The best places to visit in Panchmahal Gujarat

Tuva Timba hot springs that rose from the arrow of Lord Rama
Large footprints that belongs to the Pandava prince Bhima
Abandoned fortress & citadel from the Pre-Mughal era
Pretty waterfalls & hidden wildlife in the sanctuary of Jambughoda. 

These are just glimpses of what you can see in Panchmahal Gujarat. Discover these Panchmahal tourist places and get tips on how to visit them, timings and fees through this guide.

If you are looking for offbeat travel destinations in Gujarat, you should consider exploring the district of Panchmahal. Located close to Ahmedabad and Vadodara, Panchmahal Gujarat is home to many places that go back to the mythological lores of Ramayana and Mahabharat. It even has a lesser-known UNESCO World Heritage site of Champaner- Pavagadh archaeological park along with a hidden wildlife sanctuary and a few pretty waterfalls. In short, it is perfect for any traveler looking for obscure travel treasures.

In my earlier post, I covered one of these Panchmahal attractions – the Champaner Pavagadh archaeological park in detail. In this guide, I will just give you an outline of this UNESCO World Heritage site while introducing you to the other Panchmahal tourist places. The post will include essential tips that will help you plan a trip to all these places. What will make your journey through these places to visit in Panchmahal, Gujarat are the interesting stories – apt to increase their wanderlust quotient.

So, without further ado, let’s dive in and explore Panchmahal, Gujarat.

Where is Panchmahal in Gujarat?

Panchmahal is a district in the state of Gujarat, India. The district headquarters is located in the city of Godhra. Panchmahal is located in the eastern part of Gujarat and is bordered by the districts of Vadodara, Kheda, Dahod, and Mahisagar. Some of the main towns in the Panchmahal district of Gujarat include Kalol, Halol, Lunawada, Santrampur, Jambughoda and Champaner.

History of Panchmahal Gujarat

Panchmahal district in Gujarat has a rich and diverse history that dates back to the rule of Vanraj Chavda in the 800s. The area then passed on to the Solankis (Chaulukyas) who ruled from Patan.

During the medieval period, Panchmahal was ruled by the Rajput dynasty called Kirti Chauhans, who built several forts and palaces in the region. In the 15th century, the region was annexed by the Gujarat Sultanate under Mahmud Begada, who shifted his capital from Ahmedabad to Champaner. The Gujarat Sultans continued to rule from Champaner for almost 23 years. Trade flourished in the area – specifically for mangoes and sandalwood.

In the 16th century, Panchmahal came under the control of the Mughal Empire, who appointed local chieftains to administer the region. The area split under their rule, with some parts coming under the control of the Marathas and Scindias of Gwalior. Eventually, it came under the British.

In fact, it was when Maharaj Jiwajirao Scindia of Gwalior handed over five parts (sub-divisions) of his Princely State to the British, that this region was named Panchmahal. Panch means five and Mahal refers to palaces – in this case the sub-divisions. These five areas were Dahod, Godhra, Halol, Kalol and Jhalod. At this time, Panchmahal was controlled by the Bombay Presidency.

After India gained independence in 1947, Panchmahal became a part of the state of Gujarat. Over the years, the region has seen significant development in various fields, including agriculture, industry, and tourism. Today, Panchmahal is known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse industries, and natural beauty.

The best Panchmahal tourist places

With my opening statement, you would have realized the sheer diversity of places that you can expect to find in Panchmahal, Gujarat. From places soaked in mythical tales to abandoned powerhouses and captivating woods abound with waterfalls and rich flora and fauna, this district of five mahals has so much for you to see and enjoy.

Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park – the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Panchmahal

Though designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park remains one of the remains an esoteric destination for travelers. Among the various reasons that make it alluring, one is that it is possibly the only pre-Mughal Islamic city of India. The 16th-century fort citadel is renowned for its unique architectural finesse that comes from the fusion of Hindu and Islamic styles of design.

The park is spread over an area of 1,329 hectares and consists of the historic city of Champaner and the nearby Pavagadh hill. The site has several monuments, including temples, mosques, tombs, palaces, and fortifications – all of which I have covered in detail in this exclusive post on Champaner- Pavagadh. As I mentioned in that post, you need at least two complete days to cover this entire heritage site.

The monuments can be divided into the ones in Champaner fort and Pavagadh hill. Some of the most significant monuments in the park include the following –

• Jama Masjid ­– Considered the most beautiful of the mosques in Gujarat, this mosque was made by Mahmud Begada himself. Jama Masjid is an exemplary example of the amalgamation of Hindu and Islamic architectures. Even within the seven mihrabs of the mosque made for the public, are designs involving vines and pots that are typical of Hindu architecture. Even the ceilings here sports designs like the Kalpavriksha. The entrance portico of the Champaner Jama Masjid will have you in raptures with its jhali screens and open-to-sky roof which was initially covered with a dome. This is indeed one of the top places to visit in Panchmahal Gujarat

