Citadel of Mahmud Beghada Champaner

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Champaner Citadel of Mahmud Beghada is a rectangular shaped stunning structure. It is very expansive and measures around three-quarters of a mile in length and 280 yards in breadth. This is indeed the quintessential example of the forts and monuments in Gujarat.

Among the other vestiges of Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park include some fortifications, magnificent palaces, religious and residential buildings, agricultural structures and water installations that date back to the 8th-14th centuries. One of the most important attractions of Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is the Kalikamata Temple. Perched on the Pavagadh Hill, the temple draws thousands of devotees all round the year. This heritage site was restored by the hard work and supervision of an architect named Karan Grover.

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Jami Masjid:
The Jami Masjid is intact and is a large, richly ornamented mosque modelled on the Friday Mosque at Ahmedabad. This mosque is one of the finest examples of the Sultanate architecture of Gujarat. It is an imposing structure on a high plinth with two tall minarets of 30 meter height, 172 pillars and seven mihrabs. There are interesting Gujarati features such as oriel windows. This mosque belongs to 1513 and took 125 years to build and has a wonderful carved entrance and imposing courtyard. Inside, the ruler's prayer hall is divided from the main space by jalis. Behind the building is an octagonal kund (lake), Hauz-i-Vazu, used for washing before prayer.

Champaner Fort:
The lower fortification is the citadel or the Champaner fort. The Champaner Fort was the royal enclosure of Muhammad Begara. It is a perfect rectangle enclosed by the massive walls with huge bastions and entrance gates with carved balconies projecting from top. On the north-west of the citadel is the huge lake - Vada Talav and ruins of Sultan's Palace.

Machi:
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 Vishwamitri river. Atak gate is one of the nine gates that leads 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, Kalika Temple and a shrine of Muslim Saint Sadanshah are located.

Kalika Temple:
The Kalika Mata Temple is situated on the highest peak of the Pavagadh hill. This is one of the most sacred centre of the Hindu pilgrimage for devotees of the Goddess Kali. every year about one million people visit the temple. There is a rope way to reach the temple.

Lakulish Temple:
The another important temple is the Lakulish Temple at Chhashia Talav. It has some beautiful sculptures depicting various forms of Shiva - Dakshinamurti, Ardhanarishvara and Kalyanasundaramurti.

Jambughoda:
Jambughoda is situated about 25 kms. from Champaner. This ex-princely state of Jambughoda, turned sanctuary in 1992 covers an area of 130 square kms. lush countryside.

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Another significant thing to be revealed during the excavation was that there used to exist a large city on the banks of the Varoli River that was inhabited during the period spanning from 8th to 13th century AD. The presence of a considerable amount of the West Asian and Chinese ceramics testify the fact that the city was directly involved in trade relations with these countries. A more concrete and substantial proof of the Parsi settlement in this part of Gujarat is the dokhma or the Tower of Silence which is a uniquely designed Zoroastrian morgue.

Old Fort:
The city of Surat is located on the bank of river Tapi in the West Indian state of Gujarat. Surat was a grand port city during the Mughal period. Since the ancient times, the early port of Surat has been well-known for its elite quality fine silks and beautiful brocades and its trade in various spices. Surat has been one of the most progressive of India's cities in the 17th and 18th centuries. Presently, Surat is a chief industrial city with many textile mills. Besides, Surat is also an imperative diamond-cutting centre in India. Surat features many attractive tourist destinations. Monuments in Surat are a popular destination with tourists visiting the famous Old Fort which stands tall in the city.

Udvada:
Udvada, near Surat is celebrated for being a very sacred place among the Parsis and is a small sleepy village which is located in the southern coast of Gujarat. It is as important to the Parsis as is Haridwar for the Hindus, Mecca for the Muslims and Vatican City for the Christians. A large number of Parsis flock here every year, both from within the country and from abroad. It was here that the victorious fire or Atash Behram was brought from Persia by the Parsis in the 18th century. This fire is placed in a temple which is strictly meant for the Parsis. As a result, the non-Parsis are not allowed to enter here. This place can be visited from outside. Peace and bliss pervades here that simply enthralls the visitors who come from far and wide.

