Veraval

2021-08-14T18:48:41Z

2405:204:8501:6806:614E:8D3D:3894:9D86: /* People */Add the religion

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Somnath
| official_name = Somnath
| settlement_type = City
| image_skyline = Veraval Railway Station - panoramio.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Veraval Railway Station
| nickname = Prabhas Kshetra
| pushpin_map = India Gujarat#India3
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Gujarat, India
| coordinates = {{coord|20.91|N|70.37|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Gujarat]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Gir Somnath district]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = Municipality
| governing_body = Somnath Municipality
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_rank = 15th (Gujarat)
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 0
| population_total = 153,696
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web | url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf | title=Cities having population 1 lakh and above, Census 2011 | publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India | access-date=6 June 2018 }}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 362265-69
| area_code = +91(2876)
| registration_plate = GJ-32
| website =
| footnotes =
| native_name_lang9 = gu
| demographics1_info1 = [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]
}}

'''Somnath''' is a municipality and the headquarters of [[Gir Somnath district]] in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Gujarat]]. It is also known for the hub of fishing industries in [[India]]. From 30 March 2021 its name is changed from Veraval city to Somnath city. Municipality name is changed from Veraval-Patan Joint Municipality to Somnath Municipality.

== History ==
[[File:Somanatha view-II.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Somnath Temple]] at Veraval]]
[[File:Veraval Somnath Environ map 1911.jpg|thumb|Veraval Somnath Environ map 1911]]
Veraval was founded in 13th or 14th century by Rao Veravalji Vadher, a [[Rajput]]. Veraval was once a fortified port town of the royal family of Junagadh. It was a part of the Kingdom of Junagadh till 1947 when [[Junagadh]] was merged with India. The city still bears some remnants of the old Nawabi heritage, the Nawabi summer palace being among them. There are ruins of the old Nawabi fort and Nawabi Gates in and around the place. The old walls of the port are now ruined, but the impressive Junagadh gate and the Patan gate are still seen, but are in a very bad state.

The Nawabi Palace with Gothic features which is one of the main attractions. It is popularly known as Somnath College (the palace was converted into a college after it was abandoned by the Nawab). At present it is the building of a Sanskrit university. The town is often known as the gateway to the magnificent temple of [[Somnath]] and the pilgrimage centres of [[Prabhas Patan]] and Bhalkha. Veraval is also the nearest town to the [[Gir National Park]] (42 km away).

Before the rise of Surat, Veraval was the major seaport for pilgrims to [[Mecca]]. Its importance now is as a fishing port, one of the largest in India. Seafaring dhows and wooden fishing boats are still built by the fishermen without the use of any modern technology. Traditional skills are passed down from father to son.{{Citation needed|date=December 2013}}

==Geography==

Veraval is located at {{Coord|20.9|N|70.37|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/9/Veraval.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Veraval]</ref> It has an average elevation of 0 metres (0 feet).

==Demographics==
As of the 2011 India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf?stad=A&state5=999 |archive-date=16 June 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf |title=Census of India 2011: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=1 November 2008 |publisher=Census Commission of India}}</ref> Veraval had a population of 153,696. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Veraval has an average literacy rate of 62%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 71%, and female literacy is 53%. In Veraval, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

==Climate==
Veraval has a borderline [[semi-arid climate#Hot semi-arid climates|hot semi-arid]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''BSh'')/[[tropical savanna climate|tropical savanna]] (''Aw'') climate with very warm to hot temperatures throughout the year. Almost all rainfall occurs during the summer monsoon season from June to September.

{{weather box|width=auto
| location = Veraval (1981–2010, extremes 1901–2012)
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| Jan record high C = 37.0
| Feb record high C = 38.8
| Mar record high C = 42.9
| Apr record high C = 43.1
| May record high C = 44.2
| Jun record high C = 39.2
| Jul record high C = 37.1
| Aug record high C = 34.9
| Sep record high C = 38.2
| Oct record high C = 41.2
| Nov record high C = 38.9
| Dec record high C = 35.8
| year record high C = 44.2
| Jan high C = 29.2
| Feb high C = 29.8
| Mar high C = 31.7
| Apr high C = 32.1
| May high C = 32.6
| Jun high C = 32.5
| Jul high C = 30.8
| Aug high C = 29.9
| Sep high C = 31.1
| Oct high C = 33.9
| Nov high C = 33.4
| Dec high C = 30.8
|year high C = 31.5
| Jan low C = 15.1
| Feb low C = 16.2
| Mar low C = 19.4
| Apr low C = 22.7
| May low C = 25.8
| Jun low C = 27.4
| Jul low C = 26.4
| Aug low C = 25.5
| Sep low C = 24.8
| Oct low C = 23.2
| Nov low C = 20.2
| Dec low C = 16.8
|year low C = 21.9
| Jan record low C = 4.4
| Feb record low C = 4.4
| Mar record low C = 9.4
| Apr record low C = 13.9
| May record low C = 18.9
| Jun record low C = 20.0
| Jul record low C = 20.4
| Aug record low C = 20.4
| Sep record low C = 19.0
| Oct record low C = 13.3
| Nov record low C = 10.0
| Dec record low C = 7.2
|year record low C = 4.4
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 1.1
| Feb rain mm = 0.2
| Mar rain mm = 0.2
| Apr rain mm = 0.0
| May rain mm = 1.8
| Jun rain mm = 171.6
| Jul rain mm = 311.5
| Aug rain mm = 205.3
| Sep rain mm = 94.1
| Oct rain mm = 14.0
| Nov rain mm = 4.9
| Dec rain mm = 0.0
| Jan rain days = 0.2
| Feb rain days = 0.0
| Mar rain days = 0.0
| Apr rain days = 0.0
| May rain days = 0.3
| Jun rain days = 4.8
| Jul rain days = 10.5
| Aug rain days = 8.8
| Sep rain days = 4.4
| Oct rain days = 0.9
| Nov rain days = 0.3
| Dec rain days = 0.0
|year rain days = 30.4
|time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 57
| Feb humidity = 63
| Mar humidity = 72
| Apr humidity = 76
| May humidity = 77
| Jun humidity = 80
| Jul humidity = 84
| Aug humidity = 85
| Sep humidity = 80
| Oct humidity = 72
| Nov humidity = 63
| Dec humidity = 59
|year humidity = 72
|source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]]<ref name=IMDnormals>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| title = Station: Veraval Climatological Table 1981–2010
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| pages = 789–790
| access-date = 28 December 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M62
| access-date = 28 December 2020}}</ref>
}}

