Jamnagar

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Jamnagar
City/Urban agglomeration
Clockwise from top: Lakhota Lake, Khambalia Gate, Lakhota Palace, Saifee Tower
Nickname(s):  Jewel of Kathiawar, Paris of Saurashtra, Oil city, Brass city, Chhota Kashi, Halar
Jamnagar Location in Gujarat, India
Coordinates: 22°28′N 70°04′E / 22.47°N 70.07°E / 22.47; 70.07Coordinates: 22°28′N 70°04′E / 22.47°N 70.07°E / 22.47; 70.07
Country	India
State	Gujarat
Region	Saurashtra
District	Jamnagar
Established in	1540 A.D. By Jam Raval[2]
Government
• Type	Mayor–Council
• Mayor	Binaben Kothari [3]
• Deputy Mayor	Karsan Karmur [3]
• Indian police services(IPS)	Shaffin Hassan[4]
• Police Commissioner	depen bhadran [5]
Area [6]
• Total	125 km2 (48 sq mi)
Area rank	5
Elevation	17 m (56 ft)
Population  (2011 census)
• Total	479,920 [1]
• Rank	India : 87
• Density	5,780/km2 (15,000/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Jamnagari
Languages
• Official	Gujarati, Kutchi, Hindi, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	361 001-09
Telephone code	0288
Vehicle registration	GJ-10
Literacy	82.58%(2011)[1]
Website	www.mcjamnagar.com

Jamnagar (pronunciation (help·info)) is a city located on the western coast of India in the state of Gujarat in Saurashtra region. It is the administrative headquarters of the Jamnagar district. Jamnagar is the largest city on the westernmost side of India and is the fifth largest city of Gujarat state after Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, and Rajkot.^{[citation needed]}

The modern look of the city was initially given by Jamsaib. He was instrumental in building the modern infrastructure of the city during his reign in the 1920s. Thereafter, the city was substantially developed by Jam Saheb Shri Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji in the 1940s, when it was part of the Princely state of Nawanagar. The city lies just to the south of the Gulf of Kutch, some 337 kilometres (209 mi) west of the state capital, Gandhinagar.

India's largest private company, Reliance Industries, has established the world's largest Oil Refining and Petrochemicals Complex near the village of Moti Khavdi in Jamnagar district.^[7] The Nayara Energy refinery which is the second largest private refinery in India is located in the nearby town of Vadinar.^[8] The Nayara Energy (formerly Essar Oil) Refinery is supplemented by its own Thermal Power Plant and a private port for handling crude oil.

History[]

Maharaja Jamsaheb Shri of Nawanagar

Picture of Ranjitsinhji, celebrated cricketer and Maharaja of Nawanagar.

Flag of the Princely State of Nawanagar

Nawanagar was founded by Jam Rawal in 1540 as the capital of the eponymous Princely state.^[9] Jamnagar, historically known as Nawanagar (the new town), was one of the most important and the largest Princely states of the Jadejas in the Saurashtra region. It was a 13 gun salute state. According to Pauranik literature, Lord Krishna established his kingdom at Dwarka town in Jamnagar district, after migrating from Mathura, and accordingly, it is to the Yadava race that the Jams of Nawanagar trace their ancestry.

According to historical records, Bahadurshah, the emperor of Gujarat, bestowed upon Jam Lakhaji twelve villages in recognition of his role in the siege of Pawagadh. Jam Lakhaji, however, was killed by his cousins, Tamachi Deda and Jam Hamir Jadeja, after he took possession of the villages. His son, Jam Rawal, thereafter murdered his father's killers and became ruler of Cutch.

Hamirji's two sons Khengarji and Sahibji served the Sultan of Gujarat. During a hunt, the two brothers saved the Sultan from being killed by a [[Asiatic lionlion. As a reward for their valor, an army was sent with them to regain their kingdom. When Jam Sri Rawalji heard of the two princes coming back to the Kutch with the imperial army, he prepared for battle.

One night, Goddess Ashapuraji, the supreme deity of the Jadeja Clan of Rajputs, came to Jam Sri Rawalji in a dream and told him that although he had broken an oath taken in her name not to kill Hamirji, even though he was the person responsible for his death, she had refrained from punishing him because he had at all other times honoured her, but he was no longer to dwell in Cutch.

