Gonda district General information
Gonda District is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh, India, and Gonda town is the district headquarters. It is also headquarters of the Devipatan Division.
History
The territory covered by the present district of Gonda formed part of the ancient Kosala Kingdom. After the death of Rama the celebrated sovereign of the Solar line, who ruled Kosala. The kingdom was divided into two portion the northern and southern Ghaghara forming the boundary between the two regions. The northern portion was then ruled by his son, Lava with the city of Sravasti as his capital.
More recently ancient Buddhist remains dating to early days of Buddhism have been found throughout the region, including at Sravasti, which later became an important Buddhist centre in India.
There are many religious places in the district, and the district headquarter town itself is very close (60 km) to the holy city Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama.
Location & Boundaries
The district lies between 26º 47' and 27º- 20' north latitude and 81º 30' and 82º 46' east longitude It is head quarter of Devi Patan division which was constituted by praline of Faizabad division District Balrampur makes its boundaries in north.To its west it is bounded by district Bahraich and some part of Srawasti on the east by the district Basti . In the south it is separated from district's Bara Banki and Faizabad by the river Ghaghara . In shape it is very irregular and seems as Cup widest in North narrowest in south . It has got physical boundaries on two sides Kuon river in the North and as Ghaghara river in the South. Its length from Jarwal road in the West to Katra (Shivadayal Ganj) is 106 kms and width from kuaon in the north to Paska in the south is 77 kms.
Area
Before the division of district in 1997 it cover's on area of 7331 sq. km. on 25 May 1997 a new district Balrampur was constituted by separation of its 40% northern parts . Remaining area of the district Gonda is now 4448sq. k.m. Owing to the fluvial action Ghaghara frequent changes take place in the area of the district .
Population
The first census of the district was done in 1881. Population was counted 1270926 at that time . Population density was 442 person per sq. mile .In 1891 it was 1459229 .A slow decrease was recorded in first census of 20th century when population was found 1403529 herein 1901. In 1911 it increases 0-64 percent and become 1412519 . This trend is going on till now . In 1921 the population of the district was recorded 1473389 and in 1931 it was 1576003 . According to report of census 1941 population came 1719644 . After independence first census was occurred in 1951. The population was 1877484 at that time which increases upto 2073237 in 1961. According to 1971 census there was 2302929 person in district . In 1981 it was 28-35 lakh which increases up to 35-73 lakh in 1991 . After division of district in 1997 calculated population of the district is 23-21 lakh.This figure is derived from the census report of 1991. The male population is 12-37 lakh and female 10-84 lakh . The increasing rate which was 0-64 in first decade of the 20th century was recorded 4-31% in 1911-1921 and 6-96% in 1921 to 1931. It became 9-11% in 1931 to 1941. Population growth rate was 9-18 between 1941 to 1951 which increases upto 10-41% in 1951 to 1961 decade . In 1961 to 1971 the population growth rate was 11.04% . A huge increase was recorded in 71 to 81 when it rises upto 20-96 percent.It was 25-98% between 1981 to 1991 decade.
Rivers
Rivers have got Immense significance in the development of civlization as a whole. They have played an important role in the development of socalled backward district Gonda. The drainage of Gonda comprises Ghayhra,Saryu,Terhi, Manwar,Bisuhi, & kuwaon rivers.
Lakes
There are various lakes too in the district,some important are Banki, Kodar, Aranga, Parwati & Pathri. Banki is situated in the west near Dubaha bazar. Kodar is near Wazirganj, Parwati is near Tikri, this is biggest in size Pathri is near Khorahsa.
Climate
India is a tropical country & has got Monsooni climate. Gonda being a plainy district is not an exception. It has got the same climate that of the country in genereat. There are three seasons,summer,rainy and winter. Summer is from Narch to Juns. The average temperative of the summer is nearly 30°c. Hot wind namely ‘Loo’ blows in May and in early June. Rainy season is from July to October. Rainys take place mostly upto September winter is from.November to February last half of December and first half of January are maximaum cold.
