The temple, neglected for years, is known as Gujarat’s own mini Khajuraho and is sadly, a hot spot for thieves who eye priceless artefacts and statutes lying at the mercy of a single ASI attendant.

About 14 km from Dahod, the Bavka temple, according to locals, was constructed by a devdasi (a temple dancer) in a single night. It was destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni. Residents of the village say that several statues and carved stones have been stolen during these years

of neglect.

ASI had included the temple in the list of protected monuments more than 20 years ago. Despite that important parts of the temple, including carvings, have been either stolen or shattered.

ASI Superintendent Engineer (Vadodara Circle) Shivananda said: “The temple has one of the most beautiful panels of carvings on sex kriyas. In fact, such carvings are found in all the temples built during that era in India.”

“Earlier we had fenced the temple and also deployed a person to protect it. However, we would now like to take up the project to restore the temple and develop it as a tourist spot. It will be done in the current financial year,” he said.

The sole attendant J B Baria, who literally prays for the entire day since he has nothing else to do, says he eagerly awaits visitors so that he can at least talk to someone.

“They fenced the temple with the barbed wires and even constructed a small room for the staff who can stay there and protect the temple. But the room remains locked and the sole attendant leaves the temple by 6 pm everyday. The temple remains at the mercy of God only,” said Shankarbhai Jagabhai, a villager from Bavka.

“Nobody comes here except on Sundays. I don’t use the room constructed by our department as it is not safe to stay over there. I fear an attack and so I in the village,” says Bharia.