Jamnagar
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| ?Jamnagar Gujarat • India |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
• 100 m (328 ft) |
| District(s) | Jamnagar |
| Population | 447,734 (2001) |
| MP | Vikram Madam |
| Codes • Pincode • Telephone • Vehicle |
• 361 xxx • +288 • GJ-10 |
Coordinates: Jamnagar is a city and a municipal corporation in Jamnagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat. The city was built up substantially by Maharaja Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji in the 1920s, when the district was known as Nawanagar. The district lies just to the south of the Gulf of Kutch. Jamnagar has shot to prominence as Reliance Industries, India's largest private company, established the world's largest refinery near Moti Khavdi village.[citation needed] It is also home to Essar Oil, another important oil refinery of India.[citation needed]
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[edit] History
Jamnagar, historically called Nawanagar or the new city, was one of the most important princely states of saurashtra.[citation needed] The Jamnagar district, originally constituted as Halar district, is not only recent in its origin but also in its modern set up. But the region comprised therein is of great antiquity and dates back to ancient periods of Jamnagar. According to Pauranik literature, Lord Krishna established his kingdom at Dwarka, now in Jamnagar district, after his migration from Mathura and it is to this great Yadava race that the Jams of Nawanagar trace their descent.
The founder of the princely state of Jamnagar was the Jam Rawal, who descended on the northern coast of Kathiawar in 1535 A.D. Jam Rawal's father Jam Lakhaji ruled in Terabanu in Kutch.
According to bardic chronicles, Jam Lakhaji had two cousins Tamachi Deda and Hamirji Jadeja, they envied his reputation for valor. Their envy was heightened by the fame of Jam Lakhaji at the siege of Pawagadh. So largely did he contribute to its capture by Bahadurshah, the Emperor of Gujarat, that he was bestowed 12 villages by him. As Jam Lakaji was going to take possession of his new fief, he was treacherously killed by his cousins Tamachi Deda and Hamirji Jadeja. Jam Lakhajis son Jam Rawal escaped and on growing up, took vengeance of his father's murder in the same manner by killing Hamirji Jadeja.
Hamirjis two sons Khengarji and Sahibji fled to Delhi and after twelve months of waiting to meet the moghul Emperor Humayun, they got the chance to join the crowd going along with the Emperor for lion hunting.
During the lion hunt, they got the chance to kill the lion just when it was going to attack the Emperor. As a reward, an army of 1,00,000 was sent with them to regain back their kingdom.
When Jam Rawal heard of the two princes coming back to the Kutch with the imperial army, he started getting ready for the battle. On one night, Goddess Ashapura came in his dream and told him that as he had broken the oath taken on her name about not killing Hamirji, even though, he was the person responsible for the death of his father. She should have punished him, but as he had at all other times honored her. So he should no longer dwell in Kutch but cross the sea and take Kathiawar as a dwelling place.
Upon awakening he called his counselors and discussed the dream, they agreed that he must leave Kutch and found for himself a Kingdom across the Gulf. So Jam Rawal along with his soldiers and many traders marched out. On the way he killed and conquered the territory of King Tamachi the other conspirator in the killing of his father, and he also conquered the town of Dhrol and its dependencies and gave them to his brother Hardholji, who was later killed in battle during that period, and the State of Dhrol was given to his eldest son, Jasoji.
Thus Jam Rawal made himself master of a great territory and the need for a capital arose.
The story goes like this, that once on a hunting trip on the land of present day Jamnagar, a hare was found to be brave enough to turn on the hunting dogs and putting them to flight. Deeply impressed by this, Jam Rawal thought that if this land can breed such hares, if his capital was built on this land, the men born here would be superior than other men.
He counsulted his astrologers and wise men, and the day chosen for laying the foundation stone was the 7th day of the bright half of the month of srawan, VS 1956. (August 1540 AD) on the banks of two rivers Rangmati and Nagmati and named it Nawanagar meaning new town.
Nawanagar eventually came to be known as Jamnagar meaning the town of the Jams.
[edit] Geography
Jamnagar is located at It has an average elevation of 20 metres (65 ft). Jamnagar has a lake called Lakhota lake which is very popular among local Jamnagar residents.
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India census[1], Jamnagar had a population of 447,734. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Jamnagar has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 75%, and female literacy is 63%. In Jamnagar, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Culture
Most residents of Jamnagar are Gujarati and speak Gujarati language. A small percentage speak Kachchi language which is written in the Gujarati script but is not mutually intelligible with Gujarati. Kathiawadi Language (which is a variant of Gujarati)is widely used for day to day communication. Major communities include Dawoodi Bohras Ahirs(Yadav), Patels , Bhanushalis , Rajputs (Khavas), Mers , Jains, Oswals, Lohanas etc.
Marine National Park, the only marine sanctuary of India is near Jamnagar - on the coral reef island of Pirotan. Jamnagar is well-known for its four marble Jain temples: Vardhman Shah's Temple, Raisi Shah's Temple, Sheth's Temple, and Vasupujya Swami's Temple. All were built between 1574 and 1622. Bala Hanuman temple in Jamnagar is also very famous and is listed in the Guinness book of world records for the continuous chanting of "Ram Dhun" since 1st August 1964.
[edit] Religion
Jamnagar contains several ancient and archeologially important temples,[citation needed] such as Sidhnath Mahadev Temple in Jamnagar city area, the Navlakha Temple in Ghumli, Kileshwar Temple in Barda Hills, The Ancient Sun Temple at Gop and The Ancient Bhid Bhanjan Temple built by the Jams. Bala Hanuman is highly venerated among the devotees of Rama.[citation needed] The Bala Hanuman Temple is noted for the continuous chanting of the mantra "Jai Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram". Started on August 1, 1964, the chant continues for 24 hours a day, in shifts, and is still continuing. This has earned the temple a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.[citation needed]
There are many Shiv Temples within the city, such as Badri kedar Nath and Nilkanth Mahadev Temle around the Town Hall and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple on the K.V. Road.
