Located in the Panchmahal district in Gujarat India the Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park is one of the main historical and archaeological excavation sites of India. This is a rich legacy site which has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is studded with bastions and forts all throughout the region of the Pavagadh Hills extending right up to the historical city of Champaner.
The landscape is more than popular due to its historic archaeological and never to be surpassed cultural heritage. Here you can find historical monuments the chalcolithic site along with the 16th century Gujarat capital. The place is rich with historical and cultural significance and gives us a deep insight into the glorious past of the region and its people.
Champaner Pavagadh Park Built by
As mentioned in the opening of the discussion this champaner pavagadh archaeological park is situated in the historical city of Champaner which was founded by Vanraj Chavda. He was the most significant king of the Chavda dynasty who ruled during the 8th century. Vanraj Chavda named the place after his close friend and able general Champa. The area at a later date came to be known as Champa Raj. In The 13th century the area was conquered by the Kichi Chauhan Rajput who was the first to build their settlement on top of the Pavagadh Hill. Fortification walls were constructed along the lines of the plateau just below the hill.
The earliest constructions of the area which includes important vestiges temples water retention system belongs to this particular race of rulers. In the year 1484 the Turks conquered the hill fortress of Gujarat. Sultan Mehmood decided to make this place his capital which began the most important phase of the site. The Champaner region which lay at the foothills was once again restructured and was retained as the Gujarat capital till the year 1536. Around this time the settlement was abandoned. The construction and the archaeological remains of the site offer both Hindu and Islamic trends of architecture. It can be said that this champaner pavagadh archaeological park happens to be the most important Muslim yet Non-Mughal site in India.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park Timing
You can visit the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park any day in the week. It is open round the week for visitors and tourist and even on weekend. You can visit this Heritage site even on public and national holidays. The park is open from 8:30 a.m. in the morning to 5:00 p.m. in the evening. In order to explore the park in its complete detail and witness all the historical monuments and its heritage sites you must visit the place during broad daylight.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park Information
The Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is rich prehistoric heritage site which contains chalcolithic sites, a hill fortress and also and early Hindu capital. You can also get remains of the 16th century capital of Gujarat. Apart from these you can also find numerous other fortifications, vestiges, palaces, residential places, religious building, water installation systems and agricultural sites. All these historical domains belong to an era between the 8th and the 14th century. There is also a Kalika Mata temple on top of the Pavagadh Hill which is considered to be a popular pilgrimage trying for the Hindus.
Visitors can witness explicit palaces, beautiful entrances, Gate marks, temples, tombs, tank etc. Geographically speaking the Pavagadh Hill happens to be a volcanic formation that has a height of 800 metres as compared to the surrounding plane. The large property can be further divided into 12 separate areas.
How to Reach Champaran Pavagadh Gujarat
Situated in Gujarat the nearest big city from Champaner is Vadodara. To reach Champaner from other parts of India you need to come down to Vadodara first and then travel to historic place of champaran pavagadh. The Vadodara airport is the nearest airport from the site and is about 42 kilometers away. The domestic airport receives flights from different cities in India. Once in the airport you can easily available services of buses and taxi and can reach champaner it within an hour’s time. The Ahmadabad airport is the nearest international airport from champaner and is about 145 kilometers away. Although the city of champaner has its own railway station, the Vadodara railway junction is the main railway station and is about 53 kilometers away from the site. A network of private and public transport is easily available through which you can reach the historical city. Champaner has a very good connectivity with other cities of Gujarat through extensive roads and highways. Both AC and non AC public transport are available to commute the distance.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park Entrance Fee
The Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park has a minimal entrance fee. Indian tourists need to pay Rs. 30 as the entrance fee whereas the foreign tourists must pay Rs 500. Tourists from SAARC and BIMSTEC countries must also pay Rs. 30 as their entrance fee. Children below the age of 15 can visit the place for free. You can buy the tickets when you are at the exact location. You can also pre book the tickets online so that you can avoid standing in long queues.
Important Structures in Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
The archaeological findings and excavated artifacts that has been unearthed from the location includes Royal areas with fortification walls, the city Gate or the main entrance Gate, remains of a Mosque just outside the fortified walls, a royal walkway that lead into the main Palace etc. The urban planning revealed that the city was very well designed and laid with a lot of dedication. The residential areas held houses of both the elite and poor people. You can also find pavilions and Public Park in residential areas. The houses that belonged to the rich obviously had a much more grand scale construction. The Pavagadh Hill is concentrated with the religious constructions like the tombs, mosques and temples. The ancient city depicted constructions which were used for the process of rainwater harvesting. There are remains of ponds or tanks, found in the Pavagadh Hill.
The city of champaran pavagadh was laid with a large number of well. The river Vishwamitri was the only source of water available in the region. This stream was used to fill up the well and the tanks in Champaner and Pavagadh. These tanks served the utilitarian’s, pilgrims, spiritual, recreational and aesthetic needs. The Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is rich in monumental remains from the yesteryears. In a single archaeological site you can find a wide array of different constructions like temples, mosque, granaries, wells, tomb, terraces and walls. The Heritage Trust of Baroda has created a list of nearly 114 monuments in the area. Out of these only 39 monuments are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India due to inadequate fund.
Best time to visit Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Gujarat is a semi arid region. The place does not have an abundance of water bodies. Naturally the state and its cities experience a highly scorching summer. Champaner Pavagadh being situated in Gujarat also experiences soaring summers. The best time to visit the location is during the cool months of autumn winter and spring. The months from October to February are considered to be the best to visit this archaeological site. Exploring the site means remaining out doors for at least a couple of hours. The cooler months of winter happens to be more favorable for the visit. During this time the temperature is considered to be moderate, the skies are clear blue and ambiance is really cool crisp and comfortable. Remember to check out and explore the entire site you need at least four to five hours. Remaining outdoors for this long during other parts of the year will be more than uncomfortable. Hence if you are planning to visit this area do it in the winters.
History of Champaner Pavagadh
The large number and variation of monumental remains of the area clearly indicate the fact that Champaner Pavagadh area did have a rich historical background. The place was inhabited by different races and ethical groups from time to time. Each group who occupied and settled in the area made some contribution to its infrastructure and development. The remnants of these contributions, stands even today, giving us insight into the early societal structure of the place. It is one of the most historically rich places which can offer visitors and tourist a highly enigmatic experience. Always try to get the assistance of an authorized and certified guide who can give you in-depth details of the long forgotten past of the region and its people. This is how you will be able to understand the constructions, the remains, their positions, their uses and significance far better. This is one of the simplest ways to experience and enjoy the place to the fullest.
Attractions nearby Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
After visiting the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park try and complete the other tourist attractions popular in Gujarat. They will include the Somnath Temple, the Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach, Chorwad, Lothal, Sapuatara, Wild Ass sanctuary, Lakshmi Vilas Palace and the Sasan Gir Lion sanctuary. Plan your itinerary in such a way so that you can complete all the sightseeing locations which fall in one direction. This will save you time effort and money.
