Godhra is a town and originally the name came from "Gou" which means "Cow" and "Dhara" which has two meaning one in Sanskrit which means "Hold or Land" and the other in Hindi which means Flow. So, identically it means The Land of the Cow, a municipality in Panchmahal district in Indian state of Gujarat. It is the administrative headquarters of the Panchmahal district.

Godhra is also one of the religious places in the India which has four bethaks (temples) for Vaishnav Sampraday (Vaisnal Community). Two bethaks are of Lord Gokulnathji, and one each for Lord Gusaiji and Lord Mahaprabhuji. Godhra also has three beautiful Jain temples. The main idol ('Mul Nayak') in the main Jain Temple is that of Tirthankar Bhagawan Shantinath.

Godhra is widely known in India and internationally for being the eye of the storm, which began with Godhra train burning on 27 February 2002, near the Godhra railway station.

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census^[1], 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 is 78%, and female literacy is 66%.

Education

There is a technical school and also various colleges in Godhra for Homeopathy studies, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts, Diploma in Engineering, ITI , and a Law College.

Entertainment

Godhra had only one major cinema halls Moonlight Talkies, Moonlight Talkies, being on the Dahod road, has larger audiences coverage and is still in business. Two new mini cinemas were opened more recently. One of them is located next to Moonlight Talkies, and the other is on the route towards Ahmedabad.

Geography

Kanelav Talav, a nice pond set in a scenic setting, has offered refuge to generations of Godhra residents. It has beautiful scenery and a check-dam. Rotary Club Godhra have developed, with the help of local institutes and organizations, beautiful infrastructure at Kanelav, popularly known as Kanelav Picnic Point.

1. A modern sports complex near Kanelav lake was inaugurated by Shri Narendra Modi, on 26 January, 2009 and the days around this date are memorable for the Godhra civilians due to a return visit of Shri Narendra Modi and a reincarnation of Godhra city.
2. Ram Sagar Talav, another pond in the center of the town offers an additional focal point that serves as a place to relax and socialize. Ram Sagar Talav has been divided into two parts, and only a small drainage links them. At its center is landscaping where a statue of Sri Swami Vivekananda has been erected.
3. A few miles from Godhra lie the Pavagadh hills. On the peak of the hills is famous temple of the Goddess Kali. It is one of the oldest places of Kali worship. In the foothills of Pavagadh is the ancient fort of Champaner which was the medieval capital of Gujarat and seat of the Chavda Kingdom.
4. Famous food of the people of Godhra is Maize Bread, 'Makai No Rotlo'
5. Most people in Godhra speak the Gujarati language.
6. Godhra is an important junction on the Indian Railways line from Mumbai (Bombay) to New Delhi. Another important railway line passing through Godhra is the Ahmedabad to Bhopal line.
7. The major nearby railway stations are: Dahod to the east, Vadodara (Baroda) to the southwest, and Anand and Ahmedabad to the west.
8. Godhra is surrounded by these towns and villages of Panchmahal District (in alphabetical order): Dahod, Halol, Kalol, Limkheda, Lunavada, Shahera, Vejalpur

History

• Godhra is the location of Gandhi Ashram. Bharat Ratna Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel began practicing as a barrister at Godhra; Mahatma Gandhiji and Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel personally met for the first time in Godhra.

• Godhra is also a birth place of Shri Rang Avdhoot Maharaj (a famous spiritual advisor).

• Shri Narendra Modi also dwelt in Godhra for a long time before he became Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Godhra , the land of cows. In mythological terms it can be called as land which is used for the grazing of cow. Cows used to come here from Pavagadh for grazing. The historical name of Godhra is "Godhak".

Lands also have historical background like human beings. Perhaps name of the village and the values behind the name carries impressions and qualities of the village, who would not like his own native village? Everyone loves their village!

Mesri river, Ramsagar lake and in far east, Kanelav lake represents nature's beauty and personalities like Saint Rang Avdhoot Maharaj, Poet Punjalal Dalwadi, Manilal Mehta, Vamanrao Mukaddam, Mama Phadke are the jewels of past.Leaders like Morarji Desai & Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel started their political careers from this place. In 1917, Gandhiji also visited this land.

Five hundred years ago, 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

Rang Avadhoot Maharaj who has established a holy place on the bank of Narmada in nareshwar was born in Godhra. Manilal Mehta who is also known Father of Education, was the person who has taken initiative of education in Godhra.Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel,the Iron man of India started his career as a lawyer from Godhra

Late Morarji Desai worked here as a commissioned officer.The political history of godhra is also alive. Late shree Pilu Modi who was known internationally for special Member of Parliament .

References