"BHUJ Gujarat" the land you should explore

History

It was established by Rao Hamirji in 1510 and was made the state capital by Rao Khengarji I in 1549. Its foundation stone as state capital laid formally on Vikram Samvat 1604 Maagha 5th (Approx. 25 January 1548). 1947 to 1956 Bhuj Capital of Kutch state after 1960 Kutch part of Gujarat state Currently it is the district headquarters of Kachchh District, the second largest district in India. Bhuj is home to one of the first Swaminarayan Sampraday temples, built in 1822.

In January 2001, the city was struck by a major earthquake which caused a great deal of damage and loss of life.

Geography

Bhuj has an average elevation of 110 metres (360 feet). On the eastern side of the town is a hill known as Bhujiyo Dungar, on which there is Bhujia Fort, that separates Bhuj city and Madhapar town. It has one big lake named Hamirsar and several small lakes.

The old city was surrounded by the fort, which had five major gates and one small gate known as "chathi bari" (sixth window). Much of the fort wall has either fallen down or been demolished, due to the city's development and the earthquake of 2001.

 Transportation

Bhuj is connected to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and other major cities of India by trains. It has a domestic airport from where daily flights operate to Mumbai, with flights operated by Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways. State Transport Buses are available from the ST stand in the middle of the town to various places in Gujarat. Additionally, many private tour operators also run frequent buses to major cities in and outside Gujarat.

 Education

Alfred High School, the first High School of Kutch established in 1870 is also an architect heritage of town. Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma Kachchh University[2] is located in Bhuj. University has 28[3] colleges affiliated, seven of them are in Bhuj. University gives degrees in Arts, Science, Commerce, Law Education, Management, Pharmacy, Social Welfare , Medicine and Engineering. Other schools include St. Xaviers High School(Eng. Med, Guj. Board), Matruchaya Kanya Vidhayalay(Guj. Med, Guj. Board), Sheth V.D. High School(Guj. Med, Guj. Board). There is also a Medical Collage, named Adani Medical College. The Learning Star International School (CBSE), an activity-based school, based on "a happy school" concept, is being established in the Citi Square Township (Lakhond-Bhuj) starting from the academic year April 2012, which has Baichung Bhutia and many more passionate educationists as their advisory council members.

 Culture

A pair of shoes

Bhuj is a famous destination for shopping of handicraft work. Artists of nearby villages bring their art work for sale in Bhuj. Important landmarks for people wishing to study and know more about Kutchi embroidery are Shrujan, Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan (KMVS), Kalaraksha and Women Artisans' Marketing Agency (WAMA, Bandhini).

Bhuj as Taluka

Following villages belong to this taluka: Meghpur, Madhapar, Kukma, Nagor, Dhaneti, Hajapar, Reha, Jambudi, Sukhpar, Mirjapur, Mankuva, Bharasar, Baladia, Kodki and Khavda, Samtra, Desalpar, Surajpur, Naranpur, Kera, Rampur, Daisara, Mirjapur, Mankuva

Demographics

The total population of Bhuj was 136,429 in the year 2008, which consisted of 71,056 males and 65,373 females. The total number of houses was 27,999.[1]

Wildlife Sanctuaries and Reserves of Kutch

From the city of Bhuj various ecologically rich and wildlife conservation areas of the Kutch / Kachchh district can be visited such as Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, Banni Grasslands Reserve and Chari-Dhand Wetland Conservation Reserve etc..

[edit]Religion

Swaminarayan temple at Bhuj

The dominant religions of Kutch are a form of Vaishnav Hinduism, Jainism and Islam. Sikh Gurudwara is also situated in kachchh at Lakhpat. This gurudwara was originally a house where the first guru Shri Guru Nanak stayed during his journey. The Swaminarayan Sampraday has a huge following in this region. Their main temple in this district is Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bhuj. Anjar city is the really famous also as Swaminarayan Mandir and Swaminarayanians.

[edit]Books About Bhuj

The Bhuj Story - After the Quake (2005) is a short book written by Rishi Mohan Sanwal. The Book relates to the experiences of the author and his friends after the earthquake of 26th Jan 2001 in Kutch, Gujarat. The Book has been published by Government of India. Rishi Mohan Sanwal was born in Kotdwara, Uttarakhand. After completing his engineering degree from Indian Institute of technology, Bombay and management studies from Indian Institute of management (llM), Ahmedabad, he is currently working as a management consultant.

