Brief about Champaner – Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Champaner, Gujarat
Champaner – Pavagadh Archaeological Park is situated between Pavagadh hills to Champaner, the ancient capital of Gujarat in Panchmahal district in Gujarat. This heritage site is spread across the 3280 acres of land with buffer of 6950 acres. Champaner was founded by the most prominent ruler of Chavda dynasty, Vanraj Chavda in 8th century.
Name of Champaner was derived King Vanraj friend and minister Champa. Champaner was key strategic location for trade and to connect north and south India. Tourist can found many ancient palaces, forts, mosques, step well, Hindu and Jain Temples etc around this area with great architecture and well preserved. This is the evidenace of most well planned capital city of Gujarat during 8 to 15th century.
Champaner – Pavagadh Archaeological Park declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004
Champaner and surrounding area is covered with forts starting from the hills of Pavagadh to the Champaner. The site embraces archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage and capital of Gujarat till 16th century.
There are lots of palaces, entrance gates, Hindu and Jain temples, mosques, ancient residential complexes, agricultural structures with water installations such as stepwells dating from the 8th to the 14th centuries. The shift over between Hindu and Muslim rulers along with culture and architecture is also documented in the park. Due to this all, it was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2004.
