Champaner - Pavagadh Archaelogical Park Review
The Chamapner – Pavagadh Archaeological Park is located in the Panchmahal district of Gujarat. It is actually a collection of huge unexcavated archaeological and historical structures which come together and make an impressive proof of the rich history of India.
These structures form the early fortresses and other pre-historic religious buildings, residential palaces, agricultural structures and irrigational plants. To be more precise, these structures speak altogether of the rich cultural history and heritage of the ancient India.
These ancient structures rest on a beautiful landscape right on the Pavagadh Hill. Champaner – Pavagadh Archaeological Park is proudly included in the list of The World Heritage Site. Its presence and the allover spread on the hill make an impressive statement of the medieval period.
One should definitely make a visit to the famous Kalikamata Temple which is located on the Pavagadh hill and is believed to be part of the ancient times. This temple is one of the most visited holy destinations in Gujarat. People from all over the country visit this place throughout the year.
Champaner – Pavagadh is not really far from Baroda, it takes not more than an hour to reach Champaner from Baroda. The nearest airport is Baroda itself and there are many buses that ply regularly from Gujarat. It is also possible to hire private cars to visit this place from Baroda.
The monuments are vastly scattered on the foothill and around the slopes. The slopes and the hill are overall covered with dense forests which add to the beauty. There are in all 90 – 100 structures or as you say monuments. One finds around 5 mosques within the area. It is been said that these structures are roughly built in the 15th century.
So one should definitely make a point to visit this place. This is definitely one of the rare sites to visit in India. The skills and the craftsmanship of the workers in that era are beyond imagination. As you pass through these structures, what one can do is just take himself back in that era to just visualize how they majestic these ruins must have been in that times. These ruins definitely boasts about the glorious past, and I am happy to know that they are been preserved well and are listed as the World Heritage sites.
The best time to visit this place is in winters when the climate is at its best. The entry fee for this site is very nominal, Rs.5/- per person over 15 years age. The must visit places within the park are the Kalikamata temple and the Jama Masjid.
I hope we Indians learn to keep places clean, especially such historical monuments which are to be preserved. The saddest part is the fact that you find the main entrance full of litter. There are many numbers of food stalls and flower stalls all around the area and there is no cleanliness around. Its sad to see that people dont care about keeping such places clean. That is not a good impression that we give about us to others.
|
|