Jalore district overview :

Jalore District is a district of Rajasthan state in western India. The city of Jalore is the administrative headquarters of the district. The district has an area of 10,640 km2 (4,108 sq mi) (3.11 percent of Rajasthan's area), and a population of 1,448,486 (2001 census), with a population density of 136 persons per square kilometre.
 
History :

Jalore District has an old history. The area of Jalore was expanded by Prathihar King Naresh Nagbhatt II from the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea. Before Indian Independence that is before the year 1947 Jalore was under the year Jodhpur Province. But soon after Independence Jalore became a separate district of Rajasthan. All together it can be said about Jalore District that it has a history which has a strong mythological lineage.

Geography :

The district is bounded on the northwest by Barmer District, on the northeast by Pali District, on the southeast by Sirohi District, and by Banaskantha District of Gujarat state on the southwest. The total area of the district is 10,640 km2 (4,108 sq mi). The altitude is 268 m, latitude is 25.22 N and longitude is 72.58 E.

Physiographically, the district is oblong in shape, extending up to Rann of Kutch (Gujarat). The region is generally plain but for some scattered thickly wooded hills in the north and some hillocks in the centre. The eastern portion of the district is rocky while the western tract is a roughly plain dotted with Sand dunes & sand ridges. In respect of its geological formation, most part of district is formed of fourth century modern century deposits. These deposits can be seen in Grid pattern formed by sand (Balu), new alluvial and old alluvial Soils. In Bhinmal Teshil's South Eastern part of Jaswantpur, highest mountains of the district are situated. the highest peak is Sundha (991 meters, 3252 feet).Luni River is the main river in the district with its tributaries Jawai, Khari, Sukri, Bandi, and Sagi. All the rivers are seasonal.

Administrative set-up :

There are five sub-units Ahore, Jalore, Bhinmal, Raniwara and Sanchore. Jalore, Ahore, Bhinmal, Raniwara, Sanchore, Sayala and Bagoda are tehsils and Bhadrajun have Sub-Tehsil Office. There are seven Panchayat Samitis including Jalore, Bhinmal, Akoli and Sayala. Jaswantpura and Chitalwana is declared to be made tehsils in Rajasthan budget-2012-13. There are 767 revenue villages in the district grouped under 264 Gram Panchayat villages. Three Municipalities are situated at Jalore, Bhinmal and Sanchore.

Demographics :

According to the 2011 census Jalore district has a population of 1,830,151, roughly equal to the nation of Kosovo or the US state of Nebraska. This gives it a ranking of 260th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 172 inhabitants per square kilometre (450/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 26.31%. Jalor has a sex ratio of 951 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 55.58%.

Economy :

The economy of district is mainly based on agriculture and animal husbandry. The oilseeds specially mustard oil seed is predominant crop. Wheat, bajra, kharif pulses, barley, jowar and in very huge quantity of fleawort. Of late some mineral based industries are set up based on mineral available from local mines. The main minerals produced are: Gypsum, limestone, bajari, murram, granite, and graded fluorite.

There is no large and medium size industry in the district. The main small scale industries are :granite slabs and tiles, marble cutting and polishing, mustard seed crushing, skimmed milk powder, butter and ghee, handloom cloth, leather shoes (mojari). There are four industrial areas in the district. In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Jalore one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640). It is one of the twelve districts in Rajasthan currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).

Tourism in Jalore District :

Jalore district is an interesting place which serves as an important tourist destination. Number of tourists throngs the district throughout the year in order to enjoy the various places of tourism which are present in the district. The well known tourist destinations of Jalore District include religious as well as historical places of interest.

Sundha Mata Temple :

Sundha Mata Temple is located at 1220 meters height in the Aravalli mountain ranges. On Sundha Mountain is the temple of goddesses Chamunda Devi which is a very sacred place for devotees. It is 105 Km from the district headquarter and 35 Km. from sub divisional Bhinmal. This place lies in Raniwara Teshil in the midst of Malwara to Jaswantpura Road near Dantlawas village. Numerous tourists from both Gujarat and Rajasthan visit the place in huge numbers. The environment here is afresh and attractive. Sundha temple is made up of while marble, the pillars reminds the art of Abus's Delwara temple pillars. A very beautiful idol of goddesses Chamunda is present under the huge stone.

Sire Mandir Temple :

Sire Mandir Temple is famous for its natural beauty belief and austerity. Sire temple is the abode of Lord Shankar and was built by Raja Ratan Singh. The Ratneshwar Temple, on the other hand, is famous for its vastness. Besides the Sundha Mata Temple of Jalore District the other religious places of the area are Sevadas Pataleswara, Jaganath Mahadev, Neelkanth Mahadev, Jahaz Temple Mandala. There is also a Jain Temple in Bhandavpur and a Jain Temple at Bakra Road.
 
Topkhana :

In the middle of Jalore District are the remains of a great Sanskrit School which dates back to the times of King Bhoj. Presently the school is known by the name Topkhana. Every pillar of the school attracts visitors for hours of its tiny stone carvings. It is an example of the beauty of middle ages art. The engravings of flowers, chains, elephant, bells, vines are basically in the form of geometric figures. In the main premise one room is built 10 feet above earth in the right corner, stairs are built to lead there.

Palace of Man Singh , one pillar of Parmar dynasty stands reserved on a small platform. Probably this is the only memorial of Parmars. The human height red stone's pillar instantly speaks out the beauty of its artistic sculpting.