Introduction: With an area of 5139 sq. kms, Sirohi is the third smallest district of Rajasthan after Dungarpur and Banswara districts. Located at 24’200 to 25’ 170 to north latitude and 72’160 to 73’100 longitude. District is covered by pali in the north-east, Udaipur in east, Jalore in west and Banaskantha district of Gujarat in the south.
History: The historical records reveals that the name Sirohi is derived from the Sirwana hills on the western slope of which the district is located. In his book “Travels in Western India” Col. Todd states that the name had been derived due to the position of district at the head (sir) of the desert (rohi). The other name by which district is famous is SWORD, the main reason is due to wide believe of people that the erstwhile rulers of the state Deora Chauhans were the brave warriors and had their swords always ready for war.
The historic records of 1405 reveals that Rao Sobha Ji the sixth successor from Rao Deoraj, who was the founder of the Deora Clan of Chauhans founded the town Shivpuri on eastern slope of Siranwa hill which is also known as KHUBA.
In the year 1482 (V.S.) i.e. 1425 (A.D.) Sehastramal, the son of Rao Sobha ji founded the present city SIROHI on weatern slope and liad foundation stone of the Sirohi fort on second day of Vaisakh at the top of present city of Sirohi and made its capital on the Sirwana hills. In the later years the whole area came under the dominance of Deora clans of Chauhans. In the puranic tradition (ancient period) the area is referred as "Arbudh Pradesh". It was also sometimes known as Arbudanchal. i.e. Arbud + Anchal.
After Independence an agreement was signed between Central Government and minor ruler of Sirohi State, according to which the State Administration of the Sirohi State was taken over by Bombay Government and it continued from 5th January 1949 to 25th January 1950.
With merger of state in Rajasthan in 1950, an area of 787 Sq. Km. consisting of Aburoad and Delwara tehsils of Sirohi district was renamed with the Bombay State on Ist Nov. 1956, after the recommendation of the State organisation Commission, which forms the present position of the district.
Tourist Destinations: The major tourist destinations of the district are briefed below:
Mount Abu: Mount Abu is the highest peak in the Aravalli Range of mountains in the state of Rajasthan. It is located in Sirohi district. The highest peak on the mountain is Guru Shikhar, at 1722. Mount Abu is located in the southwestern Rajasthan, close to the borders of Gujarat. It is located at a distance of 185 km from Udaipur, 221 km from Ahmedabad, 264 km from Jodhpur, 500 km from Jaipur and 765 km from Delhi. Tourists can enjoy pleasant climate throughout the year. During summer the temperature varies between 23 to 34 degrees and in winters it is between 11 to 28 degree celsisus. Warm clothes are required in winters (November-January). The hill station receives an average annual rainfall of 100-150 cms.
Varman (Sun Temple): The Sun Temple of Varman, known as the Brahman-Svamin, is one of the most famous temples in India. Located at distance of 45 Kms. from Abu Railway/Bus Station, there is a village known Varma. Traditionally it was called Brahmana, as revealed from the old historic records. The Old temples tanks, wells and old buildings, indicates that the place had been the prosperous place of its time in the ancient time.
Chandravati: The tourism to Sirohi is incomplete without the mention of CHANDRAVATI. Located at 6 Kms away from Abu Road on Abu - Ahemadabad Highway. It is destroyed city of Parmar clan of rajputs. At present it is called as Chandela. During 10th and 11th century the parmars were the rulers of Arbudmandal . Chandravati was the capital of the Parmars. It was the main centre of buisness and trade. As it was the capital of the Parmar it had rich cultural and social heritage. The Parmar of Abu, king Sindhuraj was the ruler of the whole Maru Mandal.
The other major tourist attractions located in the district without visiting which the visit to Sirohi is useless are Sarneshwar ji temple, Jiraval (Jain piligrimage), Mirpur, Ajari, Sarvadharam Temple, Bamandevji Temple, Temple street, Karodidhwaj Temple, Ambeshwar ji Temple, Pava Puri Temple, Bheru Tarak Dham
Facts and Figures
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Area 5179 Square Km
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Total Population |
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8,51,107
Male - 4,37,949
Female – 4,13,158
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Percentage growth in 10 years
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1981-91 20.66 %
1991-01 30.08
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Population Density
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164 per square Km
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Literacy
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Total – 54.39 %
Male – 70.58 %
Female – 37.37
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Rural Population
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7,00,217
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Urban Population
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1,50,890
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No. of Villages
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495
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Sub Divisions
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Five- Sirohi, Reodar, Pindwara, Sheoganj, Mt. Abu
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Tehsils
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Five- Sirohi, Reodar, Pindwara, Sheoganj, Mt. Abu
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Sub Tehsils
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Three (Mandar, Bhavari, Kalandri)
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Nagar Palikas
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Five (Sirohi, Sheoganj, Pindwara, Aburoad, Mt. Abu )
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12.
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Panchayat Samitis
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Five (Sirohi, Sheoganj, Pindwara, Aburoad, Reodar)
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Gram Panchayats
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151
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