Giraudpuri Explained

Giraudpuri
Other Name:Giraudhpuri, Giroudhpuri, Giroudpuri, Girodhpuri, Girod, Girodpuri
Settlement Type:village
Pushpin Map:India Chhattisgarh#India
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Chhattisgarh, India
Coordinates:21.6116°N 82.5587°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:India
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Chhattisgarh
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Baloda Bazar
Unit Pref:Metric
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:IST
Utc Offset1:+5:30
Postal Code Type:PIN
Postal Code:493335
Registration Plate:CG-

Giraudpuri is a village in the Baloda Bazar district of Chhattisgarh, India. Located beside the Jonk River, it is the birthplace of the Satnami sect's founder Ghasidas, and a pilgrimage centre for the Satnamis.

History

The village is notable as the birth place of Guru Ghasidas, the founder of the Satnam panth (religious sect).[1] It is a major place of pilgrimage (dham) for the Satnamis.[2] His son Balakdas purchased land in Girodhpuri to strengthen the Satnami sect.[3] A jayanti mela (birth anniversary fair) held in honour of Ghasidas was first held in Giraudpuri in 1932.[4]

The village was originally known as "Girod". By the time Chhattisgarh became a state in 2000, the Satnamis had become a politically important voting group. The state government renamed the village to "Girodpuri" ("Girod town"), and started developing the area as a tourist centre to generate income, and to gain the political support of the Satnamis. The government built a temple, surrounded by other infrastructure such as hostels, parking areas, and space for the makeshift shops and stalls to be set up during the annual mela. The government also developed roads leading to the area, and advertised the site as an important pilgrimage centre of the state. As a result of these efforts, the attendance at the mela increased from around 20,000 in 2001 to over 500,000 in 2008.[5]

In 2022, the INC-led Chhattisgarh government announced that the village will be renamed to "Baba Guru Ghasidas Dham Giroudpuri".[6]

Tourism

The main landmark of the village is Guru Ghasidas Jaitkham, a 77 metre high tower used as a pilgrimage centre by the Satnamis. A jaitkham ("victory pillar") is a Satnami object of worship, and a symbol of their distinct sectarian identity.[4] It is also known as Jaithkham, Jaitkhambh, Jait Khamba, Jait Khamb, or Jai Stambh. The Jaitkham at Giraudpuri was commissioned by the BJP-led Chhattisgarh government, and constructed by a Kolkata-based firm as an earthquake-resistant structure. The project was scheduled to be completed in 2007 at a cost of 17 crores,[7] but was completed in 2015 at a cost of 51.43 crores. In 2010, while questioning the government on the delay and the cost overruns, the opposition INC leaders alleged that the tower was originally planned to be 122 m high, but the BJP government denied this.[7] When Chief Minister Raman Singh inaugurated the tower on 18 December 2015, it was said to be the tallest concrete structure in India.[8] [9] Visitors can climb the tower up to 65m taking the spiral stairs or elevators. At its centre, the structure has a conference hall with a capacity to hold 2000 people.[8]

Charan Kund, sacred pond, is another pilgrimage site in the village. Amrit Kund, a pond whose water is said to be sweet, is located a kilometre from the village. The annual Giraudpuri Mela (fair), also known as the "Guru Darshan Mela", is held at the village.[10] [11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: District Census Handbook: Raipur . Directorate of Census Operations . 2011 . 2022-08-18 .
  2. News: Shah to visit Satnami community site in Chhattisgarh . 2017-06-07 . 2022-08-18 . Economic Times .
  3. Book: R.K. Kshirsagar . Dalit Movement in India and Its Leaders, 1857-1956 . MD . New Delhi . 9788185880433 . 1994 . 223 .
  4. Book: Jonathan Parry . Classes of Labour . 2020 . Social Science Press . 9781351362849 . 340 .
  5. Book: P. Pratap Kumar . Contemporary Hinduism . 2014 . 9781317546351 . Taylor & Francis . 168–171.
  6. News: Chhattisgarh Government To Rename Three Villages Of Spiritual, Historical Significance . 2022-08-01 . 2022-08-18 . Outlook .
  7. News: India's tallest brick tower to cost Rs 51 cr . WebIndia123 . 2010-03-26 . 2022-08-18 .
  8. News: CM dedicates country's highest concrete tower in Chhattisgarh . 2015-12-18 . 2022-08-18 . United News of India .
  9. News: Rahul Gandhi to visit Giroudhpuri in Chhattisgarh tomorrow . 2016-03-13 . 2022-08-18 . Economic Times .
  10. Web site: Giraudpuri Dham . Balodabazar District Administration . 2022-08-18 .
  11. News: Guru Darshan Mela to begin on March 7 . 2022-02-28 . 2022-08-18 . The Pioneer .