| Lila Gumbaj Ki Mosque | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam(former) |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Mosque(former) |
| Status |
|
| Location | |
| Location | Champaner,Panchmahal,Gujarat |
| Country | India |
  Location of the mosque inGujarat | |
| Coordinates | 22°29′09″N73°32′14″E / 22.4859°N 73.5371°E /22.4859; 73.5371 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque architecture |
| Style | |
| Funded by | Mahmud Begada |
| Completed | 15th century |
| Specifications | |
| Dome | Three |
| Minaret | One |
| Materials | Rubblemasonry |
| Official name | Lila Gumbaj ki Masjid |
| Reference no. | N-GJ-98 |
| Official name | Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park |
| Criteria | Cultural: (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) |
| Designated | 2004 |
| Reference no. | 1101 |
TheLila Gumbaj Ki Mosque is a formermosque, now a heritage site, located inChampaner, in the state ofGujarat,India. The mosque is aMonument of National Importance,[1] and, together with other structures, is part of theChampaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, aUNESCOWorld Heritage Site, and is among the 114 monuments there which are listed by the Baroda Heritage Trust.[2] It is located near the east gate of the former city.[3][4][5]
The mosque, or masjid, is built on a high plinth, has a frontage with an arched entrance at the centre flanked by two lateral arches. Initially, three entrances existed on the east, south, and north directions. There are well spaced minarets fashioned with horizontal cornices and mouldings, and decorated niches. Of the three domes, the central one has a fluted design and is colourful. On the north-east corner there is a rectangular ablution tank with a deep drain in front. Inside the mosque, there are threemehrabs in the prayer hall and these are decorated with a central suspendedkalash carved with floral motifs.[3][4]
Conservation work on the Lila Gumbaz was conducted in 1921, which involved, according to an Archaeological Survey of India report of that year, removing the concrete cover over the ribbed dome and replacing it with new concrete and plastering, and also replacing stone floor slabs in the interior of the masjid. The drain around the masjid was cleared of decaying vegetation over a length of about 50 feet (15 m).[6] Subsequently, in 1929, an underground drain which runs three quarters of the way around the masjid was cleaned, but only partially.[7] ASI reports of 2006 indicate that extensive restoration works of many heritage monuments were carried out at the Lila Gubaz and also at the Jami Masjid, fort walls, Bawana Mosque, Kevada Masjid, Sikandar Shah Tomb and Sikander tomb, which resulted in a slight increase in tourist traffic to the sites. ASI had already spent Rs 2.25 crores (about US$0.45 million) on conservation in a four-year period and Rs 1.15 crores (US$0.23 million) was allotted for further restoration work at the sites.[8]
The pillars of Lila Masjid and Nagina Masjid were subject to deterioration due to wind, humidity and moisture (bio-deterioration) and the stones were "pulverized"; at Lila Masjid, the top parts of the architectural detailing of two pillars had been lost. Further pulverization was prevented by spraying on OH-100 (ethyl silicate) and also in a few cases deteriorated areas were filled with stone powder mixed with OH-100.[5] Other treatment measures included removing insoluble salts using a 2% solution of sodium hexa meta phosphate,ferrous salts with a 2% solution ofEDTA and removingbat excreta with a 5% solution ofliquid ammonia and non-ionicdetergent followed by a second stage of treatment by applying a mixture ofammonium carbonate andammonium bicarbonate, with EDTA as an additive. Micro-vegetation growth were carefully removed by brushing with softnylon brushes sprayed with an aqueous solution of 3% ammonia and 1% non-ionic detergent, which was later removed by washing with a large quantity of water.[5]
There are several other mosques within the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, including theBawaman,Jama,Kevada, andNagina mosques.
Media related toLili Gumbaz Masjid Champaner at Wikimedia Commons
