Pavagadh Hill

Last updated

Pavagadh Hill
Top of Pavadagh hill.JPG
Summit of Pavagadh Hill with the famed Kalika Mata Temple shrine on the peak
Highest point
Elevation 800 m (2,600 ft)
Coordinates 22°28′00″N73°30′02″E / 22.46672°N 73.50048°E / 22.46672; 73.50048
Geography
Gujarat relief map.svg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Pavagadh Hill
Panchmahal district, Gujarat, western India
Parent range Vindhyachal Range
Geology
Mountain type Hill
Last eruption 65 million years ago
Climbing
Easiest route Ropeway

Pavagadh Hill is situated within a plain in Panchmahal district, Gujarat, western India. A volcanic eruption occurred in the region approximately 500 million years ago and the etymology of Pavagadh is associated with this eruption: Pav-gadh means "one fourth hill" or "fire-hill". At its base is the historical city of Champaner, while the hill station of Pavagadh was built upon the volcanic cone itself. With Champaner, Pavagadh hill forms the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is spread over an area of more than 1,329 hectares (3,280 acres). [1] Known for its forts, there are also dozens of heritage structures on the hill. [2] The site is 50 kilometres (31 mi) east of Vadodara and 68 kilometres (42 mi) south of Godhra.

Contents

Faith based legend surrounding Pavagadh formation suggests that the right foot of Sati is believed to have fallen at Pavagadh, thus forming a deep valley and the God later on "sent a large hill as per the request of Rishi Vishwamitra to fill up this deep valley so that the sage's sacred cows do not fall into it." Thus Kalika Mata Temple at Pavagadh is one of the holiest of Shaktipeets in Indian subcontinent." [3] [4]

Geography

Path up the hill. Path on Pavadagh hill.JPG
Path up the hill.

The hill is a southern Aravalli Range outlier, rising 800 metres (2,600 ft) above the surrounding plains. [4] The Dhadhar River and Vishwamitri River originate on the hill. [5] The Surya stream, which also rises on the hill, joins the Vishvamitri. [6] There are five successive plateaus, Kalikamata Plateau, Mauliya Plateau, Bhadrakali Plateau, Machi Plateau and Atak Plateau. [7] Plateau reservoirs (talaos) form a chain up the hill. Other features include dense forest, reddish-orange rhyolite boulders, and a natural cave just below the summit. Strong monsoon breezes blow winds upwards onto steep hill slopes. [4]

The arrangement of the rock formations of Pavagadh Hill is stated as being "rhyolite, green bedded tuffs, porphyritic basalt, olivine dolerite and nonporphyritic alkaline basalt." [8] There are steep rock exposures whose geological formation is attributed to ancient volcanic eruptions and lava flows. Pavagadh Hill has a geological setting of reddish-yellow coloured stone, and is considered to be one of the oldest rock formations in India. [1] [9] [10] [11]

The geological formation of Pavagadh Hill is thus very complex. It is interpreted as part of the Deccan Traps, which arose from the "tumultuous outpour of lava beyond 106 cubic km in volume. Eruption is deduced to have occurred 69-65 Ma age. These basaltic rocks said to be one of the largest continental flood basaltic provinces in the world." Studies carried by geologists have indicated eleven basic flows superposed by felsic volcanics. New varieties of rocks such as "rhyodycite, alkal-olivine basalt, mugearite and ankaramite" are reported. It is also recorded that except for rhyolite, all the rocks have an "alkaline-oloivine lineage." Geologists have also observed that "seventeen horizontal flows have occurred in Pavagadh" and postulated that the "whole series resulted by fractionalism in two episodes." [12]

The highest point of the hill presents an undulating forested topography in the direction of Jambughoda. The path ascending the hill passes through many old gates and cuts through natural ledges of rock like a staircase, with precipitous sides. Midway up this path is a flat ground which is strewn with boulders. The mountain above the flat ground is a very steep hill scarp. [13]

