Champaner

Champaner is an old fort at the foothills of Pawagadh in Gujarat. The town got its name from Champa tree or from Champaraj who established the town.

Muhammad Begada made his mind to establish the new capital of Gujarat at Champaner in 1484 AD. He changed the name of the town to Muhammadabad. He commissioned:

bazaars
headquarters
royal gardens
water structures
mosques

Champaner in Gujarat is a major trading center manufacturing fine silk, woven and dyed textile as well as sword.

The entire landscape of Champaner for miles is spotted with remnants of fort walls, ruined tombs, gardens, arches, pillars and wells. At Champaner, you will see three fortifications: the base (Champaner), the top (Pavagadh) and the part connecting both of them (Machi). The basal fortification is the Citadel Royal enclosure of Muhammad Begada.

Other interesting places of Champaner at Gujarat are :

Air Manzil, an excavated site illustrating a residential area, gardens, houses, water channels and custom house.
3 Gates : Halol gate, Delhi gate and Godhra gate.
Major mosques : Shehar ki Masjid, Jami Masjid, Kewada Masjid and Nagina Masjid.
Ruins of Khapra Zaveri Palace
Vishwamitri river
Atak gate
Makai Kothar
Kalika Temple
Shrine of Muslim Saint Sadanshah
Lakulish Temple

Kalika Mata Temple of Champaner is located on the highest peak of Pawagadh hill. It is one of the most holy center of Hindu pilgrimage.

Each year millions of people visit the Lakulish Temple at Chhashia Talav. There are some wonderful sculptures depicting various forms of Shiva-Dakshinamurti, Ardhanarishvara and Kalyanasundaramurti.

Excursions in Champaner should include:

Chhota Udepur (Royal Palaces)
Jambu Ghoda (wild life sanctuary)
Vadodara (Laxmi Vilas Palace, museum, Sayajibag, public buildings)
Dabhoi (ancient fort, gateways)
Balasinor (Dinosaur fossils)