Phalodi

Template:Infobox Indian jurisdiction Phalodi is a city and a municipality in Jodhpur district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is situated between latitude 27°-06 to 27°-09 north and 72°-20 to 72°-23east. It has an average elevation of 303 metres (994 feet). Phalodi is also called the "salt city" due to the concentration of a large number of salt industries located in the area

History

Phalodi was initially called Phalvardhika. In Vikram Samvat 1515, Shri Siddhuji Kalla have founded Phalodi by grass of Shri Maa Latiyal with named as Phalvaridhika which was later renamed as Phalodi at the request of Phala, the widowed daughter of Shri Sidhu Kalla,who gave a generous contribution in cash to build the fort of Phalodi.

It is situated between latitude 27°-06 to 27°-09 north and 72°-20 to 72°-23east on the Jodhpur-Jaisalmer railway line. It is the second largest town in the district and is also the sub-divisional headquarters. The town is situated at distance of 140 km. from Jodhpur. The present population of the town, as per census 2001, is 44,756. A number of Government & semi government offices are situated in the town. Phalodi is surrounded by Bikaner, Nagaur & Jaisalmer Districts. It is well connected by road and railway. The railway station of the town was established in 1914. National Highway 15 (Pathankot-Kandla) and State Highway No. 2 ( Jodhpur- Jaisalmer) passes through the town.

It is well known for migratory bird ”Kurja” (Crane). The village Khichan is hardly four km. away from Phalodi.bawari kalla is situated 14 KM from phalodi a village of sevad Rajpurohits spiritual guru's of Rathore Rajput here we find lots of govt servant businessman and well educated engineers spread all over India end even in Foreigne as well. The town is a prime place for commercial and industrial activity of surrounding hinterlands. Phalodi was established in mid 15th century. In 1488, a Fort was constructed by Hamir Singh, the grandson of Rao Suja. He did a number of developmental works during his period. In 1230, famous Kalyan Raoji’s temple was constructed. The temple of goddess Latiyal Devi and Santinath are some of the oldest temples of the town. The Parsnath Jain temple established in 1847 by the Oswal Jain community has been made only in stone and does not have any girders or RCC construction. It is made of old Belgium glass. This Jain temple is considered a marvel in architecture.

A Haveli in Phalodi, Rajasthan

In 1547, Rao Maldeo was the ruler of Phalodi. But in 1578 it was handed over to Rai Singh, the King of Bikaner by the emperor Akbar. In 1615, it came under the control of Rao Soor Singh of Jodhpur State and thereafter remained a part of state of Jodhpur.

The stone epigraphic inscriptions in the Kalyanji-Ka- Mandir indicate existence of a town called as Vijay Nagar Patan which is now known as Phalodi. In 2008 a major renovation was done in the Latiyaldevi Mata Temple and a silver throne (singhasan) for Latiyal Mata was made.

Phalodi also has a large number of communities living in it. The majority arePushkarna Brahmins. Small industries flourish in Phalodi. The town is well known for the large number of industries for the production of sodium salt and Plaster of Paris. Phalodi is largest supplier of salt in India.

Transportation

Phalodi Railway station lies on the Broad Gauge line of the Delhi- Jaisalmer train route. Trains passing through Phalodi - Bikaner to Jaisalmer - Delhi to Jaisalmer - Jodhpur to Jaisalmer

Phalodi is connected to Jodhpur (135 km towards south), Bikaner (156 km towards north), Nagaur (145 km in east) and Jaisalmer (165 km in west). National Highway No.15 skirts through Phalodi. Bus Services are there continuously from Jodhpur (3 hours) and Bikaner (3 hours). There are a number of Cabs and Taxis that ferry passengers from these places.

Economics

Phalodi town is situated in western part of Rajasthan, which is a poorly developed region. The sub soil water in the vicinity of town is not very deep. The main economic base of the town are the salt industrial units & tourism. As it is en route to Jaisalmer, which is a popular tourist spot, and is close to the Baba Ramdev temple, it is considered to have great economic potential. It's economy has grown manifold due to the construction of an airstrip recently. Khichan, a famous tourist place, a transit spot for migrating birds “ Kurja” (cranes) migrating from Siberia, is hardly 5 km away from the town. "Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojna", also known as "Rajasthan Canal Project" has a big township named R.C.P. colony here. The Canal provides lift irrigation to adjoining areas. A few product industries are also located in the RIICO industrial area.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Phalodi had a population of 44,756. 53% and 47% are male and female respectively. Phalodi has an average literacy rate of 58%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 69%, and female literacy is 46%. In Phalodi, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Notable people from Phalodi

Some of the most eminent academics from phalodi include Dr J N Bohra (retired as a prominent senior scientist who worked in NPL, Delhi and had his PhD from USA and UK, Er Shri Gopal Bohra (retired as the director in mining engineering dept); Dr S N Bohra (MD) who is currently practicing in Jodhpur, Late S N Thanvi (IAS), Mr Narottam Vyas- CA and senior VP in Essar Group, Dr B R Thanvi MD FRCP who is an hon associate professor and a lead consultant for stroke and Parkinson's disease in Warwick Hospital, UK; Dr Satish Purohit-a prominent clinician practicing in Phalodi, Dr Narottam Thanvi, oncologist working at Apollo, Delhi,and Dr Manisha Harsh MS gynaecologist working in UK. Dr B R Thanvi MD FRCP has several publications in the reputed international medical journals.

References

• Phalodi Coordinates