Transportation

While private vehicles are not allowed, registered buses and government vehicles provide transportation up the hill. As the road ends before reaching the summit, there are only two options to reach the top, either on foot or by ropeway. [14] The mono-cable ropeway is 740 metres (2,430 ft) in length. It can carry 1,200 people per hour. It is stated to be the country's highest ropeway, connecting the summit of the hill with the plateaus of Champaner. [15]

History and legends

As per Jain texts, it is believed as a salvation place of Lav and Kush (son of Ramachandra). In recent history, human settlement occurred around the second century after the hill became associated with the goddess Kali. It is believed that the foot of Parvati fell on this hill, making it sacred.[ citation needed ] Legend states that the hill's formation is attributed to the sage Vishwamitra Rishi, who lived here in bygone days. He had a cow named Kamadhenu. One day, the cow slipped while grazing and fell into the valley, which resulted in the cow attempting to scramble up the hill. Finally she produced milk, which filled the valley, and swam to higher ground. The Rishi learned of the mishap, and in order to prevent any such incident in the future, he prayed to the gods to fill the valley. The gods fulfilled his prayers with one fourth of a hill projecting out of the plains, Pavagadh Hill. [16]

Known for its forts, there are also dozens of heritage structures on the hill. [2] It is part of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [1] [11] [17]

Jain Temple

Pavagadh Jain temple Jain Temple, Pavagadh (cropped).jpg
Pavagadh Jain temple

The temples of Jainism at Pavagadh are also noteworthy. They are of three groups: The first consists of the Bhavanaderi temples near the Naqqarkhana gate called the Navalakka temples, the second group is in honour of the tirthankaras Suparshvanatha and Chandraprabhu and the third group, situated on the south east of Pavagarh Hill (Mataji's cliff), is near the Pārśva temple next to the Dudhia tank. On the basis of their "stylistic and architectural features", the date of construction of these temples is deduced to be the 14th–15th centuries. The temple is made up of pure white stone with elaborately carved seated and standing images of the Jain pantheon are seen on the outer walls of the temples. The Garbabrihas are enshrined with beautiful stone images of tirthankaras in these temples. All the temples have been renovated over time. [18] The temple also has a 30 ft. tall statue of God Bahubali stands tall in its vicinity. [19]

The Greek geographer Ptolemy many centuries ago in his work regarded this temple as an ancient and holy place. In 1480 Mahmud Begada, the Muslim sultan of Gujarat, heavily damaged this temple. In 1880 this temple was repaired. The entire complex houses a Dharmshala or guesthouse, a Jain restaurant and gardens. [20]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girnar</span> Mountain in Gujarat

Girnar is an ancient hill in Junagadh, Gujarat, India. It is one of the major pilgrimages for Jains, established by Bharat Chakravarti, where the 22nd Tirthankar, Lord Neminath attained nirvana.

<i>Deccan Odyssey</i> Luxury train in India

The Deccan Odyssey is an Indian luxury train modeled on the Palace on Wheels luxury train and put into service to boost tourism on the Maharashtra route of the Indian Railways. The train, owned by travel company Cox & Kings since 2014, takes visitors on a variety of seven night, eight day trips across Maharashtra.

Champaner is a historical city in the state of Gujarat, in western India. It is located in Panchmahal district, 47 kilometres from the city of Vadodara. The city was briefly the capital of the Sultanate of Gujarat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park</span> A UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Panchmahal district, Gujarat, India.

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Panchmahal district in Gujarat, India. It is located around the historical city of Champaner, a city which was founded by Vanraj Chavda, the most prominent king of the Chavda Dynasty, in the eighth century. He named it after the name of his friend and general Champa, also known later as Champaraj. The heritage site is studded with forts with bastions starting from the hills of Pavagadh, and extending into the city of Champaner. The park's landscape includes archaeological, historic and living cultural heritage monuments such as chalcolithic sites, a hill fortress of an early Hindu capital, and remains of the 16th-century capital of the state of Gujarat. There are palaces, entrance gates and arches, mosques, tombs and temples, residential complexes, agricultural structures and water installations such as stepwells and tanks, dating from the eighth to the 14th centuries. The Kalika Mata Temple, located on top of the 800 metres (2,600 ft) high Pavagadh Hill, is an important Hindu shrine in the region, attracting large numbers of pilgrims throughout the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jainism in Gujarat</span>

Jainism has had a notable following in Gujarat. According to the 2011 Census of India, around 0.959% of the population of Gujarat is Jain. There are several old Jain temples that draw pilgrims from Jains around the world in places such as Palitana, Taranga, Sankheshwar, Idar.

