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10 comments on Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park – In Pictures

Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park – In Pictures

On a heritage project for an assignment in and around Vadodara in Gujarat; the UNESCO World Heritage site of Champaner Pavagadh was high priority for me. And it did not disappoint; I spent an entire day savouring the Islamic architecture of the 15th Century town of Champaner and even older temples of Pavagadh. While the Travel Guide to Champaner – Pavagadh Archaeological Park is taking longer than expected – here is a photo story to be considered as a trailer!

Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park – In Pictures

Champaner Pavagadh
Colourful roof of Sakar Khan’s Tomb just outside the main city gates before entering Champaner. The different patterns creates a unique feel in this 15th Century tomb.
Champaner Pavagadh
The visually stunning Shaher (Shehar) ki Masjid; our first stop in Champaner and also where the ASI ticket window is located.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Exquisite stone carvings on the towers of Shaher ki Masjid in Champaner.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Mihrab : The place inside a mosque where prayers are performed. Stunning details in the artistry. I couldn’t quite believe something like this was done 500 years ago!!
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
A panoramic view of where the royalty prayed; Shaher ki Masjd with Pavagadh Hill in the background.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
The crowd puller for Champaner is Jami Masjid : We saw these youngsters walking and I quickly snapped a postcard perfect frame!
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Perfectly manicured lawns are the order of the day these days at the monuments in Champaner : The UNESCO tag has worked like a boon.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
I had this cool idea of clicking some creative looking photographs, like instagram. Thanks to Jinit, this was made possible.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Outstanding delicate carvings at Jami Masjid; ASI seems to have done a reasonable job with the maintenance and upkeep of the monuments in Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
The incredibly green environs of Kevda Masjid; the structure in front is a cenotaph. I was very happy with the pleasant greenery surrounding Kevda Masjid.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Most structures in Champaner are without a roof : The ravages of time may have most certainly caused the roof to cave in. All in all, the beauty of the monuments is enhanced without a roof and also the light is better to appreciate the beauty of the structures.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
A symmetrical frame with the cenotaph outside Kevda Masjid seen from the masjid.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
When we had lost our way amid the ruins of Champaner; a gorgeous rural frame awaited us!
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
The most exquisite monument in Champaner : this cenotaph outside Nagina Masjid has incredibly detailed stone carvings with intricate designs.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
The Kamani Mosque – filled with arches and is named so lies in a deserted corner of Champaner.

It was nice that we had a two wheeler to explore the town because the attractions all lie quite far from each other and may not be easily accessible by walk.

Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
A detailed look at the pillars and arches of Kamani Masjid.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Kids playing outside the Lila Gumbaj ki Masjid in Champaner.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
A defining feature of all the masjids in Champaner is these stairs that can lead one to the top! They are constructed in a spiral design and cling to a large pillar in the centre.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Kabootar Khana was located in one far corner of Champaner and had a massive lake – Bada Talao for company! The opposite structure was in a massive area called Khajuri Masjid.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
The marvellous Ek Minar ki Masjid in Champaner. It is located outside the main entrance to Champaner and has a spectacular background. A series of spiral steps can lead one to the top of the Ek Minar ki Masjid but the door is locked.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Panch Mahuda ki Masjid : Among the many mosques of Champaner; this one was the farthest and the only one without a guard. There were no signboards leading to the place as well. I’m surprised because it is as beautiful as the other mosques in Champaner and is also protected by ASI.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
On to Pavagadh now and the dazzling seven arches on the way to Pavagadh Hill : Also called Saat Kaman.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Can you believe this is in Gujarat? Pavagadh hill boasts of grand views of the landscape around it.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
The oldest temple in Champaner – Pavagadh : Lakulish Temple was half-submerged in a water body due to the monsoons – nevertheless it has fine carvings on it.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Pilgrims performing their cleaning acts before entering the temples in Pavagadh. There are numerous water bodies of talaos on Pavagadh Hill.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Clicked at one of the numerous Jain temples in Pavagadh. Pavagadh is a bustling pilgrimage site with shops and also a few houses where tourists can stay for the night.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Spotted this statue on an outside wall on the way to Kalika Mata Temple in Pavagadh. Looks quite old to me.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Beautiful door frame of a temple : The horse on the left looks like a mythical creature!
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Another one of the stunning Jain Temples located on Pavagadh Hill.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Golden evening light makes the carvings look even more intricate and detailed.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
And then, armed with local knowledge we set out towards Navlakha Kothar on Pavagadh for a deadly sunset.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Epic reflections of Navlakha Kothar in the small water body.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park
Speechless with the pretty sunset colours : Navlakha Kothar was used as a granary for storing foodgrains.

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shubhammansingka

Shrugged off asthma to travel. On a mission to see ‘the goodness of strangers’. Normally found solo hitchhiking in the Indian Himalaya. Interested in photography, food, culture & people. Also an Economics & Finance major. I have just quit my family business and wish to slow travel across India and then the rest of the world.

10 responses to “Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park – In Pictures”

  1. arv! Avatar
    arv!

    Great pictures of an offbeat tourist place.

    Reply
    1. shubhammansingka Avatar
      shubhammansingka

      Thanks so much Arvind bhai 🙂

      Reply
  2. xhobdo Avatar
    xhobdo

    Stunning , Loved the post.

    Reply
    1. shubhammansingka Avatar
      shubhammansingka

      Thanks so much Rupam ji 🙂

      Reply
  3. Budding writers!! Avatar
    Budding writers!!

    amazing shots. There is so much life in most of the pictures posted.

    Reply
    1. shubhammansingka Avatar
      shubhammansingka

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  4. Abhishek Sahu Avatar
    Abhishek Sahu

    Such a beautiful and informative post. Thankyou!

    Reply
    1. shubhammansingka Avatar
      shubhammansingka

      Thanks Abhishek. Hope to see you around 🙂

      Reply
  5. Mahima Git Avatar
    Mahima Git

    It seems its a great place to visit. i like it.

    Reply
    1. shubhammansingka Avatar
      shubhammansingka

      Thanks Mahima. Happy travels 🙂

      Reply

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