Lakheshwar Temple, Kera

The Shiva temple at Kera, also called the Lakheshwar temple of Kerakot, stands in Kera village about 22 km south of Bhuj in Kutch. It dates from the late 10th century, in the Chaulukya (Solanki) period, and is ascribed to Ra Lakha Phulani, who ruled from his capital at Kapilkot; the ruined Kapilkot fort lies close by. The 1819 Rann of Kutch earthquake destroyed much of the temple, leaving the spire and sanctum, and the 2001 Bhuj earthquake caused further damage.

The square sanctum, about 8 feet 6 inches a side, is ringed by a narrow circumambulatory passage lit through two pierced stone windows. Of the hall, only the northern wall survives, carrying a few well-carved sculptures. The spire is the highlight: each face is decorated with chaitya-window motifs and human figures repeated in diminishing tiers as it rises, with miniature spires clustered at the corners.