Halol is a city and a municipality (tehsil) in Panchmahal district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Located in western India, it has an average elevation of 499 metres (1637 feet). Halol is a major manufacturing hub of Western India, home to manufacturing facilities of numerous domestic and multinational companies like MG Motor India, Siemens Gamesa, JCB India, Hero Motocorp, Sun Pharma, TOTO India, CEAT Tyres, LM Wind Power, Polycab India, etc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pavagadh</span> Place in Gujarat, India

Pavagadh is an ancient Triassic Period location with Enriched History from periods of Treta Yuga and Dvapara Yuga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dhosi Hill</span> Indian volcano and historical site

Dhosi Hill is an important Vedic period site, an extinct volcano, standing alone at the north-west end of the Aravalli mountain range. Its height varies from about 345 to 470 meters from the surrounding lands and 740 meters from the sea level. At present the hill has temples, a pakka pond, ruins of a fort, caves and forest around it. In the ancient times, as per various scriptures like Mahabharata - Vanparv, Puranas, Shathpath Brahmana etc. the hill had Ashrams of various Rishis who made contributions to Vedic scriptures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourism in Gujarat</span>

Gujarat is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about 1,600 km (990 mi) is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some 196,024 km2 (75,685 sq mi); and the ninth-most populous state, with a population of 60.4 million. It is a popular tourist destination in the country and was visited by 19.5 million domestic tourists and 210 thousand international tourists in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh</span> Hindu temple in India

Kālikā Mata Temple is a Hindu goddess temple complex and pilgrim centre at the summit of Pavagadh Hill in Panchmahal District, India, with in the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park. It dates from the 10th or 11th centuries. The temple has three images of goddesses: the central image is of Kalika Mata, flanked by Kali on the right and Bahucharamata on the left. On Chitra sud 8, a fair is held at the temple which is attended by thousands of devotees. The temple is the site of one of the Great holy Shakti Peethas. One can easily reach the temple by ropeway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jama Mosque, Champaner</span>

Jami Masjid in Champaner, Gujarat state, western India, is part of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is among the 114 monuments there which are listed by the Baroda Heritage Trust. It is located about 150 feet (46 m) east of the city walls (Jahdnpandh), near the east gate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevada Mosque</span> Mosque in Gujarat, India

Kevada Mosque is a mosque in Champaner, Gujarat state, western India. It is part of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mosque has minarets, globe-like domes, and narrow stairs. According to Ruggles (2008), nature was integrated into the Kevada mosque's architecture in a way that was unusual elsewhere in the Islamic world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bawaman Mosque</span>

Bawaman Mosque is a mosque in Champaner, western India. It is situated on the western side of one of the ancient city's fort gates, within the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park of Gujarat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nagina Mosque</span> Mosque in Gujarat, India

Nagina Mosque is a mosque in Champaner, Gujarat, India. It was built during the time of Mahmud Begada, in the 15th century, as were several other masjids, such as the Kevada, Bawaman, Ek Minar, Jama, Khajuri, and Shahar Ki. It has minarets, globe-like domes, and narrow stairs. It is part of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monuments of Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park</span> UNESCO-recognized monuments

There are eleven different types of buildings at the UNESCO-protected Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park in Gujarat, India, including mosques, temples, granaries, tombs, wells, walls, and terraces. The monuments are situated at the foot of and around the Pavagadh Hill. The Baroda Heritage Trust lists 114 monuments in the area, of which only 39 are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, due to limited funding. The Forest Department owns 94% of the land here, while the temple trusts and other sectarian establishments provide facilities for boarding and lodging to pilgrims and tourists. On the southern side near the foot of the hill some dilapidated houses and the foundations of Jain temples can also be seen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lila Gumbaj Ki Mosque</span>

Lila Gumbaj Ki Mosque in Champaner, Gujarat state, western India is one of the 114 monuments listed by the Baroda Heritage Trust that are part of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located near the east gate of the former city.

