Jamnagar City Info

Jamnagar City Information

by Mehta Nitesh P.
+91 98242 28256

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 Jamnagar City Info

INDEX

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 Jamnagar City Info

(01) Facts & Figures

(A) Time : +05.30 GMT

(B) Population : 635, 000+
(C) Languages : Gujarati, Hindi, English
(D) STD Code : 0288
(E) ISD Code : +91 288
(F) Currency : Indian Rupees (Rs.) = Indian 100 Paise
(G) Area : 14,125 Sq. Kms.
(H) Altitude : Sea Level
(I) Religion : Hinduism, Islam, Jainism
(J) Physical Location : Latitude 22.27 N, Longitude 70.05 E

(02) Location

Jamnagar is situated in the peninsular region in the north west, in the State of Gujarat, India, known as Kathiawad
or Saurashtra. It is around 302 Kms. from Ahmedabad and extends from latitude 22º 27' in the North to longitude 70º
07' in the East. The district is bounded on the North by the Rann and Gulf of Kutch, on the East by Rajkot district, on
the South by Porbandar district and on the West by the Arabian Sea. The city is wel connected to other parts of Gujarat
and western India through rail, road, sea and air. Jamnagar district measures about 167.37 kms. from East to West.
The area of the district is about 14,125 Sq. Kms. Jamnagar is an important base for all the three defence forces of
India because of its location, which is very near to the neighbouring country of Pakistan.

(03) History

The Jamnagar district, originally constituated as Halar district, is not only of recent origin. However, the region
comprised therein is of great antiquity. Accourding to Pauranik literature, Lord Krishna established his kingdom at
Dwarka, now in Jamnagar district, after his migration from Mathura.
The people here mostly belong to the Vaishnavite sect of Hindus which worship Lord Krisha, among others, as an
incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The foundation of Nawanagar State is credited to Jam Raval. In 1540 AD, after winning conquests, Jam Raval,
a Jadeja Rajput leader who migrated from Kutch, founded the city of Nawanagar.
Founded in 1540 AD, Jamnagar a coastan town in the Saurashtra region of North-West Gujarat in India, is the
Abode of the Jam - the Jadeja Rajput rulers of Nawanagar and the capital of their State, is an interesting city which
enjoys a variety of distinctions. It was so named after the ruler who called themselves “Jamshree”. The city remained
the capital of te Jadejas for around 400 years. Those were the years when all the monuments and the temples in the city
were built. The city was built around the small Ranmal Lake in the centre of which there is a small palace that can be
reached by a causeway. Jamnagar is a calm sea-side getaway with an abudance of scenic beauty and mythology.
Jamnagar is the home town of world famous cricketers His Royal Highness Jam Ranjitsinhji and Dulipsinhji
after whom the Ranji and Dulip trophy are named in domestic Indian cricket; and the same lineage is followed by Ajay
Jadeja.
During the rule of His Highness Jam Ranjitsinhji, between 1920-1930, he developed the city accrding to
western architecture and built Power House, Vibha Vilas Palace, Jam Bungalow (Bhavendra Vilas Palace), Pratap
Vilas Palace, Amar Vilas, Arch Vilas, Badminton House, Filtzer House, Coach House, Irwin Hospital, Solarium,
Vegetable Market, Grain Market, Nana Ashapura Temple, Sajuba Girl’s High School, Wellington Crescent, Bedi Port,
Rajput Boarding, Infantry Lines, Jam Raval’s Statue, Jam Ranjit’s Statue, Nursing School, Dayaram Library, Port