Jam Sri Rawalji and his entourage marched out of Cutch, attacked and killed Tamachi deda, the main conspirator in the killing of his father, and conquered the town of Amran and its dependencies. Jam Sri Rawalji bestowed the rule of Dhrol province on his younger brother Hardholji, who was later killed in battle at Mithoi near Khambhalia, whereupon the throne passed on to his eldest son, Jasoji. Jam hri Rawalji conquered parts of Saurashtra and formed his kingdom with 999 villages named it as Halar.

Once on a hunting trip in present-day Jamnagar, a hare was found to be brave enough to turn on the hunting dogs and put them to flight. Deeply impressed by this, Jam Sri Rawalji thought that if this land could breed such hares, the men born here would be superior to other men, and accordingly he made this place his capital.

On the seventh day of the bright half of the month of Shrawan, V.S. 1956 (August 1540) on the banks of the rivers Rangmati and Nagmati, he laid the foundation of his new capital and named it Nawanagar (new town), which after few centuries came to be known as Jamnagar, meaning the town of the JAM's.

Climate[]

Jamnagar has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen: BSh). There are three defined seasons. The "hot" season lasts from March to May and is extremely hot and humid, before giving way to the "wet" season with extremely erratic monsoonal rainfall^[10] that averages around 630 millimetres (25 in) but has varied from less than 100 millimetres (3.9 in) in 1911 and 1939 to over 1,500 millimetres (59.1 in) for the district in 2010.^[11] Tropical cyclones sometimes affect the region during this period. The "cool" season from October to February remains hot during the day but has negligible rainfall, low humidity and cool nights, so it is by far the most comfortable time of year.

The highest recorded temperature was 47 °C (117 °F) on 5 May 1990, while the lowest recorded temperature was 1 °C (34 °F) on 5 February 1984.^[12]

Demographics[]

At the time of the 2011 Indian census, Jamnagar had a population of 479,920, and its urban agglomeration 600,943. Jamnagar has an average literacy rate of 82.14%, higher than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 86.90%, and female literacy is 77.05%. In Jamnagar, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.^[14] Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. In 2011, the sex ratio in Jamnagar was 939 females per 1000 males. The urban development authority of Jamnagar is Jamnagar Area Development Authority (JADA).

Culture[]

Bead Work of Jamnagar

Most residents of Jamnagar are Gujarati and speak the Gujarati language. A small portion of the population speak the Kutchi language, which is written in the Gujarati script but not mutually intelligible with Gujarati. The Kathiawadi language (which is a colloquial dialect of Gujarati) is widely used for day-to-day communication. Major communities include the Jadeja, Charan(Gadhvi), Satvaras (Dalvadis), Ahirs Sagars, Patels, Bhanushalis, Rajputs, Mers, Jains, Lohanas, Brahmins, Bhoi(Bhoiraj) and Vaghers (Muslim and Hindu), and Khavas.

The Marine National Park, the only marine sanctuary in India, is near Jamnagar, on the coral reef island of Pirotan. Jamnagar is well known for its four marble Jain temples: Vardhman Shah's Temple, Raisi Shah's Temple, Sheth's Temple, and Vasupujya Swami's Temple; all built between 1574 and 1622.^[15] The Bala Hanuman Temple in Jamnagar is listed in The Guinness Book of World Records for the longest continuous chanting of "Ram Dhun" (since 1 August 1964). Also in the Guinness Book of Records is the world's largest Rotla, which weighed 63.99 kg (141 lb 1 oz) and was made by the Shree Jalarm Mandir Jirnodhar Samitee organisation at the Jalaram Temple, Jamnagar, on 15 January 2005.^[16] Jamnagar is popularly known as "Chhoti Kashi" due to many temples in the city and as people are inclined to spirituality and to diversified religions. There are 5 Gita Vithyalaya's branches founded by Acharya Shri Manharlalji Maharajshri, preaching Shri Mad Bhagvad Gita, Ramayana etc. to 8 to 18 years children concentrating on balanced physical and mental development of Children. Dr. Kishorbhai Dave, who got his doctorate in Philosophy of Gita is the main personality behind whole this 60 years long old activities.

