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About
Rajkot |
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Rajkot is the fourth largest city in Gujarat, India after
Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara. Rajkot is the 35th-largest
urban agglomeration in India, with a population more than 1.6
million as of 2012. Rajkot is also the 22nd-fastest-growing
city in the world. The city contains the administrative
headquarters of the Rajkot District, 245 km from the state
capital Gandhinagar, and is located on the banks of the Aji
and Nyari Rivers. Rajkot was the capital of the Saurashtra
State from 15 April 1948 to 31 October 1956, before its merger
to Bombay State on 1 November 1956. Rajkot was reincorporated
into Gujarat State from May 1, 1960.
Rajkot is famous throughout the world for its casting and
forging industries. Over the last few years, it has started to
play an increasingly important role in the complex supply
chains of many global engineering companies that make products
such as electric motors, automobiles, machine tools, bearings,
etc.
Rajkot is famous for its jewellery market, silk embroidery and
watch parts. The city hosts several small scale manufacturing
industries. Some of the industrial products for which Rajkot
is famous include kitchen knives, diesel engines, bearings and
other cutting appliances, watch parts (cases & bracelets),
automotive parts, forging industry, casting industry, machine
tools, software development and share market.
The city is also home to one of the largest CNC machine
manufacturer in the country, Jyoti CNC Automation Pvt. Ltd.
The Real Estate sector is also flourishing in the city, as the
land prices in the city are some of the highest in India.
Rajkot is also famous for its textile printing units, which
produce cotton sulvar-suits and cotton print sarees, and also
make a pure silk patoda.
Rajkot is also well-known for its gold purity. It has one of
the largest gold markets in India. Rajkot is also rising up in
Software Industries and ITeS. There are many SOHO companies
working in web development and many new multinational software
companies and call centers are setting up their operation and
development center in Rajkot.
Rajkot was formerly the important centre in India in the field
of diesel engine and submersible pumps. Submersible pumps are
still manufactured in the city and marketed throughout India,
with some of the larger manufacturers also exporting
them.India's one of the largest manufacture of wafers are
situated in rajkot (balaji wafers) and india's largest
manufacture of namkeen products are also situated in rajkot (gopal
snacks pvt. ltd.) |
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Culture of Rajkot |
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Rajkot is multicultural. One can find many languages, like
Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi, Bengali, Tamil,
Malayalam and Marathi. However, only Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, and
English are well understood in Rajkot. Rajkot is the part of
Kathiyawad. Because of this people of Rajkot are also known as
Kathiyawadi.
The people in Rajkot are generally vegetarians and are strongly
against any form of hunting. The women in Rajkot are very fond
of jewellery. Large chains, ornaments and other heavy gold
jewelry are a common sight during festivals, marriages and
family functions. The clothing changes with the season and
approaching festivals. The ladies usually wear the Gujarati
flavor of the Sari and men can be seen in flowing Kurtas and in
the formal wears (shirts and trousers).
Rajkot is often referred to as "Rangilu Rajkot"meaning colorful
Rajkot. The people of Rajkot like to enjoy themselves to the
fullest no matter which season or time of the day. You can find
them eating out at 1 am. Shopkeepers mostly close their business
between 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm. |
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Climate of Rajkot |
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Tourists are advised not to venture in this city in times of hot
days of summer as the extent of beating sun and resultant heat
produced by it may prove to be unbearable and much embarrassing.
Tourists can visit this city in times of rainy season and winter
that is during the months between October to February or between
the months of June to September when the city receives the
moderate rainfall transporting the ambience in the city very
much welcoming and amusing to the tourists. |
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Geography of Rajkot |
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Rajkot is located at 22.3°N 70.78°E. It has an average altitude
of 134 metres (439 ft). The city is located on the bank of Aji
River and Nyari River which remains dry except the monsoon
months of July to September. The city is spread in the area of
104.86 km˛. Rajkot has a semi-arid climate, with hot, dry
summers from mid-March to mid-June and the wet monsoon season
from mid-June to October, when the city receives 500 mm of rain
on average. The months from November to February are mild, the
average temperature being around 20°C, with low humidity.
One of the most important weather phenomena that are linked with
the city of Rajkot is cyclone. The cyclones usually occur in the
Arabian Sea during the months after the rainy season. The region
experiences a lot of rainfall and high-speed winds during the
time of the year after the monsoon season as well as in the
months of May and June. But the month of June experiences lesser
amount of rainfall and winds than the post-monsoon time.
Thunderstorms are another important part of the Rajkot weather
in the months of June and July. During summer time, the
temperature ranges between 24°C and 42°C. In the months of
winter, Rajkot temperature varies between 10°C and 22°C but on a
whole winters are amusing. |
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Festivals of Rajkot |
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Janmastami Mela
'Janmastami Mela' is organized for five days at the Race Course
grounds to celebrate Janmastami. Diwali is the New Year for
Hindus and people celebrate by doing Ma Laxmi Pujan.
Dhuleti
Dhuleti is the colour festival and Mahashivratri is God Shiva's
day. People also celebrate Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) on 14
January by flying kites from their terraces.
