Overhead view of the pilgrim path up Pavagadh Hill, Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat State, India

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Pavagadh Hill is a basaltic volcano core, 800 m high, rising from the plains in the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, in Gujarat, western India, a UNESCO World Heritage site. At its base is the historical city of Champaner, while the hill station of Pavagadh was built upon the volcanic cone itself. It's a long hard climb up the pilgrim's path on Pavagadh Hill to reach the Kalika Mata (the Black Mother) temple at the top, which was built in the 10th to 11th century. It is one of the biggest tourist and pilgrimage centers in Gujarat, attracting large numbers of people every year, and it is traditional to make a pilgrimage here at least once in a lifetime. Although a portion of the pathway can be by-passed by taking the rope way, the majority of pilgrims walk the whole path up the hill, which is lined with shops selling refreshments and souvenirs.

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Size: 2400px × 3600px
Location: Pavagadh Hill, Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Gujarat State, India
Photo credit: © Terry Allen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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