Religion[]

Shree Bala Hanuman Sankirtan Mandir, Jamnagar

Saifee Tower, Jamnagar

Jamnagar contains several ancient temples, such as Sidhnath Mahadev Temple in the Jamnagar city area, the historic Navlakhi Temple in Ghumli, very ancient Kileshwar Temple in the Barda Hills, the ancient Sun Temple at Gop and the Bhid Bhanjan Temple built by the JAM Saheb. Bala Hanuman is highly venerated among the devotees of Rama.^[17] The Bala Hanuman Temple is noted for the continuous chanting of the mantra "Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram". Started on 1 August 1964, the chant continues for 24 hours a day, in shifts, and is still continuing. This has earned the temple a place in the Guinness Book of World Records^[18] Click here to know how many years

There are many Shiv Temples within the city, such as Badri Kedar Nath, Nilkanth Mahadev Temple and Bhid Bhanjan Mahadev Temple near the Town Hall and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple on the K.V. Road.

Jamnagar is well known for its four marble Jain temples: Vardhman Shah's Temple, Raisi Shah's Temple, Sheth's Temple, and Vasupujya Swami's Temple. All were built between 1574 and 1622. There are more than 30 Jain Temples in Jamnagar.

19% of Jamnagar District's population is Muslim. The local population has long given up its ancestral fishing business, and adopted many new age professions as the local economy has picked up due to the industrialisation of Jamnagar and the arrival of several giant companies.

Economy[]

Brass parts[]

It was formerly known as 'Brass City', since it houses more than 5,000 large-scale and 10,000 small-scale workshops manufacturing brass items in and around the industrial estates of Shankar Tekari, GIDC Phase-III, M P Shah Udhyognagar and Dared GIDC-II Industrial estate. Brass parts and extruded rods produced here are used in a number of products. Parts are exported to many countries. Jamnagar has the largest production of brass items in the country.

Refineries[]

Jamnagar is known as 'World's Oil City' because the world's biggest oil refineries, belonging to Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy, are here.

Reliance Industries refinery:

The Jamnagar Refinery is a private sector crude oil refinery owned by Reliance Industries Limited. The refinery was commissioned on 14 July 1999 with an installed capacity of 661,000 barrels per day (105,100 m³/d). It is the largest refinery in the world.^[19] The refinery is currently undergoing a massive expansion, scheduled for commissioning in 2008,^{[needs update]} that will double its capacity to 1.2 million barrels per day (190,000 m³/d).^{[citation needed]}

According to an article in the 28 April 2008 issue of Fortune Magazine, the Reliance Industries oil refinery at Jamnagar will produce 1.2 million US gallons (4,500 m³) of petroleum, or 5% of the world's capacity, after the expansion is completed in December 2008. The expansion began in October 2005 and is being managed by San Francisco-based Bechtel Corporation. The expanded refinery covers an area equal to 1/3 the size of Manhattan. The refinery has an advanced design, so that it can process a wide range of crude oils, including heavy high-sulfur sour crude, which many refineries cannot handle. Reliance Industries has said that the refinery's output is for export only and will not be sold domestically within India. Reliance is targeting the US market for gasoline and the European market for diesel. The refinery is owned by Reliance's Reliance Petroleum Ltd. unit, in which US oil company Chevron Corp. has a 5% stake.

Nayara Energy Refinery:

Nayara Energy owns India's second largest single site refinery at Vadinar, Gujarat, having a capacity of 20 million tonnes per year, or 405,000 barrels per day (64,400 m³/d). Vadinar Refinery has a complexity of 11.8, which is amongst the highest globally. The refinery is capable of processing some of the toughest crudes and yet produce high quality Euro IV and V grade products.

Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals[]

Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals operates a diammonium phosphate (DAP) plant at Motikhavdi village – 27 km from Jamnagar. It also has its own jetty located at Sikka.

Sikka Thermal Power Station[]

The Sikka Thermal Power Station is a coal-fired power station near Jamnagar. It has two units of 120 MW each and two units of 250 MW each with a total installed capacity of 740 MW.