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Office, Central Bank, Summair Club, Railway Station, Parsi Agiyari, Anadabava Ashram, Extension of Lal Bunglow,
Ranjit Road, Central Bank Road, Khambhalia Gate Road, Talav-ni-pal Road, being the main ones.
After His Highness, Jam Ranjitsinhji, His Highness Jam Digvijaysinhji was bethroned (1933-1948) and he
build Digvijay Woollen Mills, Aerodrome, Dhanvantri Mandir, Digvijay Plot, Gulabnagar, Valsura, Ranjit Swimming
Pool, etc.
The Halar district which was constitued for the first time in the year 1949 after the merger of princely states into
the State of Saurashtra, constituted of the former Indian States of Nawanagar and Dhrol, Dhrafa Thana and part of
Jalia Devani. After re-organisation, on July 19th 1959, the boundaries of the district got enlarged by the inclusion of the
adjoining Okhamandal, when Halar district was renamed Jamnagar. This district became part of the newly born State
of Gujarat on the bifurcation of the composite State of Bombay on May 1st 1960.
In the year 1961 the district consisted of 700 villages and 15 towns.The population of the district according to
the 1961 census was 8,28,429 of which 4,24,300 were males and 4,04,119 females. The rural population of the
district was 5,34,761 persons living in 701 villages as against the urban population of 2,93,658 spread over 15 towns
of different sizes. According to 1991 census, the population of Jamnagar city was 3,26,000.

(04) Present Day Jamangar

Present day Jamnagar is a charming blend of the old and the new with its ancient monuments and broad streets,
inspiring facades, and squares, which make it one of the most beautiful cities in the Saurashtra Peninsula.
Jamnagar has distinguished itself on a number of counts. Of International fame is the bandhani painting which is
a unique expression of fabric designing and a very time consuming process of a tying thousands of tiny knots in a piece
of fabric that has first been folded upon itself a number of times. This is then dyed in several stages using different colors.
The knots are pulled apart and the fabric is unfolded to reveal a repeating pattern in a variety of hues. The process,
believed to have been used in the area for upto 5,000 years, is used for sarees, skirts, shawls and other items. And
exquisite handicraft items such as silk and gold embroidery and silverware. Jamnagar’s pearl fishery centre was established
in the 16th century, and is still on of the biggest pearl fishing centres in the world. The town has India’s only Ayurvedic
University, making it a sgnificant cenre for traditional medicine. The betel nut crackers of Jamnagar are much sought
after all over the country. A naval base of some importance which train marines for electronic warfare. A brass parts and
button industries which produces largest amount of export material of its kind. There are handicraft makers who
designs best handicrafts. But perhaps the biggest achievement of all is the place it has earned in the Guiness Book of
World Records twicely. First for the continuous chanting of the Lord Rama at Bala Hanuman Temple from last 39 years
and second is for forming the biggest circle of Garba Players. The Jamnagar Municipal Corporation organised a
program at Lakhota Lake surrounding which is a cirlce of 2 miles. In recent times also came up with the oil refineries of
Reliance and Essar.
The Jamnagar district has also known with some aliases as to its uniqueness like that. Varoius aliases its known
with are the “Jewel of Kathiawad”, “Chhoti Kashi”, “The Paris of Saurashtra”, “The Brass City”, etc.
“Chhoti Kashi” is named because of numbers of Hindu temples in Jamnagar. There are number of ancient
temples in and around the town which is why it known as. There are almost 800+ temples when counted last in late
’80s. Temples built after that have to be added.
“Paris of Saurashtra” named after the town planning of the city, which is very similar to the Paris city. Jam
Ranjitsinhji was very impressed by the town planning of Paris and so he ordered to made planning to make the city
same.
“The Brass city” is named because of Brass industry in jamnagar which produce almost 33% supply of brasss
products’ market in India and the largest exporter to the world.
(05) Physical Features

Kathiawad peninsula of which Jamnagar district forms part was originally on island, quite unconnected with
Gujarat, India, and its present peninsular form is attributable to volcanic action. The physical feathres of the district also
suggest that it forms part of what might once have been an island or group of islands of volcanic origin.

