Kodinar

Kodinar
city
Kodinar Location in Gujarat, India
Coordinates:
Country	India
State	Gujarat
District	Gir Somnath district
Population (2001)
• Total	32,606
Languages
• Official	Gujarati, Hindi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)

Kodinar is a city and municipality in Gir Somnath district, in the Indian state of Gujarat, 37 kilometres (23 mi) west of Una. Kodinar is close to the Gir Forest National Park. The main transport connections for Kodinar city are Diu Airport, Veraval Railway Station, and Veraval Port.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Kodinar—a Taluka in the Gir Somnath district—contains 64 villages. Kodinar has a population of around 2 lakhs—52% male and 48% female. Kodinar has an average literacy rate of 67%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 74%, and female literacy is 59%. 15% of the population is under six years old. There are many castes including Karadiya Rajput, Koli, Brahmins, and Lunvanas.

Tourism

Mul Dwarka

File:Muldwarka.jpg

Ancient city of Mul Dwarka

Mul Dwarka (Kodinar), a small coastal village near Kodinar in the district of Junagadh, Gujarat State is one of the three claimants of the original Dwarka of Mahabharata. The proximity with hills on the north and sea on the south the town has been associated with all three Dwarkas (Sankalia, 1966). Lord Sri Krishna and Lord Balarama are supposed to have stayed here for sometime before moving to Dwarka.

The remains of ancient port of Mul Dwarka have been much destroyed due to the construction of cement jetty. A tidal river, blocked by a sand-bar that may be caused by a cement jetty, flows on the western side of Mul Dwarka village.

Archaeological findings from Mul Dwarka suggest that this area was an ancient settlement. Discovery of a composite stone anchor and report on some grapnel type anchors from Mul Dwarka support the view that this was an active port in medieval period and earlier. The artifacts found in and around this place date back to the 10th century AD and older as far back to the ages of Harappan and late Harappan settlements.

An ancient temple of Lord Shree Krishna is situated on a raised land close to the sea. This small temple is in a dilapidated condition. The shrine is dated to the post 10th century AD (Sampura, 1968). And the Gujarat Government is planning a massive renovation of this temple complex. Kusheshwara Mahadev temple or Siddheshwar Mahadev temple, Bheedbhanjan Mahadev temple and Khodiyar Mataji temple are located nearby.

A circular structure of about 4 m in height, dating back to 12th–15th century AD, constructed with similar type of dressed limestone blocks as of the temple in situated close to ancient temple. Locally this structure is called as Diva Dandi (lighthouse). If indeed this structure had served as lighthouse then this may be the oldest remains of lighthouse on the Saurashtra coast. Local fishermen recall that a few other such Indo-Arabic type anchors were present around, but for now they remain either buried under new port or other buildings.

A medieval age well is still used for drinking water source near the jetty.

Kaj

Kaj is 10 km east of Kodinar, on the Dwarka highway. Kaj has evidence of late Harappan settlements. An ancient mound is just 2–3 km east of the present village. It is hosts Siberian birds that visit annually, providing a fresh water sanctuary. Archaeological explorations found many ceramic artifacts, including bowls from the Harappan period.

Archaeological teams found many pieces of amphora that were used to hold water and other liquids, and a ring-stone type anchor very similar to those from ancient Dwarka and Somnath. All this indicates the existence of a Harappan civilization near the bank of the creek.

Among the large number of Harappan pottery fragments, two large amphorae fragments suggest that Kaj might have been an ancient port on the mid Saurashtra-Kathiyawad coast, trading with boats from other countries—particularly between Bet Dwarka (Gaur et al. 2005b and 2006) and Hathab (Pramanik, 2004). Topographical features indicate that in the past the ancient site of Kaj might have been approached through the sea route.

Kanjetar

Kanjetar is another coastal village that began as a historical settlement. Two mounds are near this village: one on the east side of the village, with a temple dedicated to Mahakali; and another about 2 km west of the village.

Both entire mounds are under cultivation. A large quantity of Bronze Age pottery has been collected, which confirms a settlement in that period. Local residents say that digging house foundations has revealed many pottery fragments and structures. Archaeologists consider Kanjetar to be a Harappan port on the mid-Saurashtra. Exploration of the site found an ancient rock-cut step well near this settlement that may be contemporary to the site.

Surface exploration found a terracotta wheel with a projection for a hub, probably from a toy cart. Other discoveries include an Indo-Arabian type limestone anchor under 4 m of water. It is broken, leaving only an upper portion with a circular hole. It is similar to those from other sites on the Saurashtra coast.

Other places of interest

• Jamjir Waterfall is a great waterfall near Jamvala in Gir Forest and 20 km from Kodinar City. Bapeshwar Shiva Temple here is highly renowned.
• Indra Bharti Bapu Ashram near Ghantvad.
• Bhetali Kankai mata Temple near Alidar
• Devayat Bodar Dham near Alidar Bodidar
• Adinath mahadev temple in Aadpukar or Adpokar Village
• shingoda dam

Political issues

The president of Kodinar Municipality, Shiva Solanki—who belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party—was arrested in connection with the murder of Amit Jethwa, a RTI activist who had filed a PIL against illegal mining in the Gir Forests. Jethwa was shot dead on July 20, 2010. Solanki is nephew of Kodinar's MLA Dinu Solanki.