Abohar
Encyclopedia
Abohar is a city and a municipal committee in Fazilka district
in the state of Punjab, India
,) located on the Ganganagar
–Delhi
railway route, about 50 km (31.1 mi) north of Ganganagar and about 60 km (37.3 mi) south of Fazilka
. This city is also known as the "California of Punjab" for its rich soil, good irrigation sources, and particularly for the production of kinnow
, a fruit of the orange family. Abohar is also very famous for the cotton
production and is one of the biggest cotton
producing belt in whole north India
.
, Haryana
and Rajasthan
as it is located near the junction of their boundaries. Its boundaries touch Rajasthan's sand dunes on one side and plains of Haryana on the other. Under British rule, in 1893 the town was more of a mound of sand with a total population of only 5,954. Its name was Kaiser-Ganj.
River Satluj streaming by its side, Aabha Nagari, some 550 years ago, was a fabulous city of India. As one enters Abohar, one sees the remains of the ancient city Abha Nagri, a big mound of sand and stones which is known Theh among local people. This mound is not just a dune of sand because a historical city and a big palace built by a Suryavanshi king Aabu-Chandni are buried under it.
Another legendary dune named Panjpeer is just 150 m (492.1 ft) away from Theh with tombs of five pirs on this mound. The beautiful Aabu city was destroyed by the curse of these pirs (soothsayers). A big fair is held on this mound every Thursday. King Harichand ruled Aabu Nagar after King Aabu-Chandni and had only one daughter. She was very impressive, a good shooter and fond of riding also. Once the king fell victim to leprosy.
Someone told the king that he could recover only with the blood of the horses of
five pirs of Multan
. The brave daughter of the king snatched 81 horses of five pirs along with their goods, but king Harichand succumbed to the disease. Five pirs sent many request to get their horses back, but the princess refused to give their horses back.
At last, the five pirs came to Abu city from Multan to get back their horses and camped
on a hillock of sand near present Abohar. Many days passed but the princess did not give back their horses. The wives of five pirs came to Aabu city in search of their husbands.
The pirs became angry on seeing them and cursed them due to which they were buried under the earth.
There is another mound at a distance of about 60 m (196.9 ft) from Panjpeer, where their tombs are erected. The five pirs got angry, for not being returned their horses, and destroyed the Aabu Nagar with their divine powers, according to popular legends.
At the time of partition in 1947, the city witnessed bloodshed due to Hindu-Muslim riots as this was the last main town along Delhi-Bahawalpur sector. Much of the local community lives in the town with the feeling of harmony and common brotherhood today. All sections, castes, religious sects visit PANJ PEER.
Many other achievements in academic, agriculture, industry, innovations, infrastructure and a big grain market are particularly noteworthy. Its main business mandi is called Darwaza.
In the dark days of terrorism in Punjab in 1990s, Abohar also saw a painful period of terrorism. In March 1990 many innocent people were killed by terrorists in Sadar Bazaar of Abohar.
, Abohar had a population of 124,303. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Abohar has an average literacy rate of 65%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 58% of the males and 42% of females literate. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Central Institute of Postharvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET), an ICAR institute is located on the outskirts of city where research is carried out and training is given on post-harvest aspects of fruits and vegetables.
1. Sitto Gunno
2. Mehrajpur (Mehrana)
3. Bishanpura
4. Himmatpura
5. Rampura
6. Narayanpura
7. Bajitpura
8. Sukhchain
9. Khairpura
10. Sardarpura
11. Raipura
12. Duttranwali
13. Rajanwali
14. Haripura
15. Panniwala Mahla
16. Gumjal
, Minister and Governor of State.
There are few motels in its vicinity, for instance, Kala Titar between Dabwali and Sangaria opened by Haryana Government couple of decades ago. Visits to some special market locations, for example, street number 12, 11, and 9, within the city can give a good sense of hustle-bustle of a typical small town.
Abohar is also an open wild life sanctuary. In villages of Abohar you can find Black Buck(deer). Situated in the southern tip of the Division, this Wild Life Sanctuary is an open Sanctuary comprising 16 revenue villages. These villages are inhabited by the Bishnoi Community whose love for animals is legendary. The total area of the Sanctuary is 46513 acres (188.2 km²). It was declared as a Wild Life Sanctuary under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2000. The main species found in the Sanctuary is the Black Buck which can be seen loitering around in the fields and sometimes even in homes like cattle. In addition, a variety of other animals like Nilgai, Wild boar, Porcupine, Jackal, Hare etc. can also be seen
These animals are protected by villagers as they don't let hunters kill them.
