Gonda, Uttar Pradesh

History

The name of this district comes from the Sanskrit - Hindi word of Goshala, meaning cowshed. The cowsheds of the royal lineage of Ayodhya viz. Ikshavaku (Raghukul) of the Solar dynasty were located here. The territory covered by the present district of Gonda is a part of the ancient Kosala Kingdom. After the departure of Lord Rama to Saket dham, the celebrated sovereign of the Solar line who ruled Kosala, the kingdom was divided into two portions defined by the Ghaghara river. The northern portion was then ruled by his son, Lava with the city of Sravasti as his capital. Sravasti was prosperous and progressive during Buddhas time.

More recently, ancient Buddhist remains dating to the early days of Buddhism have been found throughout the region, including Sravasti.

Gonda played a significant role in the Indian struggle for independence. So many people from the region actively participated including Maharaja Devi Bakhsha Singh, who escaped later to Nepal. Revolutionaries like Chandra Shekhar Azad also took shelter here and one of his partymen Rajendra Lahiri was incarcerated and hanged in the Gonda Jail on 17 December 1927 in Kakori Conspiracy.

Demographics

As per provisional data of 2011 census, Gonda urban agglomeration had a population of 138,929, out of which males were 71,475 and females were 67,454. The literacy rate was 80.32 per cent.

Overview

Gonda is also known for Ghagh, a legendary agriculture and weather specialist of folk culture. Mahakavi Ghagh, Adam Gondavi, Suresh Mokalpuri, Shiva Kant Mishra 'Vidrohi', Satish Arya - the poets of Hindi literature belong to this district. Urdu poet Niyaz Ahmed "Saher" (1939–2010)- the adopted son of Jigar Moradabadi, also belong to Gonda. The founder of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, Swaminarayan was born as Ghanshyam Pandey in the village Chhapaiya of Gonda district. As a child, he also lived in Ayodhya and visited the town of Gonda on a pilgrimage with his parents. The Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in New Delhi is dedicated to him, as Akshardham is his divine abode. Acharya Patanjali born 200 years before the Christian Era, who is called as Father or founder of Yoga hailed from Gonda in Uttar Pradesh.

Famous places

Swaminarayan Chhapaiyā: The village of Chhapaiya is situated at a distance of 45 km from the district headquarters. The chief interest of the place is Swaminarayan temple which marks the birthplace of Swaminarayan, or Sahajanand Swami, who was born here on 2 April 1781 as Ghanshyam Pande.and Ghanshyam left Chhapaiya at the age of 11 to travel to the pilgrimage sites around India. He completed his pilgrimage in Western Gujarat, where he assumed the leadership of Swaminarayan Sampradaya. The very famous Akshardham temples in New Delhi and in Gandhinagar, Gujarat built by his spiritual successor, Pramukh Swami Maharaj, are both dedicated to him. His followers consider him to be a manifestation of the Supreme Godhead. There have been many movies about the Swaminarayan filmed in this temple in Chhapaiya and in nearby places in the district.

Ayodhya: "Maharishi's Valmikan" situated from 40 Km from district head Quarter.

Khaira Bhawani(Mandir):One of the Shaktipeeth, Near Gonda railway station.

Paska (Sukar Khet): This place is situated the river bank of Saryu about 45 km south-west from district headquarters. It is considered as an ancient religious site. A large number of devotee's takes holy dips in Saryu here for 'Mukti'. Paska is also related with Tulsidas and known as his 'Guru Bhumi'.

Varahi Dev: About 6 km in east from Paska another ancient place of Varahi Devi known as Uttari Bhawani is situated in Tarabganj Tehsil. An old temple of Bhagwati's attract a large number of devotees here, especially on the occasion of Navratri. The place is known as a part of Suker Jhet. The image of Adi Shakti Varahi is related with Shakti of Varha in Paska.

Prash: This place is in north of Saryu and situated in Tehsil Tarabganj. The place is related with ancient Saint Parashar, grand son of Vashishtha and son of Sakti. A temple in his memory is situated here.

Tirrey Manorama: At 21 km north of Gonda city this holy place is situated. Big fair is organized here on Kartik Purnima every year.

Prithvi Nathan Mahadeo: At a short distance in south of Kharagupur old temple of Lord Shiva is situated. Legend relates it with Mahabharata. This area was then known as Pancharayan. The present temple was reconstructed by Maharaja Man Singh of Ayodhya.

Jhali Dham: This place is known as place of devotion and situated at one km from Prithvi Nathan Mahadeo. This is a shrine of a famous saint. This shrine is the main attraction of the place.

Parvati Mahadeo: The place is related with history of Ramayana. It is situated in village Mahadeo on bank of Parvati Jheel.

Colonelganj: Colonelganj is city board and tehsil headquarter. The old name of place was Sakraura. It was a village of no particular importance till the year 1780. Later on the suppression were maintained here till its annexation. The place was selected as the military headquarter during the freedom struggle of 1857.

Gandhi Park: Gandhi's one of the 4th biggest marble statue near town hall.