Pavagadh is the best and most beautiful place in Gujarat
Pavagadh
Histroy of Pavagadh
Pavagadh was an ancient Jain pilgrimage site. During his visit to India in 140 AD, the Greek Ptolemy stated that Pavagadh was very ancient and sacred which proves its antiquity. It is said that King Ganga Singh, the successor of Emperor Ashoka, repaired the fort and temples of Pavagadh. There have been many attempts to destroy its Jain heritage properties and recently the court has given orders against destroying any more heritage.
In the 3rd century BC Emperor Samprati I built the temple and installed the idol of Sambhavanath which was consecrated by Svetambara Jain monk Acharya Suhastisuri. 1055 AD Svetambara monk Acharya Guna Sagar Suri consecrated a new temple of Jirawala Parshvanath and completed the construction of the ancient 52 shrine temple of Abhinandan Swami. 1113 AD Achalganj of Svetambara sect of Jainism was founded by Acharya Acharya Rakshitsuri. He was unhappy with the wrong prayers that had crept into the practice of Jain monks due to the influence of the Jains. He tried to reform but failed so he climbed the hill to perform Santhara. Legend says that Goddess Mahakali appeared before him and requested the Acharya not to do Santhara and told him that he was the only one who could preach the truth. She asked him to start a new Sangha based on the truth of the Advanchas and assured him that she would protect the common followers of the new Sangha and they would prosper. Thus in 1113 Acharya Rakshit Suri established Achalganj at Pavagadh with Goddess Mahakali as the presiding deity of the Gachchha. The founder of the Gachchh erected an idol of Mahakali on the hill to mark his respect. This idol and temple were later encroached upon by Hindus who erected two more of their own idols. The 1st century mentions a temple named "Sarvatobhadra" built by minister Tejpal. The formal installation and consecration of the temple built by Jaywant Seth in 1581 was done by Acharya Vijay Sen Suri. The Gachchh monk and reformer Acharya Kalyan Sagar Suri under the guidance of Shravaka Seth Vardhaman and Seth Padma Singh rebuilt the temple of Mahakali in the 16th century. In 1689 Sheelvijay Maharaj mentions the existence of a temple of Neminath. Which was destroyed, the fragments of which are kept on the paths leading to the Mahakali temple. The temple that existed there is described in detail in a Pramukhsathamk poem composed by Jain monk Deep Vijay Kaviraj in the late 18th century and dedicated to Jirawala Parshvanath.
Many monks of Achalgachchha like Acharya Mahendra Prabhasuri, Acharya Merutung Suri, Acharya Jayakesh Suri and many monks of Tapagachchha like Acharya Dharma Ratna Suri, Acharya Hemvilmasuri, Acharya Bhuvan Sundar Suri etc. have consecrated Jain temples and idols on the hill. According to many Svetambara scriptures, at one time these temples were considered to be of equal darshan and importance as the temples present on the hill in Palitana. It is believed that there was a big Svetambara temple on the hill earlier which faced invasions and the ruins of the temple have been used by the Digambara community to build three small Digambara temples who have taken over these Svetambara temples. It is said that King Vanraj Chavda founded Champaner at the foot of Pavagadh in memory of his wise minister Champa. Later Pavagadh was ruled by the Patai Rawal family and looked after the border. Local folklore says that Mahakali assumed the form of a woman and danced in the womb during Navaratri. The last Patai Jai Singh looked at her with evil eyes. The deity became angry and cursed him that the city would fall. Finally the Muslim emperor of Gujarat Mahmud Begada attacked Pavagadh in the 15th century and won the border hill. Patai was defeated and killed. In an act of diplomacy Mahmud Begada shifted his capital from Ahmedabad to Champaner for some time. He developed the city by building buildings like Champaner Fort, Uohra Mosque, Mandvi, Kirti Stambh, Shalak Ka Mandir, Jama Masjid and Kevada Masjid. The remains of the Begada palace are still found near the Vad Talav, two kilometers away by road from Champaner. The government has given many concessions and subsidies to new industries coming up in the area. As a result, the towns of Halol and Kalol near Pavagadh have turned into a virtual industrial state. Halol has the added advantage of having a film studio.
Famous Place in Pavagadh and Champaner
1. Jami Masjid, Champaner
2. Navlakha Kothar
3. Kamani Masjid
4. Dudhiya Lake
1. Jami Masjid , Champaner
The mosque dates back to 1513 and was constructed over a period of 25 years. It is one of the most notable monuments built by Sultan Mahmud Begada. It is said that Mughal architecture is inspired by the architecture of the Sultanate of Mosque, which is a mixture of Jain religious meanings and Muslim craftsmanship with the influence of Jains. Major works indicate such a mixture. Works were carried out by the biographers in the 1890s
2. Navlakha Kothar
Naulakha Kothar, located near Champaner in Gujarat, India is a historic building with a T-shaped roof structure. It is believed to have been used as a food store in ancient times. It is located in a valley known as the Navlakhi Valley on the northern edge of the Pavagadh Hill. And is part of the Champaner Pavagadh Gravity Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The structure is characterized by its location on the edge of the Navlakhi Valley which provides an overview of Mughal architecture.
3. Kamani Masjid
Champaner is an ancient city situated in the foothills of Pavagadh in the Indian state of Gujarat. Champaner, the gateway to the rich cultural heritage of the state, has many monuments of ancient times. There is Kamini Masjid, an ancient mosque which is in a dilapidated state. Only a few doors and pillars of this mosque have survived. Basically two types of constructions are most prominent in Champaner. Bhim Stambh, Gun Bandh, Parmali and Astonishing Kamani Majid, which is mainly a dome system today due to its pillared construction, which is filled with arches.
4. Dudhiya Lake