Digjam[]

Digjam runs a fully equipped composite mill manufacturing high quality worsted fabrics at Jamnagar. It has been a notable player in the worsted textile industry in India.

Armed Forces[]

Jamnagar has base stations of all three wings of Defence: the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, and Indian Navy. Geographically Jamnagar supports all branches of defence, as it has access to the sea for the Indian Navy and a large air base due to the city's strategic location close to Pakistan.

Port[]

The Jamnagar Solarium designed by Jean Saidman

The city has an all-weather intermediate seaport, Bedi Port, seven kilometres away, through which various merchandise is imported and exported. According to the recent figures available from the local Port Office, in 2007–2008 exports were 3,912,402 metric tons and imports 1,388,181 metric tons, for a total 5,300,583 metric tons. The major commodities exported from this port are bauxite, soya meal extracts, and ground nut extracts, while the imports include coal, fertiliser and other items. The port has a draft of 7 metres so cargo vessels are anchored mid sea and then barges transport the cargo to the port. Vessels with up to 180,000 MT can be handled at the Bedi port.

Bauxite mines[]

Jamnagar has huge reserves of bauxite, contributing 95% of the total production in the state.^[18]

Bandhani clothes[]

Jamnagar is known for its Bandhani clothes. Approximately 10% of Jamnagar derives its income from this industry; this clothing is traditional in Jamnagar, and it is exported outside of India. Jamnagar is well known for its red Bandhani. Dyeing process of Bandhani is carried out extensively in this city, as the water of this area is known to give a particular brightness to colors, specifically reds and maroons.

Transport[]

Jamnagar Railway Station Platform view

Airport[]

The city has an airport (IATA: JGA – ICAO: VAJM) with a daily direct flight to Mumbai (Bombay) . The airport is a military enclave of the Indian Air force which allows commercial flights.

Rail[]

Jamnagar has a railway station connected with a variety of destinations across India.^[20] Jamnagar has 4 daily trains to Mumbai and weekly trains to the major cities of north, east and south of country.

Road[]

There are many private bus service providers with coaches running between Jamnagar and Bhuj, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Mumbai, Pune many other major cities of Gujarat and other states as well. Apart from private bus services, State Transport has bus services to almost all cities of Gujarat State & inter state transport facilities as well.

Local[]

The Jamnagar Municipal Corporation runs local buses in the city. Also auto rickshaws are available everywhere. Ola Cabs is also available for intracity travel.

Education[]

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Jamnagar has many schools including private, government granted schools. The M.P. Shah Medical College is considered to be one of the top colleges in India for Medical studies. K.D Ambani Vidhyamanadir, a well recognized school in Reliance Greens is one of the top schools of Gujrat . The Gujarat Ayurved University in Jamnagar is considered to be the best university in the world for Ayurvedic studies & has students from all around the globe. Recently it has been ranked amongst top 10 Medical Universities of India by national magazine India Today.^{[citation needed]} Besides this, there are several colleges for arts, commerce and science. Jamnagar also has Government Dental College & Hospital.

Primary and Secondary institutions[]

• G.D. Shah High School ^[21]
• Shree Satya Sai Vidyalaya^[22]
• Purohit Science school
• St. Xavier's High School
• Shree P.V.MODI school
• KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA NO.2 (Infantry Lines) Jamnagar
• KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA NO.3, AFS-2
• Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1, AFS-1
• Kendriya Vidyalaya, Valsura
• Kumar Mandir
• Krishna international school
• Patel Academy School
• Prime Science School
• S.B. Sharma public school (Meghpar)
• S.B. Sharma World School, (CICSE affiliated School)
• Shree L.G. Haria
• Shree Rastradeep Vidhyalay
• St. Mary's High School
• The Sun Shine School

CBSE affiliated schools[]

