RAJKOT

'Rajkot' (2005 pop. 1,252,400) is a city of Gujarat state in India and administrative headquarters of the Rajkot District.

Contents

History

Geography and Climate

Demographics

Industry

Transportation

Interesting Places

External links

History

Founded in 1612 by Thakur Saheb Vibhaji Ajoji Jadeja of Jadeja clan. Vibhaji was grandson of Jam Sataji of Nawanagar, present day Jamnagar. During British Rule, it was a regional headquarter (Residency).
It has been seat of Jadeja Clan (Rajkot Branch) since then.
Mahatma Gandhi, great Indian Leader, Father of the Nation and a thinker who is adored in India, spent his early years in Rajkot when his father was a Diwan to one of the Saurastra Nawab, and the house where Gandhi lived is now a museum named Kaba Gandhi No Delo. He went to school in here (Alfred High School, now known as Mahatma Gandhi High School).
Well known Marathi poet, Saleel Wagh was born here in 1967.

Geography and Climate

Rajkot is located at ^[1]. It has an average elevation of 134 metres (439 feet).The city is located on the bank of river [Aji] which remains dry except the monsoon months of July to September. The city is spread in the area of 104.86 km².
The average maximum temperature is 43.50°C the minimum being 24.20 °C.The city has cooler nights much to the relief of hotter days. The average rainfall is 500mm. There are three seasons observed here in different months of year as winter (October to February), summer (March to June) and monsoon (July to September).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census^[2], Rajkot had a population of 966,642. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Rajkot has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average.

Industry

Rajkot is famous for jewellery market, silk embroidery and Watch Parts. The city hosts several of small scale manufacturing industries. Some of the industrial products that Rajkot is popular for includes:

★ Bearings

★ Diesel Engines (Largely exported to Africa and Middle East)

★ Kitchen Knives and other cutting appliances

★ Watch Parts : Watch Cases & Bracelets

★ Automotive Parts

★ Forging industry

★ Casting industry

★ Machine tools

★ Software Development
Rajkot is famous for its Gold purity. It has one of the largest Gold Market called 'Soni-Bazar'.
In the near future Government of Gujarat is allocating large land areas for the development of SEZs (Special Economic Zones) which will be parted in three different areas and will include industries like Software, Auto-Mobiles, etc. As per recent market reviews, Rajkot is becoming Asia's biggest Auto-Mobile Zone.

Transportation

Rajkot is connected to major Indian cities by air, railway and road. Daily flights are operated by Jet Airways and Air Deccan via the Rajkot Airport. The city is well connected to other major cities of Gujarat such as, Junagadh, Amreli, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar Surat etc. by bus services operated by private and state-owned transport corporations. Rajkot is a main railway junction of Saurashtra, trains for the all the major cities of India is available from here.

