Adalaj | |
---|---|
Town | |
Coordinates: 23°10′N72°35′E / 23.17°N 72.58°E | |
Country | India |
State | Gujarat |
District | Gandhinagar |
Taluka | Gandhinagar |
Government | |
• Type | Panchayat |
• Gram Panchayat | Kokilaben R Thakor |
Area | |
• Town | 17.91 km2 (6.92 sq mi) |
• Land | 17.91 km2 (6.92 sq mi) |
• Urban | 17.91 km2 (6.92 sq mi) |
Elevation | 66 m (217 ft) |
Highest elevation | 69 m (226 ft) |
Lowest elevation | 63 m (207 ft) |
Population (2011) | |
• Town | 11,957 |
• Rank | 1,262 |
• Density | 670/km2 (1,700/sq mi) |
Languages | |
• Official | Gujarati, Hindi |
Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
PIN | 382 421 |
STD code | +91-2712 |
Vehicle registration | GJ |
Website | Gandhinagar District Panchayat |
[1] [2] |
Adalaj is a census town in Gandhinagar district located in the western Indian state of Gujarat. [1] With a population of roughly 12,000 residents within the town limits as of 2011, Adalaj is known for its semi-arid climate and its historic and religious establishments. The town sits in a generally flat area covering about 18 sq. km.
The city has seen recent rapid urbanization since the last census report.
Adalaj is located at 23°10′N72°35′E / 23.17°N 72.58°E . [3] It has an average elevation of 66 metres (217 ft).[ citation needed ] According to the Bureau of Indian Standards, the town falls under seismic zone 3, in a scale of 2 to 5 (in order of increasing vulnerability to earthquakes). [4]
Adalaj has substantially similar climate to Ahmedabad which is a hot, semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSh), with marginally less rain than required for a tropical savanna climate. The Indian Meteorological Department does not distinguish Adalaj through a distinct weather station, therefore seasonal and monsoon conditions mimic recorded values of Ahmedabad.
There are three main seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. Aside from the monsoon season, the climate is extremely dry. The weather is hot from March to June. Cold northerly winds are responsible for a mild chill in January. The southwest monsoon brings a humid climate from mid-June to mid-September. The average annual rainfall is about 595 millimetres (23.4 in), and it is not uncommon for droughts to occur when the monsoon does not extend as far west as usual.
Climate data for Adalaj (1981–2010) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 28.2 (82.8) | 31.9 (89.4) | 36.7 (98.1) | 40.9 (105.6) | 42.5 (108.5) | 39.2 (102.6) | 33.3 (91.9) | 31.6 (88.9) | 33.0 (91.4) | 35.3 (95.5) | 32.5 (90.5) | 29.1 (84.4) | 34.5 (94.1) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 20.2 (68.4) | 22.5 (72.5) | 27.6 (81.7) | 31.7 (89.1) | 34.3 (93.7) | 33.1 (91.6) | 29.7 (85.5) | 28.5 (83.3) | 29.2 (84.6) | 28.5 (83.3) | 24.8 (76.6) | 21.4 (70.5) | 27.6 (81.7) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 14.7 (58.5) | 17.5 (63.5) | 21.8 (71.2) | 25.9 (78.6) | 28.5 (83.3) | 29.8 (85.6) | 27.6 (81.7) | 25.9 (78.6) | 25.3 (77.5) | 24.2 (75.6) | 20.8 (69.4) | 16.5 (61.7) | 23.2 (73.8) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 1.0 (0.04) | 1.0 (0.04) | 2.0 (0.08) | 1.0 (0.04) | 1.0 (0.04) | 57.0 (2.24) | 187.0 (7.36) | 232.0 (9.13) | 92.0 (3.62) | 10.0 (0.39) | 11.0 (0.43) | 0.0 (0.0) | 595 (23.41) |
Average rainy days | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 12.5 | 23.2 | 21.9 | 13.2 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 79.4 |
Average relative humidity (%) | 37 | 29 | 24 | 25 | 33 | 49 | 70 | 77 | 70 | 42 | 37 | 34 | 44 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 287.3 | 274.3 | 277.5 | 297.2 | 329.6 | 238.3 | 130.1 | 111.4 | 220.6 | 290.7 | 274.1 | 288.6 | 3,019.7 |
Average ultraviolet index | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
Source 1: India Meteorological Department [5] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: NOAA (sun and humidity 1971–1990), [6] Weather Atlas [7] |
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1971 | 4,221 | — |
1981 | 7,291 | +72.7% |
1991 | 10,484 | +43.8% |
2001 | 9,774 | −6.8% |
2011 | 11,957 | +22.3% |
Source: [ citation needed ] |
As of 2011 [update] India census, [8] Adalaj had a population of 11,957.