• Nand Vidya Niketan
• Air Force School Jamnagar
• Shree Satya Sai Vidyalaya, Jamnagar
• Delhi Public School, Jamnagar
• Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Aliabada, Jamnagar
• Kendriya Vidyalaya No-1, AF station Jamnagar
• Kendriya Vidyalaya No-2, Infantry lines
• Kendriya Vidyalaya No-3, AF-II, udhyognagar
• Kendriya Vidyalaya No-4, I.N.S Valsura
• Kendriya Vidyalaya, AF station samana
• Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Vidyamandir[moti khavdi]^[23]
• Podar International School^[24]
• S. B. Sharma World School, (CISCE) affiliated school
• Sainik School Balachadi, Jamnagar^[25]
• Sarojben Memorial International School^[26]
• SDCCL Public School, Digvijaygram, Sikka
• Shri D.C.C. Vividh lakshi High School
• Sunflower School, Jamnagar
• TATA Chem DAV Public School[mithapur]

Gujarat Board affiliated schools[]

• Brilliant group of schools
• Kalindi International School
• Krishna international science and commerce school
• Pranami High school
• S. B. Sharma public school (Defense colony)
• S. B. Sharma Public School (Meghpar)
• Shreemati Parvati devi Vidhya mandir and Shree Shastri Tryambakram High school
• St. Francis School

Engineering Colleges[]

• Government polytechnic college
• Kalyan Polytechnic Institute
• Shree Kankeshwari Deviji Institute of Technology
• krishna Institute of Engineering Technology

Arts, Commerece, Science, Management and IT Colleges[]

• Shree D K V Arts & science College^[27]
• A K Doshi
• Smt. C.Z.M. Gosrani B.C.A. College
• Shri JVIMS-KBS M.C.A. College
• Shri JVIMS-BTV M.B.A. and M.A.M. College
• D.D. Nagda College Campus
• G.H.G Commerce College
• H J Doshi
• National Computer College
• M P Shah College
• SVET College
• Shri Vidhyasagar Infotech College
• V M Mehta College

Medical and Ayurveda Colleges[]

• M. P. Shah Medical College
• Shree Gulabkunverba Ayurved Mahavidyalaya
• Indian Institute of Ayurved Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Gujarat Ayurved University^[28]

Dental College[]

• Government Dental College & Hospital

Places of interest[]

Lakhota fort

Darbargadh Palace
Darbargadh (Maharajah's palace), the old royal residence of Jam Saheb and the most important historical complex in Jamnagar, reflects the fusion of Rajput and European styles of architecture. The semi-circular palace complex consists of a number of buildings with very fine architectural features and detailing. It has some fine examples of stone carvings, wall paintings, fretwork jali-screens, ornamental mirrors, carved pillars and sculpture. The walls outside have carved jarokha balconies in the Indian tradition, a carved gate and Venetian-Gothic arches. The earthquake in 2001 caused significant damage to the Darbargadh.

Lakhota Fort

Entrance of antique weapons section at Lakhota Fort museum, Jamnagar

Lakhota lake and Ranjith Raja museum

This small palace, on an island in the middle of Lakhota Lake, once belonged to the Maharaja of Nawanagar. This fort-like palace has semi-circular bastions, turrets, a pavilion with guard-rooms housing swords, powder flasks and musket loops. An arched stone bridge with a balustrade connects the Lakhota Palace with the town. Today it houses a small museum. The fort museum has a good collection of sculptures that spans a period from the 9th to the 18th century and pottery found in ruined medieval villages from the surrounding area. The museum is reached by a short causeway from the northern side of Ranmal Lake and is open daily except on Wednesdays.

Willingdon Crescent
The impressive Willingdon Crescent was constructed by Ranjit Singh, inspired by his European journey. It comprises arcades of cusped arches, larger on the ground floor and smaller on the upper storey, pilasters on the curving walls, and balusters on the parapet. The statue of Jam Saheb is situated in the centre of the crescent. The 2001 Gujarat earthquake caused only slight damage to this shopping area.

Pratap Vilas Palace
Pratap Vilas Palace, built during the rule of His Royal Highness Ranjitsinhji, has European architecture with Indian carvings that give it a totally distinct appeal.^{[citation needed]} It was built as an imitation of the Victoria Memorial Building in Calcutta, but the domes built on it are according to Indian architecture, three of them made of glass. Carvings of creepers, flowers, leaves, birds and animals on the columns make the palace lively. Damage in the 2001 earthquake caused a costly loss of some parapets, and the separation of some upper walls at the roof level in some corners. Visitors are not allowed in.