The Architecture of Gujarat consists of architecture in the Indian state of Gujarat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pavagadh ropeway</span>

Pavagadh ropeway is a ropeway on Pavagadh hill in Pavagadh, Panchmahal district, Gujarat, India. It was opened in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jain temples, Pavagadh</span> Temple complex in Pavagadh Hill, Gujarat

Jain temples, Pavagadh is a group of seven Jain temples located in Pavagadh Hill in the state of Gujarat. These temples are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park". United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  2. 1 2 Ruggles, D. Fairchild; Silverman, Helaine (15 June 2009). Intangible Heritage Embodied. Springer. pp. 84–. ISBN   978-1-4419-0071-5 . Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  3. ↑ Burman, J. J. Roy (2005). Gujarat Unknown: Hindu-Muslim Syncretism and Humanistic Forays. Mittal Publications. p. 79. ISBN   978-81-8324-052-9 . Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 Silverman, Helaine; Ruggles, D. Fairchild (14 October 2008). Cultural Heritage and Human Rights. Springer. pp. 55–. ISBN   978-0-387-76579-2 . Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  5. ↑ "Dhadhar River". guj-nwrws.gujarat.gov.in, Government of Gujarat . Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  6. ↑ Gujarat (India: state) (1979). Gujarat State Gazetteers: Vadodara. Directorate of Government Printing, Stationery and Publications, Gujarat State. p. 12. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  7. ↑ "World Heritage Scanned Nomination". Excerpt from the Report of the 28th Session of the World Heritage Committee, UNESCO. Heritage Trust. January 2002. p. 21. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  8. ↑ Chavan, Appasaheb Ramachandrarao; Oza, G. M. (1966). The flora of Pavagadh, Gujarat State, India. Dept. of Botany, Faculty of Science, M. S. University of Baroda. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  9. ↑ "Advisory Body Evaluation, Champaner-Pavagadh (India) No 1101" (PDF). United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. pp. 26–29. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  10. ↑ "United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Fact Sheet". United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  11. 1 2 "Champaner-Pavagarh Archaeological Park (2005), Gujarat". National InformaticCentre (NIC) for Arechaeological Survey of India (ISI). Archived from the original on 1 May 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  12. ↑ K.R.Hari, M.Santosh & Furuyama Katsuhiko (March 2000). "Melt inclusions in pyroxene and plagioclase phenocrysts from Pavagadh igneous suite, Gujarat, India". Journal of Geosciences. Osaka State University. 43 (7): 135–148. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  13. ↑ "Champaner, near Baroda, India. Febr. 1879". Online Gallery, British Library, UK. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  14. ↑ Kumar, Arjun (24 November 2011). "The mosques and monuments of Champaner-Pavagarh". The Economic Times. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  15. ↑ Limca Book of Records. Bisleri Beverages Ltd. 1990. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
  16. ↑ Bombay, Manohar (1887). Volume 3 of Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, Bombay (India :State). Printed at the Government Central Press. pp. 304–309. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  17. ↑ Ruggles, D. Fairchild; Silverman, Helaine (2009). Intangible Heritage Embodied. Springer. pp. 79–. ISBN   9781441900715 . Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  18. ↑ B. Busa Goud. "Scientific Conservation of World Heritage Monuments of Champaner-Pavgadh" (PDF). UNESCO. Org. Retrieved 29 September 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  19. ↑ "Champaner-Pavagadh: Shwetamber Jain Temple". 18 August 2008.
  20. ↑ "www.Jinalaya.com - Shri Pavagadh Tirth - Jain Temples in Gujarat". Archived from the original on 1 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.