24 September 2014

VADODARA

                                Vadodara



Vadodara, also known as Baroda, is the third largest city in the Indian State of Gujarat, after Ahmedabad and Surat. It is the administrative headquarters of Vadodara District. It is located on the banks of the Vishwamitri river, southeast of Ahmedabad, 139 km from state capital, Gandhinagar. Both the railway line and national highway connecting Delhi and Mumbai pass through Vadodara.
Vadodara has a population of almost 1.6 million people[7] (as of 2005). It is the site of theLakshmi Vilas Palace belonging to the royal Gaekwad dynasty of the Marathas. It is also the home of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, which is the largest university in Gujarat. Major industries include petrochemicals, engineeringchemicalspharmaceuticals,plastics and Forex.

14 February 2014

SURAT, GUJARAT

SURAT


Surat is a city located on the western part of India in the state of Gujarat. It is one of the most dynamic city of India with one of the fastest growth rate due to immigration from various part of Gujarat and other states of India. 
Surat is one of the cleanest city of India and is also known by several other names like "THE SILK CITY", "THE DIAMOND CITY", "THE GREEN CITY", etc. It has the most vibrant present and an equally varied heritage of the past. It is the city where the British first land in India. The Dutch and the Portuguese also established there business centers in Surat, the remnants of which are still preserved in the modern day Surat. In past this was a glorious port with ships of more than 84 countries anchored in its harbour at any time.
Still today, Surat continues the same tradition as people from all around the country flock in for business and joanbs. Surat has practically zero percent unemployment rate d jobs are easier to get here due to very fast development of various industries in and around Surat City.




Area326.515 sq.km.
Population44,61,026 (2011)
Density13662 Persons/Sq.Km.
Literacy Rate82.91%

Places of interest:
SURAT CASTLE
The Surat castle is one of the ancient monuments of 16th century existing in the city and bears a significant relevance to its history. However, such a great fortification built to provide the citizens of Surat with an adequate defence against the attacks of the invaders seems to have been forgotten from the minds of the present generation. The Ahmedabad king Sultan Mahmood-III (1538-1554), who was very much annoyed by these frequent destructions of Surat, ordered for building a very strong castle and entrusted the work to Safi Agha, a Turkish soldier who had been ennobled with the title of Khudawand Khan. The work of building the castle was completed in 1546. After the capture of Surat by the emperor Akbar (1573) the fortress remained in the charge of commandants appointed from Delhi till it was seized by the Sidhi admiral of the Mugal fleet in 1751. The Sidhi did not hold the castle for long period, as it was captured by the English in 1759 with rest of the city.

 Though from the first practically independent, the English held the castle nominally under
 the Mugal. In token of this divided command, two flags waved from the   castle walls, the
 English ensign on the south-west, and the Moorish standard on   the   south-east bastion.
This practice was continued till, in 1842, on the death of the last of   the nawabs of Surat,
 the English fleet was removed from the Tapi, and the Moorish  standard taken down from
 the castle walls. Though, as a defence against any well-equipped   enemy, they have long
 been useless, the castle buildings initially were being kept in     repair,  and until the year
 1862, were garrisoned by a small body of European and native   troops. In that year, as no
 longer required, the force was withdrawn, and the vacated  rooms were made over for the
 accommodation of the various offices connected with the revenue and police departments,
 in whose occupation the castle has since remained.


Mugal Sarai,surat

The Building which is used at present as an office complex by Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC)
 is one of the ancient monuments of Surat city and was built originally as a 'Sarai' or Musafarkhana 
(travellers' inn). It was built during the period of Mugal Emperor Shah Jahan in the year 1644 A.D.
 and was popularly known as 'Mugal Sarai'. During 18th century the same building was used as jail.
 Since 1867 the building was occupied by the present corporation.

This building with its considerable architectural qualities as disposed by the skilful composition
of its various parts combined with harmonious combination of arches, cornices, decorated
parapets, sculptured patterns on the exterior facade etc. each being disposed in an artistic and
 effective manner upon a sound foundation with coherent strength is still intact and is in a very
good state
 of preservation.
However, some changes are made lately in the original building but due care is taken so as not
 to harm the overall harmony of the structure. The central courtyard which at present is
used for parking vehicles of the employees of the corporation still have huge trees in it hosting
a wide variety of birds, giving it still the same touch of nature which it would have once enjoyed.

SURAT'S RANDOM PICTURES:

Athawa Gate

Gaurav Path

Ring Road near Majura Gate


New Civil Hospital


Flyover near Majura Gate

Sahara Darwaza

Sardar Market











Belgium Tower


Surat Railway Station






AIRPORT SURAT

Iscon Mall




SMC South Zone,Udhna

Rajhans Theatre 








16 December 2013

SHOOLPANESHWAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY & ZARWANI WATERFALL,GUJARAT







              Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary

          Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in  Narmada district of Gujarat. This  sanctuary has 607.70 Km² area. Best season to visit is from November to March.This sanctuary has vast, undulating terrain, ever-pervading greenery, tall inspiring canopy, deep awesome valleys, somberly silent rocks, gentle youthful streams, majestic waterfalls, breathtaking landscapes, culminating at the congregation of Vindhyan-Satpura hill ranges. The forest area rated as one of the best and thickest in the state, is spread over an area, which includes a major watershed feeding two major reservoirs with the Rajpipla hills as backdrop.

The sanctuary derives its name "Shoolpaneshwar" from a historic temple of Lord Shiva, which once existed in this region on the banks of river Narmada. The temple is now submerged due to the Sardar Sarovar Reservoir. However, a new Shoolpaneshwar temple has since been built near Rajpipla. The word "Shoolpaneshwar" refers to Lord Shiva portrayed as having "Shool" or "Trishul" in his hand i.e. `Pani’.

The area is predominantly tribal with 'Vasavas' as the main tribal community. The local population heavily depends on the forest produce for socio-economic sustenance. A mere glance at the tribal houses and habitations reflects their dependence on bamboos in every sphere of life. Bamboo is indeed `poor man’s timber’.
Large flying squirrel is a nocturnal forest animal. It roosts in tree holes or prepares large leaf nests. Squirrels call during night, which betrays their presence.(source:Wikipedia)




  As "Dumkhal Sanctuary"- an important home for sloth bears. Subsequently, in 1987 and 1989, the area of the sanctuary was enlarged to 607.71sq. Km. and it was renamed as "Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary".












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ZARWANI WATERFALL at sanctuary.