Bhuj as a film location

J. P. Dutta's Hindi film Refugee and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam were shot on location in the Great Rann of Kutch and other locations in and around the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. This film was attributed to have been inspired by the famous story by Keki N. Daruwalla based around the Great Rann of Kutch titled "LOVE ACROSS THE SALT DESERT"[4] which is also included as one of the short stories in the School Standard XII syllabus English text book of NCERT in India[5]. The film crew having traveled from Mumbai was based at the city of Bhuj and majority of the film shooting took place in various locations around in the Kutch District of the Indian state of Gujarat including the Great Rann of Kutch (also on BSF controlled "snow white" Rann within), Villages and Border Security Force (BSF) Posts in Banni grasslands and the Rann, Tera fort village, Lakhpat fort village, Khera fort village, a village in southern Kutch, some ancient temples of Kutch and with parts and a song filmed on set in Mumbai's Kamalistan Studio.

Just after the film shooting of Refugee finished, the film crew of another Hindi film "Lagaan" descended on Bhuj in Kutch and shot the entire film in the region, employing local people and villagers from miles around. A set of a full period Village was constructed for the film with typical Kutch style mud houses or huts with thatched straw roofs called bhoongas.[6]

[edit]Geography

Bhuj has an average elevation of 110 metres (360 feet). On the eastern side of the town is a hill known as Bhujiyo Dungar, on which there is Bhujia Fort, that separates Bhuj city and Madhapar town. It has one big lake named Hamirsar and several small lakes.

The old city was surrounded by the fort, which had five major gates and one small gate known as "chathi bari" (sixth window). Much of the fort wall has either fallen down or been demolished, due to the city's development and the earthquake of 2001.

Transportation

Bhuj is connected to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi and other major cities of India by trains. It has a domestic airport from where daily flights operate to Mumbai, with flights operated by Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways. State Transport Buses are available from the ST stand in the middle of the town to various places in Gujarat. Additionally, many private tour operators also run frequent buses to major cities in and outside Gujarat.

Education

Alfred High School, the first High School of Kutch established in 1870 is also an architect heritage of town. Krantiguru Shyamji Krishna Verma Kachchh University^[2] is located in Bhuj. University has 28^[3] colleges affiliated, seven of them are in Bhuj. University gives degrees in Arts, Science, Commerce, Law Education, Management, Pharmacy, Social Welfare , Medicine and Engineering. Other schools include St. Xaviers High School(Eng. Med, Guj. Board), Matruchaya Kanya Vidhayalay(Guj. Med, Guj. Board), Sheth V.D. High School(Guj. Med, Guj. Board). There is also a Medical Collage, named Adani Medical College. The Learning Star International School (CBSE), an activity-based school, based on "a happy school" concept, is being established in the Citi Square Township (Lakhond-Bhuj) starting from the academic year April 2012, which has Baichung Bhutia and many more passionate educationists as their advisory council members.

Culture

A pair of shoes

Bhuj is a famous destination for shopping of handicraft work. Artists of nearby villages bring their art work for sale in Bhuj. Important landmarks for people wishing to study and know more about Kutchi embroidery are Shrujan, Kutch Mahila Vikas Sangathan (KMVS), Kalaraksha and Women Artisans' Marketing Agency (WAMA, Bandhini).

[edit]Bhuj as Taluka

Demographics

The total population of Bhuj was 136,429 in the year 2008, which consisted of 71,056 males and 65,373 females. The total number of houses was 27,999.

Wildlife Sanctuaries and Reserves of Kutch

From the city of Bhuj various ecologically rich and wildlife conservation areas of the Kutch / Kachchh district can be visited such as Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, Banni Grasslands Reserve and Chari-Dhand Wetland Conservation Reserve etc..

Religion

Swaminarayan temple at Bhuj

The dominant religions of Kutch are a form of Vaishnav Hinduism, Jainism and Islam. Sikh Gurudwara is also situated in kachchh at Lakhpat. This gurudwara was originally a house where the first guru Shri Guru Nanak stayed during his journey. The Swaminarayan Sampraday has a huge following in this region. Their main temple in this district is Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bhuj. Anjar city is the really famous also as Swaminarayan Mandir and Swaminarayanians.

Books About Bhuj

The Bhuj Story - After the Quake (2005) is a short book written by Rishi Mohan Sanwal. The Book relates to the experiences of the author and his friends after the earthquake of 26th Jan 2001 in Kutch, Gujarat. The Book has been published by Government of India. Rishi Mohan Sanwal was born in Kotdwara, Uttarakhand. After completing his engineering degree from Indian Institute of technology, Bombay and management studies from Indian Institute of management (llM), Ahmedabad, he is currently working as a management consultant.

