Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park – In Pictures

10 Comments / Heritage, Monsoon, Photo Story, Timeless Villages, Travel Guide, West India / By shubhammansingka

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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10 thoughts on “Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park – In Pictures”

arv!
October 15, 2018 at 6:55 pm

Great pictures of an offbeat tourist place.

Reply
1. shubhammansingka
  October 18, 2018 at 3:24 pm
  
  Thanks so much Arvind bhai 🙂
  
  Reply
xhobdo
October 16, 2018 at 6:33 am

Stunning , Loved the post.

Reply
1. shubhammansingka
  October 18, 2018 at 3:22 pm
  
  Thanks so much Rupam ji 🙂
  
  Reply
Budding writers!!
October 18, 2018 at 10:08 am

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

Reply
1. shubhammansingka
  October 18, 2018 at 3:21 pm
  
  Thank you so much!
  
  Reply
Abhishek Sahu
October 21, 2018 at 1:00 am

Such a beautiful and informative post. Thankyou!

Reply
1. shubhammansingka
  November 15, 2018 at 5:34 pm
  
  Thanks Abhishek. Hope to see you around 🙂
  
  Reply
Mahima Git
January 23, 2019 at 5:01 pm

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

Reply
1. shubhammansingka
  May 13, 2020 at 6:51 pm
  
  Thanks Mahima. Happy travels 🙂
  
  Reply

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