Kotha Bastion
The Kotha Bastion contains a fine collection of sculptures, coins, inscriptions and copper plates and the skeleton of a whale. One of its most interesting sights is an old well where the water can be drawn by blowing into a small hole in the floor.

Dhanvantri Mandir
Dhanvantri Mandir was built under the personal supervision of Dr. Pranjivan Manekchand Mehta, Chief Medical Officer of Guru Govindsingh Hospital. After independence it gained the status of Ayurveda University. It has a good library, workshops and has been a place for research and international seminars on Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medicinal system.

Solarium
Also known as the Ranjit Institute of Poly-Radio Therapy, the Solarium was built by Jam Shri Ranjitsinhji during his rule by bringing in an expert from France. This slowly revolving tower provides full daylong sunlight for the treatment of skin diseases. With the destruction of two similar solaria in France during World War II, this is probably now the only one of its kind in the world, and certainly in Asia. Due to advancement in medicine and treatment it is now obsolete and not in working condition for the treatment.

Bhujio Kotho

Bhujio Kotho

Bhujio Kotho is well known among tourists due to its height and circumference. It is on the bank of the Lakhota Tank, near Khambhaliya Gate. This monument has five floors, and is believed to have been constructed for protection during the invasions. On the first floor there were guns placed in each direction, and in the walls, holes for rifles are found. On the upper floor a tank with a dancing peacock on its peak was constructed to store water. Unfortunately, in an earthquake in 2001 Bhujio Kotho partially collapsed and visits are now prohibited due to safety concerns.

Bhuchar Mori Shahid Van

Bhuchar Mori Shahid Van is a plateau and historic site about two kilometres northwest of Dhrol in Jamnagar district. The place is known for the Battle of Bhuchar Mori. It has memorial site dedicated to it along with a big garden space, play area for children, small artificial mountain to climb, and huts like structure for picnic spots. The memorial site has memorial stone of Ajaji is a horse-mounted idol. There are wall sculptures representing the war fought between the army of Kathiawar led by Nawanagar State and the Mughal army in July 1591. The park is open all days.

Bohra Hajira
The Bohra Hajira is also worth a visit. On entering Jamnagar City by road on the Rajkot Highway, one can see this magnificent structure on the banks of the river. Permission has to be obtained before visiting the place. Many years back boats used to sail on the Rangmati and Nagmati Rivers, but presently the water level is low; often the river dries up and the river bed is used for hosting the Shravan Month Fairs.

Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary
Khijadia Bird Sanctuary,^[29] located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) north east of Jamnagar, features a seasonal freshwater shallow lake, inter-tidal mudflats, creeks, saltpans, saline land and mangrove scrub. The place is a known breeding ground of the Great Crested Grebe. Apart from this, the Little Grebe, Purple Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt and Pheasant-tailed Jacana are also recorded breeding here. Raptors, including harriers, eagles, hawks and falcons are also spotted here. The sanctuary also shelters migratory birds such as swallows, martins, wagtails and various waterfowl. It is considered an important site for ecological research and education.

Balachadi Beach
The balachadi beach is located 27 kilometres from Jamnagar. During the World War II, the then ruler of Jamnagar, Jam Digvijaysinh built a summer camp for polish refugee children seeking shelter from the Nazi after they were denied entry at the Mumbai Port. Later it was converted into present day Sainik School, Balachadi

Pirotan Island

Lighthouse at Pirotan

Pirotan is one of the 42 islands which compose the Marine National Park. India's first national marine park comes under the Jamnagar district of Gujarat. Pirotan lies 12 nautical miles off the coast (Bedi Port) and stretches up to 3 km².

Marine National Park
India's first marine sanctuary^[30] has various parts open to the public: one of them is Pirotan Island, which is about 12 nautical miles (22 km) away in the Arabian Sea near Jamnagar and spreads over an area of about 458 kilometres (285 mi). Located about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from the city centre, the Marine National Park and Sanctuary comprises an archipelago of 42 islands noted for their coral reefs and mangroves. It is possible to see dolphins, fin-less porpoises and sea turtles and a variety of colourful tropical fish. The entire forest has various marine life forms. The area also attracts a huge number of birds.

