Surendranagar district
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This article may require copy-editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling. You can assist by editing it. (August 2008) |
| Surendranagar | |
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| Coordinates | 22°14′N 70°49′E / 22.23°N 70.81°E |
| Country |  India |
| State | Gujarat |
| District(s) | Surendranagar |
| Population • Density |
1,515,148 (2001[update]) • 144 /km2 (373 /sq mi) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
10,489 km2 (4,050 sq mi) • 547 m (1,795 ft) |
Surendranagar (Hindi: सुरेन्द्रनगर /surendranagar/, Gujarati: સુરેન્દ્રનગર, Russian: сурендранагар) is an administrative district in the state of Gujarat in India, situated around 22° 43' N latitude and 71° 43' E longitude containing the district headquarters. The population is approximately 1,515,148.[citation needed] Surendranagar is also known as Zalawad, as the city of Surendranagar was the home of many Zala Rajputs. Surendranagar City (including Wadhwan City) has about 400,000 inhabitants, and is known as the city of Hi-Tech Bungalows.
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[edit] Geography
The district occupies an area of 10,489 km² and has a population of 1,515,148 of which 26.56% is urban (as of 2001).
Other cities in the district include Dhrangadhra, Halvad, Wadhwan, Limbdi, Chuda, Lakhtar, Muli, Sayla, Thangadh, and Tarnetar.
[edit] Economy
In the past, Surendranagar was used by colonialists as a hill station as it has a dry environment which was beneficial for some physical as well as mental ailments. In fact, Surendranagar's dry air is still believed to be the best place in Gujarat to cure Tuberculosis patients.[citation needed]
Surendranagar has the second highest rate of development in the whole of Gujarat state and is considered to be a strongest candidate for status of Municipal Corporation.[citation needed] It also has the second highest number of educational institutes in ratio of population.[citation needed]
[edit] SME's
Many SMEs and industries are also present, including confectionery, ceramics, pharmaceuticals,engineering plastics and salt production. Wadhwan City is now a major trade and processing centre for agricultural products, cotton, salt, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and plastics, textile bearings, ceramics and sanitary ware. A number of successful companies like Dinesh Precise Engineering Works(DPEW), Makson Machinery, Makson Pharmaceuticals,Textile Bearings (KCI) Industries, Luxite Industries, Mepro Pharmaceuticals, New Age Industries, LMS Foundry, Amba Mechanic Works, Meghdev Enterpries, Ardeec Engineering Works, Rimtex group of companies, Biodeal Laboratories, Panama group, Ronak Cotton,Devshi Devkaran Mehta ind. are situated in Surendranagar area.
[edit] Cotten & Salt
Surendranagar is a hub of cotton and ginning activities of India, with a large number of ginning and pressing units. It is one of the largest producers of quality "Shankar" cotton in world. Surendranagar houses the first Cotton Trading Exchange in India.[citation needed] Nearly 25% of India's salt supply comes from mining in the area.[citation needed] There are miles of "Agar" (Salt pans) specially in Kharaghoda area. Prosperity has increased recently due to bumper cotton production, good rains and rapid industrial development.[citation needed]
[edit] Textiles
The city is also home to a big textile and clothing market, specialising in saris. Big clothing showrooms are located in the city on Jawahar Road and Vithal Press Road. The city has a wholesale grain market called Mehta Market.
[edit] Educational Institutes
There has been an exponential growth in the number of educational institutes in Surendranagar recently. These include:
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Graduation and Post-Graduation:
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Secondary and Higher Secondary:
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- Shri P.G.N.M.S Girls High School
- Barbie Play House and Nursery
- Bachpan Pri Primary school English
- N.D.Raval Primary & High School Gujarati
[edit] Places of interest
[edit] Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary is a 100 km² plus bird sanctuary located on the border between Ahmedabad and Surendranagar and attracts over 210 species of birds during the four months of winter, including the endangered wild ass and the blackbuck, its migratory bird population includes Rosy Pelicans, White Storks, Brahminy Ducks, Herons and Flamingos. Mainly inhabited by migratory birds in winter and spring coming from as far as Siberia, it is the one of largest wetland bird sanctuaries in India. The shallow area and ponds on the outer fringes of the lake feed many wading birds.
[edit] Wild Ass Sanctuary
The world's only Onager (wild ass) sanctuary. It is located in Little Rann of Kutch in Surendranagar district.
