Bharuch, Gujarat

Bharuch city is situated in the Bharuch district of Gujarat. It is located on the banks of River Narmada and is a major sea port and the administrative headquarter of the district. Due to this reason, a number of trade activities have flourished here. The climate is also greatly affected due to the proximity with the river. Travel and tourism is slowly flourishing in the city. Bharuch is addressed by several names due to the trade between East and West countries, which comprised mainly of silk and spices. 

In the ancient times, it was a small village and was considered as sacred by the sages. Many of them came here to pray. According to Hindu mythology, the great Asura king, Mahabali conducted a great yagna. A Brahmin boy named Vaman came to interrupt his ritual and eventually put an end to his regime. Though there is water scarcity in Gujarat, one never finds water problem in Bharuch. There are a plenty of agricultural and industrial activities flourishing in the city. Nearby village people throng the city for shopping. 

Transport

Places to See:

There are nine Swayambhu Shivalingas located at different places in old Bharuch city. These Shivalingas are known as Nav Naths in Bharuch. They are Kamnath, Jwalnath, Somnath, Bhimnath, Gangnath, Bhootnath, Pingalnath, Siddhnath and Kashi Vishwanath. These nine shivlingas are said to be exist since time immemorial.

Bhrigu Rishi Temple: The temple of Bhrigu Rishi, one of the famous and sacred temples of Gujarat, is situated on the east of the city on the banks of the holy river Narmada. This temple, being visited by a number of pilgrims, has great religious importance to the people of Bharuch. Bharuch which was originally called 'Bhrigukachchha' derived its name from this temple. The temple was built in honour of the great saint Maharishi Bhrigu who was able to attain sainthood by reaching the perfect balance between wisdom and activity.

Other temples in old Bharuch city include Bahuchara Mata Temple, Sindhvai Mata Temple, Santoshi Mata Temple,Nilkanth Mahadev, Doodheshwar Madhavev, Nav Graha Temple, Kala Raam Temple, Dwarkadhish Temple, Dattatreya Temple, Bhrigvishwar Mahadev, seat of Vallabhacharya, Swami Narayan Temple, Gyaneshwar Hanuman, Rokadiya Hanuman, Bhid Bhanjan Hanuman, Ganapati Temple and many others.

It is said that there are around 1000 temples only in old Bharuch city.

The 129-year-old Golden Bridge connects Bharuch to Ankleshwar across the Narmada River.

Around 1000 year old fort, built by Siddharaj Jaysingh, the then king of Gujarat. Also there are many historical monuments built by the Dutch, Portugese and British.

Some important temples in new Bharuch city includes Shaktinath Mahadev, Chandramaulishwar Mahadev (this shivalinga is made from mercury) and many others.

A unique feature of Bharuch is the Meghraja festival celebrated on the month of Shravan (Aug-Sept) for 25 days. A 5.5 feet idol if Meghraj (Lord Indra) is prepared from the soil of Narmada river and is worshiped for 25 days. A fair (mela) is organised during the last 4 days of this festival. The unique feature is that this festival is celebrated only in Bharuch in whole of India.

Jainism had also a significant role in history of Bharuch and there are many Jain temples with architectural excellence.

Islamic architecture like Eidgah (built in 1326), Jama Masjid, Madresa Mosque and others are worth seeing.

The crowded but fascinating bazaar of Bharuch.

J. B. Modi Park in Shaktinath area attracts a number of people. Also there are a few very good parks maintained by the municipal commission.

Siddhi Vinayak Ganapati Temple and Maharudra Mahadev Temple are located at Maktampur area situated at a distance of 3 km from Bharuch railway station.

Zadeshwar situated at a distance of 7 km from Bharuch railway station is a rapidly developing suburban area of Bharuch. It also hosts many temples like Nilakantheshwar Mahadev, Doodheshwar Mahadev, Shitala Mata and Gayatri Mata.

Swaminarayan Mandir in Zadeshwar lies on the NH-8 and is fast becoming a significant attraction for visitors to Bharuch.

Shuklatirth situated at a distance of about 12 km fom Bharuch is a host of many old temples, prominient amonghst them is the Shukleshwar Mahadev and Omkarnath Vishnu temples. Here the idol of Lord Vishnu is made up of sand (it is a self manifested idol), but it appears as if it is made from marble.

Kabirvad - the island of Banyan trees. Kabirvad is an island on the river Narmada at a distance of about 16km from Bharuch city. The main attraction here is a gigantic banyan tree covering an area of more than 2.5 acres. According to legend, it is at this place that saint Kabirdas meditated and the tree grew from a meswak stick (used for brushing the teeth) that was thrown here by the saint. A single tree has over years polifrated into a tree with several trunks and spread in over 2.5 acres of land. Other added attractions here are the lotus shaped marble temple, Kabir museum and boat ride on Narmada river.

Bharuch is one of the Indian cities which has a Martian crater named after it. The crater is named Broach.

Bharuch hosts one of the oldest libray of Gujarat - Raichand Deepchand Library, started in 1858. It has a collection of around Two Lacs books. There are many other libraries in the city............
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