Happy TravellerWelcome to Suratgarh, a city located in the Sri Ganganagar district of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded by Maharaja Surat Singh in the 18th century, Suratgarh is a city steeped in history and culture. With its unique geography, diverse demographics, and thriving economy, Suratgarh is a must-visit destination for any traveler. Let’s explore what this city has to offer.
Geography:
Suratgarh is located in the northern part of the Thar desert and has an average elevation of 168 meters. The seasonal Ghaghar river runs through the northern part of the tehsil, while the southern part is a desert called Tibba. The city has greenery in the northern part and desert in the southern part, which can be seen from Tibbas near Hanuman Khejri and Manaksar.
Demographics:
As of the 2011 Indian Census, Suratgarh has a population of 70,536, with Hindi, Bagri, and Rajasthani being the widely spoken languages. The literacy rate of Suratgarh is 75.68%, higher than the state average of 66.11%. The city has several educational institutions, including Government College, Suratgarh, Suratgarh PG College, and Tagore PG College.
Media:
Akashwani Suratgarh broadcasts on 918 kHz with a 300 kW radio transmitter. It has been given the name Cotton city channel and can be listened to regularly in Central Europe around 30 minutes before local sunset until the end of broadcast at 17:41 UTC.
History:
Suratgarh was once called Sodal and is believed to have been a lush, green place around 3000 BC due to the presence of two big rivers, Sarasvati and Drishadvati. The emergence of Kalibangan and Barod civilizations were facilitated by the geographical and environmental complements of the Sarasvati, and Suratgarh was a noteworthy testimony of this. The traces of ancient civilization near Rangmahal, Manaksaar, and Amarpura show the historical significance of Suratgarh where Sarasvati civilization has receded after 1500 years of stability. Suratgarh developed greatly under the rule of Maharaja Ganga Singh who built a hunting lodge at Suratgarh and ensured the connectivity of Suratgarh to train service. Hanumangarh and Bikaner came under the Suratgarh District when the district was established. Establishment of the Ganges canal in 1927 helped Suratgarh develop; it became a city after partition when various refugees from Pakistan came in and started settling there. Suratgarh Central State Farm was established in 1956, followed with the establishment of the Indira Gandhi Canal project and Central Animal Reproduction Farm in the 1960s. Meanwhile, an air and military base station, Akashvani, and various offices had been established. Suratgarh Thermal Power Station secured by CISF started working from 3 November 1998 and this laid down one more milestone in the progress of Suratgarh city.
Places of Interest:
Suratgarh has several places of interest, including Khejri Hanuman Temple, Kalibanga, Suratgarh Super Thermal Power Station, Suratgarh Air Force Station, Suratgarh Military Station, All India Radio Station, Sodhal Fort, Lord Ganesh Mandir, Dhab Shree Cement Factory, Udaipur, Ghaghar river, Rangmahal, Badopal, Padpata Dham, Dhaban, Central State Farm, and Baropal lake.
Economy:
Suratgarh’s economy is boosted by the presence of major defense stations and Suratgarh Thermal Power Station. The city also has newly constructed cement production factories named as Shree Cement Ltd & Bangur cement unit that use ash from the thermal power plant, produce PPC, OPC & premium cement. Much of the local population depends on agricultural activities for their household income.
Transport:
Suratgarh Junction is on the Jodhpur-Bathinda line and is well connected with other cities by train and road networks. National Highway number 62 and a mega highway pass through the city. The city railway junction is 434.93 km from New Delhi railway junction. Its 8 hours journey from the national capital by train route. An upcoming 1257 km long Amritsar Jamnagar Expressway (NH-754) will pass from the east of the city and is expected to be completed by September 2023.
Culture:
Suratgarh city is culturally diverse, with a traditional Bagri cultural element and a rich influence of Punjabi culture due to its proximity to Punjab and Punjabi speaking areas of western Haryana. The presence of two major military garrisons of Indian Air Force, Indian Army, Super Thermal Power Plant, Suratgarh Junction railway station, CISF, and Central State Farm has resulted in the area being home to multiple cultures from all across India. The city also hosts Baba Ramdev ka mela on every dashmi of Bhadav sudi and Magh sudi at the Temple of Baba Ramdev near Indira circle.
Weather and Nature:
Since Suratgarh lies within the fringes of the Thar Desert, the region has a hot desert climate with extremely hot summers and cool winters. The hottest months of the year are from April to October, where the maximum temperatures remain above 118 °F (48 °C). The average temperatures for the day remain above 95 °F (35 °C). On some days in the months of May, June, and July, the maximum temperatures regularly cross 122 °F (50 °C). Humidity remains below 50% throughout the year, and during the peak of summer and winter months, the humidity regularly falls below 20%. Due to its desert climate, rainfall is sparse and happens during the two Monsoon seasons, and the average rainfall across the year is less than 10 inches (25 cm). During the summer months, dry winds blowing across the desert whip up dust storms, which are common in the evening hours. Winters are generally mild with temperatures averaging around 55 °F (13 °C) with a few days in December and January
