Godhra

The name Godhrā is derived from earlier Godrahaka, referring to a pond or lake where cattle or buffalo came (perhaps to bathe).{{cite book |last1=Sankalia |first1=Hasmukh Dhirajlal |author-link=Hasmukh Dhirajlal Sankalia |title=Studies in the Historical and Cultural Geography and Ethnography of Gujarat |date=1949 |publisher=Deccan College |location=Pune |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.16229 |access-date=14 July 2023}}{{rp|86}}

As per local folklore, cows used to come here from Pavagadh for grazing.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

Gujarati Historic Novel named Gujaratno Jay written by Zaverchand Meghani based on various Jain Prabandhas describes city as Godhpur(ગોધપુર).{{Cite book|last=Meghani|first=Zaverchand|title=Gujaratno Jay|publisher=Gurjar Sahitya Bhavan|date=April 2011|isbn=978-81-8461-481-7|location=Ahmdabad|pages=65}}

A bronze of Lord Rishabhanath from AD 975 was found at Akota which mentions Gohadra kula, i.e., the school of Jain monks at Gohadra.Akota Bronzes, Umakant P. Shah, 1959, p. 57-58. The historical name of Godhra is "Godhrahk", which was established by Parmar king named Dhudhul Mandalik in A.D. 1415.

Five hundred years ago, in the 15th century, the respectable Saint Shrimad Vallabhacharya in his morning ritual speech gave the example of his dream city. He explained how the city which was seen in the dream by her daughter was handed over by a Muslim resident to a Hindu family.

As of the 2011 India census, Godhra had a population of 143,644. Males constitute 63.68% of the population and females 36.32%. Godhra has an average literacy rate of 93.51%, higher than the national average of 74.04%. Male literacy is 96.25%, and female literacy is 85.44%

{{As of|2001}} India census,{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}} Godhra had a population of 121,852. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Godhra has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy was 79.5%, and female literacy was 64.5%.

In 1901 the population was 20,915.{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Godhra |volume=12 |page=173}}

Godhra city is governed by a municipality.{{Cite web|title=Public Utilities {{!}} Panchmahals, Gujarat, India {{!}} India|url=https://panchmahals.nic.in/public-utilities/|access-date=2020-09-17|language=en-US}} The city is divided into 12 wards for the purpose of administration, and each ward is represented by 3 councillors.{{Cite web|last=Naqvi|first=Jawed|date=2011-03-09|title=Godhra: fact and fiction|url=https://www.dawn.com/2011/03/09/godhra-fact-and-fiction/|access-date=2020-09-17|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}} The city is also represented by an MP elected from the Panchmahal Lok Sabha constituency (erstwhile Godhra Lok sabha constituency), Ratansinh Rathore from the BJP,{{Cite web|title=Panchmahal MP (Lok Sabha) Election Results 2019 Live: Candidate List, Constituency Map, Winner & Runner Up - Oneindia|url=https://www.oneindia.com/panchmahal-lok-sabha-election-result-123/|access-date=2020-09-17|website=www.oneindia.com|language=en}} and an MLA elected from the Godhra Assembly constituency, CK Raulji.{{Cite web|date=2020-03-19|title=No intention to vote for Cong in RS polls: BJP MLA from Godhra|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/no-intention-to-vote-for-cong-in-rs-polls-bjp-mla-from-godhra-6320963/|access-date=2020-09-17|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}

I. I. Chundrigar, former Prime Minister of Pakistan was born in Godhra in 1897.

Several incidents of communal violence have taken place in Godhra before and after the independence of India. Notable acts of violence include:

• During 1947–48, riots broke out in Godhra between the Ghanchi Muslim community and Sindhis who had emigrated from Pakistan after the Partition of India. About 3,500 properties were burnt down in the violence.{{cite journal | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4370319 | jstor=4370319 | title=Communal Riots in Godhra: A Report | last1=Engineer | first1=Asghar Ali | journal=Economic and Political Weekly | date=1981 | volume=16 | issue=41 | pages=1638–1640 }}
• Between October 1980 and September 1981, six major communal riots, arson and pillaging took place between the majority Muslim community and Sindhi people in Godhra. Five members of a Sindhi family were burnt alive in the Muslim-dominated area of Signalfalia. As a result of the violence and loss of life, the town was placed under curfew for about 245 days during this period.{{cite news |title=Communal holocaust simmers dangerously over Godhra town in Gujarat |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19811215-communal-holocaust-simmers-dangerously-over-godhra-town-in-gujarat-773538-2013-10-28 |access-date=27 February 2021 |date=December 15, 1981| work=India Today}}{{cite news |title=Curfew Eased in West India |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/03/world/curfew-eased-in-west-india.html |access-date=27 February 2021 |date=August 3, 1981 |work=New York Times}}
• In 1990, four Hindu teachers were killed by a Muslim mob in Vorwad area of Godhra.{{cite news |title=Gujarat election 2012: Deeply divided by religion, Godhra braces for second phase poll - Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/gujarat-election-2012-deeply-divided-by-religion-godhra-braces-for-2nd-phase-poll/1045242/0 |access-date=27 February 2021 |work=Indian Express |date=December 14, 2012}}
• Godhra train burning – In 2002, a Muslim mob was accused to set fire to the Sabarmati Express near Godhra railway station. 59 Hindu pilgrims who were returning from Ayodhya were killed in the fire. This incident is perceived as the trigger for the 2002 Gujarat riots.{{cite news |title=What is the 2002 Godhra train burning case? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/what-is/what-is-godhra-case-gujarat-riots-sabarmati-express-narendra-modi-4881537/ |access-date=27 February 2021 |work=Indian Express |date=9 October 2017 |language=en}}

File:Godhra junction railway station.JPG

File:Godhra Bus Stand.jpg

Godhra is connected to all major towns of Gujarat by public transport service operated by GSRTC. And Godhra is a Railway Junction that connects Godhra with different parts of the state and nation.

India's biggest national highway Delhi-Mumbai expressway pass through godhra.

• Sat Kaival Temple at Bagaidol village of Godhra is a temple of sat kaival sampraday.
• Godhra is one of the religious places in India which has four bethaks (temples) for Vaishnav Sampraday. There are two main seats of Lord Gokulnathji and one each for Lord Gusaiji and Lord Mahaprabhuji. Godhra is the only city in India that has all three seats (or bhaitaks) of the Mahaprabhuji, Gusianji, and Gokulnathji
• Godhra has three Jain temples. The main idol (or Mul Nayak) in the Jain Temple is of Shantinath. It also has a temple called the 'Trimandir', a non-sectarian temple founded by Dada Bhagwan in the Bhamaiya area (Ahmedabad Road).{{cite web|title=The Godhra Trimandir|url=http://www.trimandir.org/list-of-trimandirs/godhra-trimandir/|access-date=2018-04-20}}
• Godhra has BAPS and SMVS swaminarayan temple.
• Godhra has Sheikh Majhawar graveyard, which is believed to be one of the biggest in Asia.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}{{by whom|date=October 2021}}
• Makar Sakranti, Maha Shivratri, Holi, diwali, Eid al-Fitr, Baisakhi, Rakshabandhan, Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Eid al-Adha, Muharram, Christmas, Dussehra, Easter are celebrated.

File:Nehru Park Godhra.jpg

Geographic and manmade features in the area include the Mesri River, Ramsagar Lake, Voharwad Masjid Tower, Polan Bazar, Methodist Church, Naheru Garden and, in the far east, Kanelav Lake.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

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Category:Cities and towns in Panchmahal district