GUJARAT, INDIA
Hi Friends! I hope that you all are doing well. I am here bringing you another travel related post today. If you haven’t read my previous travel post from St. Kitts, it is linked here.
This is a travel post about my visit to Champaner-Pavagadh Archaelogical Park located in Gujarat, India. I have visited Gujarat 4 times in the last 4 years yet I had no idea how close this place was to where we live.
Champaner, Gujarat
Champaner is a city in Gujarat located near Vadodara. It used to be the capital of Gujarat way back when. I won’t get into a detailed historical account of the place but if you are curious you can you can read here.
The city houses Champaner Archaelogical Park, which is a UNESCO heritage site. The ruins portray the transition this city went through from the Mughals to British to present day. The pictures of the sites DO NOT do justice to this place. They call it an archaeological PARK for a reason. The age old city is what is the “park”.
There are mosques, temples, cemeteries, wells and ruins of ancient buildings spread all over the area. The highlights of the park for me were Jami Masjid, Saher ki Masjid , Kabootarkhana & Saat Khaman Park.
Inside the Citadel Walls
Jami Masjid
Built in 1513 by Mahmu Begada, this mosque took about 25 years to build! The architecture is a mix of Hindu + Muslim heritage. There are about 200 pillars inside with a gorgeous central dome.
Inside Jami Masjid 
Jami Masjid
The carved entrances make you realize the amount of work that went into making this place as intricate as it is.
The entrance to Jami Masjid
You will see pigeons hanging out and the the beautiful garden area that you can explore.
Saher Ki Masjid
The private mosque of the sultans, this place is quite majestic.
Saher ki Masjid
Pillars occupy majority of the Masjid inside. The tiny little carvings on the window are absolutely stunning to look at. The way light passes through them, you have to see it to believe it.
Kabootarkhana
Kabootarkhana or Pigeon House, was used by the Gujarati Sultans as a place of relaxation during the summer time.
Kabootarkhana
The ruins are next to a pictureque lake with Pavagadh Hill in sight right behind it.
Saat Khaman Park
This park was built in the 14th century and is called Saat Khaman because it had 7 arches. Although only 6 remain, the place is high up on the hill that it provides a view of Champaner below.
Saat Khaman Park
Other sites from the Archaelogical Park to visit:
Mahakali Temple on Pavagadh Hill, Kevada Masjid and Jain Temple.
Heads up: you will need a car or use public transportation to get around. If you have been here before, please do tell me what your favorite monument was. If you haven’t, then I hope when you do go to Gujarat, you put this place on your list!
Until next time…
-Dhara