Interesting Places

'CHOUKI DHANI' Chouki Dhani, a traiditional Rajasthani Village of Rajkot City in Gujarat State, that is located at just 14 kms from Rajkot on Jamnagar road is a small Traditional Village over 30,000 sq. yard of lush greenery with beautifully landscaped area. Entering Chouki Dhani reminds you of a village fare where various artists perform on different marked areas known as “Machans” to mark the ongoing celebration with every sunset. A rare type of concept with traditional village that is fully equipped with all modern facilities with the finest hospitality make it the ideal choice amongst hotels and motels in Rajkot for tourists as well as the businessman with well spacious rooms equipped with modern amenities.
Chouki Dhani provides with the most spacious cottages as per the requirement of the guests. All the cottages here are very well decorated and designed not only as per the standards and requirements of a star category hotel, but also as per the need and requirement of a traveler who has to stay here for either a day or a month. Cottages are aesthetically decorated and air-conditioned with services like round the clock room service, 24 hours hot and cold water, satellite transmission, in-house laundry service, travel desk, car rental service, and much more. The bathrooms are also fully furnished with amenities like towels, tooth brush kit, shaving kit, and all other requirements as per the standards of a star category motel.
Chouki Dhani offers the best of Kathiawadi and Rajasthani Cuisine in “Dhani Restaurant” and mouth watering North Indian, Chinese and Continental Cuisines in “Madhuli Restaurant”.
"Dhani Restaurant" is only one of its kind restaurant in this region that serves typical Rajasthani and Kathiawadi Thali with more than 25 varieties including famous “Daal – Baati”, “Churmoo” and “steamed Khatta Dhokla” in typical style of “Thakurs – the village Lords”, where the guests have to seat on floor on "Aasan" and Thali is served on "Bajot".
Chouki Dhani also includes “Madhuli Restaurant” that is traditionally and Rajasthani decorated with beautifully carved furniture and special paintings. This restaurant serves from the best of North Indian, Chinese and Continental Cuisines alongwith famous Sizzlers as well as Baked Dishes.
Chouki Dhani being pioneer in social functions like birthday parties, kitty parties, theme parties, dance parties, live musical programs, weddings and marriages, engagements, receptions, etc., takes utmost care of guests where function turn into a dream come true affair.
Chouki Dhani provides a service build on undivided attention and prompt satisfaction of your needs.
The Centrally AC Conference Hall, small meeting venues and the four party plots can cater upto 2500 persons at a time
“Amazing” is the first word that will come to your mind starting at the front door when you enter through the enchanting Chouki Dhani’s Haveli Hall.
'Race Course ' : This is a large ground/garden located in the heart of the city. It accommodates various places of interest like Baalbhavan, Children Traffic Park, Fun World etc. Race course also has various sports facilities like Olympic standard Indoor Stadium, International quality Cricket ground, Football, Hockey & Volleyball grounds, Gym and swimming pool etc. Because of all these attractions, Race Course is the most common place to be visited by the "Rajkotians". One very interesting fact about Race Course is that it provides an extremely large sitting arrangement of cement benches embedded with the outer border of the ground throughout its periphery, which is rarely seen in any other cities.
'Aji Dam' : This dam is built by Government of Gujarat for water supply to city area. The down stream side of the dam and surrounding area is developed and maintained by Rajkot Municipal Corporation. A beautiful step garden with amusement park for children, zoo, bird aviary, crocodile park have been provided for entertainment of the citizens of the city.
'Swaminarayan Temple' : This is a temple of Swaminarayan Sampradaya. It is situated on Bhupendra Road. Historically Lord Swaminarayan gave a copy of "shikshapatri", a code of conduct of his followers to Mr. Malcam (political agent of British time to this area). This temple is also well known for its philanthropic activity.
'Rajkumar College Rajkot': The Rajkumar College (also known as RKC) in Rajkot is one of the oldest K-12 institutions in India today. RKC has a 26 acre (105,000 m²) campus located in the heart of Rajkot city. The college was founded for the education of the Princely order by the Princes and Chiefs of Kathiawad for the education of their sons and relations. In 1938, on the initiative of its founding members, the College became a Public School (private school in Western terms) - the first such college to do so. The college itself is also a founding member of the Indian Public Schools Conference.
'Shri Ranchhoddas Ashram' : This is the ashram of shri Ranchhoddas bapu. It is situated on Kuvadava Road. This charity trust is
running hospital for blind people.
'BAPS Swaminarayan Temple' : This is a temple built in 1998-99 by Swaminarayan Sampradaya. It is situated on fast developing Kalavad Road near Mahila College. This temple is going to have one of the largest auditorium in the state having capacity of thousands for the so called "Ravi-Sabha" and "Yuvak-Sabha".
'Ramakrishna Aashram' : This temple was built on Dr. Yagnik road in 1934 on the land donated by Late Shri Dharmendrasinhji, then king of Morbi state. It is second most important place for followers of Swami Vivekananda after Kolkata.
'Watson Museum' : It was inaugurated in the year 1888 in Jubilee Garden of Rajkot city. It has excellent collection of archiological and ancient traditional items. This museum, along with a huge library, are located in Jubilee Gardens.
'Ishwariya Temple' : This is a Shiv temple on the outskirts of Rajkot. It is famous picnic spot because of the hilly terrain and a small pond. A small fair is organized here every year.
'Mukti Dhama' : This is an electric crematorium located in Ramnath para area. It has number of small temples, prayer halls, library and beautiful garden displaying historical events which attracts number of people.
'Jubilee Garden': A big garden with paths to walk on, trees, and swings. It is known for a special chutney made from peanuts and a spicy mix made from rice flakes called "chevdo". There are also snacks like nut brittle called "chickee" of many different varieties.
'Yagnik Road' : Yagnik Road is one of the most busiest road in Rajkot; also famous for big showrooms and shops. It links, famous Galaxy theatre and Shashtri Maidan.
'Rotary Midtown Dolls' Museum': India's only Dolls Museum with more than 1500 dolls from more than 95 countries.
'Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya': In short form known as JNV, this is a Central School with (CBSE)Board affiliation , located near Targhadi radio station on the Jamnagar Highway. It is a boarding school where stundents, both girls and boys are admitted from six standard and stay upto 12th standard, after they pass all India wide entrance exam.

External links

★ AllAboutRajkot, A Portal About Rajkot

★ GNWebsoft, Rajkot based Software and Website Development Company

★ Rajkot, Disaster Management Authority

★ Rajkot Urban Development Authority (RUDA)

★ Rajkot's premier reference portal provide indepth city information

★ Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) - local government

★ Rajkot Geography and Weather