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Champaner
Excursions > Around
Champaner [ Pawagad Fort |
Khapra Zaveri Palace | Muhammad Shah's
Citadel | Jami Masjid | Kalika
Temple | Lakulish Temple | Amir
Manzil ]
Pavagad
Fort
The lower fortification is the citadel - royal enclosure - of Muhammad
Begada. A perfect rectangle enclosed by massive walls with huge
bastions and entrance gate with carved balconies projecting from
top. On the north-west of the citadel - a huge lake - Vada Talav
and the ruins of Sultan's Palace are worth visiting.
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Khapra Zaveri Palace
The ruins of Khapra Zaveri Palace are located on the way from the
base to Machi. From its terrace, one can have a fabulous view of
the origin of Vishwamaitri River. Atak gate is one of the nine gates
that lead to the hilltop. It has two catapult stands for hurling
stones at the enemies. Other monuments from Machi to hilltop are-
Makai Kothar, a granary with the fort, Kalikat Temple and a shrine
of Muslim Saints Sadanshah.
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Muhammad Shah's Citadel
The main monument in champaner is the citadel of Muhammad Shah's
in Champaner, beside the high walls and customhouse
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Jami
Masjid
The Jami Masjid(1513 A.D.), with an exquisitely carved entrance,
a vast and imposing courtyard surrounded by cloistered galleries
speaks of the quality of the artisans who worked at Champaner. The
elevation in the front shows five pointed arches and slim minarets
flanking the central arch, perfectly proportioned.
It is an imposing structure on a high plinth with two tall minarets
of 30 meter height, 172 pillars and seven mihrabs, the central dome.
The placement of balconies and carved entrance gates with fine stone
jalis and rich decoration make the visit a delightful aesthetic
experience.
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Kalika
Temple (10th to 11th)
The most famous of the lot is the Kalika Temple is one of the most
sacred centre of Hindu pilgrimage for devotees of Goddess Kali.
Parts of this temple have been described in a drama written in the
15th century. The distance from the foot of the hill to Kalika Mata's
Temple on its highest peak of Pavagadh hill is about five kms.
Every year about one million people visit the temple. There is
a ropeway to reach the temple.
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Lakulish
Temple
Another important temple is a Lakulish Temple (10th century) at
Chhashia Talav. It has some beautiful sculptures depicting various
forms of Shiva Dakshinamurti, Ardhanarishvara and Kalayanasundaramurti.
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Amir Manzil
It is an excavated site showing a residential area, gardens, houses,
water channels, custom- house and three gates - Halol gate, Delhi
gate and Godhra gate.
The
major mosques in this area are - Shehar Ki Masjid, , Kewada Masjid
and Nagina Masjid.
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Information on Tours & Travel excursion of Champaner city of
Gujarat - India
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