Happy TravellerWelcome to Songadh, a beautiful taluka located in the Tapi district of Gujarat, India. This hidden gem is often overshadowed by its neighboring cities but has a rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and delicious local cuisine that is not to be missed. Let’s explore the many wonders of Songadh.
Geography:
Fort Songadh, located at 21.17°N 73.57°E / 21.17; 73.57, has an average elevation of 112 meters (367 feet). The town is nestled at the foot of a solitary hill and surrounded by semi-dense forest. The surrounding area has been almost completely flattened by approximately 30 stone quarries, making Songadh’s economy increase to the level of the rest of the state. The main town is split into two parts: Junagam (old town) and Navagam (new town).
Places of Interest:
The Fort of Songadh, also known as the Gold Fort of Songadh, was built by the founder of the Gaekwad dynasty, Pillaji Rao Gaekwad, between 1729 and 1766. It’s a brilliant example of Indian architecture and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Quarries located around Songadh offer a unique experience, as does the Rokadiya Hanuman Temple (3 km away), Parshuram Temple (5 km away), the Central Pulp Mills (4 km away), Swarnim Tapi Van (5 km away), Ukai Thermal Power Station & Hydro Power Station (5 km away), Hindustan Bridge (8 km away), Ukai Dam (13 km away), BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Ukai (25 km away), Dosvada Dam-Rani Mahal (5 km away), Gaumukh (13 km away), Chimer waterfall (28 km away on Songadh-Otta Road), and Jesingpura (Swami Vivekanand Udhyana) (0.6 km away).
History:
Songadh was originally ruled by Bhil rulers until Pilajirao Gaikwad occupied it in 1719. The Songadh Fort was built during 1728-29 and was dominated by Bhil and Gaekwad princely states from time to time. The fort was built deliberately on top of the high hill as a vantage point to keep an eye on enemies. The fort is a brilliant example of Indian architecture where the influence of both Mughals and Marathas are evident. There are not many forts built in Gujarat State due to the relatively flat nature of the landscape. Neighboring Maharashtra has comparatively many forts because of its topology.
Demographics:
The Songadh Municipality has a population of 26,515 (13,518 males and 12,997 females) as per the report released by Census India 2011. The population of children aged 0-6 is 3546, which is 13.37% of the total population of Songadh (M). In Songadh Municipality, the female sex ratio is 961 against the state average of 919. Moreover, the child sex ratio in Songadh is around 920 compared to the Gujarat state average of 890. The literacy rate of Songadh City is 80.92%, higher than the state average of 78.03%. The health facilities in Songadh are predominantly provided by Community Health Centre (Referral Hospital), Sarthak Hospital (a Physician specialty advanced care hospital), Dhiraj Hospital (a surgical hospital), Mamta Hospital, Sanjeevani Hospital (pediatric), Sai Krupa Hospital (Gynaec), Kumar Hospital, Doshi Doctor, and several General Practitioners.
Neighboring Towns:
Vyara (Guj) – 18 km, Navapur (Mah) – 25 km, and Ukai (Guj) – 8 km.
Villages of Songadh Taluka:
Achhalva, Agasvan, Ajvar, Amaldi, Amalgundi, Amalpada, Amba Amli, Amlipada, Amthava, Balamrai, Bandharpada, Bavli, Bedi, Bedpada, Bedvan Khadka, Bedvan P Bhensrot, Bedvan P Umarda, Bhanpur, Bharadada, Bhatvada, Bhimpura, Bhorthava, Bhurivel, Borda, Bori Savar, Borkuva, Borpada, Bundha, Chakalia, Chakvan, Champavadi, Chapaldhara, Chikhalapada, Chikhli Bhensrot, Chikli Khadka, Chimer, Chimkuva, Chorvad, Dardi, Devalpada, Dhajamba, Dhamodi, Dhanmauli, Don, Dosvada, Dumda, Ekva, Golan, Gaisavar, Galkhadi, Galkuva, Gatadi, Ghanchikuva, Ghasiya Medha, Ghoda, Ghodchit, Ghodi Ruvali, Ghuntvel, Ghusargam, Golan, Gopalpura, Gundi, Gunkhadi, Gunsada, Hanmantiya, Hindla, Hiravadi, Jamapur, Jamkhadi, Jesingpura, Jhadpati, Jharali, Jhari Amba, Junai, Junvan, Kakad Kuva, Kakad Kuva P Umarda, Kalaghat, Kanadevi, Kanala, Kanji, Kanti, Kapad Bandh, Karvanda, Kavla, Kelai Khadi, Khambhala, Khanjar, Khapatia, Kharsi, Khervada, Khogal Gam, Khokhsa, Kikakui, Kuilivel, Kukadjhar, Kukradungri, Kumkuva, Langad, Lavchali, Limbi, Mahudi, Maiyali, Mal, Malangdev, Mandal, Mandvi Pani, Masanpada, Medha, Medhsingi, Mohpada(Mangaldev), Monghvan, Mota Satsila, Mota Tarpada, Moti Bhurvan, Moti Khervan, Nana Bandharpada, Nana Tarpada, Nani Bhurvan, Nani Khervan, Nindvada, Nishana, Ojhar, Otatokarva, Otta, Pahadada, Panch Pipla, Patharda, Pipalkuva, Pokhran, Rampura Kanadevi, Rampura Kothar, Raniamba, Rasmati, Rupvada, Sadadkuva, Sadadun, Sadadvel, Samarkuva, Sandhkuva, Sar Jamli, Seljhar, Serulla, Shravaniya, Silatvel, Sinand, Singal Khanch, Singalvan, Singpur, Siraspada, Sisor, Sonarpada, Songadh Taparvada, Tarsadi Satkashi, Satkashi Ukai Resettlement, Ukhalda, Umarda, Vadda P Bhensrot, Vadi Bhensrot, Vadirupgadh, Vadpada P Tokarva, Vadpada P Umarda, Vagda, Temka, Tichakia Village, Veljhar, Virthava, Vaghnera, Vajharda, Vajpur, Vanjhafali, Vankvel, Tokarva (Jamankuva), Tokarva (Segupada).
Visit Songadh, India, and discover the hidden treasures of Gujarat that are waiting to be found.