According to the 2011 census, Hindus are the predominant religious community in the city comprising 94.86% of the population followed by Muslims (2.22%) and Jains (2.08%). Christians, Sikhs, and those who didn't state any religion make up the remainder. [9]
As of 2011, 88% of residents had Gujarati as a first language, while 10% had Hindi. The remaining 2% were split among several other Indic languages.
Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Adalaj has an average literacy rate of 61%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 59% of the males and 41% of females literate. 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.[ citation needed ]
Adalaj is a census town, promoted in 2001 from village status, administered through the namesake gram panchayat, which itself is a combination of local areas, through the elected sarpanch and other members. This area is a part of the Gandhinagar taluka, one of four blocks, in the Gandhinagar district of Gujarat.
Adalaj is part of Gandhinagar South Assembly constituency for representation in the Vidhan Sabha and one of the state legislative assembly constituencies that form the Ahmedabad East Lok Sabha constituency for representation in the Lok Sabha.
As of 2001, the local economy's main manufactured and exported commodities were bricks, paddy, and pearl millet. [1] Additionally, wheat, cotton, tobacco, castor, mustard seed, and consumed vegetables are grown in the generally agrarian based economy.
Adalaj is served by several bus networks. Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service, or AMTS, runs three lines into the town, all of which terminate at or around the Adalaj Trimandir. These routes provide connections to long distance rail through Western Railways, the proposed bullet train service, and proposed Metro service at Kalupur Station; passenger air travel at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport; and upscale full-service starred lodging near Iskcon Cross Road. Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation, or GSRTC, provides intercity and regional bus service through bus stops located at the northern corner of the cloverleaf interchange. Additionally, Ahmedabad BRTS is providing service to Trimandir.
The town is primarily serviced by the east-west running Sarkhej–Gandhinagar Highway which forms a major part of NH 147 and the north-south running Gujarat State Highway 41, commonly referred to as Ahmedabad-Kalol Highway. The resulting cloverleaf interchange geographically located in town's center splits the neighborhoods.
These 8 and 10 lane surface highways have various uncontrolled crosswalks at high traffic areas, points of interest, and bus stations. Several smaller roads and alleys form the remaining paved transportation infrastructure.
Informal helipads have been constructed by private parties, but no formal airfield exists within the ward boundaries. The closest commercial airport with regularly scheduled passenger flights is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, which is 15 to 20 kilometers driving distance south of the town in Ahmedabad.
The Adalaj Stepwell [1] [10] is situated 18 kilometres (11 mi) away from Gandhinagar in the heart of what historically has been known as Adalaj. Built in 1499 A.D. by Queen Rudabai, the stepwell, or vav, is intricately carved and five stories deep. The carvings on its walls and pillars include leaves, flowers, birds, fish, geometrical patterns, and other breathtaking ornamental designs. In the past, these step wells were frequented by travelers and caravans as stopovers along trade routes.
On entering through one of the three gates, visitors are greeted by a mandap with an eight-sided dome, which is now damaged. On both sides of the steps are balconies. Rows of carved elephants mark some of the levels. [11]
The Adalaj Trimandir [10] [12] [13] is an expansive nonsectarian temple inspired by Dada Bhagwan opened 29 December 2002. The Trimandir is a two-storey structure with a discourse hall on the ground floor and temple on the first floor. The entire structure, with a centre shikhar height of 33 meters, is set with intricate carvings on pink sandstone.
The main hall of the temple measures 10,000 square feet (930 m2). The centre sanctum houses a 3.9-meter idol of Simandhar Swami along with the idols of his Chandrayan Yaksh dev and Panchanguli Yakshini devi. Additionally, it houses idols of other Tirthankara and dev/devis. The left sanctum hosts Shivling, Parvati, Hanuman and Ganapati, whereas the right sanctum comprises Krishna, Tirupati Balaji Shreenathji, Bhadrakali mata and Amba mata. The two extreme ends of the temple houses Padmaprabhu and Sai Baba.
Gandhinagar is the capital of the state of Gujarat in India. Gandhinagar is located approximately 23 km north of Ahmedabad, on the west central point of the industrial corridor between the megacities of Delhi and Mumbai.
Godhra is a municipality in Panchmahal district in Indian state of Gujarat. It is the administrative headquarters of the Panchmahal district. Originally the name came from gou which means "cow" and dhara- which have two meanings depending on how you pronounce the word: 'dharaa' means a feminine thing or person that "holds" something and it usually means"land", and the other pronunciation is 'dhaaraa' in which means "flow". However, the second pronunciation is not popular nor is usually associated with this word. Hence, 'Godhra or Godharaa' means the Land of the Cow.
Mehsana, also spelled Mahesana, is a city and the headquarters of Mehsana district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Established in 14th century, the city was under Gaekwads of Baroda State from 18th century to the independence of India in 1947. Dairy, oil and natural gas are major industries in the city.