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The topography of the district is uneven, broken at places by hill ranges and ranges of sand dunes. The plain
terrain has an average height of 250 feet and the Dwarka cliffs rise sheer off the sea to a height of 100 feet. The heighest
peaks are the Barda Hills in the south-west where they reach upto a height of 2000 feet. The hills being scattered in the
several talukas, the plain area is not continuous or uniform in height. The south-west and the central-north are higher
while the land gradually sinks to the north-cost and west. Mount Venu, the heighest summit of Barda Hills is 2057 feet.
The district can be divided into three physical regions, the Coastal Plain including the island offshore, the Plains
and the Hills.
The district is deveid of any large perennial streams. Most of the rivers are small and flow lazily
through the low lying lands, into the marsh and sand of the seaboard. The stream flow towards the Gulf of
Kutch in the North and North-West. None of them have any large tributaries and most of them are dry channels
till the advent of the monsoon. The district is drained from South to North and from South-East to the North-
West to the Gulf of Kutch or the Arabian Sea. The principal rivers are the Aji, Und, Vartu, Venu, Ghee, Rangmati,
Nagmati, Guljar, Sasoi, Sihan, Ruparel and Demi.
Important minerals found in the district are Bauxite, Calcite, Calcareous Sand, Sea Sand, Gypsum,
Gemstones like Aqate, Amethyst, Onyx, etc.
The forest area in the district measures about 647.49 Sq.Kms. The forest area are classified into three
different types: mangrove forests, open scrab forest and grasslands. Forests in the district are poor and there
are many blanks in the forest areas. Under the second and third five year plans, 3,325 acres of land have been
afforested.
Mangrove rainfall in the district is not conducive to abundant growth of orchards and plantations in the
district. Yet, in certain areas and tracts where conditions permit, fruit cultivation has been undertaken. The
fruits commonly grown are manog, coconut, chikoo, papaya and banana.
The district like all other districts of saurashtra, has seen a rapid decline in the number of wild animals.
This is due to killing by shooting and snaring of animals and destination of natural vegetation by overgrazing.
Some of the wild animals are panthers, hyena, wolf, jackal, fox, wild cat, wild pig, mongoose, porcupine,
sambhar, spotted deer, bull, black buck, etc. were common sighted wild animals.
The district has a rich and varied avifauna. Especially in winter, bird life is rich, when many species
come down from the North to pass the winter in the countryside and along its extensive coastline. On fresh
water lakes, during winter, a variety of species arrive in September to leave in February or March. The show
birds are also a spectacular sight around on salt pans during winter months.

(06) Climate

The climate of Jamnagar district is generally pleasant. The summer season extend from March to June
with daytime temperature reaching 42° C. The monsoons are from July to September. Winter season sets in
during October and extends till February. In association with cyclonic storms or depressions in the Arabic sea
is the post monsoon months and to a lesser extend in May and June, the district experiences strong wind and
torrential rain. Thunderstorms occur in June and July. The summer temperature ranges from 24° to 42° C and
winter temperature ranges from 24° to 10° C. The evenings are pleasant due to the sea breeze from the nearby
Arabian sea.

(07) Languages

Gujarati Is the mother language of 95% of population of Jamnagar. The number of speakers of other languages
is insignificant. The Gujarati script used universally by the speakers of that tongue is very much akin to Devnagri, but
unlike Devnagri it is written without the line overhead. “Kachhi”, the next important language of the district is spoken
slightly differently but written in Gujarati script. About 80% people in the city can understand Hindi or English language.

(08) How to Reach

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Jamnagar is well connected with other areas of Saurashtra, Gujarat and rest of India by means of rail,
road and air links. Even ferry service is also available between Jamnagar and Mundra of Kutch.

