Gujarat stands out as an impressive display of India’s rich culture and heritage, boasting stunning heritage sites that awe and inspire.
Champaner-Pavagadh Archeological Park is an important heritage site featuring mosques, tombs, hill fortresses and more constructed with Hindu and Muslim architecture. Additionally, Hatgad Fort was constructed by Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to safeguard his kingdom against attack from outside forces.
Champaner-Pavagadh Archeological Park
Champaner-Pavagadh, founded in the 8th century by Vanraj Chavda of the Chavda Dynasty and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004, features an abundance of archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage properties nestled into an impressive landscape. These properties include hill fortifications, chalcolithic sites and remnants from 16th-century capital city of Gujarat’s Sultanate; tombs, mosques, entrance gates palaces water tanks reservoir gardens residential precincts as well as tombs mosques tombs mosques mosques tombs mosques tombs mosques tombs mosques entrance gates palaces palaces water tanks reservoir gardens gardens gardens residential precincts from periods between 8th-14th centuries; most notable landmark is Kalika Mata Temple located atop Pavagad Hill which attracts hundreds of pilgrims daily;
Other monuments worth visiting at the park include a helical stepped well, Sakar Khan’s Dargah, Kasbin Talao, Atak Gate Sadanshah Gate Sat Manzil Gulan Bulan Gate Kevada Masjid among many others. Local transportation such as autorickshaws and buses from Vadodara provide easy access to this park that was added to the 2000 World Monuments Watch due to concerns regarding new construction encroaching upon archaeological sites, industrial pollution and blasting occurring nearby quarries.
Ghumli
Ghumli is a town known for its Solanki temple ruins and the Navlakha Temple dedicated to Lord Sun. Built by Jethwa rulers in Gujarat’s Jethwa region and featuring three elephant tusks intertwined together as their trade mark, this ancient Sun temple dates back over 1,000 years!
Bhumli was the seat of power during the Jethwa Dynasty until 1313, when its last ruler, Rana Bhanji Jethwa was overthrown by Barmaniyaji Jadeja of Sindh.
History buffs who wish to experience life during its bygone era should visit this location, especially those drawn in by its mesmerising architecture of that era. You will feel drawn back again and again as its charming atmosphere lures visitors in. Garba, an iconic dance form honoring Lord Krishna can also be found there.
Navlakha Temple
Solanki rulers constructed this beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva during the 10th century AD. Its magnificent spire and inner sanctum remain in excellent condition today. As one of Gujarat’s premier tourist spots, its accessibility by air and road transport makes it easily accessible from Ahmedabad. Buses, private vehicles, and taxi services offer easy transportation between Ahmedabad and this location.
Navlakha Temple in Gujarat is one of the oldest Sun Temples, constructed by Jethwa rulers in 12th century at an approximate cost of 9 lakh rupees. Its architecture showcases both Solanki and Maru-Gurjara influences with an entrance arch, sanctum sanctorum, pradakshina path, Ganesha shrine located nearby as well as plenty of greenery making this an ideal spot for people religiously inclined to pay homage to gods.
Somnath Temple
Somnath Temple lies along Gujarat’s western coast, and is revered as one of India’s 12 Jyotirlinga shrines. This intricately crafted, honey-colored structure sits at the confluence of Kapila, Hiranya, Sarasvati rivers with Arabian Sea waves.
Legend has it that Somraj first built this temple out of gold. Ravana then expanded upon this construction using silver. Lord Krishna later used wood while Bhima added stone – all contributing to creating this place of reverence among devotees as an everlasting shrine.
Over time, this temple has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times due to various marauders and invaders; notable figures who ruled this region included Mahmud of Ghazni, Afzal Khan and Sultan Allauddin Khilji. Since independence however, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s government has greatly assisted the reconstruction efforts; today it stands out as a popular pilgrimage spot within Gujarat state.
