Towards UNESCO World Heritage – My Journey to Champaner

Greetings of the day,

I opened my eyes early this morning. The weather was a bit cold and the only thought running in my mind was to visit Champaner Mosque today. Had breakfast and left with light luggage. Fields were visible on the way, at some places paddy was swaying and at some places cows were grazing. The road was quiet and every now and then the gusts of wind were touching the face. Moving ahead from the village, the hill of Pavagadh became visible. There was a different happiness in my mind.

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When I reached there the first thing I saw from a distance was the high walls of the mosque. The color of the stones looked even more beautiful in the sunlight. When I went inside there was peace all around. Only the sounds of birds and wind could be heard. I just kept looking at the carvings on the pillars there for some time. I was wondering how many people would have come here when this place was built so many years ago and now only traces are left only.

When we went inside a little we found a big courtyard. Sitting there I rested for a while. The air was cool and there was a slight smell of soil. Looking at the walls it seemed as if every stone was telling its own story. Some of the walls were broken but they also had a different beauty still. It seemed as if the glimpse of the past still lingered here.

After some time two or three more people came here. One of them told that this place is now included in the UNESCO World Heritage. Nice to hear that so much old history still survives. Talked to them for some time and then I started walking back. The sun had now become a little brighter but the gusts of wind were lightening it.

By evening the sun started going down. Its light was falling on the dome of the mosque and the whole scene looked golden. I took some pictures and stood there for a while. Was feeling very calm inside. It felt as if this place had connected me to an earlier era.

When I was returning, the same cold wind was again with me on the way. All that was running in my mind was that some places are not just to be seen, they are to be felt. Champaner Mosque is also one such place where time stops and man meets himself.