[edit] Chotila Hill
Chotila Hill, located approx 60 km from Surendranagar city, is a place for the worship of Chamunda Mataji, a Hindu goddess and Kuladevi (divine protectress) of the Gohil clan of Rajaput. Thousands of pilgrims walk as far as 300 km to this place. The main business in Chotila is the production of pure ghee from the milk of the huge numbers of livestock here.
[edit] Tarnetar
Tarnetar is famous for its fair, popularly known as the Trinetreshwar Mahadev Mela (Fair), held near the Trinetreshwar Mahadev temple. Villagers from all over the region, dressed in their colorful traditional costumes and exquisite jewellery, throng Tarnetar during this fair. About 100,000 people belonging to various tribes like Rabari, Kathi, Charans, Bharwads, Bhangis, and Koli come to the fair. The fair also attracts a large number of tourists from India and abroad. More than 500,000 people visit the fair during its three days. The fair is also a match-making event. Tradition holds that if a girl stops to talk to one of the men, it is a sign that she has found the man of her choice. Then the elders of both the girl's and the boy's families meet and decide about their choices. The fair is also known for various dance and village sports competitions. The competitions include the horse cart race, bullock cart race and camel race, along with cultural competitions such as rass (Gujarati dance) competition, doha (poem recitation) competition and umbrella decoration competition.
[edit] Zharia Mahadev
A natural waterfall near Chotila (approximately 30 km) and an enjoyable picnic spot, where water continuously drips from the rocks and there is a temple of Bholenath.
[edit] BAPS Swaminarayan Temple
BAPS Swaminarayan Temple is also situated in surendranagar near the Railway Station. This is a temple of Sarvopari Bhagwan Swaminarayan and it's inspired by HDH.Pramukhswami Maharaj. This is very beautyfull temple in whole surendranagar. Every festival are celebrating here with lots of faith and happly.
[edit] People
The majority of the population is Jains. Other residents include Brahmins, Kshatriya, Bapoos, Patels, as well as significant numbers of Bharvad and Rabari. The various communities live harmoniously together. There has been a huge influx of people from surrounding villages due to the development of educational institutes in the city. People are very fond of spicy food and golla (finely granulated ice with different sweet and sour flavors).
Notable Gujarati comedian Shahabuddin Rathod hails from this district.
[edit] Tourism
There are many places in the Wadhwan City which are popular and worth visiting, such as Fatshar Ganpati Mandir and Dholi Dhaja Dam. In the centre of the city there are Tagore Baug. The Flyover bridge near the medical college is a good place to watch the sunset. The road bridge near the District Court building which connects Surendranagar to Muli High Way has a beautiful view of the river Bhogavo. At Tower Road is the only place in Gujarat with two clock towers exactly opposite each other: the Ajramar Tower (City Tower/Tower in Tanki chowk) and the Town Hall clock tower. Vruksh Mandir (Tree Temple) situated on Muli/Rajkot Highway has lots of trees. The Mandir of Meladi Maa's is the center of faith of many people. In Ratanpar, there is the Temple of Rameshvar Mahadev is also good in art and structure.
[edit] Rotary Garden
The Rotary Garden in the GIDC area of Wadhwan is gaining immense popularity. The garden, developed and maintained by the Rotary Club of Wadhwan City, has become a place to chill out, especially on weekends. The garden houses separate areas for senior citizens (Ba Bapuji Pyramid) & children (Play Park)
[edit] Delicacies
Surendrangar is famous for variety of food items & preparations native only to Surendranagar and some parts of Saurashtra. This includes 1. Parotha Saak 2. Fried Sev Mamra 3. Gola 4. Goti Soda 5. Lasaniya Bhajiya
[edit] Legends
Myth of Bhogaavo
- It is said that in old times (not really ancient) a ruler of Junagadh district, named Rakhengar, saw the queen/princess (not sure) of Wadhwan and fell in love with her. To win her (literally) he attacked Wadhwan. But the queen/princess escaped from the city towards the river Bhogaavo. In the end she sacrificed her life by drowning in the Bhogaavo instead of becoming the queen of Junagadh, but before she died she cursed the river that it would never have water and that it would kill one person every year.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Surendranagar |
| Zalawad Airport | |||
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| IATA: SUN – ICAO: VASN | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Operator | Airports Authority of India | ||
| Serves | To serve Surendranagar | ||
| Location | Surendranagar, Gujarat, India | ||
| Coordinates | Airport to be built | ||
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