Valsad
| Valsad | |
| — city — | |
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| Coordinates | 20°38′N 72°56′E / 20.63°N 72.93°ECoordinates: 20°38′N 72°56′E / 20.63°N 72.93°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Gujarat |
| District(s) | Valsad |
| Population | 68,825 (2001[update]) |
| Sex ratio | 920/1000 ♂/♀ |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
• 13 metres (43 ft) |
Valsad (Gujarati: વલસાડ), formerly known as Bulsar, is a city and a municipality in the Valsad district of the Indian state of Gujarat. The city has a collectorate, a district court, and a police headquarters with a historic prison. The municipality is governed by the city mayor.
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[edit] Origin of name
The name 'Valsad' derives from vad-saal, a Gujarati language compound meaning "hampered (saal) by banyan trees (vad)" (the area was naturally rich in banyan trees).
[edit] Geography
Valsad is located at 20°38′N 72°56′E / 20.63°N 72.93°E.[1] It has an average elevation of 13 metres (42 feet).
The city center is about 4 km inland from the Arabian sea.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
[edit] Tithal beach
Tithal Beach is a tourist attraction in the coastal region of Valsad, overlooking the Arabian sea. It has many tourist attractions including some grand temples like, Shri Sai Baba & Shri Swami Narayan. The Indian government has funded in the development of the area, due to its popularity with local and foreign tourists alike. There are plenty of stalls and shops selling various kinds like Bajiya, Dabeli, Bhel Chat Coconut water and of souvenirs. You will also find places to eat both indoors and outdoors with plenty of choice from a full meal to traditionally prepared snacks. There is also a play area for children, public toilets and hotels. The road from Valsad city to Tithal branches into two around a kilometer after crossing the Wanki river. The road to the left goes to the Sai Baba temple located along the coast of Arabian Sea and the road to the right goes to Tithal beach and further continues along the seashore up to Swaminarayan temple located 1.6 km ahead along the sea coast. The temple is built in stone with exquisite hand carvings. Adjacent to the temple, there is a food outlet serving a variety of vegetarian snacks. The Shri Sai Baba Temple is adjacent to the shore of the Tithal Beach and the daily prayers are attended by many devotees from all over the world. The Shantidham Temple is also a popular religious destination being close to the sea shore provide a good view of the Arabian Sea.
Parnera is a village in Valsad District of Gujarat. Prime attraction is the Parnera Fort. There is also a hill which is known as Parnera Hill which is one of the most famous tourist place. Every year during the time of October fun fair is organized on the Parnera Hill. Tadkeshwar Mahadev Mandir Tadkeshwar Mahadev Mandir is a famous temple in Valsad. It is well known for different kinds of Shivling. It"s called as Tadkeshwar because there is no roof and constant sunlight should touch the Shivling.
[edit] Economy
The Alphonso mango (known locally as Haafus), for which the city and environs was once famous, is still important to the local economy. Villages in the Valsad district have numerous mango orchards, the only source of income for many villagers.
[edit] Overview
Valsad has a population count of about 68,825 according to latest census. Valsad district is home to some popular names such as Vapi (the Chemical Hub of Gujarat), Umbergaon & Bhilad-Sarigam (The Industrial Estates). The union territories of Daman and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, which are important tourist destinations, are located near Valsad. This city's longitude and latitude are 72.98 and 20.54 respectively.
Morarji Desai, the former Prime Minister of India and famous Marathi playwright Ram Ganesh Gadkari were from Valsad[citation needed], as was also the Indian independence activist Bhulabhai Desai[citation needed] The ancestors of British rocker Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara) were from Valsad, as well as those of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. Some famous actors were also born in Valsad like Nirupa Roy, Bindu, Prachi Desai, Manhar Desai, Mahesh Desai and producer Manmohan Desai[citation needed]
The first X-Factor Reality show in India saw a huge audience as well as participants. One of which was from the city of Valsad - The Sajda Sisters. Three ladies of the Pandit family are highly renowned faces in Musical groups in Valsad and all over Gujarat. Performing almost round the year to places around the globe they have a reign of family members making their contributions in music and singing. Belonging to a regular family the trio went on to top three in the finale of X-Factor the biggest music reality show.
