Home › Panchmahal › Champaner Temples
TEMPLE · HERITAGE · CHAMPANERChampaner Temples
Hindu shrines among the ruins — the temples of Champaner, the Hindu and Jain shrines scattered through the UNESCO city alongside its famous Sultanate mosques.
A plural sacred landscape
While Champaner is celebrated for its Sultanate mosques, the UNESCO city and the hill above it also hold a number of Hindu and Jain temples that reflect its layered religious history.
From the ancient Lakulisha temple and the Jain shrines on Pavagadh to smaller temples among the ruins of the old city, these places of worship show that Champaner-Pavagadh was a sacred landscape for many faiths across the centuries — Hindu and Jain before and during the Sultanate, Muslim under Mahmud Begada, and a living pilgrimage today.
Exploring these temples alongside the mosques reveals the full, plural story of this remarkable heritage site. Many faiths, one hill.
Hindu and Jain shrines stand among the ruins of the old heritage city.
Hindu and Jain shrines on the same hill
Champaner-Pavagadh has been a sacred landscape for many faiths across the centuries.
Hindu and Jain shrines dot the hill and the plain long before the Sultanate, marking Champaner-Pavagadh as an old sacred place.
The Lakulisha temple on Pavagadh stands among the oldest surviving structures, a relic of the region's early devotional life.
A cluster of Jain temples climbs the slopes of Pavagadh, sharing the sacred hill with later shrines and the famous Kalika Mata.
Worship never stopped — the hill remains a busy living pilgrimage, drawing devotees up its paths every single day.
Reasons to make the time
Hindu & Jain
Many shrines — Hindu and Jain temples sit alongside Champaner's celebrated Sultanate mosques.
Among the ruins
The old city — find quiet temples tucked among the standing ruins of the medieval town.
Medieval
Layered eras — shrines from before, during and after the Sultanate share one heritage site.
Plural heritage
Many faiths — Hindu, Jain and Muslim monuments together tell Champaner's full story.
On the hill
And in the city — temples climb Pavagadh and scatter through the plain below.
UNESCO
A sacred landscape — all of it within the UNESCO-listed Champaner-Pavagadh park.
What to look for inside
THE TEMPLESHindu & Jain
Among the ruins — shrines of two faiths tucked into the old city.
THE HILLPavagadh shrines
A sacred landscape — temples climbing the slopes of Pavagadh hill.
How to spend an hour or two
Find the temples
Seek out the Hindu and Jain shrines scattered among the ruins of the old heritage city.
See the Lakulisha shrine
Visit the ancient Lakulisha temple on Pavagadh, among the oldest structures on the hill.
Explore the ruins
Wander the standing remains of the medieval city, where temples and mosques sit side by side.
Sense the plural history
Feel how Hindu, Jain and Muslim monuments together tell the layered story of many faiths.
Pair with the mosques
Combine the temples with Champaner's famous Sultanate mosques for the full picture.
Climb to the Jain shrines
Make the climb up Pavagadh to the Jain temples that share the sacred hill.
Hindu and Jain shrines among the ruins — a plural sacred landscape.
Temples of the heritage city
Beyond its famous mosques, Champaner-Pavagadh holds Hindu and Jain temples — the ancient Lakulisha shrine, the Pavagadh Jain temples and smaller shrines among the ruins — revealing a sacred landscape for many faiths across the centuries.
Many faiths, one hill. Together with the Sultanate mosques, these shrines complete the plural story of one of Gujarat’s most remarkable heritage sites.
Planning more of the area? Our Panchmahal guide covers the whole district.
If this is what you travel for, browse temples across Gujarat.
Hindu & Jain temples
Among the city ruins
From pre-Sultanate eras
A plural sacred landscape
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the ideal season. Comfortable all day for wandering temples, ruins and the hill.
Green and atmospheric. The hill turns lush and the air softens, though paths can be slippery.
Hot and dry — start early. Visit at aarti time and avoid the midday heat on the open ruins.
⏰ Visit at aarti time in the cooler months; pair the shrines with Pavagadh and Champaner.
Timings & entry
- Open at worship hours
- Morning & evening aarti
- Best in the cool season
- Within/near the park
- Free entry
- Modest dress; remove footwear
- Respect worshippers
- Photography may vary
Getting there
By Air
Vadodara airport is the nearest, about 50 km away, with onward taxis and buses to Champaner-Pavagadh.
By Rail
Champaner Road and Godhra stations serve the area, connecting it to Vadodara and the wider rail network.
By Road
Reach easily via Halol and Champaner; the heritage city sits just off the Vadodara–Godhra route.
At Champaner Temples
FAITH & RUIN
Shrines among the ruins
What to shoot
The temples — frame the Hindu and Jain shrines tucked among the standing ruins.
Detail
Carved ruins — close in on the weathered stonework and surviving carving.
Setting
The hill & city — set the shrines against Pavagadh rising above the plain.
Best light
Morning — soft early light is kindest on the stone and easiest for the climb.
Know before you go
More to see close by
STEPWELLHelical Stepwell
A rare spiralling water structure
TEMPLEKalika Mata Temple
The revered Shakti shrine on the summit
MONUMENTSahar ki Masjid
The royal mosque of the old citadel
WILDLIFEJambughoda Sanctuary
Teak forests, lakes & leopards
LAKEVada Talav
The serene lake below Champaner
RIDEPavagadh Ropeway
A cable-car glide to the temple top
Where to eat near Champaner Temples
THALIGujarati Thali
Hearty regional meals — full Gujarati thalis to refuel after the climb.
FARSANDhokla & farsan
Steamed snacks — light Gujarati farsan sold near the sites.
STREETChampaner stalls
Snacks for pilgrims — simple street food along the pilgrim paths.
Local fare
Simple Gujarati & tribal food near the sites.
Champaner Temples FAQ
What is Champaner Temples?
While Champaner is celebrated for its Sultanate mosques, the UNESCO city and the hill above it also hold a number of Hindu and Jain temples that reflect its layered religious history. From the ancient Lakulisha temple and the Jain shrines on Pavagadh to smaller temples among the ruins of the old city, these places of worship show that Champaner-Pavagadh was a sacred landscape for many faiths across the centuries — Hindu and Jain before and during the Sultanate, Muslim under Mahmud Begada, and a living pilgrimage today.
Where is it?
Champaner-Pavagadh, Panchmahal.
Is there an entry fee?
Free.
When should I visit?
October to March; at aarti time.
What's nearby?
Pavagadh, the Champaner mosques and stepwells.
How long does it take?
1–2 hours.
Related places across Gujarat
SHRINEGumandev Hanuman
A popular roadside pilgrimage stop
Modhera Sun Temple
India’s finest 11th-century solar temple
NATIONAL PARKVansda National Park
Dense teak forest alive with wildlife
BEACH & PALACEMandvi Beach
Golden sands beside the royal Vijay Vilas Palace
GALLERYBaroda Museum
Art & picture gallery in Sayaji Baug
COUNTRYSIDECharotar Villages
Lush dairy & farming country
WHERE TO STAY
Find your stay in Gujarat
Compare live prices across the big booking sites and reserve in a few taps. Booking happens securely on the partner's site — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Book directly on our partner sites — tap a provider to see live Gujarat hotels & prices:
SHOP THE REGION
Bring home Gujarat — & travel essentials
Hand-picked crafts and trip gear, available on Amazon.
Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026