Bhuj as a film location

J. P. Dutta's Hindi film Refugee and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam were shot on location in the Great Rann of Kutch and other locations in and around the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. This film was attributed to have been inspired by the famous story by Keki N. Daruwalla based around the Great Rann of Kutch titled "LOVE ACROSS THE SALT DESERT"[4] which is also included as one of the short stories in the School Standard XII syllabus English text book of NCERT in India[5]. The film crew having traveled from Mumbai was based at the city of Bhuj and majority of the film shooting took place in various locations around in the Kutch District of the Indian state of Gujarat including the Great Rann of Kutch (also on BSF controlled "snow white" Rann within), Villages and Border Security Force (BSF) Posts in Banni grasslands and the Rann, Tera fort village, Lakhpat fort village, Khera fort village, a village in southern Kutch, some ancient temples of Kutch and with parts and a song filmed on set in Mumbai's Kamalistan Studio.

Just after the film shooting of Refugee finished, the film crew of another Hindi film "Lagaan" descended on Bhuj in Kutch and shot the entire film in the region, employing local people and villagers from miles around. A set of a full period Village was constructed for the film with typical Kutch style mud houses or huts with thatched straw roofs called bhoongas.[6]Religion

Swaminarayan temple at Bhuj

The dominant religions of Kutch are a form of Vaishnav Hinduism, Jainism and Islam. Sikh Gurudwara is also situated in kachchh at Lakhpat. This gurudwara was originally a house where the first guru Shri Guru Nanak stayed during his journey. The Swaminarayan Sampraday has a huge following in this region. Their main temple in this district is Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Bhuj. Anjar city is the really famous also as Swaminarayan Mandir and Swaminarayanians.

Books About Bhuj

The Bhuj Story - After the Quake (2005) is a short book written by Rishi Mohan Sanwal. The Book relates to the experiences of the author and his friends after the earthquake of 26th Jan 2001 in Kutch, Gujarat. The Book has been published by Government of India. Rishi Mohan Sanwal was born in Kotdwara, Uttarakhand. After completing his engineering degree from Indian Institute of technology, Bombay and management studies from Indian Institute of management (llM), Ahmedabad, he is currently working as a management consultant.

Bhuj as a film location

J. P. Dutta's Hindi film Refugee and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam were shot on location in the Great Rann of Kutch and other locations in and around the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. This film was attributed to have been inspired by the famous story by Keki N. Daruwalla based around the Great Rann of Kutch titled "LOVE ACROSS THE SALT DESERT"^[4] which is also included as one of the short stories in the School Standard XII syllabus English text book of NCERT in India^[5]. The film crew having traveled from Mumbai was based at the city of Bhuj and majority of the film shooting took place in various locations around in the Kutch District of the Indian state of Gujarat including the Great Rann of Kutch (also on BSF controlled "snow white" Rann within), Villages and Border Security Force (BSF) Posts in Banni grasslands and the Rann, Tera fort village, Lakhpat fort village, Khera fort village, a village in southern Kutch, some ancient temples of Kutch and with parts and a song filmed on set in Mumbai's Kamalistan Studio.

Just after the film shooting of Refugee finished, the film crew of another Hindi film "Lagaan" descended on Bhuj in Kutch and shot the entire film in the region, employing local people and villagers from miles around. A set of a full period Village was constructed for the film with typical Kutch style mud houses or huts with thatched straw roofs called bhoongas.

Sinugra

Sinugra or Shinoogra or Sinogra or Sinougra is a village near the town of Anjar, the taluka of Kutch district in the Indian state ofGujarat. The village is located 7 km from the nearest city Anjar. Villagers enjoy a good drinking water supply, and a steady electricity supply with few power shortages.

Telephones are common, and nearly all of the houses have televisions and cable.

The village entrance has a big Chabutro and welcome gate.

History and heritage

Chabutro at Sinugra Village entrance built by Seth Khora Ramji in 1900

About history of Sinugra, the village is one of the nineteen villages founded by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris. These Mistri community first moved in to Saurashtra in early 7th century and later a major group entered Kutch in 12th Century and established themselves atDhaneti. Later from 12th century onwards they moved between Anjar and Bhuj and founded the villages of Anjar, Sinugra, Khambhra,Nagalpar, Khedoi, Madhapar, Hajapar, Kukma, Galpadar, Reha, Vidi, Ratnal, Jambudi, Devariya, Lovaria, Nagor, Chandiya, Meghpar andKumbharia.^{[1][2][3] [4][5][6]} The Mistris of these villages have built and developed the infrastructure around the villages in late 1890.