Rozi and Bedi Ports
Rozi and Bedi are two important ports close to Jamnagar, Rozi Port on the shore of the Gulf of Kutch and Bedi Port two nautical miles (4 kilometres (2.5 mi)) inland on the Rangamati River. These attractive waterside picnic spots offer excellent facilities for fishing and angling.

Temples[]

Shantinath Mandir

Bala Hanuman Temple near Lakhota

Bholeshwar Mahadev

Trimandir Jamnagar
The Trimandir is a magnificent two-storey structure with a Gigantic Hall on the ground floor and temple on the first floor. In a Trimandir, Gods of Jainism, Shaivism, and Vaishnavism (along with Gods and Goddesses from other religions) share equal reverence on the same platform.^[31]

Vardhman Shah's Temple
Vardhman Shah's Temple is a delightful shrine and one of the four main Jain temples in Jamnagar. The foundation stone of this shrine was laid in 1612, during the reign of Jam Jasaji I, and it was completed in the year 1620. Fifty-two very small temples or 'Deri' were built around the temple in 1622. This temple is dedicated to Adinathji, first tirthankar of Jainism.^[15]

Shantinath Mandir
Shantinath Mandir is situated south-west of Bedi Gate in Jamnagar. The temple has intricate carvings and the walls are adorned with fine murals, which depict the lives of Jain saints. The floor is made of marble and decorated with distinctive Jain patterns in yellow, black, white and red.

Mota Ashapura Maa Temple

The Goddess (Kuldevi) of the Jadeja clan of Rajputs who ruled this place. The temple is located in the east part of Jamnagar where the entrance (gate) leads into the city and is close to Darbargadh in the old city area.

Bala Hanuman Temple
The Bala Hanuman Temple is on the south-eastern side of Ranmal Lake. The temple is known for the continuous 24-hour chanting of the mantra 'Sri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram', since 1 August 1964. This devotion has earned Bala Hanuman Temple a place in the Guinness Book of Records. Thousands of devotees visit the temple every year. Early evening is a particularly good time to visit the temple.

Bholeshwar Mahadev Temple
Bholeshwar Mahadev Temple is approx 2 km away from village murila of Tehsil Lalpur. The temple is situated on the bank of the River Dhandhar. This temple holds a fair on Shravani Amas.

Navtanpuri Dham
Shri Navtanpuri Dham popularly known as Khijada Mandir situated in Jamnagar, Gujarat was founded by Nijanand Swami Shri Devchandreji the former Achraya of Shri Krishna Pranami Sampradaya in 1630 A.D. He was a realized Soul. Formerly this holy place was a garden. According to the Pranami Vitak-tradition once Shri Devchandraji went to the garden and took a small twig of a Khijda tree for cleaned his teeth and then tearing into two, planted them into the ground. During the course of time they grew into two big trees and both the trees are still attached to the main wall of the shrine. Due to this the temple is known as "Khijada Mandir" all around.^[32]

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple

This Temple is situated at the outskirts of the city, Near Samrpan Hospital Khambhaliya Bypass Jamnagar.

Parks and gardens[]

Jam Ranjitsinhji Park (Ranjit Sagar Dam)
The Municipal Corporation of Jamnagar has recently developed a Park near Ranjit Sagar Dam. The park has a garden with colourful fountains. There are also rides for children. The park remains open from 10am to 8pm on all days except Sunday and Monday. On Sunday the park remains open till 10pm and on Monday it is closed for maintenance.

Main Gate of Jam Ranjitsinhji Park.

Sardar Patel Amusement Park
This amusement park is located at Mehulnagar 80 Feet Rd, Kamdar Colony, Jamnagar. It is being developed by Jamnagar Municipal Corporation(JMC) spreading over 2 lahk sq ft of land. The Park has an entry fee of 10 Rs. The biggest attraction of the park in musical dancing fountain, rain dance fountain for children, separate dance hall for youths, hall for Yoga and a small auditorium. Also as the name suggest it has variety of rides for children. play area, garden space for picnic spots and game arcade zone. The park also has great options for food[Food Zone] inside as well as near outside the park. It has a good parking facility around the area.