[edit] Valsad in Literature
Valsad has always been a long lost city when it comes to literature.[citation needed] This is the city which has been described as heaven in Kumayl Hasan Rizvi's debut novel named Fairytale. This is supposed to be the home-town of Vasukhi, the lead female character of Fairytale. Vasukhi, has been described as a living princess in the book. Fairytale is India's first teenage love-story based on a real tale. This is India's first love story written on valsad. Fairytale is the only book which is a role model for every young lover that every little love-story is a fairytale. More than a love story it is a world of love that exists, within the book. As per the book, the people of Valsad are really helpful and kind and this is India's first place which brought fairytale and reality together into love in the form of this book.
Moreover, according to the writer of the book, the people are real sweet and caring. After the lead character (Vasukhi) Kumayl's Internet-sister Mehsaz, is one of the top names when it comes to his list of sweet-people of Valsad. Mehsaz is even one of the main character of the book.
[edit] Demographics
As of the 2001 India census,[2] Valsad had a population of 68,825. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Valsad has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 77%. Gujarati and Marathi are the main languages of Valsad.
[edit] Education
[edit] Colleges
City has two technical colleges, Govt. Polytechnic (Estd. 1965) and Govt. Engg. College (Estd. 2004 Dhr).
Govt. Polytechnic offers the following programmes:
1. Mechanical Engg.
2. Chemical Engg.
3. Electrical Engg.
4. Plastic Dept.
5. Civil Engg.
Government Engineering College helds following Programmes.
1.Chemical Engineering
2.Mechanical Engineering
3.Electrical Engineering
4.Environment Engineering
5.Civil
[edit] Schools
Though the size of valsad city is very small, it has very decent educational facilities. Vallabh Ashram, shri madhav dev shastri English teaching school and Convent School provide excellent English education. Host of Gujrati medium government schools do exist.
List of Schools
State Board
1. Bai Ava Bai High School
2. G.V.D. Sarvjanik High School
3. R.J.J.
4. D.M.D.G.
5. Jamnabai
6. SumantRai
7. ManiBa
8. RM & VM
9. S.J.C.
10. Swaminarayana High School
11. Gaytri High School
12. Khimchand High School
13. Kusum Vidhyalaya
14. Shivang high school
15. Kalyani School
16. Sunrise English Medium School, Shethia Nagar, Valsad. 08128879879
Affiliated to CBSE
Affiliated to ICSE
Atul Vidyalay
[edit] Transport
The city has a rail terminus for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad line and Mumbai-Delhi line of the Western Railway. Connected by the National Highway no. 8 (NH 8), Valsad is about 150 km north of Mumbai and about 100 km south of the city of Surat.
[edit] Railways
Valsad is a major railway station on the Mumbai-Vadodara mainline of Western Railways (WR) and is well connected by rail to all major cities in India. The present railway station building was established in 1925. Most trains on the route including the August Kranti Rajdhani Express have a scheduled halt at Valsad. Adjacent to the railway station is the Valsad Electric Loco Shed which houses over 100 electric locomotives. It is the only loco shed on WR which houses the AC/DC locomotives like WCAM-1 and WCAM-2, WCAM-2P and one of the only two in India (the other being Kalyan on Central Railways) to house AC/DC dual powered electric locomotives. Recently many WAG-5/5As have been homed at Valsad who are pure AC locomotives. Valsad has three platforms no 1,2,3 and there are almost 4-5 freight sidings.
Several long distance express trains and short distance intercity trains originate and terminate at Valsad. Some of the trains starting from Valsad are-
- 0123/0124 Valsad Fast Passenger to Mumbai Central
- 9109/9110 Gujarat Queen to Ahmedabad
- 2929/2930 Intercity Express to Vadodara
- 9051/9052 Shramik Express to Sonpur
- 2943/2944 Udyogkarmi Express to Kanpur
- 245WR/246WR Passenger to Bandra Terminus (Mumbai)
- 249WR/250WR Passenger to Viramgam
- 2911/2912 valsad Haridwar express
[edit] See also
| Valsad | ||||
| Next 'Small' station towards Mumbai: Pardi |
Western Railway : Railway (India) | Next 'Small' station towards Surat: Dungri |
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| Distance from Mumbai(Borivali) = 0150 KM | ||||
| Next 'Main' station towards Mumbai: Palghar |
Western Railway : Railway (India) | Next 'Main' station towards Surat: Navsari |
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[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Valsad
- ^ "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. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Valsad |
- Official Website of the Valsad Collectorate (in Gujarati).
- Official Website of the Valsad Nagarpalika.