Forest
As for as the form of natural vegelation in Gonda is concerned,there are two remarkable areas,One the forests of kuwano,which has various types of prees lipe Sagon ,Haldu, Sal,Shishaw, Tibau,Mahua, Bass ,Neem, Jamun, Mayo etc.To the forest of Mankapur to Tipri and around Tipri.The types of press are Tibau ,Sakhu,Sal etc.Sandy Lomay and clay are the types of soils found in Gonda.water per colales downward in sandy soils , so those are not very fertile .Never the less , Zayad crops are produced near the batps of rivers in this soil. Loamy soil is fertile. It has fossils and mierals also.It is found in uparhar part of Gonda.
Soil
The colour of loamy soil is light yellow. It is found around Khorahsa,DumariyaDeeh, Gonda ect. India thok Mankapur etc. Clay soils can hold water in it, so it is suitable fer those crops, which require more water , especially paddy. It becomes hard when dries it is found around ColonelGanj, India thok and Mankapur.
Economy
The main occupation of the people in the district is farming. Agricultural produce includes wheat, paddy (rice), different pulses, oilseeds and sugar cane.
Tourist Place
Swami Narain Chhapia
It is situated at a distance of 50 Km from the district Head quarter's.The chief interest of the place is the temple of Swami Narain,which lie in 1.5 Km. south from the Railway station,Chhapia.This place is famous as Birth place of Saint Sahjanand.Saint was the son of an Pandey who had married the daughter of co-sharer in this village.He was born in 1780.At a very early age the boy then known as Sahjanand migrated to Gujrat, where he was adopted by Ramanand, the head of the great Vaishnav monastery at Junagarh.He became a noted Sanskrit scholar and gained a wide reputation for learning and piety .After his death at the age of 49 he was accorded divine honours by his devotees as an incarnation of Lord Krishna under the name of Swami Narain.His immense wealth passed to his two uncle who went from Chhapia to Gujrat and their descendants ruled the two branches of the sent.In about 1845 his disciples in Gujrat determined to erect a temple at the birth place of the saint and a number of them came to Chhapia for this purpose.After annexation the place was of the enormous sum of Rs 500 per acre and the building adjoining the temple were completed.The temple which is built of stone.It is now being converted in Marvel.
A large number of Pilgrim visit this place at all time in year but specially in the month of Kartika end on Ram Navmi.
Paska (Sukar Khet)
This place is situated the river bank of Saryu about 45 Km. south-west from district head quarter.The site is ancient fame for Sangam Asnan and one month Paush Kalwas which occurred in month of Paush. A large number of devotee's takes holly dips in Saryu here for Mukti of 'Pashu Yoni'.It is also believed that God Varha have taken Autar here.
It is said an old temple of Lord Varah was built here in 9th century,which was renewed from time to time.A part of boundary wall of old temple is visible now too.Idol's of temple were stolen a few year's ago. A Kacha ghat and some small temples are being used by devotee's.
Paska is also related with noted litererian 'Goswami Tulsidas' and known as his Guru bhumi.A mass of Hindi litererian proclaimed that Suker Khet Gonda is birth place of Tulsidas. The original village Rajapur is 6 KM. from here.Paska is known as place of Guru Narharidas.A ruin in south of Varah mandir is denoted as Kuti of that saint,where Tulsidas heard Ram Katha, instance given in his literature.
Thus Rajapur & Paska both are place of interest of litererian.
Varahi Dev
About 6 KM in east from Paska another ancient place of Varahi Devi known as Uttari Bhawani is situated in Tarabganj Tehsil.An old temple of Bhagwati's attract a large number of devotee's here,specially in both Navratra.The place is known as a part of Suker Jhet.The image of Aadi Shakti Varahi is related with shakti of Varha in Paska.
Prash
This place is in north of Saryu & situated in Tehsil Tarabganj.The place is related with ancient Saint Parashar, grand son of Bashishtha& son of Sakti.It is said his mother's name was Adrishyawanti.Rishi Parashar is known as creator of famous Samrthen of the same name.A temple in his memory is situated here.