The village boasted of 200 odd houses made by rich Mistri families, ornate facades, intricate door carvings and metal grill windows and verandah depicting life of Queen Victoria. There were also huge wall and Ceiling paintings depicting scenes from Mahabharata & Ramayana. The village like other Mistri Village was well planned by Mistris, who were master-planners themselves, having wide main roads and streets and other infrastructure, temples, ponds, wells and was unique in its heritage. Sinugra was known as Pride of Kutch for its unique artistic heritage.^[7] [8]

However, most of it was destroyed in the earthquake of 2000. Sinugra Village being very near to Anjar also bore the heavy brunt of the quake and almost all old majestic houses built around 100 years ago were completely destroyed. There was also a good number of human casualty. Some of the old buildings, temples, Chabutro have been since re-constructed but the majestic houses with fine workmanship have been lost.

Notable persons

The Thakor Mandir, Chabutaro, Village Primary School named 'Seth Khora Ramji Prathmik Shala', Mahadev Temple being built by famous Seth Khora Ramji Chawda & brothers and Khoda Ratna Tank. Khora Ramji, Jetha Lira also built a Kutchi Kadia Dharamsala in Mathura. Among the famous railway contractors and colliery owners who hailed from this village and made it big during the early years of railway construction around 1860-1910 and some of them also started their own Colliery business in and around Jharia - Bokaro coalfields are Khora Ramji Chawda, Jetha Lira Jethwa, Khoda Ratna Taunk, Ranchhod Virjee, Premji Virjee, Dhanjee Virjee Chawda, Mulji Akhoy Chawda, Dahya Pachan, Manji Pachan, Mepa Pachan Jagmal Ladhha, Nanji Dossa, Kanji Murji, Kunwarji Nanji, Dahya Nanji, Mavji Nanji Tank, Kala Sava, Jeevan Sava Tank, Narain Veera, Lalji Raja Wadher, Ratna Manji Tank, Laddha Raja,Jeram Nanji, Shivjee Ananda Vadher, Kuvarjee Ananda Vadher, Raghu Pancha Taunk, Jairam Teja Chawda, Narayan Pachan Chawda, Lagdheer Ramji, Chonda Parbat Taunk, Ratanshi Manji Tank, Kalji Raja, Shamji Mepa, Devraj Pachan, Bheemje Mepa,Devshi Ladhha, Raja Mepa, Lalji Jeeva, Govind Ladhha, Jeevan Devraj, Ladhha Jeeva, Premji Karsan, Jairam Nanji, Kanji Manji, Dhanji Veerji, Kalji Raja, Govind Ladhha, Ranchhod Gangu Gohil, Joyram Shivjee Gohil,Seth Vallabhdas Kunwarjee Tank, Karsanjee Jetha Jethwa, Devram Jetha Jethwa, Hemraj Kanji Chawda, Jeevram Jairam Chawda, Balram Madhavjee Vadher.^{[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]} For further details see Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas contributions to the Indian railways.

Among the famous personalities of Sinugra Village - Dahya Pachan, Manji Pachan & Mepa Pachan Chawda of Sinugra with Jeevan Naryan Chauhan of Kumbharia were the pioneers, who led the community into Railway Contracts in 1850. Seth Khora Ramji Chawda was given "Paghdi" by Maharao Khengarji III of Kutch. Lifesketch of Khora Ramji Chawda is noted by British in Encyclopedia of Bengal, Bihar & Orissa. He was the first Indian to break monopoly of British in Coal-mining business in Jharia Coalfields Belt and started Khas Jharia, Fatehpur, Balihari, Jeenagora, Bugathdih and other collieries between 1895-1910 with his brothers Jairam Teja, Jetha Lira Vela, Narayan Pachchan & Mulji Akhoy.^{[17][18][19][20]} Khora Ramji also owned fleet of Ships and used to trade in spice & dry-fruits, etc. with Muscat, Mombasa, etc. Among other famous person - Devraj Daya Chavda,who established himself at Jharsuguda and did magnificent works of Railways & Bridge construction was given title of Rai Sahib by British authorities. Seth Vallabhdas Kunwarjee Tank of village established himself as industrialist in Mumbai & Vapi and was closely associated with Arvind Lalbhai.^[21][22]

Temples

Kuldevi Temples of many clans of these Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya community are also there in this village. For example, Tank clan Mistri community have their Kuldevi Chamunda Mata's temple in village.

