Southern Gujarat’s Bharuch city is situated along the Narmada River. The city’s old town is located 2 km west of Bharuch Junction and 1 km south of Railway Station Road, which is home to a variety of accommodations, restaurants, ATMs, and other services. By train and by car, Bharuch is easily reachable from Ahmedabad. Vadodara’s airport is the closest.
A city that was a seaport has a significant history attached to it. Perhaps even during the reign of the pharaohs, it served as a shipbuilding center and seaport along the coastal trade routes to places west. The route made use of the predictable and dependable gales or winds of the monsoon. During the annual monsoon winds, many items from the Far East (the legendary Spice and Silk trade) were brought there, making it the endpoint of numerous important land-sea trade routes. Through the end of the European Middle Ages, Bharuch was known to the Greeks, different Persian Empires, the Roman Republic and Empire, and other Western centers of civilization.
Bharuch
The cultural diversity in Bharuch is enormous. It exhibits the vibrant Gujarati culture, which also features a lifestyle that is evolving toward modernity, a wealth of artistic skill and heritage, and beautiful festivals. In Bharuch, the majority of Indian holidays are observed following local customs. Bharuch benefits from a strong cultural heritage and distinctive traditions of various ethnic and religious groups. Uttrayan, Navratri, Deepavali, Meghraja Festival, and Bhadbhut Fair are a few of the well-liked events.
The residents of this city practice a wide variety of religions. Usually, there is a feeling of peace and peaceful coexistence. But there have been times in the past when this fragile social fabric has crumbled. The city is now seen as a shining example of social equality.
Because Bharuch is a well-known tirtha, often referred to as BhriguTirtha in various Hindu Puranas, it is home to a vast array of temples along the riverside.
Swaminarayan Temple
The mandir is adorned with beautifully carved pillars, majestic arches, admirable balconies, and charming idols. One of the main draws for tourists visiting Bharuch is it. BAPS is in charge of managing and running this mandir. For the residents of Bharuch, this stunning structure is more than just a temple; it’s also the perfect location for a fun family weekend. This Mandir is surrounded by lush vegetation and is spread across 18 acres. On its grounds, a few beautiful eateries are selling delectable meals that can be savored after paying respects to the All-Powerful.
Dasasvamedha Ghat
Situated not far from a Vamana Temple. According to legend, the demon ruler Mahabali sacrificed horses at the bathing ghat, which is how the ghat got its name. It is also thought to be the location where Vamana, the dwarf avatar of Vishnu, compelled Bali to relocate its capital to the underworld after measuring the universe in three steps. It is impossible to take holy baths here due to the highly silted riverbed, but I’ve been told that the Narmada alone can wash away the sins of three lifetimes.
Golden Bridge
Looking upriver, one of the city’s most significant features is the 19th-century Golden Bridge. The narrow beam bridge connecting Ankleshwar to Bharuch was built by British engineers during 1877-81 to traverse the Narmada River. Due to the particular rust-resistant iron that was used and the golden paint, the project was extremely expensive. The British also constructed “the silver bridge,” a railroad bridge, next to it to link Ahmedabad and Bombay.
Art Deco Style & Sundial
The Art-deco influence is seen in the old buildings of the city which was the result of the various Portuguese and Greek rulers. The arched passages, the GRC balconies, and the interesting roofs are some of the salient features of this design style. In the given pictures below, the sundial is present on the right side. A sundial set into a crumbling brick wall. It is stated that there is an iron rod whose shadow properly tells time. The Dutch Factory, a commercial facility constructed in 1617, previously occupied the entire structure.
Bhrigu Rishi Temple
One of Gujarat’s most well-known and revered temples, the Bhrigu Rishi Temple, is located in the Dandia Bazar neighborhood to the east of the city on the banks of the sacred Narmada River. The people of Bharuch place significant religious emphasis on this temple, which is frequently visited by pilgrims. This temple is where Bharuch, which was once known as “Bhrigukachchha,” got its name. The temple was constructed in memory of the renowned saint Maharishi Bhrigu, who became a saint by striking the ideal balance between activity and wisdom. BhriguSamhita, the first Indian astrological treatise, was written here by Bhrigu Rishi. He is supposed to have recorded five million horoscopes, detailing every living thing’s destiny.
Narmada Mata Temple
This temple, which has been around for 150 years, is a wonderful example of a masterpiece of architecture. The temple’s exterior is all white. The temple is made up of several Shikharas, or spires, that fly little red and yellow flags. A small, transparent lake can be found behind the temple. Locals claim that this lake is where the River Narmada began. Because they think that the waters of the lake can cleanse one of sins and illnesses, devotees make sure to take a holy plunge in it.
References:
- Livehistoryindia. Bharuch- Gujarat’s Anicent Port City. [online] Available at: <https://www.livehistoryindia.com/story/places/bharuch-indias-second-oldest-city>
- Natgeotraveller. Heritage Getaway: Now Largely Forgotten, Bharuch was the Greatest Port City in India 2,000 Years Ago. [online] Available at: <https://natgeotraveller.in/heritage-getaway-now-largely-forgotten-bharuch-was-the-greatest-port-city-in-india-2000-years-ago/>
- Bharuch.nic. Places of Interest. [online] Available at: <https://bharuch.nic.in/places-of-interest/>
- Gujarat Expert. Narmada Mata Temple in Bharuch, Gujarat. [online] Available at: https://www.gujaratexpert.com/blog/narmada-mata-temple/