Mahuva, Bhavnagar

Mahuva
મહુવા
Madhumati
city
Mahuva
Mahuva, India
Coordinates: 21°05′00″N 71°48′00″E / 21.0833°N 71.8000°E / 21.0833; 71.8000Coordinates: 21°05′00″N 71°48′00″E / 21.0833°N 71.8000°E / 21.0833; 71.8000
Country  India
State Gujarat
District Bhavnagar
Government
 • Type state
Elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Languages
 • Official Gujarati, Hindi
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN 364290
Telephone code (02844)
Vehicle registration GJ4

Mahuva (Gujarati: મહુવા) is a town on the Arabian Sea coast in Bhavnagar District, in the state of Gujarat, India. Mahuva is known for its mild weather and green, lush surroundings, including many coconut tree plantations. Mahuva is also known as Kashmir of Saurashtra. It is a part of the Saurashtra region.

Mahuva has a seaside beach, located near the historical Bhavani Temple. Talgajarda, a village near Mahuva is the residence of the popular Hindu bard Morari Bapu. Mahuva is also known for wooden toys, raw onions, groundnuts, and local Jamadar mango. Mahuva is home to a thriving agribusiness industry, with an emphasis on enterprises that dehydrate vegetables such as garlic and onions for use in processed foods.

A well known Gujarati Author Harkisan Mehta was from Mahuva.Mahuva is also native place of Smt.Asha Parekh, Veteran Indian Actress.

Geography

Mahuva is a taluka in Bhavnagar District, in the state of Gujarat and is located at 21°05′00″N 71°48′00″E / 21.0833°N 71.8000°E / 21.0833; 71.8000.

Climate

Climate data for Mahuva
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 23
(73)		 19
(66)		 26
(79)		 33
(91)		 30
(86)		 27
(81)		 22
(72)		 29
(84)		 28
(82)		 31
(88)		 28
(82)		 22
(72)		 27
(80)
Average low °C (°F) 13
(55)		 13
(55)		 13
(55)		 14
(57)		 19
(66)		 22
(72)		 22
(72)		 22
(72)		 22
(72)		 24
(75)		 20
(68)		 16
(61)		 18
(65)
Source: World Weather Online

Demographics

According to 2011 census of India,[1] Mahuva Subdistrict had a population of 452,011 and Mahuva Town had a population over 1.5 to 2 lacs in which males and females constituted 90,588 and 60,931 respectively. There were a total of 27,607 households. Most residents of Mahuva are Hindus and Muslims; others are Jains and Christians.

Economy

Agriculture

The local economy of Mahuva is mainly based on the agriculture produce market and industries. The Agricultural Produce Market Committee, Mahuva was established in 1858.

Mahuva and its surrounding villages are best known for onion production. Mahuva market yard is the biggest onion trading centre after Lasalgaon in Nashik. It is spread across 38-40 acres of land. The region is the largest producer of white onions and the second largest producer of red onions in the country. Therefore onion is the largest trading commodity in Mahuva A.P.M.C. The onions from Mahuva Market are transported to many regions of India.

Peanuts, cotton and coconuts are also major trading commodities of this market. It is the only A.P.M.C. of the state where coconuts are officially traded. There are many small and large poultry farms in Mahuva, and an emu farm. The Jamadar mango and Ramfal fruit are special varieties of Mahuva. Mahuva is the only place in Gujarat where bandhara (irrigation system) are needed to control salinity.

Industry and business

Mahuva is surrounded with many agriculture based industries and is said to be India's largest hub for onion processing and exporting, with 120+ large scale dehydration manufacturers. It also has other agriculture based industries like cotton ginning and more than 35 small scale dehydration processing setups.

Pipavav Port is a fast growing and the nearest sea port, and India's first port in the private sector situated in Rajula. Pipavav Shipyard Limited is now Reliance Naval Engineering Limited, and is one of the India's largest shipbuilding and heavy industry companies.

There are also many diamond cutting and polishing centres established in the past few years and developing overseas markets. Some are working for diamantaires in Surat.

