Pavagadh is a small but tall mountain about 50 kilometers away from Vadodara. The history of the religious and historic mountain is linked with Patai Raval. It is said that the king Vanaraj Chavada established Champaner at the, foot of Pavagadh in fond memory of his wise minister Champa.

The Patai Raval family ruled it and took care of the boundary. The folk tales say that the Mahakali joined the Garba ' (The traditional Gujarati group dance) assuming the form of a woman during the Navaratra festival.

There is the Mahakali seat at the top of the hill. The last Patai Jaisinh saw the beautiful lady and threw nasty looks at her. The deity cursed him. As a result of that curse, the emperor of Gujarat, Muhammad Begda assaulted Pavagadh and won over the hill on the boundary.

Pavagadh - Shakti Peeth in Gujarat

The Pavagadh Shakti Peeth is located at at a distance of about 50 km from Vadodara in Gujarat; it is located near Champaner the ancient capital of Gujarat.

The three main Shakti Peethas of Gujarat are Ambaji at Arasur, Bala at Chunval and Kali at Pavagadh near Champaner. Other Shakti shrines in Gujarat are those at Asapura in Kutch, Arbudadevi on Mount Abu, Sundari at Halvad, Harsiddhi at Kolgiri or Koyla and Anasuya on the Narmada.

Following the destruction of Daksha's sacrifice and the Rudra Tandava of Shiva parts of Sati's body fell at several places throughout India, and these places are revered as Shakti peethas. The left breast of Sati is believed to have fallen here.

This hill temple attracts several visitors during the annual Navaratri fair.

Pavagadh gets its name from the fact that it is a solitary hill standing out alone, blessed with a blowing gentle breeze from all around. Legend has it that the valley surrounding Pavagadh was filled up by the power of the sage Viswamitra. Legend also has it here that the image of Kalika Mata was set up by Viswamitra; a river by name Viswamitri originates here.

Kali here is worshipped as Dakshina Kali, and is worshipped in the Dakshina marga with vedic and tantric rites. The festival season of Navaratri witnesses several celebrations here.

The fortress at Champaner, bears the scars of the many wars of possession that happened in this region throughout the second millennium CE. Originally a glorious city under the Rajputs, Champaner fell into the hands of the Sultans of the Gujarat region in late 15th century; it then came under the rule of Humayun, and was then recaptured by Sultan Bahadur Shah; it relapsed into the hands of Akbar, and then came under the control of the Marathas and finally came under the possession of the British.

A hilly passage leads to Pavagadh from Champaner. The Maha Kali temple enshrines an image of Kalika Mata. There are also images of Maha Kali and a yantra of Goddess Bahuchara. Two lakes - Chhasia Talao and Dudhiya Talao are seen enroute to the temple.