== People ==
Veraval has a predominant [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] population. Amongst Gujaratis, [[Karadiya Rajput]], Jains (Oswal), the Soni (Jewellers, mainly from the clans of Dhakan, Patt, Sagar, etc.), [[Kharwa caste|Kharwa]], [[Ahir]] (Schedule Cast) brahma smaj and the [[Kolis]] [[Patni Jamat]], Rajwadi bhois, [[Hadi]], [[Lohanas]], [[Malik|Maleks]], [[Memon people|Memons]], and [[Rayka]]s. There is also a sizable population [[Sindhi people|Sindhi]]s.
[[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] and [[Hindi]] are the most common languages in the town. Migratory people from other parts of the country also hold a good amount of population in the city.

== Industry ==
[[File:Viraval.in Fishery Harbour Somanath - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Viraval Fishery Harbour]]
Fisheries have always been the main industries in the town and are dominated by the Kharwas (fisherfolk). The fishing is done mostly on traditional boats and trawlers. Veraval also has a large boat making industry. Veraval is home to a large number of fish processing factories in [[Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation|GIDC (Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation)]] {{Expand acronym|date=December 2013}} which export prime quality seafood to USA, Japan, SE Asian, Gulf and EU Countries. The seafood-industry which was started through government initiative now is in its prime and many importers are attracted towards Veraval from around the globe. Regional research centers of CIFT and CMFRI situated at Veraval have done Yeoman service in development of fisheries sector in Gujarat.

Veraval also is home to Grasim Industries limited (Unit - Indian Rayon) which is one of India's largest rayon manufacturing companies.

There are various chemical, thread and cement companies around Veraval which provide employment to the local youth. The major ones being Indian Rayon Unit of Grasim industries limited, Gujarat Ambuja Cement Ltd, Gujarat Siddhee Cement Ltd and Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd.

[[Patni Jamat]], a local inhabitants have flourished as main seafood exporter after the 1990s. They have a very good hold on the fishing business.

== Transport ==
[[File:Thiruvananthapuram Veraval Express.jpg|thumb|Thiruvananthapuram Veraval Express]]
The city has two railway stations namely Veraval Junction and Somnath. {{rws|Veraval Junction }} is a fairly busy railway junction station for Western Railways and is served by more than 14 pairs of [[Religion|regional]] and long-distance trains.

Daily (or multiple daily) trains connect it to major cities in Gujarat such as [[Ahmedabad]], [[Bharuch]], [[Jamnagar]], [[Junagadh]], [[Porbandar]], [[Rajkot]], [[Surat]] and [[Vadodara]].

Daily connections are also available to many other towns in Gujarat such as [[Keshod]], [[Jetalsar]], [[Gondal, India|Gondal]], [[Wankaner]], [[Surendranagar]], [[Viramgam]], [[Nadiad]], [[Anand, Gujarat|Anand]], [[Valsad]], [[Vapi]], [[Dahod]] and [[Godhra]].

Daily long distance trains connect Veraval to several cities in India including [[Bhopal]], [[Jabalpur]], [[Itarsi]], [[Ratlam]], [[Ujjain]], [[Indore]] and [[Mumbai]].

[[Pune]], [[Trivandrum]], [[Kochi]], [[Kollam]], [[Kottayam]], [[Thrissur]], [[Kozhikode]], [[Kannur]], [[Mangalore]], [[Karwar]], [[Madgaon]], [[Ratnagiri]] and [[Panvel]] are some of the cities connected by weekly long distance trains.

The nearest airports are [[Diu Airport|Diu]] And [[Rajkot Airport|Rajkot]]. Daily Flights connect Rajkot and Diu to Mumbai.

== Points of interests ==

* [[Somnath]]
* [[Sasan Gir]]
* [[Prabhas Patan]]
* [[Bhalka]]
* [[Triveni Sangam]]

<gallery mode="packed" heights="134">
File:Nwe.jpg|Veraval Beach
File:Veraval Beach Sunset 2013.jpg|Sunset at Veraval Beach
File:Camel on the beach (16495607540).jpg|Camel on the beach
File:SOMNATH TEMPLE.jpg|[[Somnath]]
File:Somnath , Veraval , Gujarat,India - panoramio (4).jpg|[[Prabhas Patan]]
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Port cities in India]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Gir Somnath district]]
[[Category:Ports and harbours of Gujarat]]

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Veraval