Mahuva is also famous for wooden toys and other wooden handicraft items.

A recent surge in the growth of food processing industries, rope manufacturing units, cold storage chains and diamond polishing centres in Mahuva region has increased employment opportunities for the masses.

Transport

Mahuva is in the coastal region of Saurashtra on Gulf of Khambhat. It is connected to all major cities of Gujarat and other Indian states by road and rail. The nearest airport is Bhavnagar, about 100 km away.

Local

City bus services are run by the municipality in Mahuva town connecting nearby villages; GSRTC buses also connect Mahuva to other cities and villages. Auto rickshaws and taxis are available.

Road

Mahuva is approximately 95 km away from Bhavnagar and approximately 290 km from Ahemdabad. It is connected to Diu, Somnath, Palitana and Amreli via state highways. Private buses are well connected with Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat. GSRTC buses ply regularly connecting Mahuva to these places. Private transporters like Khodiyar Travels and Sitaram Travels also operate buses to Mumbai. These buses reach Vadodara from Mahuva in about eight hours and to Ahmedabad in about six hours.

Rail

There are direct weekly or bi-weekly trains.

  • Mahuva - Mumbai Bandra (T.) SF Express - connecting major cities (Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat)

Air

The nearest airport is Bhavnagar Airport at Bhavnagar, about 100 km away from Mahuva. Private buses and GSRTC bused are available to Mahuva from the airport. It has an area covering 295 acres (119 ha) at an elevation of 6 metres (20 ft).

Water

The Ro-Ro ferry, the first of its kind in India, will be able to carry up to 100 vehicles (cars, buses and trucks) and 250 passengers between the two ports of Ghogha and Dahej in Gujarat. The service will reduce the travel time between Ghogha situated in Bhavnagar District in Saurashtra, and Dahej in South Gujarat, from about seven or eight hours, to just over an hour. The distance between the two places would be reduced to 31 km from the current distance of 360 km.

Education

Shree Radheshyam English Medium School is a school run under management of Shri Radheshyam Charitable Trust. The trust also runs the B.Ed college, PTC College and Gujarati Medium school. The primary section of English Medium School is located in the city and the higher section is located on Jadra Road.

Gujarati primary schools like Shree Sawminarayana Gurukul (Mota Jadra Rod) and Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Neshvad (village) are also located in the city. Jafari and Fatema English School was developed by Al-Imaan Trust, Mumbai. It has a huge campus with number of sports and games facilities, as well as a mosque for Shia Muslims to offer Namaaz. St. Thomas School Mahuva is located on the outskirts of Mahuva city on the Mahuva Victor road. It is a Christian minority educational institution run by the fathers of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, through Saint Thomas Trust, Mahuva. It is part of AINACS (All India National Association of Catholic Schools). Vidhya Vihar Education Trust, Gujarati medium school located between Mahuva city and Mota Jadra. Hanumant High School (RBK) is located at Bhavnagar bypass road, Near Talgajarda road and Cambridge School-U.K, J.P. Parekh high school, Sheth M.N. High School, Smt. K.B. Parekh College of Computer Science.

Attractions

There are two public parks in Mahuva, Gandhi Baug and Kuber Baug.

A new BAPS Swaminarayan Temple located in the western outskirts, totally made up of pink stones, is a beautiful creation, inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj. This temple was inaugurated on 17 February 2014 by Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj.

Gaytri Mata Shaktipith is a temple made in the shape of a lotus with Yagnashala. The Pranpratishta of Goddess Gayatridevi. It was made by Shree Pandit Ramsharma Acharyaji-Shantikunj, Haridwar on Jalaram Jayanti, 1981.

Bhagatji Maharaj's birthplace has been preserved, where he was born and lived throughout his life.

There is also Lord Dwarkadhish Temple, dedicated to Lord Shrinathji; people visit for blessing every day. The temple is known as Haveli.