.Shri Sankat Mochan Khatu Dham situated at Abohar Sri Ganganagar Road vill.Alamgarh bye pass chowk ABOHAR.This is a holy place of Lord Sri Khatu Shyam ji & Lord Sri Salasar Hanuman ji. This place is now under construction with in a large space of 33000 square feet (3,065.8 m²) area. An annual function is held in Sep. or Oct. month of the every year. A big crowd gathers in the function. Many other big functions are organised by the community. This is first big temple in Punjab.
A Few other historical spots:
, Haryana
and Punjab
. Railway and buses are the primary modes of transportation. The town is connected by railways to Ganganagar
in southwest direction, Delhi
through Bhatinda in the east and Fazilka
in the north though trains have not started to run on the tracks to Fazilka.
Recently Abohar got its first and most awaited Flyover
that has removed bottleneck between Municipal Bus Stand and College Road and facilitated fast movement of vehicles.
, the official language of Punjab, and Hindi
are the main languages spoken in Abohar with their various dialects such as Bagri and Haryanavi.
Fazilka district
Fazilka district is one of the 22 districts in the state of Punjab in North-West Republic of India. It has 314 revenue villages.Fazilka city is the capital of the district.-History:...
in the state of Punjab, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
,) located on the Ganganagar
Ganganagar
Sri Ganganagar , also called Ganganagar , is the northernmost city of Rajasthan in western India. It is the administrative headquarters of Ganganagar District.-History:...
–Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
railway route, about 50 km (31.1 mi) north of Ganganagar and about 60 km (37.3 mi) south of Fazilka
Fazilka
Fazilka is a city and a municipal council and 22nd newest district in the state of Punjab, India and recently declared as District on July 27, 2011 consisting three subdivisions Fazilka, Jalalabad and Abohar besides three sub-tehsils Arniwala Sheikh Suban, Sito Guno and Khuian Sarwar.- History...
. This city is also known as the "California of Punjab" for its rich soil, good irrigation sources, and particularly for the production of kinnow
Kinnow
The kinnow is a variety of citrus fruit cultivated extensively in India and Pakistani Punjab Province. It is a hybrid of two citrus cultivars — "King" x "Willow Leaf" — first developed by H. B. Frost at the Citrus Research Centre of the University of California, Riverside, USA...
, a fruit of the orange family. Abohar is also very famous for the cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
production and is one of the biggest cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
producing belt in whole north India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
History
Abohar is a historical city. It may be called trinity of the culture, ethnicity, and civilization of PunjabPunjab region
The Punjab , also spelled Panjab |water]]s"), is a geographical region straddling the border between Pakistan and India which includes Punjab province in Pakistan and the states of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and some northern parts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi...
, Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
and Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
as it is located near the junction of their boundaries. Its boundaries touch Rajasthan's sand dunes on one side and plains of Haryana on the other. Under British rule, in 1893 the town was more of a mound of sand with a total population of only 5,954. Its name was Kaiser-Ganj.
River Satluj streaming by its side, Aabha Nagari, some 550 years ago, was a fabulous city of India. As one enters Abohar, one sees the remains of the ancient city Abha Nagri, a big mound of sand and stones which is known Theh among local people. This mound is not just a dune of sand because a historical city and a big palace built by a Suryavanshi king Aabu-Chandni are buried under it.
Another legendary dune named Panjpeer is just 150 m (492.1 ft) away from Theh with tombs of five pirs on this mound. The beautiful Aabu city was destroyed by the curse of these pirs (soothsayers). A big fair is held on this mound every Thursday. King Harichand ruled Aabu Nagar after King Aabu-Chandni and had only one daughter. She was very impressive, a good shooter and fond of riding also. Once the king fell victim to leprosy.
Someone told the king that he could recover only with the blood of the horses of
five pirs of Multan
Multan
Multan , is a city in the Punjab Province of Pakistan and capital of Multan District. It is located in the southern part of the province on the east bank of the Chenab River, more or less in the geographic centre of the country and about from Islamabad, from Lahore and from Karachi...
. The brave daughter of the king snatched 81 horses of five pirs along with their goods, but king Harichand succumbed to the disease. Five pirs sent many request to get their horses back, but the princess refused to give their horses back.
At last, the five pirs came to Abu city from Multan to get back their horses and camped
on a hillock of sand near present Abohar. Many days passed but the princess did not give back their horses. The wives of five pirs came to Aabu city in search of their husbands.
