How to Spend a Great Weekend in Vadodara

India has a significant number of ancient cities, one of which is Vadodara in Gujrat, which was known as Baroda until a few years ago. It is situated on the embankments of River Vishwamitri, which is called so after the revered saint Vishwamitra. In the past, Vadodara was ruled by Pathans, Hindus, Marathas, and Mughals. At present, it houses a varied population that speaks Hindi, English, Gujrati, and Marathi. Vadodara is peppered with old markets along with urban shopping malls. Nonetheless, the main reason people come to the city is to witness the magnificence of UNESCO World Heritage Sites at Pavagadh and Champaner.

Champaner

Although the ancient city of Champaner is situated 47 kilometers away from Vadodara, you cannot resist yourself from going there. Vanraj Chavda from the Chavda Dynasty had founded this city in the eighth century. He had termed this city after the name of his Army General friend, Champa. Champaren is dotted with strongholds and forts beginning from the mountains of Pavagadh and running into Champaner. The landscape of the park comprises historical, living, and archeological cultural heritages constructions like a citadel on a hill, Chalcolithic sites, and the leftovers of the 16^th century capital of Gujrat. The agricultural structures, residential complexes, temples, and tombs are also visible in the region from the 8^th-14^th century.

Pavagadh

Pavagadh Hill is one of the ancient rock developments of India made of reddish yellow stones; it stands 800 meters above the level of the sea. The ruined Jain and Hindu temples and the Pavagadh Fort are the main attractions of the place. Several religious structures lie inside this remarkable fort; Lakulish Temple in Mauliya Plateau is the most well-known among them. Hindus and Jains had built many temples in and around the Pavagadh Hill that are significant because of their design and architecture. The marvelous structures, green surroundings, and the cool breeze of these edifices make them highly popular among the tourists as well as natives of the Gujrat state.

Kalika Mata Temple

Almost everyone among the locals will suggest you a must-visit to the Kalika Mata Temple, which is located in the surroundings of Champaner-Pavagadh Archeological Park. You need to climb a long string of steps to reach this temple built on a high cliff in the dense forests of Halol. When you enter the temple, you can witness the massive statues of three Goddesses staring at you. The effigy of Kalika Mata is there in the center, Bahuchara Mata is present on the left, and Goddess Kali is there on the right. It feels fascinating to see the Indian Goddesses in such massive forms, especially when you are a Hindu with a strong faith in these deities. When you are there in such a beautiful temple located at a spectacle surrounding, you may not want to leave the premises for a long time. Only the restrictions of time can force you to leave the place.

The entire region of Gujrat is a treat for the eyes and mind; you just need to have the vision to see the magnificence of things and places. To visit sites in Champaner and Pavagadh, you need to have your car because the public transport is not easy to fathom for the tourists. Otherwise, you can hire the Self Drive Cars Vadodara to move around conveniently. Have a good amount of time in hand when you plan your visit to Vadodara so that you can appreciate the beauty of historical monuments at leisure. If you hurry too much to leave the city, you may miss the primary fun of it and regret it later.