Champaner - A tete a tete with the city

Location : Western India, Gujarat

Founded in : 8th century by Vanraj Chavda

Best time to visit : October to March

Local Transport : Rickshaws pulled by bikes called “Chakda” Big Auto rickshaws.
                                   
Places to see : Muhammad Shah’s Citadel

Souvenirs : Handcrafted furniture, textiles, Gujarat Handicrafts.

Champaran - The Tale of the city

Founded in the 8th century by King Vanraj Chavda of the Chavda Kingdom. It is believed that the name Champaner was put after the friend and minister Champa. Some others believe that the name came from the igneous rocks whose light yellow color with reddish tinge looked like the champaka or the flame of the forest. Around 1300 AD saw Champaner being ruled by the Chauhan and Khichi Rajputs and they ruled for the next 2 centuries. In 1484, Mahmud Begda captured the fort after a siege of 20 months. He rebuilt Champaner. Mahumud spent 23 years rebuilding the town. Champaner was renamed as Muhammadabad and the capital was moved to Ahmedabad. In 1535, Humayun attacked the town and captured it. Thus Champaner, the earlier capital of the Chauhan Rajputs, had a fort on the Pavagadh peak where the ruins of the Patai Rawal palace, Naulakha Kotha Mansion and the Laukalish temple are seen. For the next four hundred years, the Marathas occupied Champaner. In the beginning of the 19th century the British took over this area.

Champaner - Down the Ages

Many unexcavated archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage sites form a part of the city. There were fortified walls, religious buildings, royal living halls, pools, water conservation structures. It is a medieval ancient town and is today the site of the Champaner- Pavagadh Archaeological Park. This has been declared as a World Heritage Site in 2004. Herman Goetz was a German archaeologist who conducted a 7-year study, which led to more growth of the city.

A Rendezvous

Champaner, the Heritage site situated at the Pavagadh foothills is today a prominent trade centre dealing with woven and dyed textile. This ancient fortified city was declared a World Heritage site after 20 years of struggle by an NGO “The Heritage Trust”. This town has the best architectural town planning, has been a witness to cultural tradition, and outstanding human settlement. The World Heritage status has made Champaner a great tourist spot.

Champaner - Travel kitty

People coming to Champaner would be struck by the sheer historical effect it has. Champaner is a place where there is an old palace, fort and several mosques. The sheer ambience and the stupendous monuments would enthrall a tourist coming here. The extravagant architectural elegance takes the tourist to the theories of enjoying the historical past. This could be the ideal travel kitty for anyone visiting Champaner. Besides, of course, the traveler could get the local handicrafts, textiles and the handicrafts from the state of Gujarat. It provides a much-needed boost to the tourist.

Champaner - Joie de vivre in the city

Champaner is a place, which was not a pilgrimage site, which was not frequented. It was the capital of Gujarat, was then abandoned, and was then overtaken by the jungle. The city has amazing Hindu and Jain temples built thousand years ago. There are mosques from the Mughal times, and the careful planning of the city is seen in the granaries, fortifications, step wells, and cemeteries. The joie de vivre of the city lies in this perfect blend of Hindu Muslim architecture and the noiseless ambience. The city is also witness to many migratory birds due to the serene atmosphere. The places one can find here are:

Mosques and Citadels :

Muhammad Shah’s Citadel : This is the main monument of Champaner. It is the citadel of Muhammad Shah.

Jami Masjid : This is one of the finest mosques in Gujarat. This has been considered for a hill resort because of its enthralling ambience The famous poet Baiju was born here. It has an exquisitively carved entrance, an imposing courtyard that has galleries around it. There are 5 pointed arches and thin minarets that border the central arch. Sultana Begada built this mosque. It is 30 m high and has 172 pillars, 7 mihrabs and beautifully carved gates with “jails” or fine latticed windows. This is one of the finest examples of Sultanate architecture. The source of the Vishwamitri River is seen from here. There is a huge air tank for collecting rainwater. This is the Hauz-i-Vazu.

The Shahi Masjid : It has 4 rows of ornate pillars, some domes and delicately carved mihrabs. There is the Nagina masjid with a beautiful arcade. Kevda masjid is also a remarkable sight.

Hissar-i-Khas : This is the royal palace and is arranged with Jama Masjid in a circle. There are mosques built near many gates. There are large reservoirs, which store monsoon rains.

Citadel Royal : This is the enclosure of Muhammad Begada. It is a rectangular space and is surrounded by huge walls with a lake or Vada Talav at the entrance. This is a good relaxing spot. This has the ruins of Sultan’s palace and the Air Manzil showing houses, gardens, water channels and gates.

Temple :

Kalikat temple : This temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali. The Lakulish temple with beautiful sculptures is a main place, which attracts tourists all over.

Sanctuary :

Jambu Ghoda : This wildlife sanctuary is around 25 km away from Champaner.

Thus, the city of Champaner, the Jambu Ghoda city with all its historical tales and enthralling ambience is a city to reckon with in the tour of the State of Gujarat.

As we leave the city, we think, “Beauty does not necessarily lie in the eye of the beholder, Champaran is beauty incarnate.”