Pavagadh, Gujarat

Pavagadh, Gujarat

the center of attraction for pilgrimage in Gujarat, is Champaner-Pavagadh, which is know as Pavagadh. Pavagadh is situated in the Halol Taluka, 49 kms from Vadodara. In old inscriptions, the name of the hill also appears as 'Pavagadh' or 'Fire-Hill'. It covers about 42 kms in circumference. Pavagadh, rising to a height of 800 metres. Foundation of Champaner has been ascribed to various persons including Champa, a minister of Vanaraja; the Chavda ruler of Gujarat and Champa, a Bhil headman, became a part of the British Raj in the 19th century. In between, many Muslim rulers ruled over the area

There was a valley where the Pavagadh Hill now stands. On the elevated ground overlooking the valley, lived the famous Rishi Vishvamitra. He owned a cow, Kamdhenu, gifted with speech and an inexhaustible source of milk. Grazing on the brink of the hollow, Kamdhenu one day slipped and being unable to climb the steep sides, she filled the valley with her milk and swam home. Learning what had happened, Rishi Vishvamitra, to prevent another mishap, prayed that the valley be filled up. His prayers were granted by the gods by sending so large a hill that three quarters of it filled up the hollow and the rest standing out of the plains was called Pavagadh, the quarter-hill.

Pavagadh is 49 Kms From Vadodara, Gujarat.