Champaner At A Glance: Attractions - Culture, Heritage, History, Monuments State - Gujarat Region - West India Nearest Railway Station - Champaner (CPN) - 2 KM Nearest Airport - Vadodara (BDQ) - 42 KM Champaner may be an unknown entity to you, but don't be surprised if you feel a sense of 'Déjà Vu' upon arriving at the place. That's because you have probably seen the place in the Aamir Khan starer super hit movie 'Lagaan' - which was filmed on the backdrop of this historic town. Located in Gujarat's Panchmahal district, Champaner is a historical town in the Western part of India. The Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is cradled in an impressive landscape consisting of prehistoric (chalcolithic) sites, medieval fortifications, citadels, palaces and ancient temples. Studded with heritage monuments constructed during the 8th century to the 15th century, rest assured, Champaner's glorious heritage will not disappoint you. How to Reach Champaner? Champaner can best be accessed via Vadodara, located at a distance of around 45 KM. Vadodara is well-connected with the rest of the country by road, train and flight services. Champaner does have a railway station of its own along the Vadodara-Godhara line. It's a small station serviced by only a few trains. Vadodara railway station is a bigger railhead that has good train connectivity with all major cities in India. Buses run by the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) are available from Vadodara to reach Champaner. The bus journey takes around 2 hours and the fare is INR 65. You can also hire a private taxi from Vadodara for around INR 700 (one way). Places to Visit in Champaner Pavagadh: Tourist activities in Champaner revolves around the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, which was the erstwhile capital of Muhammad Begada. It took almost 23 years to built this fortified city which is rich with monuments from the pre-Mughal era. Lots of ancient edifices were built here during the rulings of Muhammad Begada which includes royal palaces, mosques, town square, gardens and water bodies. Some of the ancient monuments are now in ruins, while a few others remain less affected. A rich confluence of Islamic and Hindu architecture is evident at this archaeological site. Let's take a look at the major tourist attractions in the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park. Pavagadh Fort: Pavagadh Fort is situated atop the Pavagadh hills and is an integral part of Champaner-Pavagadh tourism. It was originally constructed by the Solanki kings of Gujarat in the 12th Century. The fort was later reconstructed during the rulings of Muhammad Begada in the 15th century. The fort runs along a length of 1.6 KM and is about 260 meters in width. Apart from the fort, there are the remains of several Hindu and Jain temples at this site. Most notable of them is the Lakulish Temple which is known for its beautiful sculptures depicting different forms of Lord Shiva. Kalika Mata Temple: Kalika Mata Temple is an ancient Hindu temple perched at the summit of the Pavagadh Hills. The history of this temple dates back to the 10th century - much before the formation of Champaner. It is regarded as a sacred center of pilgrimage by the followers of Hinduism. Jami Masjid: Champaner is known for the famous Jami Masjid built by Sultan Begada, the history of which dates back to 1513. The two-storied mosque is a delicately crafted structure that exhibits the Indo-Saracenic architectural style. It has an arched entrance guarded by two towering octagonal minarets. Khapra Zaveri Palace: The ruins of the royal palace is situated at Machi, on the foothills of the Pavagadh Fort. This rectangular-shaped palace was the seat of Muhammad Begada. Sikander Shah's Tomb: Sikander Shah's Tomb is a splendid structure in terms of aesthetics and craftsmanship. He was the ruler of Champaner. Sikander Shah died in a battle against Imad-ul-Mulk in 1526 and he was buried here along with his two brothers. Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary: Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at a distance of 20 KM from Champaner. The forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife species including leopards, sloth bears, wild boar, nilgai, jackal, hyena, barking deer and chausingha. It is a popular trekking and camping site in this region. Guided trekking-cum-camping tours are arranged by the forest department. Points to Note Down: 1. If you are visiting Pavagadh, then hire a taxi with Champaner registration number for your trip. Only local vehicles are allowed to climb up the Pavagadh Hills. 2. There is no option for food and refreshments inside the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park. So ensure that you are carrying enough food items to keep hunger at bay. 3. You need not have to look for accommodation in Champaner. It can easily be covered as a day trip from Vadodara or Ahmedabad if you start early.
