Jakhau
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Jakhau is a village 17 km south of [[Naliya], THE TALUKA HEADQUARTERS OF ABDASA TALUKA OF KUTCH], Jakhau Salt - the port of Jakhau is situated a further 15 km southwards. Jakhau has a population of around 5000 people in 2005. M/s Wellbrine cO. of Korea has got a lease on most of the surrounding salt pans for manufacturing of industrial grade salt.
Jakhau Port is afamous fishing port of Gujarat, where the fishing communities from almost all of the Gujarat Coast migrates during the eight months fishing season. All types of fishing boats, Tony (small fibre boat), trawlers (bigger wooden craft), Pillani (vary small long boat) and Hodas (country crafts) are found there. All types of fish, pomfrets, salmons, cheris, crabs, lobsters, narsingas, shrimps etc. are found in large variety and volume there. The life of the village of Jakhau and the town of Naliya depend upon Jakhau fishing Port.
Jakhau is also one tirth of Jain Panch tirthi, with nearby Kothara, Suthri etc. being others.
Jakhau is also birthplace of Shri Odhavram Maharaj, the great sage of Bhanushali community.
The castes/people of Jakhau include THAKKARS, BHANSHALIS, JAINS, SANGHARS, VAGHERS, MEMONS, ABADAS, KOLIS and BRAHMINS among others.
The origin of the name Jakhau is said to be derived from "Yakshas" - attendants of gods, who had come there - it is also assumed by historians that the Parsis or Jarthostis - who might have landed on the port in past - whose flying beards and white robes and fair complexions might have made the local people to revere them like gods, and in absence of communication and the higher intellects of the visitors - they could have enjoyed their lives in that capacities. The knowledge of medicine and philanthropic nature might have helped them to strengthen the mysteries around them.
Jakhau was a big port in past and the dilapidated godowns, marketplaces and old people remember lines of 150-200 cartloads awaiting customs clearances daily.
