Taranagar

Taranagar
—  city  —
Taranagar Location of Taranagar in Rajasthan and India
Coordinates	28°41′N 75°02′E
Country	India
State	Rajasthan
District(s)	Churu
Population	27,073 (2001)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 232 metres (761 ft)

Taranagar is a city and a municipality in Churu district in the Indian state of Rajasthan, situated at 28° 41'N 75° 3'E, about 120 miles northeast of Bikaner. Taranagar was earlier known as Reni, named for the lady Rinkali who came here to live from Vishalnagar Koyalapatan, currently Foga in Sardarshar (Rajasthan). Reni was the headquarters of the nizamat and the tehsil of the same name in the state of Bikaner in Rajputana. The nizamat consisted of five eastern tehsils of Bhadra, Churu, Nohar, Rajgarh and Reni. In 1948, the town was renamed for King Tara Singh, who ruled it in mid 18th century.

History

The first king of Taranagar was Ranakpal. He lost the empire to Chayal Rajputs, who ruled it for more than 1000 years, then Rao Bikaji conquered it. Reni was part of Jangladesh and capital of the Jakhar gotra jat, ruled prior to its annexation by the Rathor rulers. The present name of the town is Taranagar. Taranagar is a very old village, famous for its temples, ancient Havelies, paintings inside them and chatries.

Taranagar also has an old Fort, locally known as Gadh, that is now is being used as the Tehshil headquarters and is surrounded by the market place. Taranagar is surrounded by a number of small villages, the residents of which trade in Taranagar.

Places of interest

The most famous temple in the village is a Jain temple built in 942. It has very old statues of Jain Tirthankars.

Chatri of Anand Singhji and Tara Singhji, or saints' homes, are the most popular of the town. A temple, a little away from the town, is known as Shyam Pandia. It is said to be as old as Dwapar Yug. It is believed that Bhima of The Mahabharata came there to call for the services or blessings of the then pujari of the temple, Saint Shyam Pandia, for the Tilak ceremony of Yudhisthira after winning the Battle of Kurukshetra. A temple of Pir Ramdeoji, situated in the midst of the town, is worshiped by people from all the creeds and communities.

Nearby villages

Brahmanwasi is an agricultural locality situated on the western side of the town. The main crops raised are millet, Bajra, guar and gram. Historically, it was a zamindari vested in the Vyas family (Pushkarna Brahmins) by the late Raja Shri Joravar Singhji, the then King of Bikaner. The current scion of the family Mool Raj holds the original handwritten document of transfer of Brahmanwasi. Vyas were further patronized by Banias mainly Swetambar Jains- who held prominent position among business community.

Geography

Taranagar is located at 28.68°N 75.03°E / 28.68; 75.03. It has an average elevation of 232 metres (761 feet).

Taranagar is located in the tehsil named Tarangar, under the Rajgarh subdivision of the Churu district.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Taranagar had a population of 27,073. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Taranagar has an average literacy rate of 57%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 67%, and female literacy is 46%. 18% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Industry

Taranagar is known for its Plaster of Paris industry.

Other famous industries Based in Taranagar: 'Beniwal Realtors' is a company of professionals engaged in real estate consultancy for the past 20 years for capacity utilization in all Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi NCR Region.

External links

• http://www.taranagar.tk
• Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 21, p. 278