Chanod is a census town in the state of Gujarat. According to the 2001 Indian census, males constitute 61% of the population and females constitute 39% of the population while the total population of about 11,958.It has an average literacy rate of 72%which is higher than the national average fixed at 59.5%.16% of the population is below six years of age.
Chanod is one of the most holy and sacred towns in the State of Gujarat in India. Chanod is situated at the bank of River Narmada and is located around 31 miles away from Vadodara and around 14 miles away from Dabhoi. Chanod is famous for performing all sorts of rituals that are done after the death of the individual as per Hindu religion. Such rituals are considered a must and very vital in the Hindu religion and if they are not performed, it is believed that the dead person shall never get peace after the death and his spirit will wander around, unsatisfied. The three Rivers, namely Narmada, Orsang, and Gupt Sarswati, meet here at Chanod. This Triveni Sangam is considered very holy and gives lot of importance to Chanod. As soon as you reach Chanod, many Brahmins may gather around you requesting you to hire them for performing the religious rituals. Be careful and hire only the person whom you know in advance. There is a big Ghat at Chanod, where Narmada River flows with full force in full width of around 1500 feet. The main Ghat has 64 steps and is 60 feet wide. You will have to get in to the boat from this main Ghat to reach up to the point of Triveni Sangam. The boats are all rowing boats and no motorboats are available. Be careful in negotiating the rates for this boat. If you want only to go up to the Sangam and come back after taking a bath, the rates for the boat shall be around Rs.100 per boat that can accommodate around 12 persons. You must take your bath very carefully and should not go much deeper in the River Narmada as it is not very safe. The water is very deep and the danger of crocodiles is very real in this area. It can take around one and a half hour to go and come back after taking a bath at Sangam. Many people come here for Asthi Visarjan of their dead relatives in to this Triveni Sangam.
Around Chanod:
There are many temples all along the bank of River Narmada and if you want, you can get down from the boat and perform the Darshnas in each of this temple. The main temple is of Lord Shiva and is located at the main Ghat of Chanod. There is a twin town of Chanod, known as Karnali. Karnali is located around 4 miles to the North of Chanod. The boat can take you to Karnali in around 2 hours on a clear day. However, if there is a heavy wind or rains, it can take much longer. There is a famous temple of Guru Dattatreya at Karnali, where the footprints of Dattatreya Bhagvan can be seen. You need to climb 124 steps to reach to this temple. There is a very big fair here at Karnali on Chaitri Poonam. Around 100,000 people gather here every year on this big day from all over the country.
Accommodation & Eating in Chanod:
There are no good restaurants here at Chanod that can serve you good food. You should carry your own food with you or you can have your lunch at the house of your Brahmin. You can pay him later for the same. You can only get some hot beverages like tea or coffee and some cold drinks here at Chanod. Hotel Haveli is recently started at Chanod in the old palace of Mandavi State. This hotel is located just at the main Ghat of Chanod and offers you the most scenic view of the River Narmada from your room. The rates for a double room in this hotel are around Rs.200 per day for two persons. The hotel serves Gujarati Thali, but it is not up to the standard and may be avoided if possible.
When to visit Chanod:
The beauty of Chanod and Karnali is really worth seeing in the rainy season from July to October. River Narmada flows full of water and only few steps of the main ghat at Chanod can be visible. It is not advisable to take a boat to go up to sangam or taking a bath in the river during rainy season. You can visit Chanod/Karnali and can return back to Vadodara by late evening. It may not be necessary to stay for night at Chanod. However, if it is required to stay, you must stay at Hotel Haveli. If one happens to stay here for the night, make it sure to do boating in River Narmada during nighttime. That surely shall be the most memorable experience of life.
Demographics of Chanod:
According to the 2001 Indian census of Chanod, males constitute 61% of the population and females constitute 39% of the population while the total population of about 11,958. It has an average literacy rate of 72% which is higher than the national average fixed at 59.5%.16% of the population is below six years of age.
How to reach Chanod:
We can easily reach Chanod by hired car, taxi or a State Transport bus from Vadodara. It takes around one hour to drive up to Chanod. Chanod, also known as Chandod, is a small town having native population of around 15000 people. However, many visitors keep on coming here for performing various religious rituals. There is a heavy rush on some auspicious days like full moon days etc.