The pirs became angry on seeing them and cursed them due to which they were buried under the earth.
There is another mound at a distance of about 60 m (196.9 ft) from Panjpeer, where their tombs are erected. The five pirs got angry, for not being returned their horses, and destroyed the Aabu Nagar with their divine powers, according to popular legends.
At the time of partition in 1947, the city witnessed bloodshed due to Hindu-Muslim riots as this was the last main town along Delhi-Bahawalpur sector. Much of the local community lives in the town with the feeling of harmony and common brotherhood today. All sections, castes, religious sects visit PANJ PEER.
Many other achievements in academic, agriculture, industry, innovations, infrastructure and a big grain market are particularly noteworthy. Its main business mandi is called Darwaza.
In the dark days of terrorism in Punjab in 1990s, Abohar also saw a painful period of terrorism. In March 1990 many innocent people were killed by terrorists in Sadar Bazaar of Abohar.
Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Abohar had a population of 124,303. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Abohar has an average literacy rate of 65%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 58% of the males and 42% of females literate. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Agricultural Research
Abohar Is a leading place in Punjab for Agricultural research of the region. This research started with the establishment of Regional Fruit Research Station in 1964 which was officially inaugurated in 1969. A total of 10 ha (24.7 acre) of seed farm is under fruit research program. mainly in Abohar the most grown plant is Kinnow also known as "Aboharvi santra" . Kinnow is brought to India in 1949 from California as a hybrid fruit of citrus category coming under Orange fruit. Because of its sweetness and that it is easy to grow, the profit margin is very high. Recently PEPSI has submitted a proposal to research on fruit juice under its trademark, which will be available hopefully in the next 3-4 years. Scientists of this research station has given hundreds of new verities to Indian horticulture.Central Institute of Postharvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET), an ICAR institute is located on the outskirts of city where research is carried out and training is given on post-harvest aspects of fruits and vegetables.
Bishnoi Community Villages
Abohar is also an open wild life sanctuary. In villages of Abohar you can find Black Buck(deer). Situated in the southern tip of the Division, this Wild Life Sanctuary is an open Sanctuary comprising 16 revenue villages. These villages are inhabited by the Bishnoi Community whose love for animals is legendary. The total area of the Sanctuary is 46,513 acres (188.2 km2). It was declared as a Wild Life Sanctuary under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2000. The main species found in the Sanctuary is the Black Buck which can be seen loitering around in the fields and sometimes even in homes like cattle. In addition, a variety of other animals like Nilgai, Wild boar, Porcupine, Jackal, Hare etc. can also be seen These animals are protected by villagers as they don't let hunters kill them.1. Sitto Gunno
2. Mehrajpur (Mehrana)
3. Bishanpura
4. Himmatpura
5. Rampura
6. Narayanpura
7. Bajitpura
8. Sukhchain
9. Khairpura
10. Sardarpura
11. Raipura
12. Duttranwali
13. Rajanwali
14. Haripura
15. Panniwala Mahla
16. Gumjal
Educational institutes
Abohar has got a engineering college, a postgraduate college, ITI, Homeopathic College, Nursing College and other institutes. It has produced many politicians like Dr. Balram Jakhar, who remained the speaker of Lok Sabha (Lower house of Parliament), Governor of Madhya PradeshMadhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
, Minister and Governor of State.
- Brahmrishi mission sr. sec. school
- Abohar Polytechnic College
- Alpine Institute Of school Education
- Amrit Model Senior Secondary School
- Anmol Public School
- Army School
- Asian Public High School
- Assumption Convent School
- B.D Adarsh Sr. Sec. School
- B.L. Vikas Mandir Sr. Sec. School
- Colonel Oxford School
- D.A.V. College of Education
- D.A.V.College
- D.A.V. Sr. Sec School
- Flower Valley Public Sr. Sec. School
- Genius International School
- G.D. Senior Secondary Model School
- New Light Public Sr. Sec. School
- Golden public Sen. Sec. School
- Gopichand Arya Mahila College
- Govt. Model High School,
- Govt. Sr. Sec. School for Boys
- Govt. Sr. Sec. School for Girls
- Guru Nanak A.V. Sr. Sec. School
- Homoeopathic Medical College
- Jhamku Devi Senior Secondary School.(Mehrajpur Dhora)
- Khushdil Model High School
- Little Angel Public School. (Sito Gunno)
- Maa Sarswati College of Pharmacy
- Maharishi Dayanand College of Education
- Mata Hansa Devi College
- Mini Public School
- Radiant Institute of Engineering & Technology,
- Simigo International School,
- Sri Guru Nanak Khalsa College
- Sardar Patel medical institute of nursing & hospital.
