Phalodi is a city in Phalodi district in the Indian state of

Rajasthan Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...

. It is the headquarters for Phalodi district. Phalodi is also called the "salt city" due to the salt industry in Rin. Phalodi is in the

buffer zone A buffer zone, also historically known as a march, is a neutral area that lies between two or more bodies of land; usually, between countries. Depending on the type of buffer zone, it may serve to separate regions or conjoin them. Common types o ...

Thar Desert The Thar Desert (), also known as the Great Indian Desert, is an arid region in the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent that covers an area of in India and Pakistan. It is the world's 18th-largest desert, and the world's 9th-large ...

and often subject to extreme temperature conditions due to its arid climate. The highest temperature in the history of Phalodi is 51°C, which is the highest ever verified temperature in the country.

History

Phalodi is a historic town located in the Phalodi district of Rajasthan, India. It serves as the District headquarters and is the largest town in the district. The town lies 142 kilometres (88 miles) from Jodhpur and is situated along the Jodhpur–Jaisalmer railway line. It is also well connected via road, with National Highway 15 (Pathankot–Kandla) and State Highway No. 2 (Jodhpur–Jaisalmer) passing through the town.

Etymology and Founding

Phalodi was originally known as Phalvardhika. According to historical accounts, the town was founded in Vikram Samvat 1515 (1458 CE) by a Brahmin named Shri Siddhuji Kalla, with the divine blessing of Shri Maa Latiyal. The original name Phalvardhika was later changed to Phalodi at the request of Phala, the widowed daughter of Shri Siddhuji Kalla. She made a significant financial contribution for the construction of the town's fort, prompting the renaming in her honor.

Early Historical and Religious Sites

Phalodi is home to several important religious and historical sites. The Kalyan Raoji Temple, one of the oldest in the region, was constructed in 1230 CE, indicating the presence of a settlement even before the formal establishment of the town. Stone inscriptions in the temple mention a place named Vijay Nagar Patan, believed to be the earlier name for Phalodi. Other ancient temples include the Latiyal Devi Temple and the Shantinath Temple, both of which are considered among the oldest in the town. In 2008, a major renovation of the Latiyal Mata Temple was undertaken, during which a silver throne (singhasan) was installed.

Fort and Rule

In 1488 CE, a fort was constructed in Phalodi by Hamir Singh, the grandson of Rao Suja of Marwar. Hamir Singh is credited with several developmental works in the town during his reign. Initially, Phalodi was part of the Bikaner State. In 1615, it came under the control of Rao Sur Singh of Jodhpur State, operating under the directive of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. From that point onward, it remained under the jurisdiction of Jodhpur.

Jain Architecture

Phalodi is also notable for its Jain heritage. The Parsnath Jain Temple, built in 1847 by the Oswal Jain community, is a prominent example of architectural ingenuity. Constructed entirely of stone without the use of girders or RCC, the temple features intricate work in old Belgian glass. Phalodi houses ten Jain temples and six Dadabadis, making it an important center for the Jain community.

Modern Development

The town's railway station was established in 1914, further enhancing its connectivity and trade. As per the 2001 Census of India, Phalodi had a population of 44,756. It is surrounded by the districts of Bikaner, Nagaur, and Jaisalmer. The nearby village of Khichan, located approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) from Phalodi, is famous for being a seasonal habitat for migratory Demoiselle Cranes, locally known as Kurjan.

Economy and Demographics

Phalodi is recognized for its diverse demographic composition. The rural areas are predominantly inhabited by Sindhi Muslims, while the Pushkarna Brahman community primarily resides in the urban region. The town is an industrial hub, particularly known for its salt and plaster of Paris production. Phalodi is among India’s leading suppliers of sodium salt.

Climate

The climate of Phalodi has a generally hot

desert climate The desert climate or arid climate (in the Köppen climate classification ''BWh'' and ''BWk'') is a dry climate sub-type in which there is a severe excess of evaporation over precipitation. The typically bald, rocky, or sandy surfaces in desert ...

, but with a rainy season from late June to September (

Köppen Köppen is a German surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Bernd Köppen (1951–2014), German pianist and composer * Carl Köppen (1833-1907), German military advisor in Meiji era Japan * Edlef Köppen (1893–1939), German author ...

''BWh''). Temperatures are extreme throughout the period from March to October, except when monsoonal rain produces thick clouds to lower it slightly. In the months of April, May and June, high temperatures routinely exceed 40 degrees Celsius. During the monsoon season, average temperatures decrease slightly. However, the city's generally low humidity rises and this adds to the normal discomfort from the heat. The highest temperatures recorded in Phalodi were in 2016 from 18 May to 21 May when it rose up to 51 degrees Celsius, which is the current national record.

Transportation

Phalodi railway station lies on the

broad gauge A broad-gauge railway is a railway with a track gauge (the distance between the rails) broader than the used by standard-gauge railways. Broad gauge of , more known as Russian gauge, is the dominant track gauge in former Soviet Union countries ...

line of the Delhi–Jaisalmer line. Trains passing through Phalodi include: :* Jaisalmer to Mumbai (Bandra Terminus) :* Bikaner to Jaisalmer :* Delhi to Jaisalmer :* Jodhpur to Jaisalmer. Phalodi is connected to Jodhpur ( south), Bikaner ( north), Nagaur ( in east) and Jaisalmer ( in west). National Highway 15 skirts around Phalodi. Bus services have run continuously from Jodhpur and Bikaner, both three hours away. There are a number of cabs or taxis that ferry passengers from these places. On last Dec 2013, Phalodi/Jaisalmer was directly connected with Mumbai with weekly train, train running from Bandra Terminus (Mumbai) on every Friday on 2:35pm afternoon and it reached Phalodi on 9:35am morning. Phalodi's airport is 25 km from the city and is under Air Force and inaccessible to the general public. The nearest civilian airport being Jodhpur which is 130 km and Jaipur which is 300 km away from the city. The city is very well connected via highways to other cities like Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Ramdevra, and others.

Demographics

, Phalodi had a population of 49,766, of which 26,003 and 23,763 are males and females respectively. Phalodi has an average literacy rate of 61.81%, lower than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 69.63%, and female literacy is 53.25%. In Phalodi, 15.5% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Betting Market (Satta Bazaar)

Phalodi is the nerve center of betting, especially election related betting in Rajasthan. The bookies in Phalodi are renowned for being accurate more often than not.

References

{{Phalodi district Cities and towns in Phalodi district