[edit] Economy
Jamnagar is today known as 'Oil City' thanks to the mega refineries of Reliance Industries and Essar Oil Ltd.[citation needed] It was earlier known as 'Brass City', the city housing more than 5,000 large scale and 10,000 small scale units manufacturing brass items in and around the industrial estates of Shankar Tekari, Udhyognagar, M P Sha Udhyognagar and Dared.[citation needed] Nearly 200 tons of brass goods are produced in this area daily.[citation needed]
[edit] Reliance Refinery
The Jamnagar Refinery is a private sector crude oil refinery owned by Reliance Industries Limited in Jamnagar, India. The refinery was commissioned on 14 July 1999 with an installed capacity of 661,000 barrels per day (105,100 m³/d). It is the largest greenfield refinery in the world and third largest refinery in the world.[citation needed] The refinery is currently undergoing massive expansion, scheduled for commissioning in 2008, that will double its capacity to 1.2 million barrels per day (190,000 m³/d).[citation needed]
[edit] Entertainment
Jamnagar has a Multiplex cinema, with a further one planned.[citation needed]
[edit] Places of note
Lakhota Palace A small palace that once belonged to the Maharaja of Nawanagar. Today it houses a small museum with displays from archaeological sites in the area.
Marine National Park At a distance of 30 km from Jamnagar in the Gulf of Kachchh, is India's first Marine National Park covering 42 islands with an area of 150 km². and coastal zone of 309 km²., totalling 458 km². of extremely rich area of marine biodiversity. The importance of the region had come to light with the survey by Mr. Harnell in 1905.[citation needed] Assigned to survey the Okhamandal coast he had noted that never before had he seen such a rich marine biota in so confined a place.[citation needed] Of the three Marine National Parks of India (the other two being Gulf of Mannar and Andaman Nicobar Islands) the Gulf of Kuchh has a unique ecosystem which supports thousands of species a marine iota.[citation needed] Here are seven species of mangroves, several species of herbs, grosses and shrubs along with 120 species of algae in the area.[citation needed] Many species of sponges, corals, fish, crabs, reptiles and birds have been recorded. The chief attraction of the park are colourful sponges and corals, giant sea anemone, jellyfish, seahorses, octopi, oysters, starfish, bonellia, sepia, lobsters and dolphins.[citation needed] Of the 42 islands, visitors are only permitted access to Pirotan Island.[citation needed]
Ayurved University Dhanvantri Mandir was built under the personal supervision of Dr. Pranjivan Manekchand Mehta, Chief Medical Officer of Guru Govindsingh Hospital. After independence it gained the status of Ayurved University.
Pratap Villas A palace inspired by the 'Victoria Memorial' of Calcutta with traditional carvings of birds, animals, creepers and plants. Its three domes are made of glass. The palace was built during the rule of Jam Ranjitsinhji.
Solarium Known as the Ranjit Institute of Poly-Radio Therapy. A slowly revolving tower provides full day long sunlight, that provides Solar Therapy facility.
Kileshwar Temple An old Shiva Temple of the Mahabharata Period. It is believed that the Pandvas stayed at this place during their "Vanavas" period.[citation needed]
Jain Temples Out of a pair of Jain temples, one is dedicated to Adinath (the first Tirthankara) and other built to honour Shantinath (the sixteenth). The walls, ceilings and pillars of the temple are covered in murals depicting flowers, people, Gods and domestic objects, while tableaux tell the life stories of Jain saints. Shantinath Mandir is a maze of brightly coloured columns, each section of roof between them highlighted with individual designs. The marble floor beneath is emblazoned with distinctive Jain patterns in yellow, black, white and red. Above the main sanctuary, a large dome rises in a series of gold concentric circles. The outer side of the large dome over Adinath Mandir is inlaid with gold and coloured mosaic, and both Temples have cupolas with mirrors above the entrance porch.
[edit] Transport
Jamnagar is well connected with road,rail and air. Jamnagar has a daily flight to Mumbai. Jamnagar is connected with Rajkot, Junagadh, and Porbandar by road.
Jamnagar is surrounded on 3 sides by the sea, so has many big and small ports like : Bedi, New Port, Rozi, Sikka, Jodia, Salaya, Pindara, Okha, Dwarka, etc.
Bus : ST buses go hourly to Rajkot and every 30 minutes to Junagadh; other buses go to Dwarka, Porbandar, Bhuj and Ahmedabad and other places of Gujarat.
There are various private bus companies having modern buses in good condition and which are air conditioned. By Rail: Jamnagar Railway Station is well connected with Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Calcutta and other important cities of India through regular trains.
By Air: Jamnagar Airport is 10 km from the city center. Jamnagar is connected to Mumbai by 2 flights daily, from Indian Airlines and Air Deccan.
By Rail: Jamnagar Railway, situated between Rajkot and Porbandar, is managed by the Western Railways. It is well connected with Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Calcutta,Gorakhpur,Varanasi and other important cities of India through regular trains. There are direct trains from Mumbai and Ahmedabad via Rajkot. Dwaraka Express, Mumbai-Porbandar Saurashtra Express, Puri-Okha Express, Porbandar-Howrah Express and Saurashtra Janata Express pass through this station.
Road: Jamnagar has a well-established road link to various cities of Gujarat like Rajkot, Porbundar, Junagadh, Bhuj, Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad, Baroda and Surat. Jamnagar is 308 km from Ahmedabad. There are STC buses to Rajkot every 30 minutes and other departures to Dwarka, Porbander, Bhuj, Junagadh and Ahmedabad.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
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