Visited Botad

Hello friends

Yesterday, I returned home after completing my Botad (Bhavnagar, Gujarat) tour. On 22nd September, I rushed to Junagadh for catching the last bus for Botad which was schedule to depart at 15:45. I am thankful to Mr. Barkat who picked up me from Sangodra where I was taking a session with youth and dropped me at Junagadh bus station on time. There are limited buses from Junagadh to Botad and last bus is ordinary and takes 5 hours to reach there. This bus passes on route of Jetpur-Gondal-Aatkot-Jasdan-Vinchhiya-Paliyaad. 

I reached at 9 PM and Myself welcomed by members and rain!! It was heavy raining while I was travelling. I visited Botad first time, I stayed at H.H. Agakhan Hostel and had wonderful time over there. Let me discuss few interesting things about Botad.

Botad: -

Botad is one of the fastest growing city in India with a modest voter population of more than 3 lakh. However, the amenities that this city boasts of and its location (Ahmedabad-170 km / Bhavnagar-90 / Rajkot-120 / Surendranagar-90 - all district centers) can make many cities feel envy. Botad is surrounded by many small villages and lots of people from those villages are settled in Botad and lots of people are still coming for better opportunities and that's why population of Botad is doubling every few couple of years. One can say, the city is best for living for average income people. 

Botad is a gateway of Kathiyawad (toward Gadhada, Lathi and Amreli) and junction point of Gohilwad (towards Bhavnagar), Zalawad (Limbdi, Surendranagar) and Panchal (towards Paliyad, Vinchiya, Jasadan).

Botad is a Karma Bhumi of many great people like Javerchand Meghani (Gujarati Litterateur and Freedom Fighter whom Mahatma Gandhi spontaneously gave the title of. Raashtreeya Shaayar (National Poet)), Kavi Shri Damodardas Botadkar (Poet), Mohammad Makad (Litterateur and Teacher), and Bhanushankar Joshi (Freedom Fighter). Mahatma Gandhi visited Botad during one of his tour to Kathiyavad.

Transport, Road & Highways:

Botad is well connected to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Surat, Vadodara, Bhavangar, Rajkot, Surendranagar etc. by Railway and Road. Even you will find direct train to Pune, Hyderabad, Kakinada and Kochuveli (situated on east coast of India).

The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) runs regular buses to and from Bhavangar, Rajkot and other cities of Gujarat. Botad is very well connected with Gujarat State Highways. Raghuvir travels is providing city bus service within Botad.

Places of Public Interests:

Clock Tower Botad saw its first phase of rapid development during rule of Maharaja Krushna Kumar Singhaji and Takht Singhji (Bhavnagar State). Shree Damodar-Jagjivan (Shah) built the Clock Tower. Today, Tower Chalk is the central business district on the city. There is a library in the building on his name.

Town Gate In those days (1800 until almost time of Independence), every town/villages used to have a wall protecting town from invaders and looters. Gate of town (Gam Darawaja) used to be at what is known as Din Dayal Chalk right now.

Lake Lake that supplies water to most of the areas of the town even today was built by Maharaja Krishna Kumar Singhji (Bhavnagar State). This is one of the beautiful place to visit and is a place for the Satam Mela (Get together place for celebration of one of the festival during holy month of Shravan).

Tajiyo This building was constructed with aim of building Clock Tower by a civil engineer/entrepreneur named Tulsi Mistri. He was not allowed to put a clock by the prince of the Bhavnagar state. This building later become famous as Tajiyo.

Haran Kui Haran Kui (Spring or Well for Deers) was a fresh water spring on northern part of the town where thousands of deers and other semi-wildlife used to thrive. Story goes that a Nawab had camped near Haran Kui and had killed many deers. This incidence and other factors like growing human population has almost wiped out wild life in nearby areas of the town.

Garden garden is situated near road for paliyad and famous for the speally children who are enjoying a lot. (Source: Wikis)

Indeed, it was pleasure to meet new people and dealt with them throughout the day. See you...