The air transport

Jamnagar is well connected with direct flights to Bhuj and Bombay by Indian Airlines and other domestic
air line services. The nearest International Air Port is Ahmedabad at a distance of 302 kms by road. Another
International Air Port is at Mumbai at 847 kms far away from Jamnagar. Indian airlines operates five flights a
week to Mumbai from Jamnagar. From Mumbai one can take flights to other cities of India and most of the
important destinations abroad. Indian Air lines city office (0288 255 0211) is on Bhid Bhanjan Road and open
daily from 1030 to 1800 Hrs. Jamnagar air port is situated on Khambhalia road and the distance from the city
is 9 kms.

The Rail transport

Jamnagar, a part of Western Railway, is directly connected with Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta,
Trivendrum, Jammu and other important cities of India through regular trains. Hapa Jn. (7 Kms.) from Jamnagar
is another convenient railhead on the broad gauge terminus. The Saurashtra Mail (9006) is one of the many
trains that run between Jamnagar and Mumbai where it reaches after 18 hours. It departs from Jamnagar at
1440 hrs daily. To Dwarka, the 132 Kms. journey takes three hours by express train or a tedious 5 and ½ hrs by
a daily fast passenger service.

The Road Transport

Jamnagar has a well established road links to various cities of Gujarat like Rajkot, Junagadh, Dwarka,
Bhuj, Porbandar, Ahmedabad, etc. State Transport buses and private luxury coaches connects Jamnagar with
various centers of Gujarat. Jamnagar is 308 kms from Ahmedabad via Rajkot which is 92 kms far. Jamnagar to
Palitana 246 kms., Somnath 257 kms., Dwara 148 kms.. See the chart for various destinations. There are STC
buses to Rajkot (Rs.42) every thirty minutes and other departures to various cities at regular intervals Rather
than compete with each other, the private bus companies are operating services to different destinations. Most
of the bus operators are operates from Pancheshwar Tower Road, while others operates from nearby ST stand.

Movig around
Auto rickshaws and city bus service are the ideal transport mediums to move around in the city. The
state bus stand and the railway station are several kms apart and both are a long way from the center of the city,
so you will need to take an auto rickshaw. A rickshaw from the bus stand to the Bedi Gate area costs about Rs.
15. From Teen Batti chowk to the new railway station, about 4 kms forth of the city center will cost Rs. 30/-

(09) Where to stay

Jamnagar is a business city and getting accommodation without prior reservation can be difficult.
There are many hotels in city that offer cheap but quality services. Accommodation options in the higher
segments are also available. Most of the bottom end guest houses are near the old railway station, in Teen batti chowk.
There are a couple of more commodious economical places near Bedi Gate.
Anupan Guest House, near Teen Batti Chowk, has grabby singles/doubles that are with private bathroom.
Better rooms also available. Hotel Kirti, off Teen Batti Road, is great value for money. There are few small
singles without air condition, as well as super clean and very comfortable rooms. Car parking also available.

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Hotel Dream land, north off the Teen Batti Chowk, is set back from the street and is generally quiet. There is a pleasant
outdoor restaurant.
Hotel Ashiana, a vast, rumbling place on the top floor of the new Super Market, is one place which takes price
differences seriously. Decidedly there are ordinary semi deluxe rooms, the deluxe rooms are better while the super
deluxe rooms are huge, comfortable and excellent value. Some rooms have a balcony. They also have a vegetarian
restaurant.
Hotel President, at Teen Batti Chowk, is arguably Jamnagar’s best hotel. Rooms with private bathroom,
hot water and TV are with/without air condition; many of the pleasant rooms have a balcony. Management
accepts all major credit cards and can arrange Internet access. There is also a good restaurant opens 24 hours
with vet / non vet meals.

(10) Where to eat

For cheap snack food in the evening, try the stalls set up on the road or roadside restaurants. Hotel
Swati is a veg place near Teen Batti Chowk with a big range of south Indian, jain and Punjabi dishes. It opens
from 1000 to 1500 and 1700 to 2200 hours. Madras Hotel, nearby, specializes in vegetarian South Indian and
Punjabi cuisine, as well as the odd pizzas
Hotel Kalpana, Teen Batti Chowk, is a good restaurant with quality meals. It is a veg restaurant with
south Indian, Punjabi and Kathiawadi cuisine. 7 Seas restaurant at the Hotel President offers good food, including
continental dishes and veg / non veg dishes. It opens 24 hours.

