Waghai is a town in the Dang District of the southern part of

Gujarat Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...

state in

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...

. And also Taluka of dang district. Waghai is about 32 km west of the district headquarters of

Ahwa Ahwa is the headquarters of Dang District in the state of Gujarat, in India. It is situated about 1800 feet (549 m) above the sea level. The whole district, inhabited by the tribal people, is a hilly area covered with thick forest. Venomous snak ...

, and about 52 km north-west of the

hill station A hill station is a town located at a higher elevation than the nearby plain or valley. The term was used mostly in colonial Asia (particularly in India), but also in Africa (albeit rarely), for towns founded by European colonialists as refuges ...

Saputara Saputara is a hill station located in Sahyadris or Western Ghats. Saputara town is part of Dang district in Gujarat, India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest cou ...

Vansda Vansda, also known as Bansda, is a city and a municipality in the Navsari district in the Indian State of Gujarat, covering an area of 557 km2. Vansda is connected with Waghai, Chikhli, Saputara, Nasik, Vapi, Dharampur, Shamlaji by Stat ...

, Chikhli and Bilimora are located westerly. It is linked by state highway to the town of Chikhli (where the road meets National highway 8), and by a

narrow gauge A narrow-gauge railway (narrow-gauge railroad in the US) is a railway with a track gauge narrower than standard . Most narrow-gauge railways are between and . Since narrow-gauge railways are usually built with tighter curves, smaller structu ...

to the town of

Bilimora Bilimora is a city situated on the banks of the river Ambika, in Gandevi taluka & Navsari district of Gujarat state, in India. The city comes under the purview of the Surat Metropolitan Region. The city is roughly south of the city of Surat ...

. Also with Saputara a NG passenger train named. Waghai Passenger link these towns of south Gujarat.

Demographics

The population is about 1,75,000, of which 92% are local tribal people called " Dangi". Others are mixed people of India like Gujarati, Punjabi, Marathi, South Indian etc.

Economy

Waghai is the business place for the whole district; it is the main Gateway to enter Dang District.

Attractions

Gira Falls

Gira Falls A km. off the Saputara-Waghai Road leads to a vast clearing where the picturesque Gira Falls emerging from the Khapri tributary can be viewed. An absolute must from June to November. Visitors can get refreshments from a small tea and snack stall. Picnic Huts make it an ideal spot for relaxing and picnicking.There is also a botanical garden which is also a good attraction for tourist.

Botanical Garden

It is a large (24-hectare) garden with 1,400 varieties of plants from all over India. The amateur nature lover can marvel at different varieties of bamboo like the Chinese Bamboo, Golden Bamboo, Beer Bottle Bamboo, etc. and enjoy strolling along the beautiful walkways each lined with different species of tree. Visitors can also pick up cactus plants and enjoy a picnic at the picnic spot in the garden. Permission is required to enter. Drinking water and toilet facilities are available.

Unai Mata temple and Hot Springs

A drive of about 19 km. from Waghai brings one to the Unai Mata temple. Visitors can bathe in the

hot spring A hot spring, hydrothermal spring, or geothermal spring is a spring produced by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater onto the surface of the Earth. The groundwater is heated either by shallow bodies of magma (molten rock) or by circ ...

attached to this famous temple of considerable historical significance.

Vansda National Park Vansda National Park, also known as Bansda National Park, is a protected area which represents the thick woodlands of the Dangs and southern Gujarat, and is situated in the Vansda tehsil, Navsari District of Gujarat state, India. Riding on the ...

A rich and old forest predominantly covered by very tall teak trees, mango groves and gigantic creepers. The forest is extremely dense and some parts are dark even during normal daytime. The forest is a habitat of monkeys, deer, a few leopards and a wide species of birds. Permission is required to enter the Park.

Shopping

A small private outlet selling locally crafted items fashioned out of Bamboo roots and chips. Unique items like the big sized bamboo lamps, kangaroos, deer are available only here and not elsewhere in the region.

government sawmill waghai

A sprawling sawmill and woodworking unit, which also sells furniture that tourists can book and get delivered by paying an advance. The visitor can enjoy a guided tour and watch the transformation of logs of wood into tasteful furniture. Drinking water facilities are available.

Education

Schools

* Govt. Secondary and higher secondary school. * Aadarsh Nivashi School. * Taluka School. * Eklavya English medium School. * Sardar School. * Gyanmandir School.

Colleges

* Govt.Pollytechnic College. * College of Agriculture, NAU. * Hill Millet Research Station, NAU, Waghai * Govt. PTC college. * Agriculture Cooperation, Banking & Marketing Polytechnic.

Gallery

Image:waghai2.jpg, Vikas Path, Waghai Image:waghi3.jpg, Waghai Main road Image:sara1-gu.jpg,

-Waghai narrow gauge Train Image:Bridge-DSC01387.JPG, Ambika River Bridge Between Nani-Waghai(Kilad) and Waghai Image:Gira Water Fall saputara.JPG, Gira Water Fall on Waghai-Saputara road File:Locomotive boiler.jpg, Locomotive boiler at waghai garden

References

{{Dang district, India Cities and towns in Dang district, India