Vadnagar is located at. It has an average elevation of 143 metres. Vadnagar is located south of Kheralu Tehsil, on west side of Unjha tehsil, on South of Visnagar and Vijapur tehsil. East side of it, Sabarkantha District is located.
Demographics
Indiacensus, Vadnagar had population of 27,790 of which 14,097 are males while 13,693 are females. Female Sex Ratio is of 971 against state average of 919. Moreover Child Sex Ratio in Vadnagar is around 937 compared to Gujarat state average of 890. Vadnagar has an average literacy rate of 80.53%, higher than the national average of 78.03%: male literacy is 90.41%, and female literacy is 70.42%. In Vadnagar, 12.26% of the population is under 6 years of age.
History
Several ancient inscriptions and literary sources mention a town called Anartapura or Anandapura, which is identified as the area in and around the present-day Vadnagar. The Mahabharata mentions the Anarta Kingdom in the northern part of the present-day Gujarat. The oldest Puranic legend about Gujarat is about a king named Anartha. The Junagadh rock inscription of Western Kshatrapa king Rudradaman I mentions a region called "Anartha" in the northern part of the present-day Gujarat. The Maitraka rulers of Vallabhi issued several land grants to the Brahmins of Anarthapura or Anandapura. The Harsola copper plates of the Paramaraking record the grant of two villages in Gujarat area to the Nagar Brahmins originating from Anandapura. This Anandapura is also identified with Vadnagar, which is associated with the Nagar Brahmins. In 2009, the archaeologists discovered a 4 km long fortification near Vadnagar, which they believe could be the historical Anartapura. Vadnagar has also yielded an image of Bodhisattva dated back to the 3rd or 4th century AD. This image seems to be brought from Mathura to install in one of the Buddhist monasteries of the town. Vadnagar's old town is located inside the walls of a fort which has six gates namely Arjun Bari, Nadiol, Amarthol, Ghaskol, Pithori and Amarthol in which Amarthol gate area is the oldest existing part of the town. The river Kapila used to flow through the town of Vadnagar
Places of interest
The town is also blessed with a magnificent lake named as "Sharmistha Lake" which has a small island like place amidst it. It is connected with a 7 km long inlet canal. The government is developing this island into a beautiful garden. Vadnagar also has various public architectures like a Museum and Library, government hospital and a government court. It also has unearthed remains of Buddhist monastery which belongs to 7th century AD. There are scores of temples dedicated to almost every God: Shiva, Vishnupuri, Chhabila, Hanuman, Ashapuri Mata, Ambaji Mata, Sitla mata, Bhuvaneshpuri Temple, Amther Mata, Gauri kund, Swaminarayan Temple, two Jain derasars, to name just a few. Of the numerous Shiva shrines, the 15th-century "Hatkeshver Mahadev" is the most important. He is the family deity of the Nagar Brahmins. Facing the east, it is enclosed by a high wall surmounted by three circular domes. From the roof of the sanctum rises a massive pinnacle, which soars high above in the sky. A massive congregation hall leads to the sanctum which houses a shivling said to have self-emerged or as it is said -"Swayambhu". The exterior of the temple is exquisitely and profusely ornamented with figures of the nine planets, regent deities, the chief gods of the Hindu pantheon, scenes from the life of Krishna and Pandava princes, besides the varied animal and floral motifs. Renovated twice or thrice is the "Sitla Mata" Temple ornately carved with figures of celestial beings. Its door frames and ceilings depict the Rasmandala. The most striking pieces of architecture in Vadnagar, however, are the two magnificent Kirtistambhas or triumphal arches. Built of red sandstone they are both identical in size and style. Only, one lies in pieces on the ground and the other stand erect. Its pillars and arches are decorated with lozenges at the base and geometric and floral designs-leaves, creepers, lotus, animal motifs, human figures engaged in various activities and divine figures in different poses. The top bears an image of a seated god Kartikeya flanked by Ganesh and Makara from which spring arches. A number of standing female figures also ornament the top. Vadnagar is also known as Skandhpur after Kartikeya, who is identified with Murugan.
Temple of
- Renovation done in 2009 which includes stadium construction in island in the Lake