• Saher ki Masjid – a mosque made for the royal family, located close to Jama Masjid. Yet another example of the typical Champaner fusion architecture.
• Kevada Mosque – This Champaner mosque also includes a cenotaph and is a two-storey prayer house – that is totally worth a visit when in the archaeological park.
• Nagina Mosque – Besides the mosque, this Panchmahal tourist attraction is renowned for its very intricate cenotaph.
• Helical Stepwell – One of the best remnants of the water harvesting and storage systems in the Champaner fortress. The spiral stepwell looks like a whirlpool when viewed from the top.
• Kabutar Khana – a summer pavilion for the Sultan by a natural lake called Vada Talao. One of the best spots to witness the sunset over Pavagadh hills.
• Saat Kaman – a gorgeous arched structure that served as a strategic viewpoint for Champaner fort.
• Mahakali Mataji Mandir – A living Hindu temple, renowned as a Shaktipeeth formed when Goddess Sati’s right toe fell at the spot. The temple requires you to either climb 1800 steps or take the ropeway to a half way point from where you have to just cover 300 steps. Though the temple building has received a recent uplift and sports very intricate Gujarati architecture, the inner shrine is said to go back to the 10^th-11^th century. Even today, the temple has over 100s of visitors who come all the way up the hill to seek the blessings of Kalika Mata.

I highly recommend you read this guide on Champaner-Pavagadh archaeological site to know all about the various stories and monuments this Panchmahal attraction offers.

• Distance from Ahmedabad: 150 km
• Distance from Vadodara : 50 km
• Timings – The main Champaner fortress is open from 8 am to 5 pm every day. However, Pavagadh Kalikamata Temple is open for longer – from 6 am to 7 pm.
• Entrance fees – The entrance tickets for the monuments cost INR 40 for Indians and INR 600 for foreign nationals. However, you do not need to pay any entrance for Kalika Mata Temple.

Jambughoda – one of the places to visit in Panchmahal Gujarat

The original name of this town in the Panchmahal district of Gujarat used to be Nalgoda. As the story goes, during British rule, one of the officers wanted some water and requested this junior officer to get him some. The subordinate tied his horse to a Jamun tree (called jambu in the local language) and went in search of water. When he returned, he found the horse missing. With his broken Gujarati, he asked the locals for a ghoda (horse) near a Jambu tree. Since then, the place came to be known as Jambughoda.

Jambughoda is just 20 km from Champaner, making it possible for you to club a visit with the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check out the various tourist attractions that this place has to offer.

Jambughoda wildlife sanctuary

This 130 sq km of natural forest used to belong to the princely kingdom of Jambughoda. In fact, it was the former Maharaja who put in efforts of conservation of this precious natural habitat and finally in 1990, this area was given the tag of of a wildlife sanctuary. The woods are native to animals like leopards, barking deer, wild boars, jackals and nilgai. With two reservoirs – Kada and Targol, this sanctuary is teeming with active birdlife that includes painted storks, hornbills, peacocks, kingfishers and various species of owls. You will also, find native tribal villages located within the sanctuary filled with mahua, teak and bamboo.

One of the things to do in Panchmahal Gujarat is to opt for a nature walk in the park – especially in the morning. You can even opt for glamping or camping at the Dhanpari Eco Campsite which is located on the fringe of this wildlife sanctuary in Panchmahal.

• Distance from Ahmedabad: 161 km
• Distance from Vadodara: 62 km
• Timings – Jambughoda wildlife sanctuary in Panchmahal is open from 6 am to 7 pm every day.
• Entrance fees – INR 50 per adult

Jhand Hanuman temple

7 km from Jambughoda town, is a small village called Jhand. The tribal hamlet was never there originally but was created after a rare stone carving of Lord Hanuman was found here. It is believed that this part of the current wildlife sanctuary of Jambughoda was part of what was called Hidimbaa’s van (forest of Hidimbaa). The legend behind this goes back to the times of Mahabharat.

After the Pandavas lost their game of dice, they were to spend 12 years in exile and the 13^th year in disguise. Even after that, it was obvious that they would have to fight a war to get their kingdom back. To prepare for the same, the Pandavas began gathering divine powers while they stayed in the forest of Hidimbaa (the demon wife of Bhima). Bhima approached Lord Hanuman for a divine boon that helped him get unnatural strength to defeat Duryodhana later during the war. It is believed that this rock idol was formed after this incident at the very place where Lord Hanuman blessed Bhima.

The 21 feet tall idol of Lord Hanuman with Shanidev by his feet has been decorated by the villagers and is highly revered by the devotees. There are a few other idols that you will pass by as you walk to the main shrine.

Close to this temple are two other Panchmahal tourist places – Arjuna’s well and Bhim ni Ghanti. Together with these three, it is totally worth driving to Zand (Jhand) village for a visit.

• Distance from Ahmedabad: 182 km
• Distance from Vadodara: 85 km
• Timings – 6 am to 7 pm.
• Entrance fees – No entrance fees

Arjuna’s well

While staying in the forest of Hidimba, to quench Draupadi’s parched throat, the Pandava prince Arjuna strung his divine bow to release an eternal spring. The villagers believe that the water source near Jhand Hanuman’s temple is the same one.

