The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner

Tripoto
14th Aug 2016

Not much has been written or known about the ruins of Champaner. I recently visited Champaner, about 45 kms from Vadodara at the foothills of Pavagadh. While much has been written and known about Pavagadh, a popular pilgrimage and picnic spot, much is left undiscovered about the well preserved ruins at Champaner, which are bang opposite!

Champaner - Pavagadh archaeological park was declared as a Unesco world heritage site in 2004. The site has so much to explore in terms of history and architecture, with scattered ramparts of fort, ruins, couple of mosques with unique Indo-Islamic architecture.

Saher- Ki- Masjid is a private mosque built in 15th-16th century for the Royals of Gujarat Sultanate

Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 1/20 by Nancy Desai
Front view of the Saher-Ki- Masjid
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 2/20 by Nancy Desai
Ruins of what looks like a fort wall near Saher Ki Masjid
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 3/20 by Nancy Desai
A closer view of Saher Ki Masjid
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 4/20 by Nancy Desai
Closer view of the Minaret at the entrance
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 5/20 by Nancy Desai
Central Sanctum inside Saher- Ki -Masjid
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 6/20 by Nancy Desai
Rear view of Saher-Ki- Masjid
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 7/20 by Nancy Desai

Jami Masjid or public mosque was constructed over 25 years. The mosque has a grand entrance and an enclosed square garden with a the main structure and surroundings with arches, minarets and domes. The architecture is a blend of Hindu & Islamic ethos.

Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 8/20 by Nancy Desai
Stone wall & Jharokhas
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 9/20 by Nancy Desai
Archs & Jali structure inside the Masjid
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 10/20 by Nancy Desai
Very welcoming artistic arch near the entrance
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 11/20 by Nancy Desai
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 12/20 by Nancy Desai
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 13/20 by Nancy Desai
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 14/20 by Nancy Desai
Unknown tomb
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 15/20 by Nancy Desai
Ruins
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 16/20 by Nancy Desai
Symmetrically aligned Pillars
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 17/20 by Nancy Desai
Carving at the entrance minaret
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 18/20 by Nancy Desai
View of the Central dome
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 19/20 by Nancy Desai
Step well
Photo of The lesser known UNESCO World Heritage site at Champaner 20/20 by Nancy Desai

Much is yet unexplored and unknown about Champaner. I am puzzled and wonder whose tomb is in the central garden at Jami Masjid, Why are the prison cells inside the mosque. I hope to read more about this ruins and the history around it.