Patan is the administrative seat of Patan district in the Indian state of Gujarat and is an administered municipality. It was the capital of Gujarat's Chavda and Chaulukya dynasties in medieval times, and is also known as Anhilpur-Patan to distinguish it from Prabhas Patan. During the rule of Gujarat Sultanate, it was the capital from 1407 to 1411.
Motera is a neighbourhood in the northwestern part of the metropolis of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. It lies west of the Sabarmati River. It falls under the West Zone of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and under the Gandhinagar South constituency of Gujarat Legislative Assembly and under the Gandhinagar constituency of the Lok Sabha. The chief attraction in Motera is the world's largest sports stadium, Narendra Modi Stadium. The stadium is the venue for the international cricket matches held in Ahmedabad. In 2015, old stadium was demolished and new stadium was built which got the honour of world's largest stadium.
Palanpur is a city and a headquarters of Banaskantha district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Palanpur is the ancestral home to an industry of Indian diamond merchants.
Bhadran is a village in the state of Gujarat, in far western India. It is in the Anand district. Bhadran was nicknamed the "Paris of Gaekwad state" due to its prosperity and civil works carried out by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the visionary ruler of Baroda. It has been called the greatest village in India by Vallabhbhai Patel.
Stepwells are wells, cisterns or ponds with a long corridor of steps that descend to the water level. Stepwells played a significant role in defining subterranean architecture in western India from the 7th to the 19th century. Some stepwells are multi-storeyed and can be accessed by a Persian wheel which is pulled by a bull to bring water to the first or second floor. They are most common in western India and are also found in the other more arid regions of the Indian subcontinent, extending into Pakistan. The construction of stepwells is mainly utilitarian, though they may include embellishments of architectural significance, and be temple tanks.
Kalol is a city in Gandhinagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat, located alongside Gujarat State Highway 41 between the cities of Mehsana and Ahmedabad.
Khedbrahma is a town and a taluka headquarter in Khedbrahma Taluka of Sabarkantha district, Gujarat, India. It is situated on the banks of Harnav river. The town is connected with mythological history and has been pilgrim site for centuries. The 11th century Brahma, Ambika and Pankhnath Mahadev temples are the oldest monuments of the town. The town has an old stepwell, the Brahma Vav. It was under Parmaras, Chaulukyas and Pariharas before it came under Idar State in 13th century.
Surendranagar is Municipal Corporation in Surendranagar district in the Indian state of Gujarat.
Vadnagar is a town and municipality in the Mehsana district of the state of Gujarat in India. It is located 35 km (22 mi) from Mehsana. Its ancient names include Anartapura and Anandapura. It was a location visited by Xuanzang in 640 C.E. The founder and the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Alexander Cunningham, had identified Anandapura with the town of Vadnagar. Vadnagar is also the birthplace of Narendra Modi, the current Prime Minister of India.
Bochasan is a village in Anand district, Gujarat, western India. It is known primarily as the origin of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), so named because its first formal center was established in Bochasan in 1907 by its guru Shastriji Maharaj.
Adalaj Stepwell or Rudabai Stepwell is a stepwell located in the small town of Adalaj, close to Gandhinagar city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was built in 1498 in the memory of Rana Veer Singh of the Vaghela dynasty.
Amritavarshini Vav, also known as Panchkuva Stepwell or Katkhuni Vav, is a stepwell near the Panchkuva Darwaja in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
Mata Bhavani's Stepwell or Mata Bhavani ni Vav is a stepwell in Asarwa area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
Jethabhai's Stepwell or Jethabhai ni Vav, is a stepwell in Isanpur area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It was situated near sha e Alam and one of the heritage stepwells in Ahmedabad.
Kumbhariya is a village of historical, archaeological and religious importance with cultural heritage in Danta Taluka of Banaskantha district, Gujarat, India.
Bhat is a village in Daskroi Taluka in Ahmedabad district of Gujarat State, India. Bhat is located near the bank of the Sabarmati River, 24 km towards west from District headquarters Ahmedabad, 5 km from Daskroi and 49 km from State capital Gandhinagar.
Stepwells are wells in which the water is reached by steps. They are most commonly found in western India especially Gujarat where over 120 such wells are reported. The origin of the stepwell may be traced to reservoirs of the cities of the Indus Valley civilization such as Dholavira and Mohenjo-daro. The stepwells were constructed in the south western region of Gujarat around 600 AD. From there they spread north to Rajasthan and subsequently to north and west India. Construction activities accelerated during the tenth to 13th century during the Chaulukya and Vaghela periods. The construction of these stepwells hit its peak during the 11th to 16th century. The Muslim rulers of the 13th to 16th century did not disrupt the culture that was practiced in these stepwells and encouraged the building of stepwells. The wells lost their significance in the 19th century due to introduction of water pumps and pipe-systems.