Today when you visit the temple in Panchmahal, a few meters from it, you will find a well that the locals term as Arjuna’s well. They say that this spring is always flowing throughout the year. You can just pop around the corner and check it out for yourself.

• Distance from Ahmedabad: 182 km
• Distance from Vadodara: 85 km
• Timings – none
• Entrance fees – No entrance fees

Bhim ni Ghanti (Bhim’s flour grinder)

A short walk from Jhand Hanuman temple is another Panchmahal attraction that will transport you back to the mythical world of Mahabharat. Right in the middle of the woods is a stone grinder (ghanti) that is believed to have been used by the Pandava prince Bhim.

Whether that is true or not, is anyone’s guess but what makes this tourist attraction worth the walk is the trail itself. Past the temple, the first thing you will see is a strange cave with a stone tablet in front of it. This is one of the hero stone worshipped by the tribals and dedicated to a brave man of the village. Further ahead is a sea of rock cairns (prayer stones) and a few more of these hero stones. These are left by locals for good luck and vibes.

Sometimes, it is not the destination but the journey to it that makes it worth the travel. This Panchmahal Gujarat attraction is definitely a testament to that.

• Distance from Ahmedabad: 182 km
• Distance from Vadodara: 85 km
• Timings – none
• Entrance fees – No entrance fees

The Rathwa tribal village

One of the offbeat things to do in Jambughoda is to visit a traditional Rathwa village. Among the many homes there, you should try and see the one that has a Pithora painting in it.

Pithora painting is a ceremonial wall painting done by the Rathwa and Bhil tribes after their family has achieved some major riches. They are done by a priest artist who channels the spirit of nature into the paintings dedicated to the Pithora God. The artistic wall that is created is sacred to not just that household but the entire community. During festivals, special rituals are held around it.

There is no particular place where you can get to these homes. You can just request your hotel or one of the locals to take you there.

Waterfalls in Panchmahal

Panchmahal district has several waterfalls that are worth visiting. Here are some of the waterfalls in Panchmahal that you may want to explore:

Hathni Waterfall

Hathni Waterfall is located in Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary and is one of the most popular waterfalls in Panchmahal. The waterfall is surrounded by dense forests and is an ideal place for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. The waterfall is formed by a stream that flows through the sanctuary and falls from a height of around 30 feet into a natural pool below. The pool is surrounded by rocks and boulders and is an ideal spot for swimming and enjoying the cool water.

Kada Waterfall

Kada Waterfall is located near the Kada Dam of Jambughoda and is a popular spot for tourists. The waterfall is surrounded by hills and is a great place for hiking and trekking.

Khuniya Mahadev waterfalls

Khuniya Mahadev Waterfalls is formed by the stream that flows through the Khuniya Mahadev Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The waterfall is located at a distance of around 2 km from the temple and is surrounded by lush green forests and hills. The waterfall cascades down from a height of around 100 feet into a pool of water below, creating a mesmerizing sight.

When here, do not miss the Khuniya Mahadev Temple is also a popular attraction in the area. The temple is believed to be around 500 years old and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Besides these three popular waterfalls in Panchmahal district of Gujarat, you can also visit Satkunda and Surya waterfalls.

Tuva Timba hot springs

One of the places in Panchmahal that took me by surprise was the Tuva Timba hot springs. The place is literally magical – with its legend and the natural sulphur springs.

They say that this area was home to a hermit named Sarbhanga who suffered from a rare skin ailment. During his exile, Lord Rama happened to meet him, and to help him out, he pulled out his bow and struck the ground with his arrow. Over 80 springs came out and the medicinal water cured the sage of his ailment. The Tuva Timba springs are believed to be these magical waters.

Do not go by the looks of the place. Go down to the 80 odd water wells and dip a finger or two in each of them. Be ready to be surprised when you find that each one of them has water of different temperatures. While some have boiling hot water, the others are just right for a bath.

• Distance from Ahmedabad: 110 km
• Distance from Vadodara : 81 km
• Timings – none
• Entrance fees – No entrance fees

Bhim na pagla (Bhim’s foot prints)

Another one of those places in Panchmahal that is related to Mahabharat.

Opposite the Tuva Timba springs, is a Shiva temple. Make sure you visit it to see the giant footprints of the legendary Pandava prince Bhim. It is believed that this was the place where Bhim married the demoness – Hidimbaa.

With this, I conclude this section with the best places to see in Panchmahal, Gujarat. This isn’t an infinite list but definitely the best sights that you can mark for your journey. I am sure you have marked your favorite things to do here and are planning a trip. Do message in and let me know which you will be heading to first.

Common FAQs about Panchmahal district in Gujarat

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Booking resources

• Booking.com has several good Ahmedabad hotels and Vadodara Hotels listed on their site. You can also, find one of the Champaner resorts through this link .
• Viator.com offers several tours to Champaner from Ahmedabad and Vadodara. If you are looking for a day trip to Champaner from Vadodara, this link takes you on a tour with a car and a guide.
• For any of your travel needs or general shopping, consider using Amazon through this link.

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