| Pavagadh | |
| Elevation M: | 762 |
| Subdivision Type: | India |
| Subdivision Name: | India |
| Subdivision Type1: | Gujarat |
| Subdivision Name1: | Gujarat |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Panchmahal |
| Coordinates: | 22.4667°N 73.5005°W |
| Official Name: | Pawagadh |
Pavagadh is a municipal operated region in Panchmahal district about 46km (29miles) away from Vadodara in Gujarat state in western India. It is known for a famous Mahakali temple which is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths and draws thousands of pilgrims every day. However, as per records, this was originally a Jain temple belonging to the Svetambara Achalgaccha, whose Adhistayika Mahakali's idol was installed here in the 12th century. This locality Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2004.[1]
Pavagadh was an Ancient Jain Pilgrimage. In 140 CE, Greek geographer Ptolemy during his tour to India stated that Pavagadh is very ancient & holy, which proves its antiquity. It is stated that Raja Gangasinh, a successor of Emperor Ashok got the fort & the temples of Pavagadh repaired. There have been several attempts to destroy the evidence of its Jain heritage. However, the court ordered against destruction of facts and heritage.
The Jain history of Pavagadh dates back to 3rd century BC.[2] [3]
Several monks of the Achalgacch such as Acharya Mahendraprabhasuri, Acharya Merutungasuri, Acharya Jaykesarisuri amongst many, and those of the Tapagacch such as Acharya Dharmaratnasuri, Acharya Hemvimalsuri, Acharya Laxmisagarsuri, Acharya Bhuvansundarsuri etc. have consecrated Jain temples and idols on the hill. According to several Śvetāmbara scriptures, at one time, these shrines were considered to be of equal rank and importance as those atop the hill at Palitana.
It is believed that there was one large Śvetāmbara temple earlier on the hill, which faced multiple invasions. The ruins of that temple have been used to construct 3 smaller Digambar temples by the Digambar community who have taken over these Svetambar temples.
It is said that King Vanraj Chavda established Champaner at the foot of Pavagadh in fond memory of his wise minister Champa. Later, the Patai Raval family ruled Pavagadh and took care of the boundary. The local folk tales say that Mahakali assumed the form of a woman and danced in a Garba during Navaratri. The last Patai, Jaisinh watched her with dirty looks. The deity became angry at Jaisinh and cursed him that the town will fall. Eventually, the Muslim emperor of Gujarat, Mahmud Begada assaulted Pavagadh and won the hill on the boundary in the 15th century.
Patai was defeated and killed. Mahmud Begada shifted his capital from Ahmedabad to Champaner for some time for reasons of Diplomacy. He developed the town by constructing buildings such as the fort of Champaner, Uohra mosque, Mandavi, Kirtistambh, the temple of Shalkh, Jama Masjid (originally a Jain temple), Nagina Mosque and Kevda Mosque. The remains of the Palace of Begada are still found near Vad Talav (Banyan Pond) two kilometers (1.25 miles) away from Champaner by road.
The government has granted many concessions and offered subsidies to the new industries coming up in this area. As a result of it, Halol and Kalol towns near Pavagadh have turned into virtual Industrial estates. A film studio at Halol has this added advantage.
Pavagadh is the gateway to Panchmahal. The locations of hilly areas around Halol provide good scenery. Pavagadh Hill has total height of 822 meters and you can find many scenic trails to climb including waterfalls during monsoon time. The plateau at an altitude of 490 meters is known as Machi Haveli. The bus service has been extended up to Machi.
The great music maestro of 16th century, and Tansen's contemporary rival, Baiju Bawra belonged to Champaner.
Pavagadh temple has a controversial history as 15th century king Sultan Mahmud Begda, who ruled Champaner, where the temple is located, is said to have destroyed the "shikhar" or spire of the temple. During that time a shrine "Sadanshah Pir Dargah" was said to have been built in the 11th century temple complex. During the renovation, the dargah was shifted amicably next to the temple and the "shikhar" was constructed. A restoration was also perform by lay-followers of the Jain monk Acharya Kalyansagarsuri of Achalgaccha.[9]
The temples of Jainism at Pavagadh are noteworthy. They fall into three different groups: The first consists of the Bhavanaderi temples near the Naqqarkhana gate called the Navalakka temples, the second group is in honor of the Tirthankaras Suparshvanatha and Chandraprabhu and the third group, situated on the southeast of Pavagadh 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.[10]
On June 16, 2024, an incident of severe vandalism happened on the hill. Several Tirthankara idols at the sides of the staircase on the old path to reach the Kalika Mata shrine were desecrated and broken down. Most desecrated idols were over 400 years old, some even ancient and belonged exclusively to the Śvetāmbara sect. Jain monk Jinpremvijaya spearheaded a peaceful protest at the local collector's office.[12] [13] [14]