About Pavagadh

Pavagadh is a hill station situated near the town of Champaner. Located approximately 45 km from Vadodara, it is one of the most famous religious spots in the state of Gujarat. Long before the city was developed as a tourist spot, the people of India had thronged the streets of this city to pay respects at the temple of Goddess Kali, who is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. The temple is called a Shakti Peeth.

There is myth related to the temple here. According to the myth, this is the spot where the toe of Goddess Sati had fallen as her grief stricken husband Lord Shiva carried her body on his shoulders. In the honour of the Goddess, people come here every year to pay their respects and get her blessings.

There is also a World heritage Site in this city that was inscribed by UNESCO. The site, called as Champaner-Pavagadh Archeological Park, is also promoted by the Government of Gujarat as a tourist site. It marks the confluence of 1200 years of history of this region. This area bears marks of the rule of many great monarchs such as the Rajputs, Marathas, Islamic influences and finally the British occupation. This city is also the birthplace of the famous musician Baiju Bawra.

Vadodara is also the gateway to Panchmahal. The total height of the Pavagadh Hill is around 822 meters. During the monsoons you can find many streams and little waterfalls on the slopes of the hill that add beauty to this place. On the hill’s eastern side is an Ashram run by Mr Hari Parekh known as the Rangpur Ashram. It works towards the upliftment of local tribes.

Climate

Pavagadh enjoys cool weather for most of the year. It is less humid than the coastal cities and its dense forest cover offers much relief from the heat. It is especially beautiful during monsoons when the entire hill is covered by thick and lush green foliage. One can see many streams and waterfalls dotting the slope.

The summers here are warm and sunny, with temperatures soaring during the day and falling steeply during the night. During winters this area gets cold and it would be wise to carry woolen clothes if you are planning to visit Pavagadh from October to February.

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport is Vadodara

By Rail: The nearest railhead is Vadodara, which is about 46 km away. So you will need to take a bus or a cab from there.

By Road: This beautiful hill station is well connected to all major cities of Gujarat. Cabs can be hired in Vadodara to drive to Champaner and then on to Pavagadh.

Attractions

Kalika Mata Mandir

This is the most famous place in Pavagadh and the main reason why thousands of people come here every year. It is one of the 51 shakti peeths in the country and so, it is a revered and famous pilgrimage spot. It is situated at a distance of 50 km from Vadodara on the cliff of the Pavagadh Hills. The temple belongs to Goddess Dakshina Kali. Reaching the mandir is challenging as one needs to climb 250 steps to get there.

Pavagadh Hill

This beautiful hill is one of the oldest rock formations in India. It is composed of reddish yellow stones. This hill stands at an altitude of 800 m above sea level. It is also the site of many famous monuments in the area. You should take out time to visit Pavagadh Fort, which is also situated here. The main gates of the fort are Atak gate, Budhiya gate, Machi gate and the most important, the Moti and Sadanshah gate. These gates have all been cut from solid rock.

Champaner Pavagadh Archeological Park

The Champaner Pavagadh Archeological Park is most famous for its Hindu and Jain temples. The architecture that you see on the walls of the monuments here is an interesting and splendid blend of the Hindu and Islamic styles. It also houses an unexcavated city that is supposed to belong to the 15th century and the early 16th century. The entire area comprises fortifications, water supplies, palaces, water installations and various religious places. The total number of such monuments counts to about a hundred. This site has received the UNESCO World Heritage site inscription.

Jama Masjid

This beautiful mosque was built by Sultan Begada and named Jama Masjid. He was the Sultan of Gujarat and ruled over it during the years 1458 to 1511. It is situated on a plinth along with thirty feet minarets, 172 pillars and seven mihrabs. It is very popular for its architecture and the type of construction. The intricate work on the minarets and the walls of the mosque are worth seeing.

Machi Haveli

This is a plateau of the Pavgadh Hill where you can still find remains of the Raval Palace. This part of the hill is situated at an altitude of 1471 feet above sea level. The Kalika Mata Mandir lies above this plateau and so it houses lots of rest houses for the pilgrims preparing for the journey uphill to visit the temple.

Sadanshah Pir Dargah

This famous dargah is situated right above the Kali temple. It is visited by Hindu as well as Muslim devotees. Here lies the dargah of Sadanshah Faqir, whose real name it was rumoured was Sahadev Joshi.

Places to Stay

The city of Pavagadh has many good hotels and resorts where you can stay during your vacation. There are hotels that you can choose as per your budget. Most hotels offer all the main amenities and facilities required for a comfortable stay. The hotels range from budget hotels to three star hotels. The room types range from normal single bed and double bed rooms to air conditioned deluxe rooms.

There are other hotels that you may contact for accommodation. The restaurants are all very hygienic and offer excellent food. You can choose from many different types that serve various cuisines.