(11) Sight Seeing

If you enjoy the serene sea air, walking in the balmy sea breeze, Jamnagar is the place for you to be. You
can also visit the many temples in the city or plan a picnic at one of the several scenic spots in and around.
And if you are a bird watcher, you do not need to look any further as several migratory birds make
Jamnagar their home during the winter months. The best site for bird-watching in the city is the Lakhota
(Ranmal) Lake where upto 75 species of birds are known to desend in winters. Also, Khijadiya Lake near
Jamnagar is good place for birdwatching which is a bird sanctuary.

There are several monuments and places a visitor of Jamnagar would like to visit ….

* Lakhota Fort and Kotha Bastion

In the center of old Jamnagar, on an island in the middle of the lake, are two magnificient old structures,
The Lakhota Fort and the Kotha Bastion. This diminutive place once belongs to the Maharaja of Nawanagar.
Lakhota Fort is Jamnagar’s museum and its terraces display a fine collection of sculpture that spans a period
from the 9th to 18th century found from local archaeological sites. The museum is reached by a short causeway
from the northern side of Ranmal Lake, and is open from 1030 to 1300 and 1500 to 1730 hrs daily (will be
closed on every Wednesday, second and forth Saturday of the month). Entry costs Rs. 2/-. The Kotha Bastion is
Jamnagar’s arsenal. One of the its most interesting sight is an old well, the water of which can be drawn by
blowing into a small hole in the floor.

* Solarium

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Known as the Ranjit Institute of Poly Radio Therapy, is open to visitors for all day long. Its slowly revolving
tower provides full daylong sunlight. Patients of some diseases related to skin or other were treated here with sunrays
which comes from special type of glasses for various diseases. The system is not working nowadays.

* Bala Hanuman Temple

The Bala Hanuman Temple is on the southeastern side of Ranmal Lake. Highly venerated among the
devotees of Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Bala Hanuman temple is famous the world over
for the continuous chanting of “Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram” or “Ram Dhun (invocation of Lord Rama)” 24
hours a day. Starting very back in the year 1964, on August 1, the chant is still continuing and has earned the
temple a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Early evening is a particular good time to visit as it is
fairly animated then. In fact the whole area on the southeastern edge of the lake becomes very lively around
sunset when people come to promenade, and the usual chai and kulfi stalls set up and ply their trade.

* Rozi and Bedi Port

On the shores of the Arabian sea, these two seaports are wonderful sites for picnic besides providing
excellent opportunities for angling, a popular pastime at Jamnagar.

* Wellington Crescent

The most remarkable of Ranjit Singh’s construction is Wellington Crescent. The swooping arches of its
carved façade over looks the wide streets of Chelmsford Market. This semi-circular locale is virtually a gold
mine for shopper. One can find a wide variety of the Jamnagar tie-and-dye “Bandhani” fabrics and get some
good bargains.

* Darbar Gadh

Darbargadh, the center of the old town, was once an important place where the Maharaja of Nawanagar
held public audiences. Shri Sardar Patel called open the new State Saurashtra of Indian Republic from here
whose first Governer was Jam Saheb of Nawanagar.

* Cremation Park

You don’t require a morbid disposition to visit Jamnagar’s cremation park, 10 minutes north of the city
centre by auto-rickshaw. There are statues of saints and deities, as well as scenes from the Ramayana. This is
an interesting place to visit,and the atmosphere here is anything but depressing.

* Mandvi Tower

The older part of Jamnagar, known as Chani Bazar, is famous for its magestic buildings, of which
Mandvi Tower, a clock tower, is the most impressive.