Sardar Patel Museum:
The Sardar Patel Museum in Surat is a multipurpose museum which is located in Sonifalia. It plays host to several pieces of antiques such as that made of wood, metal, ivory, stone, sandalwood, porcelain and terracotta. Several old oil paintings, miniatures, textiles, manuscripts and many such other items are also displayed in the exhibition organized by this museum. This is the only museum in Surat that has gained a lot importance owing to its rich collection of ancient historical items that are important part of the national heritage too. One will come across 10, 000 specimen of the various arts and crafts at this place. There is also an open air theater which can accommodate about 4000 people at a time.

Dutch Garden:
The Dutch garden in Surat is essentially cemeteries of the officers who landed and settled in Gujarat on their business ventures. Dutch garden is one of the most significant gardens in Surat. Gardens in Surat have been expanding from time to time, under succeeding gardeners to its present state. The striking features of the English and Dutch cemeteries are their huge and imposing tombs. They tell the story of power and glory. Tombs of Christopher Oxenden and George Oxenden, two English traders who took charge of the English Factory in Surat, are the biggest ones in the English cemetery. The tomb of Baron Adrian Van Reede, who was director of the Dutch Company in India, stands out arrestingly in the Dutch cemetery

Laxmi Vilas Palace:
Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara is one of the famous monuments in Vadodara that is high on tourist value. People visiting Vadodara make it a point to visit Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara. A wonderful exemplification of the Indo-Sarcenic architectural style, the palace is a majestic structure that warrants a special visit if you wish to marvel at the detailed and exquisite work from the close quarters. Indianholiday.com is your indispensable e-travelogue that provides you with all you needed to know on Vadodara’s Laxmi Vilas Palace.

Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum:
Also known as Baroda, Vadodara is the highly populated town in Gujarat. This beautiful town comes after Ahmedabad and Surat as per population density is concerned. It has a population of more than 1 million. It is situated on the Vishwamitri River to the southeast of Ahmedabad. It is famously touted as the Cultural Capital of Gujarat. It is a home to the gorgeous Maharaja Palace and the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. Today tourists in huge number flock to this city to relish the beauty and charm of the impressive tourist attractions in Vadodara. There are different kinds of the tourist attractions in the city of which museums in Vadodara are the hot favorite destinations. You must give visit to Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum in Vadodara.

Vadodara Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum is a right place for the art lovers. Situated in the stunning city of Vadodra, the Museum displays amazing royal collection of 19th and 20th centuries which essentially comprises of European paintings of old masters like Raphael, Titian and Murillo plus modern Western and Indian miniature paintings, Greco-Roman exhibits and Chinese and Japanese art. It also shows an interesting collection of modern Indian art. It has a rich collection of Indian and Greco-Roman artifacts.

Museum and Art Gallery :
Vadodara which is also called Baroda is renowned as the garden city of Gujarat. This beautiful city has derived its name from the abundance of banyan trees. In yester years, it had once served as the capital of the royal Gaekwad Family. Today, this stunning city takes pride in its attractive palaces, parks, temples, and museums which are counted among the most sought after tourist attractions in Vadodara. However of all the different types of attractions the ones that play significant role in drawing tourist attention to the fullest extent are museums in Vadodara. The best of all the museums is Baroda Museum and Art Gallery in Vadodara.

Vadodara Baroda Museum and Art Gallery exhibits a rich collection of artifacts. This collection comprises of Indian sculptures, ancient manuscripts and Egyptian antiquities. In the art gallery of this museum Mughal miniatures and works of great European masters are put on display.

Sayaji Bagh:
Baroda Sayaji Bagh is situated on river Vishwamitri and was built by Sayajirao III in 1879. Inside the Sayaji Bagh, Vadodara is the Baroda Museum and Art Gallery. It was set up by the Gaekwads in the 1890’s and situated within the Sayaji Bagh. The displayed works are on innumerable number of subjects; geology, natural history, and archeology. The Art Gallery would give you a glimpse of the Mughal miniatures and manuscripts on palm leaves by the Buddhist and Jain preachers. Sayaji Bagh in Vadodara also has a planetarium named after the Indian freedom fighter Sardar Patel.

EME Temple:
This fascinating temple attracts a large number of tourists from the different parts of India by its splendid architecture and concept. This excellent geodesic structure is enveloped with the aluminum sheets. It is one of its kind in the whole of India and is unique in its appeal.The temple houses an idol of Lord Dakshinamurth also known as “Jagadguru.” The idol faces the south and is believed to impart his teachings to the world, facing that direction. A large number of tourists and devotees flock into this temple to pay the offering and also to catch a glimpse of this lovely piece of architecture. The first time visitors of this temple are sure to get awe-struck by the beauty and appeal of this temple.