Garba
Garba is a dance form, is popular both with men and women and is
performed during the Navratri festival. The dance starts before
midnight and continues till dawn. Mata Ambe, who rides a Lion,
has a special reverent status with any highly religious
Gujarati.
Moharam
Moharam is new year of Muslim. Muslim's also celebrate ramzan
Eid and bakri Eid.
Firecracker Show
Rajkot Municipality arranges the Firecracker Show for the
citizens of Rajkot. People clean and paint their houses and
purchase new clothes to wear on New Year's Day.
Other festivals are Mahavir Jayanti, Ram Navami, Ganesh Utsava
etc. Since Rajkot has people from many different castes and
races, their various celebrations occur throughout the year. |
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Performing Arts of Rajkot |
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Rajkot is a major regional center for the arts, with various
venues for the performing arts in the city. Hemu Gadhvi
Natyagraha, one of the first non-profit regional theaters, is
rich with history and dedicated to the Gujarati Play.
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Tourist Attractions of Rajkot |
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Jubilee Garden
Jubilee Garden is a large, open park in the center of the
city which features many monuments from colonial times. Located
prominently in the center of the garden is the Connaught Hall.
Other notable points of interest near the garden include the
historic Mohandas Gandhi High School, Kaba Gandhi No Delo
(Mohandas Gandhi's childhood residence), Rashtriya Shala, Watson
Museum, Rotary Midtown Library and Lang Library. The Rotary
Dolls Museum has a collection of more than 1,400 dolls from all
over the world.
Watson Museum And Library
The Watson Museum today has a collection of human history
and culture. Its collection has valuable objects of colonial
period of India and History of Rajkot. Located in the pleasing
Jubilee Garden, the museum is a good introduction to
Saurashtra's cultural heritage. Rajkot Memon Boarding;is head
quarter of Muslim activities before 1947. Saurashtra Muslim
league held many Muslim convention at Rajkot Memon boarding
ground.
Watson Museum and Library
Watson Museum and Library, name comes from a famous Brisith
Political Agent `John Watson’. This is a wonderful and striking
place which depicts Saurashtra’s rich culture and heritage.
Watson Museum is located in Jubilee Gardens this place houses
unique and rare artifacts dating to Mohenjodaro times, beautiful
silverware, natural history and textiles.Tourists would be
enthralled to see a fabulous statue of Queen Victoria which
dates back to 19th century.
Jagat Mandir
Jagat Mandir commonly known as Dwarkadhish temple, it is a
famous place among Hindu Devotees. This wonderful and incredible
temple, was built in 1934 and is devoted to Sri Ramakrishna
Paramahansa. Tourists would be enthralled, to see this structure
made of red stones.
Rashtriya Shala
Mahatma Gandhi was a devoted leader and his huge contribution;
in attaining freedom struggle shall never be forgotten in
history of India. Spread across 66 square yards of land; this
school was setup in the year 1921.
Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary
Rampara Wildlife Sanctuary is one of major tourist attractions
in Rajkot. It is enclosed by greenery this place is suitable and
provides safe environment for natural habitats and rare species.
Animal lovers would be enthralled to see enormous flock of
antelopes and photographers would get the golden opportunity to
click their lovely images.
Lalpari and Randarda Lakes
This place is a perfect option to experience a tranquil and
serene environment. It is easily reachable from Rajkot as it is
5 km away from it. The depth of the Lalpari lake is 29 feet deep
;while that of Randarda is 50 feet deep.
Khambhalida Caves
This is one of the major tourist attractions in Rajkot. A lot of
visitors come here to have a glimpse, of lovely carved sculpture
and also the cool environment of the place.
Ramkrishna temple
Ramkrishna temple is dedicated to one
great saint and great champion of Hindu religion, Shri
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. The soul has now departed from this
perishable world and has become immortal, but legacy he left
behind keeps enlightening hundreds and thousands of humanity.
This temple is linked with the sweet memories of 2 great and
most influencing Hindu monks viz. Swami Vivekanand , Saint
Ramakrishna and Paramahamsa.
Other points of interest in Rajkot include Masonic Hall,
Gebanshah Pir Dargah, Hashanshah Pir Dargah, Turkibapu's Dargah,
Swaminarayan Gurukul, Nageshwar Parswanath Jain Temple, Jam
Tower, Race Course, Aji Dam, Randerda Lake, Ramakrishna Aashram,
Shri Ranchhoddas Ashram, Swaminarayan Temple, Balkrishna Haveli,
Ishwariya Temple and Garden, Mukti Dhama, Lal Pari Lake, |
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How to Reach Rajkot |
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By
Rail
The city of Rajkot has regular trains to Delhi, Mumbai,
Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Kochi, Bhopal and other cities within the
state of Gujarat.
By Road
There are state transport buses that are available to the city
of Rajkot from all nearby cities, and you can even opt for
private buses to Rajkot. Buses will regularly ply to the city of
Rajkot from Mount Abu, Bhuj, Udaipur, Mumbai, Una and Bhavnagar.
Buses also ply from the city of Ahmedabad.
By
Air
The airport in the city of Rajkot is a domestic airport that has
regular flights to the city of Mumbai. One can also travel to
the airport in Rajkot from Kandala. |
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