Nargol

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  ?Nargol
Gujarat • India
Map indicating the location of Nargol
Thumbnail map of India with Gujarat highlighted
Location of Nargol
 Nargol 
Coordinates: 20°13′59″N 72°45′00″E / 20.233, 72.75
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
• Elevation
• 5 m (16 ft)
District(s) Valsad
Population 54,700 (2001)
Codes
• Pincode
• Telephone
• Vehicle
• 396135
• +02638672
• GJ-15

Coordinates: 20°13′59″N 72°45′00″E / 20.233, 72.75Nargol (also: Nargole) is a village located in the southern region of the Indian state of Gujarat near the Maharashtra border. It lies about 150 kilometres (93 mi) north from Mumbai on the Arabian Sea coast. Nargol beach is dotted with Casuarina trees and the waters have a population of sea turtles. The nearest town is Vapi, located about 11 kilometres (7 mi), and the nearest airports are Daman and Surat. The nearest railway station is Sanjan, (about 15 kilometres from the village) with frequent train connections to both Mumbai in south and Gujarat in the north.

The countryside surrounding Nargol is typical Indian countryside dotted with small farmhouses. Around Nargol you can see water buffalos swimming in the rivers or quiet landscapes of dry savannah where only a few people have their homes. The beaches are wide and lonely sandbeaches with big tidal water level differences. Out on the sea you can daily spot traditional small fishing boats that patrol the coast in search of fish. In the village the palm trees are high and the temperatures are tropical.

Nargol is a small town with houses mostly not visited by owners. The beach is rarely visited by locals and is not very crowded. It is an interesting holiday destination and sees a few tourists, who come there to enjoy the isolation and peace of mind. The seaside is part of the Gulf of Cambay (Gulf of Khambhat), which has very clouded waters with almost no visibility. This is possibly because of the large rivers that bring their humus to the sea around the bay.

One of the most exciting new archaeological discoveries of the 21st century - an ancient city which is said to be over 9000 years old - has been found 30-40 meters under the sea. This is one of the main findings of the marine archaeology in the Gulf of Cambay. The scientists made this discovery in the year 2000.[1]

The village has experienced problems with the water scarcity as well as salinity problems. [2] UNICEF has made efforts to teach village leaders about issues concerning child survival and development.[3]

Yatinbhai Bhandari is the 2007 elected Sarpanch (Village Head) of Nargol. [4]

For emergency situatuons the local telephone number is 108. Emergency Medical Research Institute (EMRI) takes care of road and fire accident victims on a 24-hour basis through the year.[5] The telephone pin code for Nargol is: 396135 (this is not needed for the emergency calls).

There is also a market every Friday and most necessary items are available there.


Contents

[edit] Religious activities

As so often in India, different religious communities have their importance in the local area.

The town is especially known for its Parsi (Zoroastrian) population.

Near the beach is an Agiary (or fire temple, which is the place of worship for parsis) often visited by the Parsis who often come to this village from Mumbai and other nearby places to visit the places of worship, like Udwada which is renowned for Iranshah Ātash Bahrām, the oldest and most famous of the Parsi fire temples. In the village there is also a Parsi Association Guest House.[6]

Nargol has importance also for the followers of Sahaja Yoga. One of the Casuarina trees is called "Nirmal Tree" [7]. The tree is a local sight and can be found nearby the beach. According to a Sahaja Yoga legend the Sahasrara chakra was opened in Nargol in the beginning of 1970's under this tree, thus marking the beginning of Sahaja Yoga.[8][9]

In Nargol there is also the Sri Auromira international school (SAIS), which is a base for the followers of Sri Aurobindo. The school is a boarding school with ideals of finding the learning potential of each and every child in a perfect harmonious environment with Aurobindo's spiritual teachings in mind. [10]

There is also a Shree Swaminarayan Mandir (temple) located in Nargol. The movement is led by Acharya 1008 Shree Tejendraprasadji Maharaj.[11]

[edit] Geography

Nargol is located at 20.2333° N 72.7500° E.[12] It has an average elevation of 5 metres (16 feet).

[edit] References

  1. ^ BBC News | SOUTH ASIA | Lost city 'could rewrite history'
  2. ^ http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:s802ja8iZtgJ:ddws.nic.in/popups/CaseStudies/Women%2520at%2520the%2520Helm.pdf+nargol+village&hl=fi&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=fi
  3. ^ UNICEF India - Child protection
  4. ^ UNICEF India - Child protection
  5. ^ Any emergency services like ambulance, fire, available in nargol, gujarat? - Yahoo! Answers
  6. ^ http://ignca.nic.in/bibzs004.htm list of Parsi Anjumans (Associations) in India
  7. ^ Sahaja Yoga centers, meditation meetings, Meditation Centres
  8. ^ Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi and Sahaja Yoga
  9. ^ http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Nirmala-Srivastava
  10. ^ Sri Auromira International School
  11. ^ About swaminarayan temple and swaminaray sampraday
  12. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Nargol

[edit] External links