Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park Overview
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is located in the Panchmahal district of Gujarat state, India. This park is near the historic city of Champaner, founded by Sultan Mahmud Begda of Gujarat. The hill of Pavagadh is made of red-yellow colored rocks which is one of the oldest rocks in India. There are 114 monuments in this area on the list of Baroda Heritage Trust.
Due to the lack of funds, the Archaeological Survey of India takes care of only 39 monuments. The Forest Department has the right to over 94% of the land here. A large number of people come here to see the exquisite architectural beauty of the city.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park History
Champaner was founded by King Vanraj Chavda of Chavda dynasty. One of his ministers was named Champaraj, after whom the place was named. The Pavagadh Fort was built just above Champaner by the Khichi Chauhan Rajputs, which was later captured by Mahmud Begada.
Mahmud Begada made it his capital and changed its name to Mahmudabad. He lived here for 23 years to rebuild the city. These Places are located in and around the Foothills of the Pavagadh Hill and are surrounded by low hills, slopes and plateaus formed as a result of volcanic eruptions and lava flows.
A beautiful temple of Kalika Mata is built on top of the hill. There are Forts, Palaces, Religious Buildings, Residential complexes, Agricultural signs and Water harvesting systems, etc., including many footnotes from the 8th century to the 14th century. Every year thousands of tourists come to see the beautiful architecture of this grand city.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park Interesting Facts
- Champaner was included in the list of World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 2004.
- 11 Different types of buildings are present in the Pavagadh Archaeological Park, which include many Mosques, Temples, Grain stores, Tombs, Wells, Walls and verandahs etc.
- This hill is about 800 meters above sea level.
- Pavagadh hills was a famous fort for Hindus during the reign of Solanki kings of Gujarat state and then Khichi Chauhans.
- This monument is situated on a mountain called Mauliya Plateau.
- The oldest temple built on the Pavagadh hill in the Maulia plateau was built in the 10th-11th century and is dedicated to Lakulish. Other temples, built between the 13th and 15th centuries, belong to the Hindu and Jain sects.
- All the Temples were built in the Nagara style, including the sanctum sanctorum, the mandapa and the entrance gate.
- A series of fort remains in the historical monuments built here.
- These forts were built of sandstone, with bastions and beautiful balconies.
- The Jami Masjid (Jama Masjid) near the East Gate built by Sultan Begada is the most notable of the 114 monuments listed by the Baroda Heritage Trust. It is situated 50 meters east of the royal enclosure.
- Jama Masjid is a splendid blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture and is considered one of the finest elegantly built mosques in Western India.
- The distance from Vadodara to Champaner is just 45 kms. It is easily accessible by bus and other vehicles.