Balotra
Balotra is a city in Barmer District of Rajasthan state in India. It is about 91 km from Jodhpur. The town is known for hand block printing and textile industry and for an annual desert and tribal fair at Tilwara. The town is well connected with Jodhpur by rail and buses at frequent intervals. From Balotra towards Jalore (14 km) there is India's Third Brahma Temple in the village of Asotra. From Balotra towards Barmer (11 km) there is Ancient Temple of Lord Shri Vishnu named as Shri Ranchore Ray (first ranchore ray mandir of world), Khed Mandir in the village of Khed The name Balotra derived from valaji or balaji SIHA Rajpurohit. A few hundred years ago Khed was the capital of the Rathores of western Rajasthan, whose influence extended over the entire region. It was at the beginning of the 13th century that the Rathore king Rao Sihaji the founder of the Rathore clan along with his son (Asthanji) conquered Khed from the Guhil Rajputs and planted the standard of the Rathores. Balotra was ruled by the Morsiya's for more than 300 years. The Rani Bhatiyaniji temple is also here in village named Jasol 4 km from Balotra. Kheteshwar Palna Dham temple is located in village Sarana,12 km away from Balotra. Sarana village is the birthplace of Shri Khetaram Ji Maharaj. About 13 km away from Balotra is located the Jain Temple Nakoda. The place receives religious devotees from across India. The town is home to more than 5,000 textile units and is located on the coast of the river Luni.
Balotra | |
|---|---|
City | |
  Balotra Location in Rajasthan, India | |
| Coordinates: 25.83°N 72.23°E | |
| Country |  |
| State | Rajasthan |
| District | Barmer |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor (Chairman) |
| • Body | Nagar panchayat |
| Elevation | 106 m (348 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 74,496 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi, marwadi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 344022 |
| Telephone code | 02988 |
| ISO 3166 code | RJ-IN |
| Vehicle registration | RJ-39 |
| Website | http://balotracity.com/ |
The town of Balotra is mainly popular for housing the ancient temples of Lord Shri Vishnu named as Shri Ranchore Ray (first ranchore ray mandir of world) and Nakoda Jain temple. It is one of the most revered pilgrimage destinations for the Hindu community. Apart from this temple, a number of other temples are located in the town which include the Rani Bhatiyaniji temple, Chonch mandir, Mohanraj ji Mandir, Jaanraaj Ji Mandir, Narsingh Ji Mandir, Hanuman Mandir and Khed Mandir.
With gradually changing time, the historical town of Balotra has emerged as a leading and developing town in western Rajasthan. Many colleges, modern factories, high standard of living, transportation system, global connectivity and high buildings give it a view of some metropolitan feel.
The town of Balotra is connected with all the major cities of India through air (via Jodhpur), rail and road transportation. The nearest airport is located in Jodhpur which is 100 km from here. The town has a railway station which has direct trains from many major cities of the country.
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Geography
Balotra is located at 25.83°N 72.23°E.[1] It has an average elevation of 106 metres (347 feet).
Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[2] Balotra had a population of 61,724. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Balotra has an average literacy rate of 68%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 63% of the males and 37% of females literate. 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Education
There are a number of government colleges such as MBR College of Commerce and Arts, Govt. I.T.I and Private Polytechnic college are also situated in the outskirts of the city. DRJ Govt. Girls PG College of Science, Arts, Commerce is also situated at Railway Station Road for Girls Higher Education and Navkar Vidhya Mandir School. Shashank Shrishrimal is a prominent person of Balotra. Balotra also leads in Secondary and Higher Secondary Examination of Rajasthan Boards. Many NGO's running over here like, rotary club, Lion's club, Mahaveer International and Helping Hand
Means of Transport
♣Balotra railway station
Code - BLT
. Earlier a Meter Gauge line to Pachpadra existed.
Train name (no.) passing via Balotra
| # | Train No. | Name | Type | Arr. | Dep. | Halt | Class | Run Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 15631 | BME GHY Express | Mail & Express | 00.00 | 00.01 | 5 | 2A 3A SL GN | M W |
| 02 | 54818 | BME JU PASS | Passenger | 02.10 | 02.15 | 5 | GN | Daily |
| 03 | 54817 | JU BME PASS | Passenger | 01.35 | 01.40 | 5 | GN | Daily |
| 04 | 14806 | BME YPR AC EXP. | Mail & Express | 02.24 | 02.29 | 5 | 1A 2A 3A | F |
| 05 | 15632 | GHY BME BKN EXP | Mail & Express | 06.48 | 06.53 | 5 | 2A 3A SL GN | M Sa |
| 06 | 54814 | BME JU PASS | Passenger | 06.24 | 06.29 | 5 | GN | Daily |
| 07 | 14661(14659) | JU BME Express(DLI JSM Exp.) | Exp. (Slip) | 07.32 | 07.37 | 5 | 2A 3A SL GN | Daily |
| 08 | 14888 | BME KLK Express | Mail & Express | 08.04 | 08.09 | 5 | 3A SL GN | Daily |
| 09 | 24888 | BME HW Link Express | Link | 08.04 | 08.09 | 5 | 3A SL GN | Daily |
| 10 | 54813 | JU BME PASS | Passenger | 11.42 | 11.47 | 5 | GN | Daily |
| 11 | 54816 | BME JU PASS | Passenger | 15.41 | 14.46 | 5 | GN | Daily |
| 12 | 54815 | JU BME PASS | Passenger | 16.02 | 16.07 | 5 | GN | Daily |
| 13 | 14887 | KLK BME Express | Mail & Express | 18.01 | 18.06 | 5 | 3A SL GN | Daily |
| 14 | 24887 | HW BME Link Express | Link | 18.01 | 18.06 | 5 | 3A SL GN | Daily |
| 15 | 14662 | Malani Express | Mail & Express | 19.14 | 19.19 | 5 | 2A 3A SL GN | Daily |
| 16 | 14805 | YPR BME AC EXP | Mail & Express | 05.42 | 05.47 | 5 | 1A 2A 3A | W |
♣ Bus Service
To - Jodhpur = in every 40 min. Private and RSRTC Buses are available for transport
To - Barmer = in every 30 min. Private and RSRTC Buses are available for transport
To - Jalore = in every 60 min. Private and RSRTC Buses are available for transport
To - Pali-Majal City = form 6.30 AM to 3.30PM in every 60 min. Buses are available for transport
Tourism
Amongst the many tourist sights in the area
- Brahma Ji temple at Asotra
- kheteshwar temple at Asotra
- kheteahwar palna Dham at [(Sarana)]
- Dargah-Bhola-Peer
- Nakoda Temple
- MADINA MASJID
- Khed Temple
- Mata Rani Bhatiyani Temple at Jasol
- the Bithuja Temple
- the Khed Temple
- Tilwara
- Malinath Temple,
- Temple Siwana
- Akdeshwer Mahadev Temple
- Ranuja tirth
- Santoshi Maa Temple
- Chonch Mandir
- Luni River
- Hinglaj Mandir
- Majal City, Sanjada mata temple.
- valley view club and resort
- the rupadevi temple
- shri joganandji math mananawas
References
- Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Balotra
- "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.