Tirrey Manorama
At 21 km. in north of Gonda city this holly place is situated. Legend believed a Ashram of Muni Uddalaqu was here, the place is also the origin of river Manorama. A old pond with Pakka Ghat & the a temple is here. Mella on Kartik Purinima is been celebrated every year.
Prithvi Nathan Mahadeo
At a short distance in south of Kharagupur old temple of lord Shiva is situated. Legend relates it with Mahabhart. This area was then known as Pancharayan ..The present temple was reconstructed by Maharaja Man Singh of Ayodhya.A large Lingam with a well covered argha was found on the place at that time. The temple is very beautiful diffuse.Another temple of Pachran Nath is situated on few distance from the main temple.
Jhali Dham
This place is known as place of devotion and situated on One KM. from Prithvi Nathan Mahadeo.This is a shrine of a famous Saint of the same name.A Temple Pokhra and shrine of the Saint are main attraction of the place.
Parvati Mahadeo
The place is related with history of Ramayna. it is situated in village Mahadeo on bank of Parvati Jheel. According to Satyopakhyan on RamKatha relatives of Raja Dasrath from Mithila were visited the place. A old temple, natural beauty of Jheel can be viewed from here. There is another Jheel Arga is on short distance in west-north of Parvatee.
Colonelganj Sakraura
Colonelganj is city board & tahsil headquarter. The old name of place was Sakraura. It was a village of no peculiar importance till 1780 when a force was sent under the command of Majar Byuge by the Nawab Vazir to bring to terms the refractory chieftains of the Trans Ghaghra.Later on the containment were maintained here till annexation . The place was selected as the military Headquarter.During the freedom struggle of 1857, then Indian forces joined the freedom struggle and the English Officer escaped from here Ruin's of English buildings one place of interest here.
Gonda
The divisional headquarter Gonda was originally a Jungle.It is said that during the rules of Kalhans, Raja of Khorasa, it was the cattle station.Word Gintha afterword corrupted into Gonda. The town was founded by raja Man Singh ,who built a place here and erected fortification's in shape of a deep moats.During the regime of Raja Dutt Singh, many rajput settled at Gonda.Dutt Singh built a large Palace,Sheo Prasad Singh,grand son of Raja Dutt Singh built Sagar Talab in shape of lake,island in middle with a temple.At present main places are temple of Dukh Haran Nath, Kali Bhawani ,Hanuman Garhi and Khaira Bhawani in North of the city.Gonda was city of Talab as Radha Kund Sagar Talab,Pandey Talab example of this.
The city consist glorious history of freedom struggle of Raja Devi Bakhsh Singh was leaded from here in 1857.A ruin of his Palace in witness of glory here.Tazzia & Durga Pooja Julus are being stayed for few movement in his honour.The city related with another hero Rajendra Nath Lahiri,who was hanged by British Government here in District Jail. A Shaheed Udyan is being developed near Fan Sighar.The city had memory eminent literian Zigar Moradabadi as his shrine in the city.
Other Important Places
Wazirganj is block headquarter and was historic place in regime of Avadh.It was headquarter of Nawab Wajir Ashifuddaula. A part of his baradari is visible now too.
Nawabganj, the town was said ancient of Guru Basishtha.It was famous as Nandini Ashram.The city later on became the reliering place of Nawabs.
Rauza Peer is a place near Wazirganj on Gonda-Faizabad Road.This is related with Syed Salar Masud Gazi.An annual Urs is held with main main Urs on Dargah Bahraich.
Sri Nagar Math is a famous place on Gonda-Uttaraulla road about 25km. from district Headquarter. The originator of the Math was sant
Saharban in line of Auragzeb. Many stories are being said in honour of this Saint .
Razgarh is a old temple about 3 Km. north from Motiganj Station,the place is related with raja Devi Baksh Singh,hero of 1957.