Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is an excavated site in the Panchmahal region containing ruins of fortresses, palaces, temples, and mosques from different periods. The grounds spread across hilly terrain with structures at ground level and on Pavagadh Hill, where the Kalika Mata Temple stands.

The city was founded in the 15th century by Sultan Mahmud Begada as the capital of Gujarat, but fell to Emperor Humayun in 1535. After this conquest, the place lost its importance and was gradually abandoned.

The site displays Hindu temples and Islamic mosques standing alongside each other, reflecting how different religious communities coexisted and shared this space. You can walk through these structures today and observe how both faiths left their mark on the same landscape.

The site is reachable by road and you can explore the grounds on foot, making comfortable shoes a good idea. The best time to visit is during the cool season, as summer months are very hot.

The site contains ancient step-wells and water storage systems that show how residents collected and distributed water in this hilly area. These water structures are still visible today and demonstrate sophisticated engineering from earlier times.

Location: Halol Taluka

Founders: Chavda dynasty

GPS coordinates: 22.48328,73.53307

Latest update: December 14, 2025 20:34