{"id":1478,"date":"2017-03-12T13:39:15","date_gmt":"2017-03-12T08:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jatinchhabra.com\/?p=1478"},"modified":"2017-05-20T11:47:53","modified_gmt":"2017-05-20T06:17:53","slug":"champaner-pavagadh-archaeological-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jatinchhabra.com\/champaner-pavagadh-archaeological-park\/","title":{"rendered":"The forgotten city of Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park \u2013 I visited this archaeological Park as a part of my trip to explore the ancient stepwells of Gujarat like Rani Ki Vav<\/a>, Modhera Sun Temple<\/a><\/strong> Kund and Adalaj vav<\/a><\/strong> in Gandhinagar.<\/p>\n

The only knowledge I had before coming here was a documentary which I saw at Epic channel. It was about the life of Khichi Rajputs, who ruled Champaner for two centuries and then lost it to the Sultan Mahmud Begada, the same guy who finished the work of Adalaj Vav.<\/p>\n

\"Champaner

Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park<\/p><\/div>\n

As per my experience of visiting Archaeological Parks, one needs at least 4-5 hours and must have some prior knowledge of the history connected with the site.<\/p>\n

So before I share all the artistic sites of Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park, I have mentioned some historical events below, linked to this forgotten city, which will make you more interested in plan a tour of Champaner-Pavagadh near Vadodara.<\/p>\n

I used the term “Forgotten City” above & in the title because from 17th to 19th century, this whole Archaeological Park was ripped off from Indian history.<\/p>\n

Later in mid 19th century, this park was re-discovered by British archaeologists. More on that below in this post.<\/p>\n

Devastating history of Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park<\/h2>\n

Champaner, a city, built by Vanraj Chavda in 8th century AD, which he named after his friend & military general Champaraj.<\/p>\n

In the 12th century, Prithviraj Chauhan\u2019s<\/strong> (a famous ruler of Rajasthan & New Delhi) kingdom was shattering & many of his Rajput relatives moved in regions like Bundi, Kota, and Champaner (Gujarat)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\"Prithviraj

Prithviraj Chauhan Statue in Ajmer, Rajasthan.<\/p><\/div>\n

These Rajputs (Khichi Chauhan)<\/strong>, fought many battles against local tribes and built a fort in Pavagarh<\/strong>, a hilly region of Champaner.<\/p>\n

From 11th to 15th century, Gujarat came under the control of Sultans of Delhi & later their governors, declared themselves independent ruler of Gujarat.<\/p>\n

The most famous one was Ahmed Shah who built the city of Ahmedabad.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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\"Delhi

Delhi Sultanate<\/p><\/div>\n

Ahmed Shah’s grandson, Mahmud Begada<\/strong>, came to the throne in mid 15th century and started a 20-month long military operation to capture Pavagarh fort from Khichi Rajputs.<\/p>\n

At that time Champaner was under the rule of Raval Jaisingh<\/strong> who fought bravely but was captured & later killed as he refused to convert to Islam.<\/p>\n

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\"Pawagarh

Pavagarh Hill View from Highway<\/p><\/div>\n

After this victory, Mahmud Begada constructed a new capital in Champaner – Mahemdabad<\/strong>. But this new capital didn\u2019t survive even a century.<\/p>\n

In 1535 AD, Champaner was raided by Mughal king Humayun & because of those battles with Mughals, the new Sultan Gujarat left Champaner & shifted his capital back to Ahmedabad. And with this Champaner and Pavagarh were lost in the sand of time.<\/p>\n

300 years later Britishers founded the ruins of Champaner-Pavagadh Empire & by 1879 AD, restoration work started.<\/p>\n

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\"Orignal

Orignal snap from 19th century Champaner<\/p><\/div>\n

In 2004, Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park was added to the list of protected UNESCO world heritage sites<\/strong> as it has many sandstone mosques, cenotaph and also an ancient Hindu temple of Goddess Kali \u2013 Shree Mahakali Temple<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Breathtaking tour of Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park:<\/h2>\n

We reached Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park from Ahmadabad via Vadodara Expressway (one of the best roads I have seen in India) and then a left turn before Vadodara city towards Pavagadh.<\/p>\n

From here Champaner is just 50 km. The first site where we stopped was the Helical Vav or Helical Stepwell.<\/p>\n

Helical Vav or Helical Stepwell:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\"Helical

Helical Vav Entrance<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Helical

Helical Vav<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Helical

Helical Vav Well<\/p><\/div>\n

I had plans to get the pictures of this Stepwell for my collection, and it was because of this Vav, I came to know about Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Helical Vav is a 16th-century Stepwell but not as decorated as Adalaj Vav & Rani Ki Vav. For me it was a must visit site as I had to take pictures from my collection of Ancient Stepwells in India<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Entering the Archaeological Park from City Gate “Shari Darwaja”<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\"City

City Gate<\/p><\/div>\n

From Helical Vav Stepwell, the first site we saw was a centuries old gate which is also the entry point of the Champaner, Its called as “The City Gate: or “Shari Darwaja.”<\/p>\n

Sahar ki Masjid<\/h2>\n
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\"Shaher

Shaher Ki Masjid<\/p><\/div>\n

The second site in the Archaeological Park is\u00a0Sahar ki Masjid<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Sahar ki Masjid was a private mosque of the Sultan & the design of the mosque is unique to what I have\u00a0seen in other famous mosques of New Delhi or Hyderabad.<\/p>\n

