Junagadh

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Junagadh v • d • e Gujarat • India
Junagadh
District(s)	Junagadh
Coordinates	21.52° N 70.47° E
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 107 m (351 ft)
Population	168,686 (2001)

Coordinates: 21.52° N 70.47° E

See Junagarh for disambiguation.

Junagadh is a city and a municipality in Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 Events 5 City 6 Places of Interest 7 Rainfall 8 See also 9 References 10 External links

[edit] History

Junagadh is a former princely state of British India. In the independence and partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, the 565 princely states were given a choice of whether to join India or Pakistan. The Muslim nawab of Junagadh, His Highness Nawab Mahabat Khanji, whose Muslim ancestors had ruled Junagadh and connected small principalities over the last seven hundred years, decided that Junagadh should become part of Pakistan, which was just across the Arabian Sea. The unsettled conditions in Junagadh had led to a cessation of all trade with India and the food position became precarious. The region was in crisis and the Nawab was forced to flee to Karachi with his family and established a provisional government. Before leaving the Nawab had emptied the state treasury of its cash and securities. The Dewan of Junagadh, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the father of the more famous Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, now decided to invite the Government of India to intervene. Bhutto wrote a letter to Mr. Buch, the Regional Commissioner of Saurashtra in the Government of India:

"Dear Mr. Buch,

After discussion with Mr. Samaldas Gandhi at Rajkot on October 1, Capt. Harvey Jones, senior member of Junagadh State Council, brought certain proposals for the consideration of the Council. The Council were prepared to accept them under protest but before a final decision could be communicated to Mr. Samaldas Gandhi it was thought necessary to ascertain the opinion of the leading members of the public. A meeting was therefore held this evening and the view of the leaders was unanimously expressed that instead of handing over the administration to the Indian Union through the so-called Provisional Government, it should be directly given over to the Indian Union, through the Regional Commissioner at Rajkot.

The Junagadh Government, therefore, has requested that in order to avoid bloodshed, hardship, loss of life and property and to preserve the dynasty, you should be approached to give your assistance to the administration particularly with a view to preserve law and order, which is threatened by aggressive elements from outside. This arrangement is sought pending an honourable settlement of the several issues involved in Junagadh's accession. We have already wired to His Excellency Lord Mountbatten, Mahatmaji, Prime and Deputy Prime Ministers of India, Hon'ble Abul Kalarn Azad and the Governor-General and Prime Minister of Pakistan.

I hope you will kindly respond to this request.

Yours sincerely,  :Sd/S.N.bhutto,

Dewan, Junagadh."

India then assumed control over the entire state of Junagadh. An Azad Fauj, or liberation army, of 20,000 men with armored cars and other modern weapons entered Junagadh and the state was secured - the ruler had already left with his family for the safer pastures in Pakistan. Officially, the action was taken on the request of the Dewan of Junagadh, who feared disorder and chaos in the state.

The Government of Pakistan protested, saying that since the accession of the state to Pakistan (September 15, 1947), the Dewan had no authority to negotiate a settlement with India. Junagadh became a part of the Indian state of Saurashtra until November 1, 1956, when Saurashtra became part of Bombay state. Bombay state was split into the linguistic states of Gujarat and Maharashtra in 1960.

JUNAGADH:- Situated at foot of mountain GIRNAR has novel past and interesting present. The present old town developed during 19th and 20th century and is an example of the rich princely tradition which now is a valuable heritage.

On the land presented by Jinabhai (Hemantsingh) Darbar of Panchala, Lord Swaminarayan got constructed a huge temple at Junagadh by great Saint Brahmanand Swami and installed Radha, Ramandev, Ranchhodji, Trikamji and Siddheshwar Mahadev with Parvati Devi in Vikram Samvat year 1884 on the second day of the dark half of the month of Vaishakh (Vad 2), on Friday, May 1, 1828 A.D.

[edit] Geography

Junagadh is located at 21.52° N 70.47° E.^[1] It has an average elevation of 107 metres (351 feet).

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^GRIndia Junagadh had a population of 168,686. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Junagadh has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 67%. In Junagadh, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Events

• Shivratri Mela - At the foot of Girnar mountain (Talati) in month of MAHA 9 starts on mela for next five days. About ten thousand people visit.

• Girnar Prikrama:- Starts from kartik 11 to 15 thousand people. The periferi of Girnar hills on foot about 40 km. Enjoy the religious and natural beauty.

[edit] City

The city of Junagadh is located at the foot of the Girnar hills. Literally translated, its name means "Old Fort".

[edit] Places of Interest

• ASHOK SHILALEKH:- About 2km east of Junagadh and 6km from the foot of Girnar Hill, between the two places, is an edict of Emperor Ashok inscribed on a rock dating from the 3rd century BC.

The edicts impart moral instructions on dharma, harmony, tolerance, and peace.

• SAKKARBAG Zoo - oldest in Gujarat 3rd oldest in India. Gir lions are bred and supplied to other zoos.

• Museum - In the same premises of zoo. Rare specimens of art furniture, stuffed animals, ancient coins, Persian Sanskrit inscriptions and various other articles of interest.

• MAKABARA - Nawabs were buried. Fine specimen of medieval structure.