The Thakor Mandir of Sinugra built by Seth Khora Ramji Chawra, Pachhan Ramji Chawra, Teja Ramji Chawra, Akhai Ramji Chawra, Lira Velaji Jethwa, Khoda Ratna Tank in 1900 is a remarkable piece of architect with beautiful & colorful carvings of Gods and idols. Further, Jadeshwar Mahadev temple also built by Mistri Seth Khora Ramji is worth seeing. TheSwaminarayan Temple & Dharamshala are also there is Village. A small temple of Ramdev Pir is also there in village. After the earthquake of 26 January 2001 all the temples and chabutro have been rehabilitated to their past glory by donations from the Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya community.

Further, a mosque belonging to Mohammedan community is also there.

Chandiya / Chandia GOD village of Chawda

History

About the history of Chandiya, it is one of the 19 viallges established by Mistris or Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas. These Mistris first moved in toSaurashtra in early 7th century and later a major group entered Kutch in 12th Century & established themselves at Dhaneti. Later from 12th century onwards they moved to settle themselves between Anjar and Bhuj and founded the villages of Anjar, Sinugra, Khambhra,Nagalpar, Khedoi, Madhapar, Hajapar, Kukma, Galpadar, Reha, Vidi, Ratnal, Jambudi, Devaliya, Lovaria, Nagor, Chandiya, Meghpar andKumbharia.

The old houses, temples and other old infrastructure was built by these Gurjar Kshatriya or Mistri community during those years. The Thakor Mandir and Jadeshwar Mahadev Temple built by Mistri are in the village of which the carvings and colors of Thakor Mandir are worth seeing. However, majority of old houses of Mistris with unique architect were destroyed in the earthquake of 26 January 2001.

Notable Persons

Some of the Mistris like Vishram Karman Chawda, Jeeva Bharmal, Goa Petha, Khengar Petha, Raja Khimjee Chawda, Mepa Nondha, Hirji Karamshi,Lira Khhema & Gova Kheema, made it big during early years of railway construction by British during 1860-1930. Among them Vishram Karman Chawda has laid Cutch State Railways between Anjar & Tuna Port in 1900. He also built Docks of Mundra Port and bridge over Rukhmavati in 1883. This bridge built by him in Mundra over Rukmavati is one of the longest surving such structure at present in India. Vishram Karman has done many pioneering works in Railways. In 1886 - Miraj - Balgam section, in 1884 Valti Ghat section in MSM Rly, in 1890 Bilaspur to Katni.Goa Petha was one of the first persons to enter into Coal mining at Jharia around 1900.

Temples

Kuldevi Temples of many clans of these Kutch Gurjar Kshatriya community are also there in this village. For example Chawda of five Villages Chandiya, Lovariya, Madhapar, Sinugra andGalpadar have their Kuldevi Chamunda Mata's temple in village. A new large temple replacing old has been recently constructed and inaugurated on eve of Dusherra in October, 2010.

Besides, Thakore Mandir and Jadeshwar Mahadev temple of Chandiya built by Mistris of village in 1900 are worth seeing for their beautiful carvings and colors.

About Village

Villagers enjoy very good drinking water supply, and very Electricity supply with very less power shortages. Village has good amount Telephone penetration, and nearly most of the houses has televisions and Cable supply. Village Entrance greets with Welcome gate.

Most of the villagers are involved in agriculture. New generation is doing jobs in nearby towns.

Favorite timepass of villagers is playing cards.

Education

Education facility is up to Secondary school. high school is there but without teacher student goes school for timepass, the result is so bad of school.

Nearest Airport : BHUJ - 40 KM
Nearest Railway Stn : Anjar - 20 Km
Its suggested to hire a cab from Bhuj
Bhuj. 18 KM 
Chandiya Pin code is 370130
postal head office is Khedoi . 
Tharavada Mota ( 2 KM ) , 
Varli ( 4 KM ) , 
Tharavada Nana ( 5 KM ) , 
Makhiana ( 5 KM ) , 
Pantiya ( 6 KM )  

It is near to arabian sea. There is a chance of humidity in the weather.

*Open Source