RAJKOT, Gujarat

Main Attraction: Jalaram Temple

Jalaram Temple is the "Samadhi" (Shrine) of Shri Jalaram Bapa, which is the specialty of Virpur village. The shrine is actually the house complex where Jalaram lived during his lifetime in Virpur.It is a small village about 52 K.M from Rajkot. It is situated on National Highway No.8b. This village had become holy after the birth of Shri Jalaram Bapa. The temple is not been accepting any kind of donation,this is the only kind of temple in the world.

Shree Jalaram Bapa was born in the year 1799 (i.e. 4-11-1799 on 7th day Shukla paksha of the Hindu month of Kartika) in the village Virpur, of Rajkot district. Jalaram Bapa the great social reformer and founder of the Jalaram movement. His mother, Rajbai was very fond of serving sadhus and saints. Shree Jalaram Bapa's father's name was Pradhan Thakkar, who was engaged in business. At the tender age of 16, Jalaram Bapa married Virbai. He is mostly engaged in serving sadhus and saints. He separated himself from his father's business and stayed with his uncle, Valjibhai, who was very fond of Jalaram. There are many stories about the greatness of the saint of Virpur. In 1881 (i.e. 23-2-1881) Jalaram Bapa left his body in his prayers.

The "Samadhi" of Shri Jalaram Bapa is on the feet of God Shri Ram Chandra. Just on the Left side of the Big Gate of the "Dela". The "JHOLI-DANDA" is kept in the transparent Cup-board. The idol of Jalaram Bapa is shown as a smiling man holding danda and wearing often a white paghadi and white dhoti-kurta.The idols of his patron deities Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman are also found along with his idol. There are three GIANT COPPER POTS in the Temple which was given by "GANGA MAIYA" filled with the "PAVITRA JAL" of Ganga, yamuna and sarawati rivers. The water from these pots never gets empty. Moreover no one had suffered from any disease after drinking this "JAL". There is also a pair of large wheels for grinding the wheat in the Temple given by the king of the Dhrangdhra to Shri Jalaram Bapa.But the main attraction is the portrait of Jalaram Bapa. There is also an actual black and white photo of Jalaram Bapa, taken one year before his death.

In this temple two times free PRASAD and TEA provided to the thousands of visitor who come for the Darshan of Shri Jalaram Bapa. On Jalaram Bapa's birthday which is celebrated as Jalaram Jayanti, devotees are served meal as prasad. There is a huge fair and festival at Virpur. Here in the "DARBAR OF GOD" everyone "CROREPATI" or "ROADPATI" is consider same and they are offered "PRASAD" and they all sit in a same row. The "PRASAD" consist of "GANTHIA","BUNDI" and "SABJI" in morning and "KHICHADI-KADHI" and "DESHI GHEE" in evening in a traditional dish of Leaves. All visitors take this PRASAD happily.

Brief History

History of Rajkot is about 400 year old. This region has seen Ghaznavid Empire ruled by Mohammad Ghaznavi and Muzaffarid dynasty ruled by Mahmud Begada before Jadeja settlement. Jadeja of Nawanagar lost the battle of Bhuchar Mori in 1590 AD against Mughal Empire. Thakore Sahib Vibhoji Ajoji Jadeja was sent to Delhi as prisoner after the death of his father at the battle. He was placed under the guardianship of Jodhaji Soda, who was his maternal uncle from one of Akbar's wives. He joined the Imperial forces and supported Shah Jahan in expelling the Vaghelas from Sardhar. Then after, He married the daughter of the Vaghela chief and made Sardhar his capital. He received Ardoi, Rib, Ribda and Kalipat, which he converted into a separate principality for his services to the Emperor. His son continued in the Imperial service, receiving further lands in reward. Rajkot was named after Raju Sandhi in 1620, who was co-founder of princely state of Rajkot with grandson of Jam Shri Satarsal (Sataji) Vibhaji Jadeja of Nawanagar Thakore Sahib Vibhoji Ajoji Jadeja. Thus he is known as founder of Rajkot. In 1635, his son Meramanji succeeded his father and in 1640, Meramanji joined the Mughal subedar Azam Khan in his campaign against the Kathis. Bamanioji son of Shahibji succeeded his father in 1675, held firm to the Mughal alliance.In 1694; he was killed in an encounter with raiding Mianas and was succeeded by his son Meramaji II.

After the death of Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707 A.D. The Mogul hold on Gujarat and Saurashtra Peninsula was slackening. The Viceroys of Gujarat were more preoccupied with the main land than the Peninsula. During the resultant chaos, the Thanadars became more powerful and independent Kathis occupied Jasdan and Jetpur and the states of Gondal, Virpur, Jetpur, Rajkot, Wankaner, Morvi, Maliya and Kotda Sangani came into existence.

