Rajkot (Gujarati: રાજકોટ Rājkot is the 4th largest city in the state of Gujarat, India. Rajkot is the 28th urban agglomeration in India, with a population more than 1.43 million as on 2008. Rajkot is ranked 22nd in Th
e world's fastest growing cities and urban areas from 2006 to 2020.
Rajkot is a city of Gujarat state in India and administrative headquarters of the Rajkot District, 245 km from the state capital Gandhinagar, located on the banks of the Aji River and Nyari River. Rajkot was the capital of the then Saurashtra state from 15 April 1948 to 31 October 1956 before merging in bilingual Bombay State on 1 November 1956. Rajkot was merged into Gujarat State from bilingual Bombay state on May 1, 1960.
Culture
The people in Rajkot are predominantly vegetarians and are vehemently against any form of hunting. This could be the main reason for the survival of rich fauna in this city. The women in Rajkot are very fond of jewelry. Large chains, pendants and other heavy gold jewelry are a common sight during marriages, festivals and family functions. The Rajkot men love to flaunt thick gold chains and numerous rings on their fingers to give the glimpse of theier royalty. The attire changes with the season and approaching festivals. The ladies normally wear the Gujarati flavour of the Sari and men can be seen in flowing Kurtas and in the formal wears (shirts and trouseres).
Rajkot is multicultural. One can find many languages, like Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam and Marathi. However, only Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, and English are well understood. Rajkot is the part of Kathiyawad. Because of this people of Rajkot are famous as Kathiyawadi.
Rajkot is frequently referred to as "Rangilu Rajkot" (રંગીલુ રાજકોટ) meaning colorful Rajkot. The people of Rajkot like to enjoy themselves to the fullest no matter which season or time of the day. You can find them eating out at 1 am. people mostly close their business between 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm and sleep at home. There is often a saying "સુરત તો સુરત છે પણ રાજકોટ ખુબસુરત છે" (Surat may be beautiful, but cannot stand against the beauty of Rajkot).
Festival
Rajkot is a city of festivals. Garba, a dance form, is popular both with men and women and is performed during the Navratri festival. The dance starts before midnight and continues until dawn. Mata Ambe, who rides a Lion, has a special reverential status with any highly religious Gujarati. The 'Janmastami Mela' organizes by for five days at the Race Course grounds to celebrate Janmastami. Diwali is the New Year for Hindus and people celebrate by doing Ma Laxmi Pujan. Moharam is new year of Muslim. Muslim's also celebrate ramzan Eid and bakri Eid. Rajkot Municipality arranges the Firecracker Show for the citizens of Rajkot. People clean and paint their houses and purchase new clothes to wear on New Year's Day. Dhuleti is the colour festival and Mahashivratri is God Shiva's day. People also celebrate Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) on 14 January by flying kites from their terraces. Other holidays are Ganesh Utsava, Ram Navami, Mahavir Jayanti etc. Since Rajkot has people from many different castes and races, their various celebrations occur throughout the year.
Economy
The city contributes to the economy of the state with heavy and small scale industries under the patronage of Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) and Gujarat State Financial Corporation (GSFC). The economy of Rajkot got another shot in the arm with 28 crore World Bank aid for development of infrastructure of the city. Many a renowned business houses made a beeline for grabbing the property market in the city, before it skyrockets. The plans are already in place to beautify and modernize the ancient city, including a Rock Garden, ala Chandigarh. Another 25 crore project to rebuild the Kaiser-e-Hind, the only major bridge linking to the city, is already nearing completion. All such infrastructure development will add to the economic wealth and promote the local business houses.
Sister cities
Rajkot has one sister city.[36] Leicester Rajkot Twinning Association is going to build Leicester House with collaboration of RMC in Rajkot.[37][38]
I feel proud to be a part of Rajkot.... |
Wikipedia and many more