* Jain Temples

Two Jain temples, Shantinath Mandir and Adinath Mandir, in front of the main post office in Darbargdh,are
very colorful with fine murals and domes. Dedicated to the sixteenth and first tirthankars respectively, these temples are
strikingly located in the centre of the old city. The quality and the quantity of the murals on the walls, ceilings and pillars
of the temples are extraordinary. Hazy yellows, greens, pinks, oranges and blues depict a riot of flowers, people, Gods

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and domestic objects,while tableaux tell the life stories of Jain saints. The most spectacular of the two, Shantinaht
Mandir, is a maze of brightly colored columns, each section of roof between them highlighted with individual designs.
The marble floor beneath is emblazoned with distinctive Jain patterns in yellow, black, white and red. Above the main
sanctuary, an enormous dome rises in a series of concrete circles glinting with gold. The outer side of the large dome
over Adinat Mandir is inlaid with gold and colored mosaic, and both temples have cupolas enriched with design of
mirrors above the entrance porch. Opening hours are 0600 to 1200 hours in the morning and 1600 to 2000 hours after
noon. These temples form the centerpiece of the old city with its lovely buildings of wood and stone, adorned with
peeling pastel colored shutters and crumbling wooden balconies. You could easily spend a couple of hours exploring
the lanes leading out from Chandi Bazar.

(11A) Shopping

Jamnagar is renowned the world over for its silk, gold embroidery, silverware, bandhani (tie-and-dye)
fabrics, nutcrackers, knives, surmo, kanku, kajal, etc. Nutcrackers, especially the ones made for betel nuts,
made in Jamnagar are in a great demand all over India. It is also known for its pearl fisheries. Many shops in
the prime areas of Jamnagar sell artifacts made using these local crafts.

(12) Fairs & Festivals

* Holi

Holi is a festival of colors. Beforedays, it was celebrated by each and every Hindu but nowadays it
becoming dull as authorities are not permiting to celebrate it on roads and public places.

* Navratri

The celebrations of Navratri include worshipping Goddess Amba and colorful ritual dancing by the
devotees. The famous Garba Ras of the state is associated with the nine-night festival of Navratri. Both men
and women congregate in public to perform this dance called Garba Ras. This is the worlds’ longest dancing
festival.

* Janmashtami

Janmashtami is celebrated in a big way in Jamnagar on the twenty-third day of Shravan month of Hindu
calander (August/September). Janmashtami is the birthday of Lord Krishna celebrated all over India, and
Jamnagar being a town close to the kingdom of the deity, the festival carries a special meaning here. It is
celebrated with special rituals and festivities, singing of folk hymns and colorful celebratory procession.

* Diwali

Diwali is a last day of the year as per Hindu calendar. Diwali is called the festival of lights as every person
decorates his home/office with either by electric light or by diya, one type of vessle which is filled with oil and being
lighted with cotton. Merchants perform Laxmi Pooja in which they pray the Goddess to bless and starts book-keeping
new year account books by writing some religious writing before anything.

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Marine National Park - Pirotan Island

The Only MARINE NATIONAL PARK of its kind in India at Jamnagar Dist. Gujarat is situated almost 16 Nautical
Miles (about 30 kms.) away in Gulf of Kachchh near Jamnagar. The ever-depleting mangrove population of this park
gives rise to some of the richest marine life off mainland India. The park is spread over an area of 42 islands with an area
of 150 sq.kms. and coastal zone of 309 sq.kms., totalling 458 sq.kms. of extremely rich area of marine biodiversity.
Here one can find plants that look like animals and animals that look like plants. Turtles, shrimp, sponge, eels, and sea
urchin lurk among corals. Here corals create fantasies in stone and are the master builders of the Park. Their limestone
fortresses those found near the Pirotan Islands and the rich moist deciduous forests like those found in the dense forests
of the Danes. One of the most threatened birds, the great Indian bustard finds a refuge in certain pockets of protected
areas.

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