• NARSINH MEHTA CHORO - This place is said to be one where the great poet saint and reformer NARSINH MEHTA used to hold his assemblies of discovers in 15th century. Some believe that Lord Krishna held a traditional "Rasleela" dance for his devotee Narsinh Mehta.

• UPPERKOT - Uperkot is an impressive fort located on a plateau in the middle of town. It was originally built in 319 BC. It was covered over for 300 years, then rediscovered in 976 AD. It was besieged 16 times over an 800-year period. One siege lasted twelve years, but was not successful.

Visitors enter the fort through a large gate. Some parts of the fort’s walls are 20m high. If, after entering the gate you turn left, you will come to Jama Masjid, which was built on top of a Hindu temple. It has 140 pillars supporting its ceiling. Further down the road are what are believed to be old Buddhist Caves said to be 1,500 years old (dating from before 500 AD). They are carved into the rocky hill and have stone carvings and floral work. There are also the Khapra Kodia Caves north of the fort, and the Babupyana Caves south of the fort.

There is a huge, fifteen-foot cannon, which was made in Egypt in 1531. There are also two interesting large step wells (vavs) here. The 11th century Navghan Kuva has a circular stairway that descends over 50m down into the well. The Adi Chadi Vav descends down 170 steps.

• DARBAR HALL MUSEUM - Picture gallery , taxtiles, arms gallery, the kacheri, the hall which was used by Nawabs of Junagadh to hold their darbar. The Durbar Hall and Museum has an interesting collection of weapons, thrones, silver articles, costumes, paintings, tapestries, and palanquins on display. It is not far from the entrance to the fort.

• Ashoka's Major Rock Edict - Uneven rock with a circumference of seven metres by ten metres in height bears insciptions in Brāhmī script etched with an iron pen.^[2]

• GAYATRI MANDIR - On the way to girnar talati a beautiful temple.

• SONAPUR - Where many statues of saints are erected. It also has a Sai Baba temple and serves as a cemetery.

• DOMADAR KUND - Build in 500 a.d. often reconstructed kund (water reservoir) is a check dam.This kund is about a km before the bottom of Girnar Hill. It is a sacred bathing tank. Close to Damodara Kund is Revati Kund. It is said that Revata left Dwarka and moved near Girnar Hill after his daughter, Revati, married Lord Balarama.

Near Aswatthama Hill, which is north of Damodara Kund, is the Damodarji Temple, said to have been built by Vajranabha, Lord Krishna’s great-grandson.

• Temple of Damodar Lalaji.

• GIRNAR The Mountain - 5 km. From the junagadh city has five principle peaks. Third one GORAKHNATH is highest at 3661 ft above sea level. The area of hills is approx 100 km. To ascend the hills a stepaway is build UPPER KOT certainly worth seeing jain tamples. Spots to visit Bhimkund, Satpuda, Gaumukhi Ganga, Pathar chati, Bhairavjap, Bharatvan Sheshavan, Hanumandhara. The peak of Ambaji height 3330ft. famous temple of Ambaji. The Gorakhnath peak – the highest peak of Girnar mountain. Kamandal kund; stepway diverts between Gorakhnath and Datatray. Datatray - The path is difficult on the top of the peak is small temple on the padukas of Guru Datatray.

• Datar Hills - 2779 feet high stepway is built for going up shrine of Jamiyalshah Datar.

• Science Museum - Gujarat’s first and the only private science museum. More than 60 working science projects based on science facts. Which can be operated by visitors. Worth visiting attached one small aquarium and evening open air garden restaurant garden café serves south Indian and Punjabi dishes since 1981.

• Shree Swaminarayan Temple - On jawahar road, build in 1826-28 a.d. A magnificent temple and noble structure of 77 feet height.

• Willington Dam - Near the foot of Datar hill the three sides and a garden in front it affords an enchanting view.

• Motibag - The best garden the campus of agricultural university and botanical garden. It also houses the Junagadh Agricultural University Campus which has total land area of 754.62 ha and 2485 ha including 17 sub centers and 1500 manpower with annual budget around 28.5 crores.

• Mujkund Caves - Famous place where Krishna ran and came from mathura after which he was named as Ranchod Rai

• Ayurvedic Museum- Ayurvedic Museum is located at the Ayurvedic College at Sardarbag in the western part of town. The personnel are helpful to those interested in learning something about this ancient and natural medical treatment.

[edit] Rainfall

The average annual rainfall of Saurashtra region is about 775.0 mm with a standard deviation of 75.1 mm, whereas, the average monsoon rainfall of 680 mm with a variability of 61 %. The average rainfall for the months of June, July, August and September are 194, 338, 187 and 105 mm, respectively with their corresponding coefficient of variation of 150, 69, 87 and 84 %, respectively. The monsoon rainfall from June to September is received in 33 rainy days with late season long dry spell.

[edit] See also

• Asiatic Lion
• Gir Forest National Park
• Siddis

[edit] References

1. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Junagadh
2. ^ Keay, John (2000). India: A History. New York: Grove Press, pp 129-131. ISBN 0802137970. 

[edit] External links

• Junagadh Agricultural University

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