Dholka

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?Dholka Gujarat • India
Dholka
Coordinates: 22°43′N 72°28′E / 22.72, 72.47
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 17 m (56 ft)
District(s)	Ahmedabad
Population	53,792 (2001[update])

Coordinates: 22°43′N 72°28′E / 22.72, 72.47 Dholka is a city and a municipality in Ahmedabad district in the state of Gujarat, India.

In the Middle Ages, Dholka was the seat of the Vaghela family, who were feudatories of the Solanki rulers of Gujarat. As the Solankis went into decline, the Vaghelas rose in power, ruling Gujarat from 1243 to the Muslim conquest in 1297. They restored stability to Gujarat for the latter half of the 13th century, and the Vaghela kings and their officials were dedicated patrons of the arts and temple-building.

Dholka is home to one of the first Swaminarayan Temples in the world. Date of Installation : The 5th day of the bright half of Vaishakha in V.S. 1883.

Brief History : This majestic shrine, with its splendid dome, was planned and constructed under the expert supervision of S.G. Purnanand Swami and the work was completed under the supervision of S.G. Mahanubhavanand Swami. The land for constructing this great shrine was gifted by Devotee Shri Revashankar Vyas.

Swaminarayan Bhagwan graced this auspicious place and installed the idols of God in the temple on the auspicious 5th day of the bright half of Vaishakha in V.S. 1883, amidst the chants of Vedic hymns by Brahmin priests.

Besides the idols installed by Swaminarayan Bhagwan, between the seat of Lord Ghanshyam Maharaj and Lord Murlimanohardev, there is the seat of divine pleasure adorned in His image form by Swaminarayan Bhagwan.

There are many prasadi places on this graced land of Dholka.

In the north of the town, there is a prasadi temple of Lord Nagnath. One canopy has been constructed at this place, in memory of the graced touch of Swaminarayan Bhagwan. Here, Swaminarayan Bhagwan had conducted religious assemblies to bless his devout followers. At the north end of the temple, there is one room where Swaminarayan Bhagwan used to be put up. There is one more canopy on the eastern end of the temple where there was a well, graced by Swaminarayan Bhagwan, for sacred bathing. Chakali-lake, a little away from the town, is again a prasadi place. Swaminarayan Bhagwan and his saint have taken baths there. There is an ancient step-well, a small temple of Lord Hanumanji and the sacred foot prints of Swaminarayan Bhagwan. S. G. Mahanubhavanand Swami had installed Lord Hanumanji in this temple.

On the south end of the town at about a distance of 11 km there is Ganesh-Dholka. Here, Swaminarayan Bhagwan had assumed ailment. The Ganapatiji at this place has his trunk on the right side, which is an astonishing phenomenon. Swaminarayan Bhagwan had offered worship to Lord Ganapatiji here. Dholka has been referred as Vairatnagar in the ancient times of Mahabharata. Many remains of archeological significance have been found from this place.

Contents 1 Transport 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 References

[edit] Transport

Dholka is on the railway line from Ahmedabad to Bhavnagar, well connected to the cities by rail and road. It is 30 km from Ahmedabad. Frequent bus and rail transport is available from Ahmedabad. Dholka is also known for Jain Temple Kalikund Tirth, and every year lots of Jain families visit this temple.

There is an ancient temple of Goddess Ambaji in Dholka. There is also school of Pandavas, kitchen of Bhima, Malav Talav, and many more things to view in Dholka. Dholka was known as Viratnagar when Pandavas lived here for two years.

[edit] Geography

Dholka is located at 22°43′N 72°28′E / 22.72, 72.47^[1]. It has an average elevation of 17 metres (55 feet).

It is India's first municipality

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census^[2], Dholka had a population of 53,792. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Dholka has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 73% and, female literacy is 59%. In Dholka, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] References