, farsan and jaggery-sweet touches, and the well-known Junagadh sweet and farsan shops for ganthiya, fafda, jalebi and chikki.
- Ask specifically for pure-veg thali restaurants, which are easy to find across the pilgrim town, and carry snacks and water for the site itself.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Boria (Lakha Medi) mound, near Girnar foothills, Junagadh, Somnath, Gujarat, 362001
How to Reach: Boria (Lakha Medi) lies a few kilometres outside Junagadh town toward the Girnar hills; reach it by autorickshaw or taxi from Junagadh city centre or the railway station, ideally combined with the Uparkot Fort caves and the Ashokan rock edict. Junagadh is well connected by rail and road to Somnath (about 85 km), Rajkot and Ahmedabad.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Boria Stupa (Lakha Medi)?
It is the ruined core of an ancient brick Buddhist stupa on a low mound near Junagadh, locally called Lakha Medi. A late-nineteenth-century excavation recovered a relic casket from inside it, confirming it as an early-historic Buddhist reliquary monument linked to Girnar's ancient monastic landscape.
Is there an entry fee, and how long should I spend there?
It is an open, unenclosed archaeological mound with no formal ticketing, so entry is effectively free. Around 30 to 45 minutes is enough to walk the site; combine it with Junagadh's Uparkot caves and the Ashokan rock edict for a fuller half-day.
How do I reach Boria Stupa from Junagadh?
It sits a few kilometres from Junagadh town toward the Girnar foothills. The easiest way is by autorickshaw or hired taxi from the city centre or railway station; there is no major signage, so ask locally for Boria or Lakha Medi.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Boria Stupa?
The site itself has no eateries, so eat in Junagadh town nearby. It has plenty of pure-vegetarian Gujarati and Kathiyawadi thali restaurants near Kalwa Chowk and the station, plus famous sweet and farsan shops for ganthiya, fafda and jalebi. Ask specifically for pure-veg thali houses, which are easy to find.
Is Boria Stupa an active place of worship?
No. It is an unreconstructed heritage monument and archaeological site rather than an active temple or shrine. Visit it respectfully as an ancient ruin, wearing sturdy shoes and carrying water and sun protection.
Categories