Sidhpur

Sidhpur
—  city  —
Coordinates
Country	India
State	Gujarat
District(s)	Patan
Population	53,581 (2001)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)

Sidhpur is a city and a municipality in Patan district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Sidhpur is an historical place, located in North Gujarat, India. It is located on the bank of Sarasvati River, considered to be the branch of lost Saraswati river. Sidhpur is the taluka headquarters of Sidhpur taluka.

History

Sidhpur is also known as Sri-sthal or a "pious place". It is mentioned in the Rig Veda to be existing at that time as the Dashu village. The legend is that the great sage Vyashya had donated his bones to God Indra here at Sidhpur. Sidhpur is also believed to be located at the junction of two rivers Ganges and Saraswati. Even in the Mahabharata, the great Indian epic, it is mentioned that the Pandavas had visited the place while they were in exile. During the 4-5th A.D a large number of people settled in this part. They were Gurjara people from Iran.

Around the 10th century, under Solanki rulers, the city was at the zenith of fame and glory. The ruler Siddhraj Jaisingh built his capital at Sidhpur, thus the name Sidhpur which literally means Siddhraj's town. He built a temple dedicated to Shiva, and also beautiful palaces and one huge tower, some say of 80 metres long. He also brought large numbers of Brahmins from Mathura and had them settled here. During the 12th century Muhammed Ghori destroyed the town on his way to Somnath. Around 30,000 people were killed in the raid, and the Solanki empire was destroyed.

During the Sultanate time the place was under the rule of local dynasty ruling from Palanpur. Later on in 15th century the place was brought under the Mughal rule by Akbar. Under the Mughal rule the town developed and flourished.

Climate

The climate of Sidhpur is continental. The summer season is hot and dry, with temperature in the range of 40s. While in winter it is pleasant with temperatures in 20s. The average annual rainfall is 40-50 inches. Great place to

• Bindu-sarowar:It is a small artificial tank, even mentioned in rig-veda and considered pious by Hindus.

• Lord Kapil had founded Sankhya sastra ,and Mother Devhuti got Moksha, Explained the Sankhya Darsan by his son (Kapila) on the Saraswati bank: Since the Mauksha of Devhuti established this place Bidu sarovar in Sidhpur a only place in India where Matru-shradh is being carried out, thus thousands of people come here annually to perform the rituals for their dead mothers. in month of Kartike of Hindu calender. History says the Lord Parshuram had worship here for his sins and done the Matrushradh for his Mother . Rig-Ved mentioned for ancient Sristhal and Sarswati river .Siddhpur.\his are the magnificent and beautiful havelies or medieval homes of Bohra traders. They are famous for their delicate wooden architecture and interior decoration of medieval style of India.

Arvadeswar temple of Lord Shiv at Siddhpur is a very ancient place of Nath sampraday in this place Late Devshankarbapa Bhatt who had worshiped 50 years and Died in 1978. The Siddhpith is established by Devshankarbapa.Where vedic activities, archana of Lord shiv like Laghurudra, Maharudra, Atirudra . Daily Agnihotra and Gaytrima chants is being carried out by Brahmin Priest Shri Vikrambhai Pancholi at present.At Siddhpith annually pilgrims/Devotees from India come at Birth ,Death anivesary of Devshankarbapa. Siddhpith had a place of Rushi Kandarm "s worship spot, and evidence of ancient history being the Lord Brahma'"s visit .

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Sidhpur had a population of 53,581. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Sidhpur has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 64%. In Sidhpur, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Transport

It has the 4-lane state highway passing through it connecting Ahmedabad with Palanpur. The broad gauge railway line connecting Mumbai to Delhi passes through Sidhpur.