Ghogha

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Ghogha | type = city | latd = 21.68 | longd = 72.28
locator_position = right | state_name = Gujarat
district = Bhavnagar
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altitude = 0
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 10,849| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
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Ghogha is a census town in Bhavnagar district in the state of Gujarat, India.

Geography

Ghogha is located at coord|21.68|N|72.28|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/0/Ghogha.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Ghogha] ] . It has an average elevation of around sea level.

History

The history of Ghogha is over 2000 years and more. The first noted history of the town was during ramayana period. One lake in the town which is said to be named after bhagwan shri ram is "Ramkund".One of the oldest shiva temple "Ramnath Mahadev" is located at the corner of the Ramkund Lake.The town was one of the oldest port in India. During maurya period,the port of ghogha had established the international trades with Arabs, Sri Lanka etc. Maurya emperor Ashoka's son "Mahendra" was married to princess of Sri Lanka & sailed to Sri Lanka through ghogha port.During maitrak dynasty,it was the part of the vallabhi state. Arabs also setted during seventh century in ghogha due to international trades of ghogha with Arabs.It is also a jain pilgrimage. Jain Idol 91 cms high blue coloured idol of Shri Navkhanda Parshwanath Bhagwan in Padmasan position is present in the Parshwanath temple established in VS 1168 by Acharya Shri Mahendrasurishwarji Maharaj, with the help of Shri Nanavati Shri Heeraseth.Teerth is present in Ghogha Bundar village. No markings are there on the moolnayak idol, but it is said that the idol was recovered from a well belonging to nearby Badava village. As per another myth, the idol was recovered along with many other idols from the well of stones from Peerambet. Acharya Mahendrasurishwarji has performed the Anjanshalaka of the moolnayak idol in VS 1168; the expenses were borne by Nanavati Shri Heeraseth. Shreshthi Shri Veera and Purna have established sangh of Shetrunjay and Girnar teerths in supervision of Acharya Shri Jinendrasurishwarji in VS 1430. Shri Jinodayasurishwarji has used worshipping words for the moolnayak Shri Navkhanda Parshwanath Bhagwan in his notice sent in VS 1431. This gives indications of the teerth to be established before twelfth century. As per the history available, the Muslim ruler and their soldiers damaged the moolnayak idol along with other temples and idols. Idol was broken into nine pieces. Jain shravaks kept these pieces in Lapsi, following orders from the Adhishthayak Dev in disguise, the idol again joined, but the markings remained on it. Since then this idol is called as Navkhanda Parshwanath Bhagwan. Akhand jyoti is still lighting since ancient period.No marking is present on the moolnayak idol, but it is said that it was recovered from a well belonging to nearby Badava village. As per another myth, the idol was recovered along with many other idols from the well of stones from Peerambet. Acharya Mahendrasurishwarji has performed the Anjanshalaka of the moolnayak idol in VS 1168; the expenses were borne by Nanavati Shri Heeraseth. Shreshthi Shri Veera and Purna have established sangh of Shetrunjay and Girnar teerths under the supervision of Acharya Shri Jinendrasurishwarji in VS 1430. Shri Jinodayasurishwarji has used worshipping words for the moolnayak Shri Navkhanda Parshwanath Bhagwan in his notice sent in VS 1431, giving indication of the teerth to be established before twelfth century. But the moolnayak idol is much older than that.Dharamshala is available with all necessary arrangements for the pilgrims. Four other temples are present near this temple and two temples are in the village. Many ancient idols were found by archeologists and they are kept in the temple of Shri Neminath Bhagwan along with two Guru idols (said to be of Shri Hemchandracharya and Shri Dharmaghoshsurishwarji) made of VS 1354. Beautiful Samvasaran made by metals of the beginning era of 16th century can be seen in nearby Samvasaran temple. Two others temples are of Shri Suvidhinath Bhagwan and Shri Shantinath Bhagwan. Beautification work in the temple present in the village where the charan paduka?s of Shri Vijay Devsurishwarji has been kept, are said to made during the period of King Kumarpal. The temple of Shri Jeeravala Parshwanth Bhagwan is situated towards south of the village bears a Guru idol made during VS 1357 missing the name of Gurudev. In 13th century,the town was ruled by Mokhadaji Gohil, ruler of pirambet(island located near ghogha).Mokhadaji Gohil was a great warrior and fought with Mohammed Tuglak in 13th century. He loss the ghogha after defeat in the battle. It is said that he fought even after beheaded and caused many casulties to saltanate army. His temple is still situated in ghogha & pirambet.After that it was the part of mughal rule & then under maratha rule.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Ghogha had a population of 10,849. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Ghogha has an average literacy rate of 65%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76%, and female literacy is 53%. In Ghogha, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

References