Hanumangarh

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Hanumangarh 'हनुमानगढ़'
type = city | latd = 29.58 | longd = 74.32
locator_position = right | state_name = Rajasthan
district = Hanumangarh
leader_title =
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altitude = 177
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 129,654| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
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sex_ratio =
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Hanumangarh (Hindi: हनुमानगढ़) is a town in northern Rajasthan state in western India, situated on the banks of the ancient river Ghaggar, located about 400km from Delhi. It is the administrative seat of Hanumangarh District.

History

'Hanumangarh' was the kingdom of 'Bhati' Rajputs and hence its earlier name was 'Bhatner'. Later it was named as 'Shardulgarh' when Raja Shardul Singh won it. Since it was won on Tuesday, which is the ominous day for monkey-god Hanuman, it was rechristened as 'Hanumangarh' - the Fort of Hanuman Monkey-god. A 900 year old 'Bhatner' fort is situated in the middle of 'Hanumangarh Town'. The description of which can be found in 'Aaine-Akbari'. A famous 'Bhadrakali temple' is situated near the town on the banks of Ghaggar river.

The area around Hanumangarh apprears to be quite old. It has yielded a number of terracotta decorative tiles in the late Kushana style along with a number of coins. Two terracotta capitals at the depth of 15' from the top of the mound with stepped pyramids along their edges have been discovered.----

Geography

Hanumangarh is located at coord|29.58|N|74.32|E|. [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/24/Hanumangarh.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Hanumangarh] ] It has an average elevation of 177 metres (580 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, [GR|India] Hanumangarh had a population of 129,654. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Hanumangarh has an average literacy rate of 65%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 72%, and female literacy is 57%. In Hanumangarh, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Main towns in the distt.

Sangaria,Pilibangan,Rawatsar,Tibbi,Nohar,Bhadra,Dabli Rathan, Fefana, Goluwala, Ajeetpura, Chhani Bari, Nethrana, Ramgarh etc.

FAIRS

Gogameri MelaGogameri, around 120 km from district headquarter, is the place where this Mela begins on BHADAWA BADI 1 and continues till BHADAWA SUDI 11. Thousands of pilgrims from various states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal visit during the period to worship Gogaji "The god of snakes". Gogaji also known as Gogaji Chauhan, Gugga, Jahar Peer etc. Gogaji was born in Chauhan Rajput dynasty of Dadrewa village of Churu District in Rajasthan. History reveals that Gogaji was born some 900 years ago and was contemporary to Mamood Gaznabi. The beauty of this place is that the pilgrims from every caste and religion visit here to worship the Gogaji. Moreover, the temple has one Hindu Pujari and one Muslim Pujari, which is a great example of communal harmony.

Bhadrakali Mela The historical temple of MAA BHADRAKALI is situated 7 km from the district headquarter. The sixth emperor of Bikaner Maharaja Ram Singh said to have constructed this temple on Badshah Akbar's desire. Though pilgrims visit the temple through out the year but during the Mela days on Chaitra Sudi 8 and 9, thousands of pilgrims from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan visit the temple to worship MAA BHADRAKALI.

Pallu MelaPallu, around 100 km from the district headquarter, surrounded by sand dunes is a place where MATA BRAHMANI Mela takes place during Navaratras.

Shila Mata MelaShila Mata Mela takes place on every Thursday near Bus Stand, Hanumangarh Town. This 6' x 2.5' x 2' size stone is worshiped by Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. The Hindus-Sikhs call this Shila Mata and Muslims call it Shila Peer.

Ramdev Baba Mela, AjeetpuraRamdev Baba Mela of Ajeetpura is also a major fair of the area. It takes place in Ajeetpura which is about 145 km far from distt. headquarter. It is to be held on the - shukla Dashmi of maagh month of Vikram Samvat. Baba Jhulewala mela of Ajeetpura is also famous in the area and in other states like Punjab.

Railway Junction

'Hanumangarh Junction' is a major railway station on Jodhpur-Bikaner-Kalka route; Sadulpur, Rewari, Jaipur, Sriganganagar, Anupgarh, (Canaloop). Both meter gauge and broad gauge lines passes through this station. There is a Diamond-Railway-Crossing. The broad gauge started in the year of 1982 from Bhatinda to Hanumangarh to Suratgarh, and first train was flagged by Mr. Milkha Singh, then Guard 'A'.

Educational Institutes

*Nehru Memorial Post Graduate College
*Nehru Memorial Law College
*Nehru Memorial Children's School
*National Public School
*Government Senior Secondary School
*Guru Harkishan Public school
*SGN Khalsa public school
*Saraswati Kanya Senior Secondary School

Language

Bagri [ Lakhan Gusain 2000. Bagri. Munich: Lincom Europa (Languages of the World/Materials, 384)] , a dialect of Rajasthani language, is spoken by majority of population. Besides, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu are also in use in this district.

References

See also

Hanumangarh District