Thakore Sahib Bamanioji Sahibji and his son Thakore Sahib Mehramanji II Bamanio seized Rajkot and a number of villages from the Nawab of Junagadh and consolidated their control over Rajkot and its surrounding villages until 1720. Masum Khan, a deputy Faujdar of Junagadh's Nawab, conquered Rajkot in 1720 and renamed it Masumabad. Masum Khan ruled for 12 years until he was conquered by Thakore Sahib Ranmalji Mehramanji in 1732, and the name was restored to Rajkot. Thakore Ranmalji's son and successor, Lakhoji I, succeeded him in 1746. But he soon tierd and retierd to Nawanagar where he died in 1796. Thereafter, the family reigned uneventfully, accepted British protection in 1818, and quietly developed their little state. The capital became the headquarters of the British Political Agent, and soon developed into a modern town.

In the year of 1822 the British rule established an agency and kept its name Kathiawad agency. The present Kothi area which houses the customs and railway offices used to house the officials of that British agency during that period. During various changes there was a change in the leadership and again the whole area belonged to the agency which is at present the Sadar area.

In 1874 Thakore Bavajiraj Jadeja. Bavajiraj was invested with ruling powers. Rajkot was linked with Wankaner through railways in the year 1889. In 1893 rail link was established between Rajkot and Jetalsar. During that time mostly meter gauge trains were used and which formed the main lifeline of the transport within the areas.

Due to meet the water needs of the Rajkot city which is built on the shore of the river Aaji a new lake called Lalpari was established in the year of 1895.In 1921 the political leadership of the Kathiawad first met in Rajkot. And during this time Lakhaji Raj represented the first meet and established the first settlement of the political leadership in the area. In 1925 Mahatma Gandhi for the first time visited the city and thereby established the first educational activities. Today it is a well established centre for rural industries.

In 1937 Vadhera started a wide agitation again the atrocities of Diwan Viravada and thereby started the first satyagrah. And this was finally resolved by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This resolution was finally let down at a later stage and with this development Mahatma Gandhi started the hunger strike to denounce this move. 1942 quit India movement was also a major contributor for Rajkot to become a major hub for the developments as well.

Bavajiraj Jadeja was succeeded by his son, Sir Lakhajiraj Jadeja, the most prominent ruler amongst the Jadeja rulers to that time. Dharmendrasinhji Jadeja, succeeded his father, Sir Lakhajiraj, but died while hunting of Lion in Sasan Gir and was succeeded by his brother Pradyumansinhji Jadeja in 1940. Rajkot was merged into Republic of India during Pradumansinh Jadeja's reign.

The British East India Company further founded the Saurashtra agency in Rajkot to moderate all princely states. The regional headquarters and residency of British East India Company was at Kothi Compound in the city. The British constructed numerous impressive colonial buildings and educational institutions, such as Connaught Hall and The Rajkumar College in Rajkot.

On the eve of the establishment of the united states of Saurashtra in 1948, there were as many as 222 big and small states, principalities and estates in a total geographical 20,681Sq. Miles covered by the Saurashtra peninsula.It was a picture of political fragmentation, which can have few parallels in history. Fortunately, thanks to the farsighted statesmanship and great personal prestige of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and to the admirable spirit of patriotism and understanding displayed by the leading rulers, integration by merger became an accomplished fact in the short span of not more than a year. It was nothing less than a great revolution silent and unobtrusive but nonetheless momentous on that account contributing to the shaping of free India’s destiny.

With the formation of the united states of Saurashtra in 1948, various states and principalities which were integrated into the new state and redistributed into five administrative districts of which Madhya Saurashtra now Rajkot comprised the area of the former princely states of Gondal, Jetpur, Wankaner, Rajkot, Maliya, KotdaSangani and other continuous talukas and principalities. Atkot, Paddhari and Jamkandorna Mahals of the former Navanagar State were subsequently added to it while three enclave villages were transferred to Amreli district of the Bombay State.

The state merged with its neighbours to form the United State of Saurashtra in February, 1948 and then after Rajkot became the capital of the State of Saurashtra headed by U. N. Dhebar as chief Minister and Jam Saheb of Navanagar as Raj Pramukh in 1948.

A bigger bilingual Bombay State comprising all Gujarati speaking area and all Marathi speaking areas was formed in 1956 and Saurashtra became a component of that State. Four years later, in 1960 the bilingual Bombay State was bifurcated by parliamentary enactment and two separate unilingual States of Gujarat and Maharashtra came into existence. Saurashtra naturally continues to be an integral part of Gujarat State.Rajkot was merged into the newly-created Gujarat State when it was separated from the bilingual Bombay State on May 1, 1960. The city of Rajkot, which is the district head quarter has because of its central location also because of its being the center of the political power and influence, maintained its importance over the past 100 years. As the capital of Rajkot State and Seat of the Crown representative during the British regime, as the capital of the established Saurashtra State from 1948 to 1956 and as the Headquarters of the Divisional Commissioner and Divisional Superintendent (Railway). Thereafter, the city has continuously maintained its importance and has considerably grown in size over these years.

By the end of 20th century, Rajkot emerged as a premier town and has a central location in the region being a part of Gujarat State. Its importance as a capital is attributed to geographical location, its cultural heritage and the development potential possessed by the city. The present level of development of the city is outcome of the process of progressive development going on since decades. It will be useful to recall the historical background of the city enjoying a position of importance in the field of Trade, Industry, Education, Transportation, Communication, Entertainment and urbanization.