The Mahuva Jain Tirth - The ancient name of this place was Madhumati as stated in old scriptures. This is the birth place of Sheth Javad shah who in Vikram year 108 carried out renovations to the shrines of Mt. Shatrunjay at the 13th time. This is also the birth place of Sheth Jadadu Shah. This idol of the Lord Sri Mahavir is venerated as “Jivit Swami” about which a mention was made in 14th Vikram century. This is the birthplace as well as the place of the demise of Tithodharak (reviver of shrines) Acharya Sri Nemisurishvarji. This shrine is included in the Panch Tirthi of Sri Shatrunjay shrines.[2][3]

Tatkaleshvar Mahadev temple, located south west of Mahuva city, 8 km on Mahuva-Victor Road between the villages of Madhiya and Vangar, is a recent addition that is visited by a large number of devotees especially in the month of Shravan. This temple is one of the sure stops for devotees visiting the Somnath temple. It is run independently by Sagar Parivar. This temple is sometimes called "Little Somnath".[4]

Bhavani beach located south easterly to Mahuva is a nice picnic place.[5] Bhavani Mata Mandir a temple on Bhavani beach is also an ancient temple.

Many travel to the ancient Bhutnath Mahadev temple of Lord Shiva at Vadli, located north east of Mahuva, during the Hindu month of Shraavana, also Khimnath Mahdev.

Talgajarda, a village located north of Mahuva, is the residence of the popular Hindu preacher Morari Bapu.[6] The place also runs an Ashram school (Kailash Gurukul) and a Goushala.

Wildlife

Mahuva is known for vultures. A large population of white-rumped vultures can be found in Mahuva. There are 234 other species of birds, and it is the only part of the district where jungle babblers are found.

Neighbouring villages

Pingleshwar, a small village near Mahuva, is known for a very old Shiv Ling under the sea. It is only visible in the morning when the tide is out. Talgajarda, the birthplace of Saint Moraribapu, is 5 km from Mahuva. It is known for its temples, including a Ganesh temple on the NH8 highway.

Mota-khuntavada is 19 kilometres from Mahuva, 60 kilometres from Palitana with its famous Jain temple. Mota-khuntavada lies between two hills, the 150-foot high Mava-dungar hill, which is 500 meters around and surrounded by Malan-dam lake, and the Chitradhar hill. There is also a 100-year-old Hanuman temple in the lake, and nearby a 150-year-old Mahakali Devi temple that is only open after 4 pm on Sunday afternoons.

Mota-khuntavada is famous for its 90-year-old Ganesha temple, Sidhhganesh Arshrm Mota Khuntavada. Mahant Nepali Bapu, saint of Akhada is found inside the temple. Kotamoi is a small village of Mahuva. Kotamoi is at the near Rojki river.

Uncha Kotda or Unchakotada is 27 kilometers easterly to Mahuva. This is a beach side temple of Goddess Chamundadevi revered as mini Shaktipith.[7]

Otha is 14 kilometers from Mahuva. Here Shashtri Jivalal Mulshankar Pandya is Famous BhagvatKathakar.

Bagdana, the village of the Mystique Saint Bajrangdas Bapa, is 35 kilometres from Mahuva. The temple is visited through the year, especially on Guru Purnima and Tithi (the death anniversary of the saint). Half a million people pay homage to the temple each year.[8][9]

Notable figures

References

  1. ↑ http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=547398
  2. ↑ http://jainsite.in/jain-tirth/mahuva-tirth
  3. ↑ http://www.jaintirthyatra.com/Tirth-Details/71/Shri_Mahuva_Tirth.aspx
  4. ↑ "Tatkaleshvar Mahadev Mandir Location; Wikimapia".
  5. ↑ "Mahuva Beach; Gujarat Tourism website".
  6. ↑ http://www.moraribapu.org
  7. ↑ http://www.templetravel.info/2016/09/uncha-kotda-chamunda-mata-temple-near.html
  8. ↑ http://www.bajrangdasbapa.com
  9. ↑ http://www.sadgurus-saints-sages.com/Details_2.aspx?pageid=iAx%2BnZUbnlcYClzyIsQ0ZA%3D%3D
  10. ↑ "Ahmedabad Mirror article". Archived from the original on 6 January 2014.
  11. ↑ "Moraribapu Official Website".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.