Narmada river:
The Narmada River flowing through marble rocks near Jabalpur in central India. The British Raj called it the Nerbudda or Narbada is a river in central India and the fifth largest river in the Indian subcontinent. Narmada is a Sanskrit word meaning 'the Giver of Pleasure'[3]. It forms the traditional boundary between North India and South India and flows westwards over a length of 1,312 km (815.2 mi) before draining through the Gulf of Cambey (Khambat) into the Arabian Sea,30 km (18.6 mi)west of Bharuch city of Gujarat.[4] It is one of only three major rivers in pensinsular India that runs from east to west (largest west flowing river) along with the Tapti River and the Mahi River. It is the only river in India that flows in a rift valley flowing west between the Satpura and Vindhya ranges. It flows through the states of Madhya Pradesh (1,077 km (669.2 mi)), Maharashtra, (74 km (46.0 mi))–(35 km (21.7 mi)), border between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and (39 km (24.2 mi) border between Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat and in Gujarat (161 km (100.0 mi)).

Pavagadh:
Pavagadh is a famous place of pilgrimage situated in the Halol Taluka, 49 kms. from Vadodara.According to popular legend, in a bygone age, there existed a valley where the Pavagadh Hill now stands.On the elevated ground overlooking the valley, lived the famous Rishi Vishvamitra. He owned a cow, Kamdhenu, gifted with speech and an inexhaustible source of milk.Grazing on the brink of the hollow, Kamdhenu one day slipped and being unable to climb the steep sides, she filled the valley with her milk and swam home. Learning what had happened, Rishi Vishvamitra, to prevent another mishap, prayed that the valley be filled up.
His prayers were granted, the gods sending so large a hill that three quarters of it filled up the hollow and the rest standing out of the plains was called Pavagadh, the quarter-hill.In old inscriptions, the name of the hill also appears as 'Pavagadh' or 'Fire-Hill'. It covers about 42 kms. in circumference.

Tuwa:
Tuwa is known for its natural hot water springs, containing sulphur. Near the springs there is an ancient Shiva temple, built in the Orissi style.

Dabhoi Fort:
It is famous for a beautifully carved gate called 'Hirabhago'. There is a Malika Temple in the fort with a profusion of fine carvings. The town is considered to be the birthplace of the Gujarat style of architecture.

Anand:
Here one can see Asia's largest milk co-operative, the Amul Dairy. This milk co-operative produces around 10 lakh tonnes of milk everyday and 70% of the milk produced are sent to various cities. Milk products are produced in the most modern complex. It is the finest example of co-operative ventures in the country, which has put India on the world map as a major producer of milk & milk products, in addition to transforming the life of farmers in the region.

Halol:
Halol was a suburb of Champaner, containing beautiful gardens during the Muslim regime. There is a dargah here, of Sikander Shah, a general of Mohammed Begara. Sikander Shah was murdered in the palace of Champaner by the Umrao Imad-Ub-Mulk in 1526 and his body was buried at Halol. Over his tomb, there is a huge beautiful stone structure which is partly broken today.

Malsar:
Situated on the banks of the Narmada river. The sacred shrines of Mangaleshwar Mahadeo, and Angareshwar Mahadeo and a Satyanarayana temple are situated in the village. It is said that the Pandavas had stayed for some time in the nearby forest, where there are temples of Pandeshwar and Bhimeshwar Mahadeo.

Sankheda:
Sankheda, named after the demon Sankhsen is a town with an old fort. Historical facts reveal that the fort at Sankheda was built by Sultan Ahmedshah-I in A.D.1419. It is also a religious centre famous for its Jwalamukhi Mata Temple and Dharmananda Mahadev Temple. There are two mosques in the town.
Today Sankheda enjoys world wide reputation for its attractive lacquer furniture, which comes in bright shades of red, maroon and ochre and makes very good bedsteads, coffee tables, low chairs, swings, divans and a wide range of furniture, which look delicate but have an astonishingly long life.

Chandod:
A place of great sanctity, due to the confluence of the Narmada, Osrang and the mythological Saraswati. The Kapileshwar Mahadev Temple here is believed to be of great antiquity.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Harish Petrol Pump:Ajwa Main Road,Vadodara,Gujrat,India,Ph:0265 2519911

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Surya Hotel:Sayajigunj,Baroda, Gujarat,India,MO:09327227818

Comfort Residency:Alkapuri,Vadodara,Gujarat,India,Ph:0265 3088888

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