This mosque has five mehrabs, an arched doorway, and two tall watch towers. Sadly I was not allowed to take the camera inside, so I took pictures from outside of this complex.<\/p>\n

Jami Masjid and a Stepwell<\/h2>\n
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\"Jami

Jami Masjid<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Jami

Jami Masjid Mosque<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Tomb

Tomb of a Pir at Jami Masjid<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Jatin

Me at Jami Masjid Stepwell<\/p><\/div>\n

Jami Masjid and its Stepwell is by far one of the biggest and beautiful site of Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park. Built in 1516 AD, Jami Masjid was a popular shrine of a pir, whose tomb is still inside this mosque compound.<\/p>\n

Just behind the mosque complex, there is a big stepwell tank which I believe that it was made for pilgrims who use to come here for prayers.<\/p>\n

Kevda Masjid<\/h2>\n
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\"Kevada

Kevada Masjid<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Kevda

Kevda Masjid and cenotaph<\/p><\/div>\n

Just a km from Jami Masjid, a narrow road took us to two more beautiful sites & the closest one was Kevda Masjid.<\/p>\n

The main attraction here is not the mosque but the Roman style cenotaph which is in front of the mosque.<\/p>\n

There is no entry ticket for Kevda Masjid & the view of cenotaph is simply amazing, especially at sunset or sunrise.\u00a0As per me, Kevda Masjid is the best place to grab some ever lasting pictures for any photographer collection.<\/p>\n

Nagina Masjid<\/h2>\n
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\"Nagina

Nagina Masjid<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Nagina

Nagina Masjid Mosque Gate<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Nagina

Inside view of Nagina Masjid Mosque<\/p><\/div>\n

The last site which we visited in Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park was Nagina Masjid.<\/p>\n

Nagina Mosque is just 1\/2 km from Kenda Masjid and is in the more remote area of the park. At this mosque, I found this beautiful four wall cenotaph, which is not the part of the mosque but is just stunning.<\/p>\n

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\"Nagina

Nagina Masjid Cenotaph<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Nagina

Nagina Masjid Cenotaph Artwork<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Artwork

Artwork of Cenotaph at Nagina Masjid<\/p><\/div>\n

This cenotaph is 50-60 feet tall, and the artwork done on its wall is one of the best Islamic architecture one can find in India.<\/p>\n

And with this our tour of Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park was finished. It took us hours and I did grab\u00a0some amazing pictures & knowledge which I have shared here :)<\/p>\n

Plus at Chanpaner, there is a famous Hindu shrine of Goddess Kali. So at around 4:30 PM, we decided to visit the Kali temple as everyone back in Ahmedabad suggested us to visit this temple.<\/p>\n

The Shree Mahakali Temple at Pavagadh hill<\/h3>\n

The shrine of Vaishno Devi in J&K is very popular among people in Northern India, and likewise, for many locals living in Gujarat, the Shree Mahakali Temple on top of Pavagadh hill is as famous as Vaishno Devi.<\/p>\n

To reach the temple, one can either walk a 5-6 km mountain track or book a ride in a trolley ropeway which cost like Rs 100. We opted the second option.<\/p>\n

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\"Ropeway

Ropeway for Shree Mahakali Temple<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Ropeway

Ropeway for Shree Mahakali Temple<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"View

View from Ropeway<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Shree

Shree Mahakali Temple Pavagadh (Phone pic)<\/p><\/div>\n

There was a small line at the ropeway, and it took us 30-40 minutes to reach the peak.<\/p>\n

Even after reaching the hilltop, we had to walk 2-3 km and 100-200 steps and an hour to finally arrive at the temple. We weren’t clearly not prepared to walk this much :)<\/p>\n

But nevertheless, all tiredness was dissolved once we reached the main temple. I was not allowed to take pictures inside the temple complex where there is a statue of Goddess Kali’s face (nothing that I have ever seen in whole India)<\/p>\n

Back to Vadodara<\/h2>\n

I never planned to visit the Kali temple at Pavagarh hill, but end up giving 3 hours to get the Goddess blessings. By 8:00 PM we came back to the temple parking via ropeway and drove back to Vadodara city which is 40 km from Chamapaner.<\/p>\n

Anther thing which I still reminisce about this day was the dinner at a 3-star hotel which serves this delicious Gujarati Thali<\/strong> & at so damn cheap rates. Name of the restaurant is Mandap<\/strong> The Authentic Gujarati Thali Restaurant and here are some shots.<\/p>\n

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\"Gujarati

Gujarati Thali at Mandap restaurant<\/p><\/div>\n

If you are ever planning to visit Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park, I would suggest reaching here by 10:00 AM as there is so much to see in the park, and also hire a guide.<\/p>\n

The Kali temple is also very famous & if you can, spare three hours to visit this temple to experience the authentic culture of Gujarati people which isn’t visible in cities like Vadodara and Ahmedabad.<\/p>\n

After this, I spend a half day in Ahmedabad (around 8 hours), before catching a 8:00 PM flight back to New Delhi.<\/p>\n

Planning to visit\u00a0Champaner-Pavagadh<\/h2>\n

So, if you are ever planning to visit Champaner, do choose winter months and prefer to land at Vadodara, not Ahmedabad. As Ahmedabad is 150 km away and Vadodara is just 50 km.<\/p>\n

Though all other popular sites like Adalaj Vav, Modhera sun temple & Rani Ki Vav are close from Ahmedabad. So do some research on geography before booking at tickets or hotels.

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