Khedbrahma

Etymology

It is believed that Brahma had ploughed the land here and a river had flown out of it.

History

According to Padmapurana; this is an ancient city was known as Brahmapur in Sat Yuga, Agnikhet in Treta, Hiranyapur in Dwapar and talukhet in Kali Yuga. Puratan Brahmakshetra says that many Digambar temples were also present in this locality.

The history can be traced back to the 12th century when Brahma Temple and Ambika Temple were probably built. Brahma stepwell was built in the 14th century.

In past, the fair was held in February which used to draw large number of pilgrims and traders from Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Kathiawar traders used to raise booths on the south bank of the Harnav river and deal in opium, cloth, copperware, jewelry, grocery, and horses. The fair used to last for fifteen days. Goods worth a lakh were sold. The fair lost its importance from the time of Rao Kalianmal (about 1630), when the Idar State fell a prey to rebellion and disorder.

During British period, Khedbrahma was under Mahi Kantha Agency until 1933 when it was included in Sabar Kantha Agency. Sabar Kantha Agency was merged with Eastern Kathiawar Agency on 1 September 1943 which was subsequently merged in Western India States Agency in 1944 followed by Baroda, Western India and Gujarat States Agency (BWIGSA) in 1947. After independence of India in 1947, BWIGSA was merged in Bombay State and Khedbrahma fell under Sabarkantha district. In 1960, Bombay State was later divided along linguistic lines in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Sabarkantha became part of Gujarat.

Geography

The confluence of three small rivers (Triveni Sangam); namely Hiranyakshi, Bhimakshi and Kamakshi; is located here. After the confluence, the river is known as Harnav which merges with Sabarmati river down stream. It divides the town in north and south parts. Harnav river was formerly known as Hiranyaksh or Harnai river.

Demographics

As of 2010 India census, Khedbrahma had a population of 29,402. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Khedbrahma has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 73%, and female literacy is 56%. In Khedbrahma, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Civic administration

Khedbrahma is Nagar Palika (municipality) and Taluka headquarter. The municipality was established on 15 April 1994. It has 9 wards and 27 seats in municipality. There are 15 seats for reserved categories and 12 seats for unreserved categories. Khedbrahma constituency is represented in Gujarat Legislative Assembly by one elected member.

Brahma temple

Khedbrahma has a temple dedicated to Brahma which is rarely seen in India, only second to Pushkar. It was built in third quarter of the 11th century or in the 12th century. This east facing temple is built of white sandstone and cement-covered brick. It is fifty-seven feet long, thirty broad, and thirty-six high. The spire, dome and front parts must have been destroyed which are rebuilt in bricks and mortar. The lower part of main shrine is intact and is filled with images of gods, goddesses and apsaras. There are images of Brahma in the niches on the three sides. The interior is devoid of any ornamental carving. The image of four faced standing Brahma is 1.8 m high and has two consorts on each side. The image seems later installation.

Brahma stepwell

There is a step-well, situated opposite the Brahma temple, known as Brahma Vav. It is built with grey granite stone. It is constructed in east-west direction; the entrance is in the east and the well is in the west. It is 38.10 metres long; 30 metres of stepped corridor and the well of 8.10 metre diametre. The stepwell becomes narrower as one goes downwards and to the well. It has four kuta (pavillion-towers) where fourth is attached to the well. The breadth is 8.50 metres (including parapet wall) and 6.60 metres (without parapet wall) at the entrance which decreases to 5.4 metres in second kuta and 3.90 metres in the third kuta. It had row of miniature shrines as an ornamentation on the back wall of the stepwell as well as encircling it which suggests it was built in 14th century. They resemble temple spires and has niches. It has 27 niches without any idols now. It is now in despair due to lack of maintenance. It was known as Aditi Vav historically. An inscription of Vikram Samvat 1256 is present in the stepwell. The stepwell is considered sacred by Humad Jains. Every year Digambar Jains and Khedaval Brahmins worships their patron deity here.

Ambika temple

Ambika temple was built in the early 11th century. Every year many pilgrims come to Ambika temple especially during September–October due to Bhadarvi Purnima festival. It is also known as Nana Ambaji Temple. There is a fair during Kartik Purnima (on full moon day of November–December) here. Pushya Purnima (on full moon day of February–March) is important because it is considered as a foundation day (Pragatya Divas) of the temple.

Bhrigurishi Ashram

There is also the Bhrigurishi ashram and a Bhrigunath Mahadev temple which is associated with folklores and Puranic stories.

According to the Brahma Purana, the temple was built by Bhrigu, Brahma's son who was once sent by the seers, rishi, to find out who was the noblest of the Hindu trinity. Insulting Brahma and Rudra, they got angry and threatened to punish him. Seeking out Vishnu, Bhrigu was bold enough to place his foot on the god's chest. Instead of resenting, the kindly god asked the seer's pardon for the hardness of his breast. Bhrigu returned and praised Vishnu as the noblest of the gods. To wipe out the sin of insulting the gods, Bhrigu came to Brahma Kshetra, bathed in the Hiranyaksh, made his hermitage the seat of a Shiva, and performed such rigid austerities, that Shiva was pleased and freed him from his sin.

Kshirjamba Mahalaxmi temple

According to the Brahma Purana, this place owes its sanctity to a desire of Brahma to free himself from impurity. Vishnu, whom he consulted as to the means, advised him to perform a sacrifice at some holy spot in Bharatkhand in the Jambudvipa, and get learned Brahmin to officiate for him. Under Brahma's orders, Vishwakarma built a city on the right bank of the Sabarmati south of mount Abu, six miles (4 kos) round. It had golden ramparts and twenty-four gates and through it flowed the river Hiranyaksh, the modern Harnav. He then created 9000 Brahmans to officiate at the sacrifice. And, when the sacrifice was over, and the impurity removed, to maintain his Brahmins, he created 18,000 Vaishyas and gave them Kshirja as their family goddess. Before withdrawing from the world, he let the Brahmins dedicate a shrine to him, and place in it his four-faced image.

Other temples

Near the confluence of rivers, there is an old Pankhanath Shiva temple on the bank. It is west-facing and is restored several times. In one of niches of mandovara of temple, the is a figure of dancing Shiva. Kashi Vishvanath Mahadev and Koteshwar temples are situated on the banks of the Harnav river which are popular locally. Mahavira Jain temple, situated in northern part of town, is almost 500 years old. The central catechu coloured idol of Mahavira is 90cm in height and in Padmasana position.

Amenities

The town has a Government Taluka Library. There are two cinemas in the town including Aradhana. There is a 150-bed government hospital equipped with modern medical facilities which was opened in August 2015.

Education

Khedbrahma has educational institutions teaching from primary level to graduation.

Higher education

Schools

Transportation

Khedbrahma is connected to all major towns of Sabarkantha district by State Highway. There is a bus-station of Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation connecting all major cities of Gujarat. There is a railway station. As of 2017, the rail service is stopped for two and half years due to ongoing work of gauge conversion.