Sirohi District Overview :

Sirohi District is a district of Rajasthan state in western India. The City of Sirohi is the district headquarters and the largest city of the district. Abu Road is the industrial town of Sirohi District. As of 2011 it is the third least populous district of Rajasthan (out of 33), after Jaisalmer and Pratapgarh.

Demographics :

According to the 2011 census Sirohi district has a population of 1,037,185, roughly equal to the nation of Cyprus or the US state of Rhode Island.This gives it a ranking of 437rd in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 202 inhabitants per square kilometre (520/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 21.86%. Sirohi has a sex ratio of 938 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 56.02%.

History :

History of Sirohi district follows a long and rich tradition. The district, located on the western slope of the Siranwa hills, is said to derive its name from the same. Sirohi formed a part of the powerful kingdom at Mount Abu, which came under the rule of a number of fierce dynasties. Lumba, a scion of the younger branch of the rulers of the Chauhan dynasty at Jalore, seized Abu from the Parmars in the year 1311 A.D. and became the first king of the territory now known as the kingdom of Sirohi. The famous town of Chandravati situated on the bank at the Banas River, was the capital of the kingdom and Lumba took his residence there and ruled till 1320 A.D. The sixth descendant in line from Lumba, gave up Chadravati and built a town below the Siranwa hill. This town however proved to be unhealthy and the present town of Sirohi was founded by his son Sahasmal nearby. He founded a fort here as well, making it the capital of his kingdom. Later all the area under the Deoras came to be known as Sirohi. With the independence of India in 1947 the process of integration of princely states of India started. The Sirohi state was merged on 16th November 1949 with the state of Rajasthan. 

Geography :

The district generally has a dry climate, with the average rainfall standing at 665 mms. Among the major rivers flowing through the district are the Jawai, Sukhadi, Khari, Bodi, Krishnavati, Kapalganga and Banas. The main dams of the district are Banas, Oda, Danta, Chandela, Girwar, Niboda, Javal, Karodi Dwaj, Angor etc. The district is primarily agricultural and the crops grown here include millets, pulses, sesame and red chillies. The hot season is somewhat milder than in the adjoining districts to the north and north-west. The average winter temperature experienced by the district is around 23 degree Celsius, with summer temperatures hitting a maximum of 47 degrees. The major languages spoken in the district are Hindi and the Rajasthani language. The main urban centres here are Abu Road, Rewdar, Sibganj, Mount Abu and Pirwara. Literacy rate at the last count was 91.76 percentages, where males stand at 54.39 percent literacy and females at 37.37 percent. 

Culture :

Culture of Sirohi District is reflected in the various art forms that are found existing here. A variety of song and dance rituals and customs are typical to the place. These include the Mayra Song, Banada and Toran all of which are sung on the occasion of marriage. Others include Gair dance, the Gachhi Ghodi etc. In the field of paintings too the district has a rich tradition. Paintings in the Sirohi district are based on the folk style and greatly influenced by the Mewar, Marwar and Mughal styles. A number of fairs and festivals are also held in the Sirohi district. Some of the popular fairs in the district are the fair of Kambeshwar Mahadev, fair of Vambeshwar Mahadev, Bhuteshwar Fair, Karrodidwaj Fair etc. 

Economy :

The district is mainly an agricultural district, and the main crops grown here include jowar, bajra, maize, pulses, sesame, groundnut, and castor seed, wheat, barley, rapeseed and mustard seeds. The major industries contributing towards the economy are those engaged in the manufacture of dairy products, bread, ice, cotton spinning, chemicals, plastic products, cement, and surgical equipment. The main industrial centres are located at Abu Growth Centre. The main markets are at Sheoganj and Abu Road. 

Places of interest :

Kusuma :  Kusuma is a village attached to 'MAGARIWARA' in Reodar Tahsil of Sirohi District of Indian state of Rajasthan. It is 45 km from Abu Road. Its ancient name was Kutsasrama meaning a hermitage of Kutsa. In the seventh century it was famous for the temple of Shiva, built in neighbourhood of Kusuma by a warrior named Satyabhata. In 625 AD this area was held by Rajilla who was a feudatory of King Varmalata of Bhinmal.

Mirpur Jain Temple : This temple is more than 1,100 years old temple dedicated to Parshvanatha,the twenty-thirdh Jain Tirthankara of the present age. This temple belongs to Shwetamber murti pujak sect of Jainism. The Moolnayak of the temple is a 90 cm tall white colored idol of Parshvanatha called Bhidbhanjan Parshwanathji. This sculpture illustrates Parshwanath's triumph over Kamatha, his arch enemy, in considerable detail. In this sculpture, Dharnnendra raises a hood of 5 cobras to provide shelter for Lord Parshwanath from the relentless storm set into motion by Kamatha. The indescribable artistry of this temple is famous throughout the world and is considered by many to be unmatched. The ancient art of this temple served as a model for the later Dilwara and Ranakpur temples.

Mount Abu : Mount Abu town, the only hill station in Rajasthan, is at an elevation of 1,220 m (4,003 ft). It has been a popular retreat from the heat of Rajasthan and neighbouring Gujarat for centuries. The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1960 and covers 290 km² of the mountain.

The mountain is home to several Hindu temples, including the Adhar Devi Temple (also known as Arbuda Devi Temple), carved out of solid rock; the Shri Raghunathji Temple; and a shrine and temple to Dattatreya built atop the Guru Shikhar peak and a number of Jain templesincluding Dilwara Temples, a complex of temples carved of white marble built between the 11th and 13th centuries CE. The oldest of these is the Vimal Vasahi temple, built in 1021 CE by Vimal Shah and dedicated to the first of the Jain Tirthankaras. They include the Achaleswar Mahadev Temple (1412) and the Kantinath Temple (1513). It is the location of the headquarters of the Brahma Kumaris.

Shree Pavapuri Tirth Dham : Shree Pavapuri Tirth Dham is situated at Sirohi district of Rajasthan. This temple was built by K. P. Sanghvi Group and it comprises a Jain Tirth (Temple complex) and Jeev Raksha Kendra (Animal Welfare Center). The Tirth derived its name after the Pavada Agriculture well that exists there.
 

Chandravati :Chandravati Town was once a major centre of business and trade during the Nagar Civilisation. It is believed that this town was built on a city destroyed by the Parmar Dynasty. This town is also known as Chandela and served as the capital of the Parmars in the 10th and 11th centuries.