Cremation Park (Sonapuri)
Sonapuri is a crematorium which was beautified in 1940 and is situated some 3 km from the centre of the city. Built in the form of a park, it has become a tourist attraction because of the murals and statues that adorn its interiors. As one enters Muktidham, there is a long path on both sides of which there are paintings – at one side are the images depicting the story of Ramayana, at the other are the pictures of various gods, goddesses and saints. Towards the end, near the area where pyres are lit, the stages of life have been illustrated through an installation called Sansar Chakra.

Jogger's Park
This is a new botanical garden in the city opposite to the Palace Ground, and its official name is Gulab Kunvarbaa Udhyan. It was very much used by the daily walkers and joggers of the city. The park however has been closed for public since months.

Media and communication[]

Daily local as well as national newspapers are available in Jamnagar in multiple languages such as The Times of India, Economic Times, Indian Express, and Business Standard. Local newspapers include Nobat, Bhoomi, Khabar, Aajkaal, Lokwat, The Princely State. All India Radio Airs at 100.1 MHz,Top FM at 91.9 MHz and Radio Mirchi at 95 MHz. Various cable operators like GTPL are available along with DTH services from Tata Sky, Airtel, DishTV, Videocon D2H. Broadband services are provided by the BSNL. Reliance has started its 4G service, Reliance Jio. All mobile operators including Vodafone, Airtel, Idea, Reliance, BSNL, Tata Docomo are available in Jamnagar.

Newspaper[]

Many local newspapers are published from Jamnagar in Gujarati & English language:

Sports[]

Cricket is a major sport in Jamnagar. A number of Indian Test cricketers hail from Jamnagar, including Vinoo Mankad, Salim Durrani, Karsan Ghavri, Kumar Indrajitsinhji, Ajay Jadeja and Ravindra Jadeja. There is a cricket ground called the Ajitsinhji Pavilion which was built in 1908 by HH Shri Jam Ranjitsinji which signifies the long relationship of Jamnagar with the sport. The city has a sports complex built by the municipal corporation which has a swimming pool, badminton court and various other facilities. There is also an 80-year-old sports club (Summair Sports Club), which was built by the erstwhile rulers of Jamnagar. It has a swimming pool, tennis, squash and badminton courts, a billiard hall, a table tennis facility and a hotel.^[33]

The Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy Indian cricket competitions are named in memory of princes of Jamnagar.

Notable people[]

Ajay Jadeja

The following individuals were born or have lived in Jamnagar:

• Ruskin Bond, a noted Indian author.
• Remo D'Souza, dancer, choreographer, actor and film director.
• Ben Kingsley, British Actor, Academy Award, Grammy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe Award winning actor. Also known for playing Mahatma Gandhi in Richard Attenborough's Gandhi (1982).
• Ferdinand Kingsley, British Actor, the son of Ben Kingsley.
• Duleepsinhji, former cricketer after whom Duleep Trophy is named.
• Salim Durani, former Indian cricketer.
• Leslie Hancock, English cricketer and British Army officer.
• Ajay Jadeja, former ODI cricketer.
• Rajendrasinhji Jadeja, first Chief of Army Staff.
• Ravindra Jadeja, Indian cricketer.
• Vinoo Mankad, former test cricketer.
• Ranjitsinhji, former test cricketer and Jam Sahib of Nawanagar after whom Ranji Trophy is named.

References[]

35. https://issnawards.com/amo-team/dr-ishan-y-pandya/

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jamnagar.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lakhota Museum of Jamnagar.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Birds in Lakhota Lake Jamnagar.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Birds near Jamnagar railway station.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Jamnagar.

• Directory of Jamnagar GIDC
• Tourist information about Jamnagar
• Birds picture and information in Jamnagar
• Jamnagar Transport
• Jamnagar formally known as Nawanagar
• NavaNagarNa NarBanka and RajSattaNa Rang – Books exploring History of Jamnagar
• Birds and Wildlife in Jamnagar www.jamnagar.org/birding.htm
• Images Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park in Jamnagar
• Amrapur-A village in Janmagar
• Polish War Survivors during WWII in Nawanagar