Godhra, Panchmahal, Gujarat

Godhra is a municipality in Panchmahal district in Indian state of Gujarat. It is the administrative headquarters of the Panchmahal district. Originally the name came from ''gou'' which means "cow" and ''dhara''- which have two meanings depending on how you pronounce the word: 'dharaa' means a feminine thing or person that "holds" something and it usually means"land", and the other pronunciation is 'dhaaraa' in which means "flow". However, the second pronunciation is not popular nor is usually associated with this word. Hence, 'Godhra or Godharaa' means the Land of the Cow.

Godhra is widely known in India and internationally for being the starting point of the 2002 Gujarat riots. Statewide religious riots between Hindus and Muslims began after the Godhra train burning incident near the Godhra railway station on 27 February 2002, where about 59 Hindu train passengers were burnt alive. It was in Godhra that Vallabhbhai Patel first met Gandhi in 1917 and was subsequently drawn into the Indian freedom struggle.

Godhra is a road and rail junction and a commercial centre for timber and agricultural produce. Industries include oilseed pressing, flour milling, and glass manufacture.

Etymology

The word "Godhra" means the land of cows. As per local folklore, cows used to come here from Pavagadh for grazing.

Gujarati Historic Novel named ''Gujaratno Jay'' written by Zaverchand Meghani based on various Jain Prabandhas describes city as Godhpur(ગોધપુર).

History

A bronze of Lord Rishabhanath from AD 975 was found at Akota which mentions Gohadra kula, i.e., the school of Jain monks at Gohadra. The historical name of Godhra is "Godhrahk", which was established by Parmar king named Dhudhul Mandalik in A.D. 1415.

Five hundred years ago, in the 15th century, the respectable Saint Shrimad Vallabhacharya in his morning ritual speech gave the example of his dream city. He explained how the city which was seen in dream by her daughter was handed over by a Muslim resident to a Hindu family.

Demographics

As of 2011 India census, Godhra had a population of 143,644. Males constitute 51.67% of the population and females 48.32%. Godhra has an average literacy rate of 87.51%, higher than the national average of 74.04%. Male literacy is 92.25%, and female literacy is 82.44%

India census, Godhra had a population of 121,852. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Godhra has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy was 79.5%, and female literacy 64.5%.

In 1901 the population was 20,915.

Government and politics

Godhra city is governed by a municipality. The city is divided into 12 wards for the purpose of administration, and each ward is represented by 3 councillors. The city is also represented by an MP elected from the Panchmahal Lok Sabha constituency (erstwhile Godhra Lok sabha constituency), Ratansinh Rathore from the BJP, and an MLA elected from the Godhra Assembly constituency, CK Raulji.

I. I. Chundrigar, former Prime Minister of Pakistan was born in Godhra in 1897.

Religious violence

Several incidents of communal violence have taken place in Godhra before and after the independence of India. Notable acts of violence include:

*During 1947–48, riots broke out in Godhra between the Ghanchi (Muslim), Ghanchi Muslim community and Sindhis who had emigrated from Pakistan after the Partition of India. About 3,500 properties were burnt down in the violence.
*Between October 1980 and September 1981, six major communal riots, arson and pillaging took place between the majority Muslim community and Sindhi people in Godhra. Five members of a Sindhi family were burnt alive in the Muslim-dominated area of Signalfalia. As a result of the violence and loss of life, the town was placed under curfew for about 245 days during this period.
*In 1990, four Hindu teachers were killed by a Muslim mob in Vorwad area of Godhra.
* Godhra train burning – In 2002, a Muslim mob set fire to the Sabarmati Express near Godhra railway station; 59 Hindu pilgrims who were returning from Ayodhya were killed in the fire. This incident is perceived as the trigger for the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Connectivity

Godhra is connected to all major towns of Gujarat by public transport service operated by GSRTC. And Godhra is Railway Junction that connects Godhra with different parts of state and nation

Education

Godhra has an average literacy rate of 87.51%, higher than the national average of 59.5%

Culture

Religious importance

* Sat Kaival Temple at Bagaidol village of Godhra is a temple of sat kaival sampraday.
* Godhra is one of the religious places in the India which has four bethaks (temples) for Vaishnav Sampraday. There are two main seats of Lord Krishna, Gokulnathji and one each for Lord Gusainji, Gusaiji and Lord Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu, Mahaprabhuji. Godhra is the only city in India that has all three seats (or ''bhaitaks'') of the Mahaprabhuji, Vitthalanatha, Gusianji, and Gokulnathji
* Godhra has three Jain temples. The main idol (or ''Mul Nayak'') in the Jain Temple is of Shantinath. It also has a temple called the 'Trimandir', a non-sectarian temple founded by Dada Bhagwan in the Bhamaiya area (Ahmedabad Road).
* Godhra has Sheikh Majhawar graveyard, which is believed to be one of the biggest in Asia.
*Makar Sakranti, Maha Shivratri, Holi, diwali, Eid al-Fitr, Baisakhi, Rakshabandhan, Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Eid al-Adha, Muharram, Christmas, Dussehra, Easter are celebrated.

Landscape

Geographic and manmade features in the area include the Mesri River, Ramsagar Lake, Voharwad Masjid Tower, Polan Bazar, Methodist Church, Naheru Garden and, in the far east, Kanelav Lake.

References

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Cities and towns in Panchmahal district