Panchmahal district is located in the eastern part of Gujarat. The major industrial locations in the district are Kalol, Halol and Godhra. The area of the district is 5,083 sq. km. As per 2001 census, the population of Gujarat is 1,580,000 with a population density of 388 persons per sq. km. Panchmahal district is an industrial sector. Major tourist attractions in the district include Champaner-Pavagadh Archeological Park (listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO), temple of Mata Kalika in Pavagarh, the Jain pilgrimage centre at Pavoli, fairs of Chaiti Atham and Math Kotal, Kadana Dam, etc.
Geography of Panchmahal District
Geographical location of Panchmahal District is 22.30 degree to 23.23 degree North (Latitude) and 73.15 degree to 74.75 degree East (Longitude). The maximum temperature of this district is 45 degree centigrade and the minimum temperature is 14 degree centigrade. Average rainfall in this area is 1,047 mm. Panam, Mahisagar, Neshri, Kunkaran, Goma, Dhadhar, Rivers Veri and Sukhi are the rivers flowing through this district.
Education in Panchmahal District
Total number of Government and private schools in Panchmahal District (primary, secondary and higher secondary) is 2480. Colleges offer courses in various streams such as arts, commerce, science, law etc. Technical institutions of this district offer courses in subjects like desktop publishing, electric motor rewinding, servicing, Scooter mechanics, refrigeration, secretarial assistance, IT, electronic installation and wiring.
Economy of Panchmahals District
Panchmahal District is rich in minerals and agricultural production. Major occupations in the district are dairy farming and agriculture; major crops cultivated are wheat, maize and pulses. Panchmahals boasts of 97 percent production of Quartz in Gujarat and supplies to other districts and regions. The district is a manufacturing base for steel products, automobiles and cryogenic equipments. Almost 60 percent of total numbers of small scale industries (SSIs) are concentrated in Godhra, Kalol and Halol talukas of the district.
Tourism in Panchmahal District
Champaner-Pavagadh Archeological Park, in Panchmahal District was inscribed on World Heritage List by UNESCO in July 2004. The medieval city of Champaner-Pavagarh is dotted with large number of historical monuments of various religious faiths, and water bodies, both natural and man made. It attracts about 20 lakh visitors every year. Panchmahal is also home to many religious places such as Luneshwar Mahadev Temple and Marideshvar Mahadev Temple. Chaiti Atham and Math Kotal fairs of the district attract many tourists every year. Jambhughoda Wild life sanctuary and Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary are other tourist attractions.
How to reach Panchmahal District
By Air:
Nearest airport to Panchmahal District is at Vadodara which is 80 km away.
By Road:
Total road length in Panchmahal District is 4861.87 kms. National Highway (NH) 59 passes through the district connecting it to Ahmedabad (136 km) and Indore. NH 8 passes through Nadiad - Godhra (district headquarter) - Dahod. State Highway 4 passes through - Nadiad - Halol - Godhra- Lunawada.
By Rail:
Six broad gauge railway stations are present in the district. Total rail length of the district is 155 km - broad gauge line. Main railway station is at Godhra. The railway station at Godhra in the district is on the main railway track of Delhi- Mumbai.