- Sardar Patel convent public high school, kheo wali dhab.
- Shivalik Public High School
- Swami Keshwanand Memorial College,
- Swami Keshwanand Sr. Sec. School
- Victoria Public School
- Vikas Adarsh Sr. Sec. School
Tourism
Abohar is not a hot tourism spot, though there are a few religious locations (e.g., Gurudwara Nanaksar on Fazilka Road, Historical Gurudwara Badtirath in Haripura near Abohar, Panjpir) that attract a large number of people from surrounding villages and nearby cities.There are few motels in its vicinity, for instance, Kala Titar between Dabwali and Sangaria opened by Haryana Government couple of decades ago. Visits to some special market locations, for example, street number 12, 11, and 9, within the city can give a good sense of hustle-bustle of a typical small town.
Abohar is also an open wild life sanctuary. In villages of Abohar you can find Black Buck(deer). Situated in the southern tip of the Division, this Wild Life Sanctuary is an open Sanctuary comprising 16 revenue villages. These villages are inhabited by the Bishnoi Community whose love for animals is legendary. The total area of the Sanctuary is 46513 acres (188.2 km²). It was declared as a Wild Life Sanctuary under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2000. The main species found in the Sanctuary is the Black Buck which can be seen loitering around in the fields and sometimes even in homes like cattle. In addition, a variety of other animals like Nilgai, Wild boar, Porcupine, Jackal, Hare etc. can also be seen
These animals are protected by villagers as they don't let hunters kill them.
.Shri Sankat Mochan Khatu Dham situated at Abohar Sri Ganganagar Road vill.Alamgarh bye pass chowk ABOHAR.This is a holy place of Lord Sri Khatu Shyam ji & Lord Sri Salasar Hanuman ji. This place is now under construction with in a large space of 33000 square feet (3,065.8 m²) area. An annual function is held in Sep. or Oct. month of the every year. A big crowd gathers in the function. Many other big functions are organised by the community. This is first big temple in Punjab.
A Few other historical spots:
- Usha Mata Mandir
- Shree Balaji Dham
- Shree Geeta mandir
- Shree Shyam Bihari mandir
- Ghanta Ghar
- Bhagat Singh Chowk
- Nehru Park
- Raja Abba Killa
- Regional Fruit Research Station (Seed Farm) Kinnow was first introduced in India from this research station
- Sapan Waali Village (Produces rose plants for the whole north India)
- Black Buck Wild Life Sanctuary
- Shree Sankatmochan Shani dev Mandir
- Basanti Mata Mandir Dangar Khera
- New Sai Baba Mandir,
- Shri Sankat Mochan Khatu Dham
- Santoshi Mata Mandir
- Waryam khera village
- Johri mandir
- Bishnoi Mandir Mehrana Dhora (Sito Gunno to Malout Road)
- Jandwala Hanwanta Village Baba Ram Dev Mandir
- Koil Khera
- Ramsara village (Ram bagh mandir)
Transportation
Abohar is well connected to other cities in the state of RajasthanRajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
, Haryana
Haryana
Haryana is a state in India. Historically, it has been a part of the Kuru region in North India. The name Haryana is found mentioned in the 12th century AD by the apabhramsha writer Vibudh Shridhar . It is bordered by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to the north, and by Rajasthan to the west and south...
and Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
. Railway and buses are the primary modes of transportation. The town is connected by railways to Ganganagar
Ganganagar
Sri Ganganagar , also called Ganganagar , is the northernmost city of Rajasthan in western India. It is the administrative headquarters of Ganganagar District.-History:...
in southwest direction, Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
through Bhatinda in the east and Fazilka
Fazilka
Fazilka is a city and a municipal council and 22nd newest district in the state of Punjab, India and recently declared as District on July 27, 2011 consisting three subdivisions Fazilka, Jalalabad and Abohar besides three sub-tehsils Arniwala Sheikh Suban, Sito Guno and Khuian Sarwar.- History...
in the north though trains have not started to run on the tracks to Fazilka.
Recently Abohar got its first and most awaited Flyover
Overpass
An overpass is a bridge, road, railway or similar structure that crosses over another road or railway...
that has removed bottleneck between Municipal Bus Stand and College Road and facilitated fast movement of vehicles.
Languages
PunjabiPunjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
, the official language of Punjab, and Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
are the main languages spoken in Abohar with their various dialects such as Bagri and Haryanavi.