Khedbrahma
| Khedbrahma ખેડબ્રહ્મા |
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|---|---|
| — Towncity — | |
 Khedbrahma
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| Coordinates: 24°1′42″N 73°2′29″E / 24.02833°N 73.04139°ECoordinates: 24°1′42″N 73°2′29″E / 24.02833°N 73.04139°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Gujarat |
| District | Sabarkantha |
| Government | |
| • Nagarpati | |
| Elevation | 202 m (663 ft) |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 25,547 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Gujarati, Hindi |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 383255 |
| Vehicle registration | starting with GJ 9 |
| Sex ratio | 1000/916 ♂/♀ |
| Website | khedbrahma |
Khedbrahma is a town and a taluka in Sabarkantha, Gujarat. It will become administrative headquarter of newly formed Aravalli district.[1] It is known for its historical and mythological connections, Brahma’s temple and Aditi stepwell, goddess Ambika temple, Jain Temple of Mahavir, and tribal population and their culture.
Villages of Khedbrahma Taluka include Matoda, Radhivad, Agia, Derol, Metral, Poshina, etc.[2]
Contents |
Etymology [edit]
It is believed that Lord Brahma had ploughed the land here and a river had flown out of it[3] which is now known as Harnav.
History [edit]
According to Padmapuran this is an ancient town being known as Brahmpur in Saty Yug; Agnikhet in Treta; Hiranyapur in Dwapar and talukhet in Kali Yug. Puratan Brahmakshetra says that many Digambar temples were also present in this locality. History can be traces back to 11th century when Lord Brahma Temple and Ambika Temple were built. Aditi Vav was built in 14th century.[4]
Geography [edit]
There is a sangam (meeting point) of three small rivers here, namely Hirnakshi, Bhimakshi and Kosambi. After the confluence of these three rivers, the river is named Harnav which merges with Sabarmati river. It divides the town in a northern and a southern part.[2]
Demographics [edit]
As of 2010[update] India census,[5] Khedbrahma had a population of 29,402. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Khedbrahma has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 73%, and female literacy is 56%. In Khedbrahma, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. Communities living in Khedbrahma include Ajana Patel, Kachchhi Patel, Charotar Patel and Brahmin. Khedbrahma taluka have a tribal population in majority.
Civic Administration [edit]
Khedbrahma is municipality and Taluka headquarter. It has 9 wards and 27 seats in Municipality. There are 15 seats for reserved categories and 12 seats for unreserved categories.[6]
Khedbrahma is included in new Aravalli district, carved out from tribal-dominated areas of Sabarkantha and Banaskantha. The new district was formed on January 26, 2013.[7][8][1]
Places of Importance [edit]
Lord Brahma Temple and Aditi Stepwell [edit]
There is a temple of Brahma which is rarely seen in India, only second to Pushkar. It was built in third quarter of 11th century [9] or in 12th century.[2][4]
There is a step-well known as Brahma Vav which have carving that resembling temple spires and idols. It is now in despair due to lack of maintenance.[3][10] It is also known as Aditi Vav historically and was built in 14th century. An inscription of Vikram Samvat 1256 is present in Vav.[4]
Ambika Temple [edit]
Ambika temple was built in early 11th century.[9] Every year many pilgrims come to Ambika temple especially during September–October due to Bhadarvi Purnima festival. It is also known as Nana Ambaji Temple.[3] There is a fair during Kartik Purnima(on full moon day of November–December)here. Pushya Purnima(on full moon day of February–March) is important because it is considered as a foundation day of the temple.[11]
Others [edit]
There is also the Bhrigurishi ashram and a Shiva temple which is associated with folklores and Puranic stories. According to legend, Bhrigurishi, son of Brahma had spent a long time praying to Shiva here in order to fulfill his wish.
Kashi Vishvanath temple, Kshirjamba Mahalaxmi temple and Pankheshvar (or Pakshendranath) Mahadev temple are situated on the bank of the Harnav river which are popular locally. Mahavir Swami Jain temple, situated in northern part of town, is almost 500 years old.[2][4]
Transportation [edit]
There is a bus-station of state transport (GSRTC) connecting all major cities of Gujarat, and a railway station which has two trains a day.
Distance from Places [edit]
From Ahmedabad it is 122 km away.
From Himmatnagar it is 52 km away.
From Ambaji it is 50 km away.
References [edit]
- ^ a b John, Paul (January 25, 2013). "Demand to make Bhiloda administrative centre for Aravali district". The Times of India (Ahmedabad). TNN. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Khedbrahma Taluka Official Govt. Website". Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- ^ a b c India Guide Gujarat. India Guide Publications, 2007. p. 191. ISBN 0978951700, 9780978951702 Check
|isbn=value (help). Retrieved 1 October 2012. - ^ a b c d Gujarat State Gazetteers: Sabarkantha. Directorate of Government Print., Stationery and Publications, Gujarat State, 1974. pp. 88,91,172. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ^ "State Election Commission, Gujarat Official Website". Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- ^ "Modi’s poll knife carves out Aravali". The Times of India. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- ^ "Seven new districts to be formed in Gujarat". Daily Bhaskar (Ahmedabad). DNA. January 24, 2013. Retrieved February 09, 2013.
- ^ a b Studies in Indian temple architecture: papers presented at a seminar held in Varanasi, 1967. p. 128. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- ^ The Stepwells of Gujarat: In Art-Historical Perspective. Abhinav Publications, 1981. p. 53. ISBN 0391022849, 9780391022843 Check
|isbn=value (help). Retrieved 1 October 2012. - ^ Fairs and Festivals of India: Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra. Gyan Pub. House 2003. pp. 106, 117,118. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
